Description


 * The ``Beijing On Line Archive'' was created in October 2013.
Rather than a journal, it is an electronic
database of preprints similar to the ``arXiv'' database
in physics (currently maintained by Cornell University).

 * It intends to publish all its papers in bilingual 
Chinese-English form. Although not many 
scientific journals are
bilingual, the French journal ``Population'' 
provided us with a model. Bilingual in French and English,
it has established itself as one of the leading journals
in the field of demography.

 * The ``Beijing On Line Archive'' will be freely available 
on line and will also be free
of charge for the authors. This is very much in line
with the policy of ``arXiv''.

 * ``BOLA: The Physics of Living Populations''
will be foremost devoted to experimental studies. 
Although its initiators do have some specific ideas 
in this respect (as explained below),
any experimental investigation that is scientifically sound
should find its way into the ``Beijing On Line Archive''.
The ``interest'' (a highly subjective notion) of the
investigated phenomenon should not be a relevant factor.
In this regard, our philosophy 
is also modeled on that of ``arXiv''.