Initial Screening by Journal Editors
Screening Process Overview
As do all peer-reviewed journals, JEQR screens all submissions for the general appropriateness of the work, the theoretical/conceptual foundation of the research, the processes of collecting data, the depth of analysis, the accuracy of reporting findings and conclusions, APA style and formatting, and the potential of the manuscript to enhance overall qualitative research.
Furthermore, we consider the likelihood of the manuscript’s success with the blind review process. At least two editorial team members provide an initial appraisal and manuscripts that advance beyond the editorial screening process undergo a blind review. The peer-reviewers provide narrative feedback regarding their respective perceptions of the submitted manuscript as well as a more formal rating in criteria categories. While significant consideration is given to peer-reviewers' feedback, the final decision to publish articles in JEQR rests with the managing editor.
Self-and-Peer Editing
Typical to most journals, the editorial team will provide a thorough editing process prior to an accepted article's preparation for typesetting. We expect, however, that authors submit manuscripts that have been thoroughly self-edited and reviewed by colleagues prior to submission. To ensure uniformity throughout the journal's articles, we request that authors address the following:
Remove passive voice (e.g., "The study was conducted to determine how homeless children access services.") and replace with active voice ("I conducted the study to determine how homeless children access services.").
Verb tenses:
Use only past tense in the following sections of the manuscript: Literature Review, Method, Results. This is because you are informing the reader about events that occurred sometime in the past.
Use present tense in the following sections of the manuscript: Discussion, Conclusion, Limitations, and Future Research. This is because you are explaining to the reader truisms that exist presently, based on the past findings of the research study reported.
In-Text Citations
In order to ensure uniformity among all articles published in JEQR, authors must precede direct quotes with a complete thought followed by a colon (see APA, section 3.34, format #3). Follow this example:
CORRECT:
INCORRECT:
Creswell and Plano-Clark (2007) provided a clear distinction between mixed-methods and multiple methodologies: "A study that includes both quantitative and qualitative methods without explicitly mixing the data derived from each is simply a collection of multiple methods" (p. 83).
There is a clear distinction between mixed-methods and multiple methodologies. "A study that includes both quantitative and qualitative methods without explicitly mixing the data derived from each is simply a collection of multiple methods" (Creswell & Plano-Clark, 2007, p. 83).
Authors should use the same format when citing their participants. Follow this example:
CORRECT:
INCORRECT:
Tina was upset with her supervisor's directions: "He made me angry when he said I could never deviate from the company's rules."
Tina, upset with her supervisor, said, "He made me angry when he said I could never deviate from the company's rules."
Per APA, all citations that are 40+ words must be set off from a normal paragraph in an indented block paragraph. JEQR requires authors to include a follow-up sentence, flush with the left margin after all blocked quotes. Authors may not use an indented quote and proceed to a new paragraph and/or section without the follow-up sentence. Authors should use their programs' ruler/tabs to set-up an automatic indentation instead of using the "return" key to force an indentation. Doing so will ensure consistent formatting should any information in a quote needs to be changed.
Figures and Tables:
All tables and figures are to be placed at the end of the manuscript, identifying approximately where in the document they should be located. To be more explicit, never place tables directly into the body of a manuscript text. Rather, direct the editors approximately where in the manuscript they are to be placed in the article when it is type set:
All tables and figures are to be placed at the end of the manuscript, identifying approximately where in the document they should be located. To be more explicit, never place tables directly into the body of a manuscript text. Rather, direct the editors approximately where in the manuscript they are to be placed in the article when it is type set:
Insert Table 2 About Here
Mixed Methods
If you are submitting a manuscript that used a mixed methods research design, then review the website's guidelines for Mixed Methods.