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BRITISH JOURNAL OF PLAY THERAPY SUBMISSION CRITERIA
Editor
Anne BarnesPlease contact the editor via email for current submission address:
Editorial Board
JANET BARRNotre Dame Centre, Glasgow, Scotland
JO CARROLL
Department of Social Work, University of Reading, Reading, England
ANN CATTANACH
Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York, York, England
CHRIS DANIEL-McKEIGUE
Postgraduate Studies, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, England
SUE JENNINGS
Glastonbury, England
VIRGINIA RYAN
Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York, York, England
Instructions for authors
Introduction
The British Journal of Play Therapy is published by the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) semi-annually, and is available to all BAPT members, as well as libraries, organisations and individual subscribers worldwide.The journal encourages contributions from a variety of research traditions. The British Journal of Play Therapy is pluralist in orientation, recognising the value of qualitative, quantitative and mixed method strategies of inquiry.
Play Therapy is an activity which constitutes a specialist domain of practice, and also functions as an adjunct to other occupational roles (for example in health, social services and education). The British Journal of Play Therapy carries papers that are of interest not only to members of BAPT, but also to members of other occupational groups using therapeutic play skills. The journal seeks to be relevant both to a core disciplinary constituency and also a broader interdisciplinary readership.
Scope of Journal
The British Journal of Play Therapy is a national journal with a focus on the theoretical and research aspects of Play Therapy practice. Its aim is to bring together the different theoretical and professional disciplines involved in Play Therapy and this is reflected in the composition of the Editorial Board. Nevertheless we welcome submission from all relevant professional backgrounds. The journal thus aims to promote theoretical and research developments in the fields of Play Therapy practice. Submission of reviews, systematic reviews and research papers which support evidence-based practice are also welcomed.The following types of paper are invited:
1. Papers reporting original research findings (3000 - 5,000 words).
2. Theoretical papers (3000 - 5,000 words).
3. Review papers, which need not be exhaustive, but which should give an interpretation of the state of research or practice in a given field and, where appropriate, identify its clinical implications (3000 - 5,000 words).
4. Systematic reviews (3000 - 5,000 words).
5. Brief reports and comments (1000 - 2,500 words).
Writing for the British Journal of Play Therapy
The British Journal of Play Therapy publishes papers which make an impact on the theory and practice of Play Therapy. In the British Journal of Play Therapy, papers are written for practitioners, related practitioners and those whose work shapes practice (e.g. policy-makers, supervisors, managers etc). The British Journal of Play Therapy is concerned to develop a specific genre of research writing that encompasses the validity, plausibility, ethics and clarity espoused by existing research journals, but which also emphasises practical relevance.1. Length of articles
Contributions of different lengths are invited, including both standard research/theoretical papers (3000 - 5,000 words, including references) and reports (1000 - 2,500 words, including references). Papers of more than 5000 words are unlikely to be published, although in some instances authors may be invited to divide a longer original submission into two or more shorter pieces.The journal may consider longer, monograph-length submissions (15,000-50,000 words). These may be published as stand-alone Research Monographs, with a brief summary report carried in the main journal.
2. Refereeing
The journal operates a policy of anonymous peer review. Papers will normally be scrutinised and commented on by at least two independent referees (in addition to the Editor/Associate Editors) although the Editor may process a paper at his or her discretion. The referees will not be made aware of the identity of the author(s). All information about authorship including personal acknowledgements and institutional affiliations must be confined to a removable front paper.3. Submission requirements
(a) Four copies of the manuscript should be sent to the Editor (please enquire via email for current submissions address ). Submission of a paper implies that it has not been published elsewhere and that it is not being considered for publication in another journal. Papers should be accompanied by a signed letter indicating that all named authors have agreed to the submission. One author should be identified as the correspondent and that person’s title, name and address supplied.(b) Author biographies: On a separate sheet provide a one-paragraph biobibliographical note for each author – up to 100 words for a single author, but none to exceed 65 words in a multi-authored paper.
(c) Contributions must be typed in double spacing with wide margins and on only one side of white A4 standard size paper. All sheets must be numbered.
(d) Tables should be typed in double spacing, each on a separate piece of paper with a self-explanatory title. Tables should be comprehensible without reference to the text. They should be placed at the end of the manuscript with their approximate locations indicated in the text.
(e) Figures are usually produced direct from author’s originals and should be presented as good black or white images preferably on high contrast glossy paper, carefully labelled in initial capital/lower case lettering with symbols in a form consistent with text use. Unnecessary background patterns, lines and shading should be avoided.
(f) Paper clips leave damaging indentations and should be avoided. Any necessary instructions should be written on an accompanying photocopy. Captions should be listed on a separate sheet.
(g) All articles should be preceded by an Abstract of a maximum of 200 words, giving a concise statement of the intention and results or conclusions of the article. Total word counts must be given (including full references).
(h) Bibliographic references in the text should quote the author’s name and the date of publication thus: Schaefer (1998). Multiple citations should be given alphabetically rather than chronologically: (Cattanach, 1998; Jennings, 1999; Schaefer, 1997). If a work has two authors, cite both names in the text throughout: Epston and White (1995). In the case of reference to three or more authors, use all names on the first mention and et al. thereafter except in the reference list. The letters a, b, c, etc should distinguish citations of different works by the same author in the same year.
(i) References cited in the text must appear in the list at the end of the article. The list should be typed in double spacing in the following format:
Epston, D. and White, M. (1992) Consulting your consultants: the documentation of alternative knowledges. In D. Epston and M. White (eds) Experience, Contradiction, Narrative and Imagination: Selected Papers. Adelaide: Dulwich Centre Publications.
Kaplan, N. & Main, M. (1986) A system for the analysis of children’s family drawings in terms of attachment. Unpublished manuscript, Department of Psychology, University of California at Berkeley.
Klagsbrun, M. & Bowlby, J. (1976) Responses to separation from parents: A clinical test for young children. British Journal of Projective Psychology, 21: 7-21.
Gitlin-Weiner, K., Schaefer, C. & Sondgrund, A. (2000) Play diagnosis and assessment. US: Wiley and Sons Inc.
(j) Particular care should be taken to ensure that references are accurate and complete. Give all journal titles in full.
(k) Authors are requested to avoid the use of sexist language.
(l) Authors are responsible for acquiring written permission to publish lengthy quotations, illustrations etc for which they do not own copyright.
4. Email submissions
Manuscripts may be submitted via e-mail. The main text of the manuscript, including any tables or figures, should be saved as a Word 6.0/95 compatible file. The file must be sent as a MIME-compatible attachment. E-mails should be addressed to with 'Paper submission' in the subject line. The main body of the e-mail should include the following: title of journal to which the paper is being submitted; name, address and e-mail of the corresponding author; and a statement that the paper is not currently under consideration elsewhere. E-mail submissions will receive an e-mail acknowledgement of receipt, including a manuscript reference number.5. Brief reports
These should be limited to 2500 words and may include research studies and theoretical, critical or review comments whose essential contribution can be made briefly. A summary of not more than 50 words should be provided.6. Ethical considerations
The Ethical Basis for Good Practice in Play Therapy requires all Play Therapists to act in an ethical, respectful and sensitive manner. The British Association of Play Therapists resolves to avoid all links with individuals and organisations and their formal representatives that do not affirm and adhere to the principles in the Ethical Basis for Good Practice in Play Therapy. Authors may be asked to sign a document confirming the adherence to these principles. Any study published in this journal must pay due respect to the well-being and dignity of research participants.7. Proofs
Proofs are sent to authors for correction of print but not for rewriting or the introduction of new material. On publication, authors receive one copy of the journal and 5 off-prints of their paper. Additional off-prints may be supplied on request, at cost.8. Copyright
In order for the British Journal of Play Therapy to publish your paper, you must agree to the terms and conditions listed below:- you retain (or, if applicable, your employer retains) copyright to the article you have submitted to the British Journal of Play Therapy;
- you grant to the British Journal of Play Therapy a non-exclusive licence to publish the article in the British Journal of Play Therapy or in any other publication of the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT). This is a worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free licence to publish the article on-line, in print and in any other format in which it is now or in the future capable of existence and in any language. The article may be published in whole or in part, alone or in combination with other articles;
- The British Journal of Play Therapy and other publication branches of BAPT may change the appearance of the article (layout and format) to ensure consistency and readability;
- you warrant to the British Journal of Play Therapy and BAPT that the article is original and does not infringe any existing copyright or any other rights of any third party and that you have the full authority to enter into this Agreement and grant the rights assigned to the British Journal of Play Therapy and BAPT without resulting in any breach of obligation you may have;
- you are free to place the article wherever you wish, once six months has elapsed from the date of its first publication in the British Journal of Play Therapy, but in all such cases you will ensure that the British Journal of Play Therapy is identified as the main publisher and the British Journal of Play Therapy citation details of the article are listed;
- this agreement will be accepted as valid for the British Journal of Play Therapy, BAPT, its licensees, assignees and successors in business.
9. The British Association of Play Therapists Research Discussion Group
The BAPT website carries a facility through which readers can comment on published papers. Authors are encouraged to visit the discussion forum linked to their article, and to respond to questions and issues raised by readers.10. Checklist of requirements
1. A signed submission letter2. Correspondent’s title/name/ full address for correspondence
3. A cover page with title/author(s)/affiliation
4. Double spacing with wide margins
5. Tables/figures at the end
6. Complete reference list
7. Four good copies of the manuscript (or an e-mail attachment)
