Quality and Reliability Engineering International is a journal devoted to practical engineering aspects of quality and reliability. A refereed bimonthly technical journal it covers the development and practical application of existing theoretical methods research and industrial practices. Articles in the journal will be concerned with case studies tutorial-type reviews and also with applications of new or well-known theory to the solution of actual quality and reliability problems in engineering. Papers describing the use of mathematical and statistical tools to solve real life industrial problems are encouraged provided that the emphasis is placed on practical applications and demonstrated case studies. The scope of the journal is intended to include components physics of failure equipment and systems from the fields of electronic electrical mechanical and systems engineering. The areas of communications aerospace automotive railways shipboard equipment control engineering and consumer products are all covered by the journal. Quality and reliability of hardware as well as software are covered. Papers on software engineering and its impact on product quality and reliability are encouraged. The journal will also cover the management of quality and reliability in the engineering industry. Special issues on a variety of key topics are published every year and contribute to the enhancement of Quality and Reliability Engineering International as a major reference in its field.