Journal of Applied Communications
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Journal of Applied Communications

Publication Guidelines

Policy and Instructions for Contributers

 

The Journal of Applied Communications is a quarterly, refereed journal offering professional development for educational communicators who emphasize agriculture, natural resources, and life and human sciences.

What We Look For

  • The Journal of Applied Communications is a peer-reviewed journal. It welcomes original contributions from any author, although priority may be given to ACE members, should manuscripts of comparable quality be available.
  • First consideration will be given to theoretical and applied articles of direct value to ACE members. Articles should be submitted to one of four categories.

    • Categories are as follows:

    • Research and Evaluation - These are the traditional, scholarly articles, using quantitative (e.g., statistical and survey methods) and/or qualitative (e.g., case studies) methods.
    • Professional Development - These articles take advantage of the author's particular expertise on a subject that will benefit career performance of ACE members.
    • Commentary - These are opinion pieces. They speak to trends in communication or other issues of importance to professional communicators.
    • Review - These are critiques of new books, journal articles, software/hardware, technologies or anything else that would be appropriate for the audience of the JAC.
  • All submitted manuscripts are considered for publication. However, prospective contributors are encouraged to be aware of the focus of this journal and manuscript requirements.
  • A manuscript is accepted with the understanding that the Journal of Applied Communications has exclusive publication rights, which means that the manuscript has not been submitted concurrently, accepted for publication, or published elsewhere.
  • While every effort is made to maintain an interval of no more than nine months from submission to publication, authors should be aware that publication dates are contingent on the number and scope of reviewer comments as well as response times during the review process.
  • All submissions are peer-reviewed (blind).

How to Submit a Work

  • Authors are to submit their paper as a PDF to ACE Headquarters via e-mail at ace@ifas.ufl.edu.
  • It is to include two files - the cover sheet with author and contact information and the text with figures.
  • Both files must include the title.
  • If the article is accepted, then the author will have to submit a final copy containing the revisions as electronic files (Word) that can be edited. These will go to the exectutive editor for final review.

    • The format for articles is as follows:

    • Text double-spaced in Times New Roman or similar font, 12-point, 1-inch margins.
    • Separate title page listing authors' names, titles, mailing and e-mail addresses. Indicate contact author, if more than one author.
    • Inside pages with no author identification.
    • No more than six tables or figures.
    • Images, photos, and figures should be high resolution (300 dpi or higher). Tif format is best; jpg format is acceptable. A file size of 300 Kb or a pixel width of 1500 pixels is a good reference point for jpgs.
    • Acknowledgement of any funding source.
    • Acknowledgement if manuscript is based on prior presentation.

    • Manuscript Organization

  • Every article (not reviews) must contain an abstract of no more than 250 words. If applicable, briefly list the purpose, methodology, population, major results, and conclusion. Begin the manuscript text as page 1. Use appropriate subheads to break up the body of the text. List footnotes and literature citations on separate pages at the end of the text along with tables or figures, if used. Indicate in margins of the text, approximately, where tables/figures should appear. Include three to five keywords to describe the content of your article. Text for research articles, such headings as Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion would be appropriate.
  • For literature citations, follow the style guidelines in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (Fifth Edition). Within a paragraph, omit the year in subsequent references as long as the study cannot be confused with other studies cited in the article.
  • When statistical information is to be reported in an article, the author should contact the lead editor for special guidelines.

    • Publication Agreement

  • Copyright: In order for a submitted work to be accepted and published by the Journal of Applied Communications, the author(s) agree to transfer copyright of the work to ACE- this includes full and exclusive rights to the publication in all media now known or later developed, including but not limited to electronic databases, microfilm, and anthologies.
  • Author Warranties: The author(s) represent(s) and warrants(s) the following conditions: that the manuscript submitted is his/her (their) own work; that the work has been submitted only to this journal and that it has not been previously published; that the article contains no libelous or unlawful statements and does not infringe upon the civil rights of others; that the author(s) is (are) not infringing upon anyone else's copyright. The authors agree that if there is a breach of any of the above representations and warranties that (s)he (they) will indemnify the Publisher and Editor and hold them blameless. If an earlier version of the paper was presented at a conference, the author must acknowledge that presentation and the conference.

    • Reprints

  • Reprints of single articles are available for 25 cents per copy, with a minimum order of 10 copies. Specify article name and issue. Include a check to ACE Headquarters. Postage and handling are included. Purchase orders made out to ACE are accepted for orders of $10 or more.