Formatting APS Journal Articles :: Title Page
Key words are searchable terms linked to the article. Usually they relate to processes or techniques used in the article. For example, if an article is about K+ channels in guinea pig cells, the key words may be patch-clamp technique, current, or neurons. Many times, scientists look for articles that are related to their field; key words help them find articles that may be relevant to their current experiments.
The author should provide a list of 3-5 key words. If there are no key words, e-mail the author or propose some and query them.
If the author has included a label ("keywords," "key terms," etc.), delete it.
Key words should be all lowercase except for proper nouns.
Key words should be separated by semicolons. Do not use the word "and" between the last two key words of the series. Do not put a period at the end of the list.
Terms that are duplicated in the title or running head of the article should be deleted from the key word list. Abbreviations used in the title or running head should be spelled out in the key word list.
In general, APS prefers that all terms in the key words be fully defined or written out (for example, NOS to nitric oxide synthase). However, this is not always necessary. Terms that are very common, extremely technical (like drug names), or within the APS abbreviations list need not be written out. Use your own discretion in this.
Use the «key» code at the beginning of the key words list.