Submission Guidelines
General Guidelines
JoCI requires all manuscripts to be submitted through the OJS online tracking system (http://www.joci.ecu.edu) in electronic format using either Microsoft Word (DOC) or Rich Text Format (RTF). Material submitted to the Journal of Curriculum and Instruction should be original, coherent, understandable, and interesting. JoCI will not consider manuscripts that have already been published or are being considered by other journals. Only manuscripts written in British or American English will be accepted; language must be consistent throughout. Additionally, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and the mechanical elements of manuscripts should be reviewed prior to submission. Please acknowledge any external funding sources used to support your work.
How to Submit a Manuscript
All manuscripts must be submitted through the OJS online tracking system.
- Go to http://www.joci.ecu.edu .
- Create an account if you have not done so already.
- Login to your account by entering your user name and password.
- From the User homepage, click the “Author” link.
- Under the text “Start here to submit a manuscript to this journal,” click the link titled “Step One of the Submission Process.”
- Follow the instructions provided until the submission process is complete.
- A confirmation email will acknowledge your manuscript submission.
Contact us immediately at joci@ecu.edu if you do not receive a confirmation email upon manuscript submission. If receipt issues are not resolved, you will not be able to track the progress of your manuscript submission. Please check any spam blockers you have enabled within your email account or with your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Style and Format
File formats: All submissions must be sent in electronic format using either Microsoft Word (DOC) or Rich Text Format (RTF). JoCI asks that you refrain from submitting compressed files.
Font: Arial or Verdana 12 point font is required. Manuscripts should be single spaced throughout. Avoid using word processing options/tools (i.e. strike through, hidden text, comments, merges).
Length: JoCI welcomes submissions that are approximately 2,000 – 5,000 words. Word limit includes the reference section, tables, and figures. Accompanying the manuscripts should be an informative abstract of 100 – 150 words. In addition, meaningful headings and subheadings should be used to organize the paper.
Title Sheet: Do not include a title sheet. Manuscripts submitted to JoCI are blind reviewed, therefore please be certain that all identifying information has been removed (i.e. – university name, professor’s name).
Documentation: Manuscripts must conform to APA standards as outlined in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed., 2001), with the exception of tables, graphics, and figures. See the “Tables, Figures, & Graphics “section below. Regarding citations, follow the author-date method of citation in the text. If applicable, provide page numbers for direct quotes. References should be listed in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. In the case that more than one article by the same author(s) is used, list the most recent article first. All names of contributing authors should be included in the references. Please refer to the following examples of the basic reference list format:
Blind Review
After consultation with APA, please do not remove your name in the reference section or throughout the references in the paper. Do not use (Author, 2005).
Citing an article in a periodical:
Surname, A.A. (year). Article title. Title of Periodical, Volume (issue), inclusive page numbers.
Example:
L’Esperance, M., & Gabbard, D. (2001). Empowering all parents in the middle school. Schools in the Middle, 4(3), 17-18.
Citing a book:
Surname, A.A. (year). Title of book. Publisher location: Publisher name.
Example:
Warren, L., & Sugar, W.A. (2005). Introducing the teacher leader/designer. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt.
Citing online sources:
For online periodicals, please cite the sources following this example:
Example:
Williams, S. C., Davis, M. L., Metcalf, D., & Covington, V. M. (2003). The evolution of a process portfolio as an assessment system in a teacher education program [Online]. Current Issues in Education, 6(1). Retrieved June 19, 2006, from http://cie.ed.asu.edu/volume6/number6/
Tables, Figures, & Graphics
All tables, figures, and graphics that correspond with the manuscript must be submitted as a separate/supplementary file. In addition, these items must also be embedded in the correct locations within the document to ensure that the copyeditors know the proper placement of such material.
Tables: JoCI discourages the use of lengthy tables. Tables must not exceed a width of 5.25” in the document.
Photographs: All photographs submitted with manuscripts must include a copy of signed permission from the copyright holder. This documentation should be submitted as a supplementary file.
Review Process
When a manuscript has been submitted by an author, the author will receive an acknowledgement e-mail. Manuscripts are initially screened by the editors. Manuscripts that are clearly inappropriate for JoCI, or fail to follow the submission guidelines, will be returned promptly. Manuscripts undergo a double-blind review process. Occasionally, at the discretion of the editorial team, one or more reviewers for a particular manuscript may be a guest reviewer. Approximately three months after the submission deadline, confirmation will be sent to the submitting author with details regarding the final status of their manuscript.
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