Author Guidelines
General Requirements
In submitting to the Journal of Public Health in the Deep South, all authors guarantee that the research has met the ethical requirements of originality and of protection of human subjects. As such, manuscripts including human subjects must include institutional review board (IRB) protocol information.
All submissions must be aligned with the author guidelines presented herein or will be returned before review for reformatting. All submissions require a cover letter with no author names or identifying information that includes: 1) How the paper is innovative and addresses public health in the region; 2) A statement that the submission has been formatted according to APA 7th Edition and meets the author guidelines for the selected article type; 3) A statement that notes that the article is not being considered for another publication and has not been published elsewhere; 4) The word count of the submission, excluding cover page, abstract, and references; and 5) The number of tables, figures, images, appendices, and references.Formatting Requirements
Manuscripts are to be submitted in 12-point Times New Roman font, single-spaced, 1-inch margins on all sides, right-hand margin unjustified, paginated beginning with the title page, formatted in APA 7th Edition Style, in a .doc file created in Microsoft Word. Section headings should be bold. Acronyms must be spelled out at first mention. References should be listed alphabetically in APA 7th Edition Style and correspond to name/date parenthetical citations within the paper. Submit the manuscript with tables, figures, graphs, or illustrations included in the text (as opposed to at the end of the manuscript).
Any additional material beyond the tables/figures limit can be submitted in an additional supplemental file. Supplemental files are shared with reviewers, so please remove any identifying information.
Revisions
Articles that are being resubmitted as part of a revision must be accompanied by a Response to Reviewers file using bullet points or a table to indicate all the areas that were addressed in the revision.
Research Studies
Word limit: 5,000 words (exclusive of title page, abstract, and references)
Tables/figures: Up to 5 total
References: up to 50 total
Abstract: Required. 200 words or less, single-spaced, structured to include Background, Purpose, Methods, Results, and Conclusions. Abstract should not include references, and acronyms should be spelled out at first mention. Five keywords should follow the abstract and will be used for indexing purposes.
Required sections: 1) Background; 2) Methods; 3) Results; and 4) Discussion
References should be listed alphabetically in APA 7th Edition Style and correspond to name/date parenthetical citations within the paper. Submit the manuscript with tables, figures, graphs, or illustrations included in the text (as opposed to at the end of the manuscript).
Research Briefs
Research briefs cover ongoing projects, methods and process descriptions, preliminary research, or limited findings. They are original studies and have clear implications for other research being conducted in the region.
Word limit: 2,000 words (exclusive of title page and references)
Tables/figures: Up to 2 total
References: up to 15 total
Abstract: None
Required sections: 1) Background; 2) Purpose 3) Methods; 4) Results; 5) Discussion; and 6) Limitations and Recommendations
Review Articles
A review article is a comprehensive study and summary of the available information or research on a topic. The article must describe the method used for review of the literature (eg: systematic, narrative, scoping, rapid) and the time frame for the literature considered.
Word limit: 3,500 words (exclusive of title page, abstract, and references)
Tables/figures: Up to 4 total
References: up to 35 total
Abstract: Required. 200 words or less; may be structured or unstructured. Five keywords should follow the abstract.
Required sections: 1) Background; 2) Methods; 3) Results; and 4) Discussion
Commentaries
Commentaries provide remarks on recent public health issues in the region, including legislative action, program initiation, programmatic change, research projects, etc.
Word limit: 1,000 words (exclusive of title page and references)
Tables/figures: Up to 2 total
References: up to 20 total
Abstract: None
Required sections: None
Case Reports
A case study/case report is a story about a specific initiative, activity, or event.
Word limit: 3,500 words (exclusive of title page, abstract, and references)
Tables/figures: Up to 5 total
References: up to 10 total
Abstract: Required. 100 words or less; unstructured abstract introducing the case. Five keywords should follow the abstract.
Required sections: 1) Background (to provide context: what is the issue, where did it occur, who did it involve, etc.); 2) Body of the case (what happened and why); and 3) Conclusions (what conclusions were drawn from the case)
Multimedia Content
Multimedia content allows for the submission of non-traditional research formats, including lectures, PowerPoints, interviews, and research posters. Some submissions will require a signed release form from all individuals included in video and/or audio. Quality of submissions must present academic rigor and be presentable as research on public health in the region. Submitting authors are responsible for formatting and finalizing the final version before submitting to the journal. Please consult with the editor before submitting large files in order to determine the best method of submission.
Required components: A two-page, single-spaced paper that includes: 1) Title; 2) Abstract; 3) Keywords; 4) Target populations; 5) Learning objectives; 6) Citations; and 7) Implications for public health
Practice and Pedagogy
Practice and pedagogy articles feature strategies, methods, or case examples of public health interventions or teaching tools used to improve the health of a community or to aid in teaching public health concepts to students in undergraduate or graduate courses.
Word limit: 1,000 words (exclusive of title page and references)
Tables/figures: Up to 2 total
References: up to 10 total
Abstract: None
Required sections: 1) Clearly and concisely identify the practice or pedagogical strategy and connect it to the "bigger picture" (e.g., public health problem or gap in education), and state the goals and objectives; 2) Describe the practice or pedagogical strategy; and 3) Explain how it was implemented, in what setting, and how the audience served was impacted or what student results and reactions were
Study Protocol
Study protocols describe the planned methodology, design, and procedures for a research study. Protocols promote research transparency, allow for pre-registration of research plans, and help prevent publication bias. Study protocols are appropriate for randomized controlled trials, observational studies, implementation science studies, community-based participatory research, quality improvement studies, pilot and feasibility studies, and mixed-methods studies relevant to public health in the Deep South.
Word limit: 5,000 words (exclusive of title page, abstract, and references)
Tables/figures: Up to 5 total
References: up to 50 total
Abstract: Required. 200 words or less, single-spaced, structured to include Background, Methods/Design, Discussion (expected outcomes and significance), and Trial Registration Number (if applicable). Five keywords should follow the abstract and will be used for indexing purposes.
1) Background: Provide rationale for the study, review relevant literature, identify knowledge gaps, and state study objectives and hypotheses.; 2) Methods/Design: Include study design and setting; participant eligibility criteria; recruitment procedures and timeline; sample size calculation with justification; randomization and blinding procedures (if applicable); detailed intervention or exposure description; comparison or control conditions; outcome measures (primary and secondary); data collection procedures and timeline; data management and quality assurance; statistical analysis plan; and monitoring and safety considerations (if applicable); 3) Discussion: Address expected findings and significance, potential limitations, and dissemination plans; 4) Ethics and Dissemination: Include ethical approval status and IRB information, informed consent procedures, plans for dissemination to participants and communities, and data sharing statement.
Exceptions to this format may be discussed with the managing editor. References should be listed alphabetically in APA 7th Edition Style and correspond to name/date parenthetical citations within the paper. Authors must follow appropriate reporting guidelines and include a completed reporting checklist as a supplementary file. Clinical trials must be registered in a recognized public registry before enrollment of first participant, and the registration number must be included in the abstract and manuscript.