About Adoption & Fostering
Contributors' guidelines
On this page:
> Content
> Submission
> Peer review
> Copyright
> Manuscripts
> References
> Tables
> Proofs
> Free copies
> Contact
Content
Articles may cover any of the following: analyses of policies or the law; accounts of practice innovations and developments; findings of research and evaluations; discussions of issues relevant to fostering and adoption; critical reviews of relevant literature, theories or concepts; case studies.
All research-based articles should include brief accounts of the design, sample characteristics and data-gathering methods. Any article should clearly identify its sources and refer to previous writings where relevant.
Contributions should be both authoritative and readable. Please avoid excessive use of technical terms and explain any key words that may not be familiar to most readers.
Submission
In the first instance, three hard copies of the manuscript should be submitted to The Editor, Adoption & Fostering, BAAF, Saffron House, 6–10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS, UK. Electronic submissions will only be considered from authors overseas. A covering letter must be included on behalf of the authors, stating that the work has not been published and is not being considered for publication elsewhere.
On acceptance, an electronic copy of the final, revised article should be sent as an email attachment (Word doc) to miranda.davies@baaf.org.uk
Peer review
Manuscripts are sent to two reviewers for comment and recommendations to the Editors regarding suitability for publication. Reviewers take account of the following:
- Appropriateness to the contents of the journal
- Current interest and importance of the contents
- Originality (eg adding to knowledge; dealing with a neglected area)
- Clarity of language, structure and presentation
- Use of non-discriminatory language
- Overall coherence
- Links between introduction, main text and conclusions
- Awareness shown of other relevant developments or previous relevant publications
- Aptness of title and headings
- Accuracy and clarity of references
The Commissioning Editors reserves the right to refuse any manuscript and to make suggestions or modifications before publication. We aim to let you know within 6–8 weeks whether the article has been accepted, possibly on condition that certain amendments are made. Provided that revisions are done quickly, publication will then usually occur up to nine months later.
Copyright
Once a paper has been accepted for publication the lead author(s) are asked to sign a 'licence to publish' agreement whereupon copyright of their article becomes the property of BAAF.
Manuscripts
Please abide by the following:
- Articles should normally be 3,000–6,000 words in length (excluding references).
- Please ensure that the article is numbered and double–spaced, with wide margins at the sides, top and bottom of each sheet.
- At the beginning of the article, provide a summary of 150–200 words.
- Please indicate how you would like to be described, eg giving your name, job title and organisation.
- As far as possible, use one level of heading in bold with no capital letters except for the first word and proper names, eg Developing post–adoption services.
- If you require sub–headings use bold italics, eg Foster children's relationships.
- Please avoid the use of footnotes.
- At the end of the article, suggest up to six key words to describe central themes, eg fostering, post–adoption support, child protection.
References
When you refer to a publication in the text, give the author's name and the year of publication in parentheses, eg (Fahlberg, 1994) or (Rowe et al, 1989). At the end of the article, please provide a list of all references in alphabetical order (by author), using the following style:
Holman R, Putting Families First, Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1988
Shaw M and Hipgrave T, ‘Young people and their carers in specialist fostering’, Adoption & Fostering 13:4, pp 1-17, 1989
Thoburn J, ‘Prevention and reunification-an historical perspective’, in Marsh P and Triseliotis J (eds), Prevention and Reunification in Child Care, London: Batsford/BAAF, 1993
Tables
Tables must be clearly presented on a separate sheet. All abbreviations should be defined in a note.
Proofs
These must be returned to the Production Editor within five days of receipt. Only typographical corrections and other essential changes can be made at this stage. Major text alterations cannot be accepted.
Free copies
Each contributor receives two free copies of the edition in which their article appeared.
Contact
For information please contact Miranda
Davies, Production Editor (Tuesday to Thursday) tel 020 7421 2608, fax 020 7421 2601 or email miranda.davies@baaf.org.uk
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