Peer Review Process:

     All submitted manuscripts are reviewed initially by the Lead Editor. Manuscripts with insufficient priority for publication will be rejected promptly. Other manuscripts will be sent to the Senior Associate Editor, who will distribute them to editorial consultants with relevant expertise. The editorial consultants will read the papers and evaluate (1) the importance of the topic addressed by the paper; (2) the paper’s conformity to standards of evidence and scholarship; and (3) the clarity of writing style. Comments provided by the editorial consultants will then be provided to the author(s) for follow up. 

Formatting Requirements:

     To support the electronic copy-editing process, authors must honor all of the following guidelines: 

* The page set-up for manuscripts must be set for 1-inch margins on all 4 boarders.

* All pages must be in portrait orientation. There can be no pages in landscape orientation.

* Manuscripts must be typed in single-spacing using size 11 “Times New Roman” Font.

* Manuscripts must be submitted as one continuous document rather than in sections or sub-documents. 

* Each manuscript must include 7 elements in the following order: title, name(s) of author(s), abstract, key words, body, references, author(s)’ contact information. 

* Do not insert pagination, headers, or footers. (These are inserted in the copy-editing process)

* The use of headings is encouraged and should be structured according to the guidelines described in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th edition).

* If graphics, figures and tables are used, they must be created in *.jpg or *.bmp format. No Excel graphs will be accepted.

* Graphics, figures, and tables, if used, may be embedded in the body of the manuscript or they may be submitted in a separate MS Word document. If the latter option is chosen, then author(s) must indicate clearly the intended location of each item (graphic, figure, table) within the manuscript so that the copy editor can make the insertions.

* Individual graphics, figures, and tables, when used, may not be larger than one page. 

* The caption for a table must be printed above the table. The caption for a figure must be printed below the figure. 

* In the references section, please use italics where APA style would allow underlining (e.g., the titles of journals and books).

* Author contact information must include the following 4 elements for each author: name, mailing address, phone, and e-mail. 

* Manuscripts must be saved and submitted in RTF format.

* When there is a conflict between the requirements of APA style (see below) and the formatting rules listed here, the formatting rules will supersede the APA requirements.

Manuscript Style Requirements: 

* With the exception of the above (formatting) guidelines, authors must write their manuscripts in a style that is consistent with the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA Manual) (5th edition).  A copy of this manual may be ordered at http://www.apastyle.org/ 

* Consistent with APA style, authors must use non-sexist language. Please refer to Table 2.1 in the APA Manual for “Guidelines for Unbiased Language.” 

* Also consistent with APA style, authors must use person-first language for referring to individuals with potentially stigmatizing characteristics. Person-first language requires an author to name the individual first, followed by descriptive information (e.g., "child with autism") rather than to use an adjectival form (i.e., "autistic child") or a nominal form (i.e., "the autistic"). 

* As noted above: When there is a conflict between the requirements of APA style and the formatting rules listed in the above section, the formatting rules will supersede the APA requirements. 

General Guidelines for Preparing Abstracts: 

     The following general guidelines must be honored to insure that BDB journals will be accepted into the major psych databases. (See PsychINFO website: http://www.apa.org/psycinfo/about/covinfo.html) 

* An abstract may not exceed 960 characters and spaces (approximately 120 words).  Characters can be conserved by using digits for numbers (except at the beginning of sentences); by using well-known abbreviations; and by using the active voice. 

* Begin the abstract with the most important information, but don’t repeat the title. 

* Include only the four or five most important concepts, findings, or implications. 

* Embed as many key words and phrases in the abstract as possible.

* Include in the abstract only information that appears in the body of the manuscript. 

* For the sake of clarity, define all acronyms and abbreviations except for measurements; spell out the names of tests; use generic names for drugs (when possible); and define unique terms. 

· Use the present tense to describe results with continuing applicability or conclusions drawn and the past tense to describe variables manipulated or tests applied. 

* As much as possible, use the third person rather than the first person. 

Abstracts for Empirical Studies: 

    Abstracts for empirical studies are also generally about 100 to 120 words in length. They should include the following information: 

* Problem under investigation (in one sentence)

* Pertinent characteristics of participants (e.g., number, type, age, sex, genus and species)

* Experimental method, including apparatus, data-gathering procedures, and complete test

* Names and complete generic names and dosage and routes of administration of any drugs (particularly if the drugs are novel or important to the study)

* Findings, including statistical significance levels

* Conclusions and implications or applications

Abstracts for Literature Reviews and Theoretical Articles: 

    Abstracts for review or theoretical articles are generally about 75 to 100 words in length, and they include the following information: 

* The topic (in one sentence)

* The purpose, thesis, or organizing construct and the scope (comprehensive or selective) of the article

* Sources used (e.g., personal observation, published literature)

* Conclusions

Thank you! 

Martha Pelaez, Publisher