Aims and scope

Scatterplot: The MAA Journal of Data Science serves the mathematics community by providing research and expository content at the intersection of mathematics, data science and educational practice. Suggested topics include pedagogy and teaching practice, development of curricula that combine mathematics and data science at the course or program level, intersections with other disciplines, social justice and ethics, and exposition of mathematical ideas used in data science applications. Teaching approaches that help grow and diversify the population of students in these fields are especially encouraged, as are contributions describing the experience of current students or recent graduates in applications and careers.

The journal publishes the following broad areas and article types:

Curricular innovation & Evidence-based teaching practice:
• Research Article
• Review Article
• Article Commentary

Case studies:

(These should include peer reviewed teaching notes to make them more likely to be adopted for classroom use)
• Data Note (if brief and with focus on teaching)
• Case Report (if longer and with focus on outcomes/application)

Conversations with mathematicians and data scientists in the workforce:
• Interview (can include video or audio files)

Explanations of data science tools or software packages for mathematicians:
• Book Review
• Product review

Ethics and equity issues in mathematics and data science:
• Research Article
• Review Article
• Editorial (Invited only or at Editor’s discretion. These are opinion pieces, policy statements, or general commentaries, and should take a point of view encouraging specific practice).

Proposals for high-quality special issues are welcome and should be discussed with the Editor-in-Chief in the first instance.

The Journal encourages submissions from all backgrounds regardless of career stage, geography, gender, or any other defining characteristic. Scatterplot aims to be a truly inclusive journal.

Peer Review Policy
All submitted manuscripts are subject to Crossref similarity checks and initial appraisal by the Editor-in-Chief and/or one of the Associate Editors. If found suitable for further consideration, manuscripts are subject to peer review by at least two independent, anonymous expert referees. All peer review is single anonymous.