Interdisciplinary Social Work Journal
Policies
Guidelines for Contributors
The Interdisciplinary Social Work Journal (ISWJ) advances the dissemination of research and scholarship related to the profession of Human services preparation. To this end ISWJ encourages authors from the disciplines of psychology, sociology, social work, human service, criminal justice, nursing, economics and other related fields to submit manuscripts for publication in this journal. The purpose is to facilitate contacts and cooperation between scholars and educators in these fields. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of information contained within the manuscript.
Publication occurs twice yearly. Manuscripts for the summer issue must be received by January 1, of that year. Manuscripts for the winter issue, must be received by May 1 of that year.
Submission Requirements
Authors should send 5 copies of the manuscript along with a 9 1/2 x 12 1/2 self-addressed, stamped envelope via regular mail, and one copy via email in Word/Word Perfect to the editors at the Department of Social Work, Fayetteville State University, 1200 Murchison Road, Fayetteville, NC 28301-4298. Email Address:
Style: Authors must use the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2001, 5th edition). All text pages must be numbered. Please do not include a running head.
Length: Manuscripts, including references, tables, charts and figures should not exceed 15 pages.
Word-processing: Be sure to format the document in Microsoft word double-spaced, 12-point, laser printed text, and one-inch margins. Authors should use tabs and indents instead of spaces to standardize the format. Please place tables, charts and figures at the end of the manuscript.
Cover page: Include the following information:
- Title of the manuscript
- Date of submission
- Author's name, mailing address, business and home telephone numbers, institutional affiliation and address, email address and fax number
- Statement that this manuscript is not under consideration nor has it been published elsewhere
- Biographical information that identifies your title, where you work and area(s) of scholarship (Please limit this information to 30 words per author)
Abstract: A concise 100-word, double-spaced narrative should be included on a separate page at the beginning of the manuscript.
Form: Do not send a computer disk with your initial submission. If your manuscript is accepted the editors will require a disk copy.
Review Process
Authors will be notified upon receipt of their manuscripts. After a preliminary editorial review, manuscripts that meet ISWJ specifications will be sent to reviewers. With the exception of the cover page, ISWJ requires that you omit any identifying information to ensure a blind review.
Article is blind reviewed by this journal, and has two external reviewers. The blind review requirement and the use of external reviewers are consistent with the research criteria of objectivity and knowledge.
The use of this process means that the author of the manuscript is not made known to the reviewers. Because of the large number of reviewers for this journal, it was necessary for the Editorial Board to ensure that the name(s) for a particular manuscript is not made known to the author. Thus, creating a double blind review process. Since the author and reviewers are unknown, the manuscript is judged on its merits rather than on the reputation of the author and/or the author's influence on the reviewers.
The use of two (2) reviewers for this journal permits specialist familiar with research similar to that presented in the paper to judge whether the paper makes a contribution to the advancement of knowledge. Furthermore, the two reviewers provide a broader perspective for evaluating the research. This perspective is further widened by the discussion between the editor and reviewers in seeking to reconcile these perspectives.