To guarantee the integrity of a blind review, please ensure that the following steps have been taken to remove identifying data from your submission file:

1. Delete author name(s) from the text, notes, and filename
2. Remove any identifying details from the file properties/metadata

If you have collaborated, used change tracking, added comments, or exchanged a manuscript by email, it is likely that your document contains personal data. To scrub your documents of hidden data, follow the instructions below:

Microsoft Word 2003 (Mac OS/Windows)

• Under the FILE menu select SAVE AS > TOOLS (or OPTIONS on a Mac) > SECURITY
• Check REMOVE PERSONAL INFORMATION FROM FILE PROPERTIES
• Save your document

Microsoft Word 2008 (Mac OS)

• Under the FILE menu select PROPERTIES
• Under the SUMMARY tab remove all of the identifying information from all fields
• Save your document

Microsoft Word 2007 (Windows)

• Click on the “Office Button” in the upper-left hand corner of the application
• Select PREPARE from the menu options.
• Select PROPERTIES for the PREPARE menu options
• Delete all information in the document property fields that appear under the main menu options
• Save the document

Microsoft Word 2010 (Windows)

• Under the FILE menu select PREPARE FOR SHARING
• Click on the CHECK FOR ISSUES icon
• click on INSPECT DOCUMENT icon
• Uncheck all of the checkboxes except DOCUMENT PROPERTIES AND PERSONAL INFORMATION
• Run the document inspector which will search hidden properties and indicate if any fields contain identifying information
• If the document inspector finds that document properties contain information, you will be given the option to REMOVE ALL
• Click REMOVE ALL to remove personal information from the document
• Save the document