Our Definition of Positive Social Change:
At Walden and in the JoSC, positive social change means the improvement of human or social conditions by promoting the worth, dignity, and development of individuals, communities, organizations, institutions, cultures, and/or societies.
All submissions to the Journal of Social Change (JoSC) must adhere to both the Walden University Publishing Policies (http://www.publishing.waldenu.edu/jsc/policies.html) and these (JoSC) "Submission Guidelines for Authors."
Note: There are several categories for articles published in the JoSc and they serve different purposes. You must identify the category of your submission on the cover page and above the abstract. If no category is indicated, your submission will be returned.
The categories are:
1. Research: This section is for traditional empirical (quantitative or qualitative) research and well-crafted, thorough, current reviews of the literature directly related to a relevant area of social change.
2. Essays: This section is for narrative insights regarding a persistent condition that weakens the worth, dignity, and development of individuals, communities, organizations, institutions, cultures, and/or societies and suggests a specific positive social change that might address an aspect of the condition. Practitioner accounts of change efforts are welcomed here, too. Reports of social change efforts should be written in a scholar-practitioner voice that speaks to a knowledgeable audience.
3. Teaching: Curricula, teaching methods, philosophies, or other matters of concern to university level teachers of social change are appropriate here.
4. Resources: Media (books, videos, plays, and journals), websites, and social change related organizations; and grant opportunities for scholars are welcome here. Submissions in this category should include an integrative, themed narrative and not just be a list of organizations, websites, or other resources.
In all cases, submissions must exhibit a scholar-practitioner's voice as when speaking with a well-informed peer. Pedantic claims, ill-defined or defended assertions and summations that are more suited to an informal environment will not be considered. While current students are encouraged to submit their work, it must be specifically crafted for the Journal and be written using a scholar practitioner's voice. Reviewers judge articles strictly on their merit and whether they stand up to professional scrutiny.
It will be helpful for authors to think about the structure of their articles in the following way:
Start with some problem or situation that exists and is clearly identified as needing attention. State your purpose and the perspective you are bringing to the problem and show how that perspective furthers our understanding of the problem or how it might be addressed. Suggest how your article contributes to potential solutions or new insights. Sufficiently explain it so the reader will see the value in reading your work. Keep it short and clear. Manuscripts including all text, references, charts, illustrations, etc, should not exceed 5,000 polished words (approximately 20 pages of double-spaced 12 pt type) conforming to APA style (6th Edition). Respecting these limits is essential for consideration of a manuscript.
Manuscripts should keep the reader's attention and sufficiently answer the reader's ultimate concern: "so what?" The manuscript must add to the reader's understanding of the subject. Particular emphasis and priority will be awarded NEW insights and the JoSC expects our authors will contribute something of value to the literature.
Focus should be placed on what the reader will learn and how that knowledge will contribute to an improved understanding of positive social change (see the definition at the top of these guidelines) that could favorably impact peoples' lives. Conclusions should address the implications for practitioners, policy makers, and or suggestions for further research.
When a well-informed reader finishes an article in the JoSC, he or she should have: a) learned something new and important, b) gained an insight that is different in a way that stimulates further thinking, or c) is stimulated to take action or investigate further.
Follow a logical and thorough conceptual map as you structure your paper so that it moves clearly and coherently from the identification of your problem/situation – the why of the paper – to your conclusions. When you finish a draft, leave it for a few days then edit and polish it.
Reviewers will be looking for these key elements:
- Clear connection to positive social change (refer to the definition at the top of this page)
- An Abstract of not more than 250 words
- Maximum of 5,000 words - total
- APA style (6th Edition)
- Well organized
- Well written
- Flows smoothly from opening problem statement, or background condition being addressed, to concluding recommendations to readers (researchers or practitioners).
- Methods are clearly suited to the design of the research
- The logic is clear
- Quality of the literature review, key findings, theories, and relevance to the topic area.
- Quality of conclusions and recommendations and discussion resulting from the findings.
- It is interesting to read
- All personal identifying information must be removed from all pages except the cover page. Be sure that your name is not embedded in the MS Word file by eliminating it in the "properties" function under the file menu, and the user information panel in the "preferences" section under the Word menu.
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