PSJ Submission Requirements

PSJ Submission Requirements

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Specific Requirements for all Manuscripts
Submission procedure
Copyright Transfer Agreement (PDF)
Reviewer Form (Microsoft Word Template)
APSA Style Manual (PDF)

Requirements

PSJ seeks papers that make a strong theoretical contribution using sound empirical analysis to any sub-field of public policy. We will not review manuscripts that are currently under review for publication or that have been previously published. Papers that do not meet the formatting and contents guidelines below will not be sent for review.

Types of manuscripts

PSJ seeks papers that make a strong theoretical contribution using sound empirical analysis to any sub-field of public policy. This includes both manuscripts that offer positive empirical findings on theoretical questions of interest as well as those that report negative or null findings if previous theory or findings lead one to expect positive results. In sum, all theoretical contributions are welcome. We will not review manuscripts that are currently under review for publication or that have been previously published. Papers that do not meet the formatting and contents guidelines below will not be sent for review.

Public Policy Theory - These papers assess the policy process and the institutions that house them. All papers of this type will be expected to have a strong theoretical basis, sound empirical evaluation and further the quest for a parsimonious understanding of the policy process by enhancing our understanding of policy theory.

Policy Outcomes and Evaluation - These papers investigate the linkages between policy systems and desired outcomes when policy outputs meet the road. We expect papers of this type to make a case on the merits for how to resolve some serious policy problem, and then go on to explain the institutional reasons why government does or does not do the right thing. In addition, we expect that papers of this type will maintain high theoretical and empirical standards.

Methodological Approaches to Policy Research - Papers in this category will focus on the advantages and disadvantages of distinctive methodological approaches to studying and influencing public policy. Such approaches include the use of case studies, large-n statistical analysis, experimental designs and formal analyses as ways to develop and test theories, analyze policy problems and shape policy debates. Papers in this category might emphasize the epistemological, theoretical and empirical strengths and/or weakness of different approaches, and identify exemplary applications. It is expected that these papers will meet rigorous theoretical and/or empirical standards, and that they will be written to be accessible to the broader audience of policy scholars.

Manuscript Format

All manuscripts should range from 25 to 35 pages in length with a maximum page limit of 40 pages. This count includes the abstract, the manuscript text, all charts, figures, and indices. Every manuscript must have an abstract and a list of key words on the abstract page. The abstract, and each figure and table must be on separate pages.

Page calculation should be based on standard 8.5 by 11 inch paper size with one inch margins and a standard 12-point type face. All text, including abstract, footnotes, citations, and appendix material should be double spaced while tables and graphs should be single spaced and each on a separate page. Citations, style and grammar should follow the American Political Science Association Style Manual (Revised 2006) which is identical to the Chicago Manual Style (15th edition).

Submission Procedure

All submissions must be made in electronic format. You will need to prepare an anonymous version of your paper in PDF format. WordPerfect 8.0 users have the ability to convert the paper to PDF format in the program. Microsoft Word users will either need Adobe Acrobat, or a similar program for converting filed to PDF. Ghostscript is popular free public license software with the ability to convert popular formats to PDF and vice versa. Once you have an anonymous PDF version of your paper you are ready to begin the submission process.

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