JPHDS Submission Template (.dotx)
Research Studies
Manuscripts are to be submitted in 12 point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins on all sides, right-hand margin unjustified, paginated beginning with the tile page, formatted in APA, in a .doc file created in Microsoft Word. Manuscripts should include a title page consisting of: the title; authors' names, degrees, and affiliations; contact information for the corresponding author; abstract; and key words. Author information should not appear anywhere in the manuscript beyond the title page.
Abstract should be 200 words or less, single-spaced, and include 1) background, purpose, methods, results, and conclusion. Abstract should not include references or acronyms. Section headings should be bold. Five key words should follow the abstract and will be used for indexing purposes.
The manuscript should include the following sections: 1) introduction, 2) methods, 3) results, and 4) discussion. Any acknowledgements (optional) should be placed between the text and the references. References should be listed alphabetically in APA style and correspond to name/date parenthetical citations within the paper. Exclusive of title page and references, the word limit for manuscripts is 5,000 words.
Each manuscript can include up to five tables, figures, graphs, or illustrations. Submit the manuscript with these items included in the text (as opposed to at the end of the manuscript).
Research Briefs
Research briefs provide an overview or ongoing or preliminary research. They are original studies and have clear implications for other research being conducted in the region. Briefs are limited to 2,000 words, two figures or tables, and fifteen references. The outline should include 1) introduction, 2) purpose, 3) methods, 4) results, 5) discussion, and 6) limitations and recommendations.
Editorials
Editorials provide commentary on recent public health issues in the region, including legislative action, program initiation, programmatic change, research projects, etc. Editorials should be under 1,000 words. There is not set guideline for sections of editorials.
Commentaries
A commentary is a short article less than 1500 words with 3 or fewer authors. It describes an author(s) perspective on the topic, based on observations and practice. A commentary can also be a documented interview with a public health leader. It is not a political article or an editorial. A good commentary contains the following elements: a short abstract introducing the commentary, a brief background for the commentary to provide context, the body of the commentary (examples and brief discussion), conclusions, and references – usually three or fewer).
Case Reports
A case study/case report is a story about a specific initiative, activity, or event that is described in less than 3500 words (not including abstract, tables, figures, or references). A good case study/case report outline contains the following components: a short abstract introducing the case, a brief background for the commentary to provide context (what is the issue; where did it occur; who did it involve, etc.), the body of the case (what happened and why), conclusions (what conclusions were drawn from the case), and references (usually 6 or fewer).
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. Submissions should be no longer than 1000 words (not including references) and must be organized as follows:
- Clearly and concisely identify the practices 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 of the practice or pedagogical strategy;
- Describe the practice or pedagogical strategy; and
- Explain how it was implemented, in what setting, and how the audience served was impacted or what students results and reactions were.
No abstract is required; limit to 10 citations and references.
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 of academic rigor and presentable as research on public health in the region. As so, submitting authors are responsible for formatting and finalizing the final before submitting to the journal. Please consult with the editor before submitting large files in order to determine the best method of submission. Multimedia submissions should include a two-page single spaced paper that indicates 1) the title, 2) abstract, 3) keywords, 4) target populations, 5) learning objectives, 6) citations, and 7) implications for public health.