For Prospective Authors

Policy for Submissions

The First Peoples Journal welcomes manuscripts from authors in all areas that focus on child, family and community related matters. Various manuscript submission formats are acceptable, which can include any one of the following formats: (a) original research (qualitative and/or quantitative based); (b) program evaluations; (c) program, service, and/or innovative practice descriptions; (d) literature reviews; (e) discussion/position papers; (f) conceptual and theoretical papers; (g) policy analysis; (h) case studies; and/or (i) media reviews (e.g. books, movies, websites, and or software related to First peoples child, family and community related matters).

Submissions are accepted at any time throughout the year. Calls for Papers are generally circulated 6 months in advance in order for publication in the June and December issues. Late submissions that receive positive reviews will be considered for publication in the next issue.

Peer Review Process

All manuscripts submitted for publication consideration in the First Peoples Child & Family Review are reviewed anonymously through a two stage blind peer review process utilizing community members and members of the academic community. The review process is entirely anonymous and reviewers are not identified to contributors and vice versa. The review process assists the Coordinator Editor and the Editorial Board with making decisions about the manuscript’s suitability for publication and also helps contributors strengthen their professional writing. The reviewers’ knowledge, experience, and critical assessment of the manuscript provide concrete feedback to the contributors. The reviewers recommend whether or not submissions should be accepted for publication and provide reasons for their decision. Reviewers are asked to judge the manuscript on several criteria including its contribution to increasing knowledge and clarity around administrative, practice, policy and research issues in relation to child and family matters for First Nations and Aboriginal children, families and communities. Reviewers provide positive and constructive feedback to help authors improve their work, if necessary. All reviews and revisions are completed within two months using electronic communication. Once a manuscript is deemed appropriate for publication, the author are asked to sign a publication agreement which grants the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society with permission to publish the article on-line.

Copyright

Copyright over the published submissions remains with the original author and/or joint-authors.

Submission of Manuscripts

Electronic copies of manuscript should be submitted in Microsoft Word format. It should be submitted to the attention of:

Marlyn Bennett, Coordinating Editor
c/o 63 Risbey Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R2L 1M2
Email: mbennett@fncaringsociety.com

Format of Manuscript

Cover Sheet Data (Must be on separate page from the manuscript): Include the manuscript title, author names, academic degrees, professional title, authors’ mailing address, including statement of credit or research support (Sample layout can be obtained by downloading the following: http://supp.apa.org/style/PM6E-Corrected-Sample-Papers.pdf)

Abstract: 250 words maximum
Length: 8 – 30 pages
Paper Size: Standard 8 ½ x 11 inches
Margins: 1 inch all sides
Spacing: Double Spaced

Other Pertinent Information

  • Please number pages in the lower right hand corner, beginning with 1 on the first page;
  • Submissions should use standard fonts (i.e. Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica or Courier type) in 12 pt type and avoid alternating the size of the font throughout;
  • Authors should ensure that references are arranged alphabetically in the reference list;
  • Submissions should conform to APA guidelines for textual citations, quotations, references, tables, illustrations, subheadings and page formatting, etc. (see http://www.apastyle.org/index.aspx)
  • Prospective contributors are responsible for obtaining permission from copyright owners to use an illustration, graph, table, picture, or quote of over 100 words published elsewhere. Contributors should write the publisher/author for such permission.

Resources on how to write for publication

Numerous resources exist online that can help you prepare a submission to the First Peoples Child and Family Review online journal. Here are some online resources that provide valuable assistance and advice for those who are submitting a manuscript for the first time:
 
Writing the empirical journal article: http://dbem.ws/WritingArticle.pdf
 
How to write a paper for publication: http://www.pacifichealthvoices.org/files/how_to_write.pdf
 
Writing for publication – A guide for new authors: http://www.isqua.org/Uploads/CONTENT/Writing%20for%20publication%20-%20a%20guide%20for%20new%20authors.pdf
 
Guidelines on writing a first quantitative academic article: http://web.up.ac.za/sitefiles/file/40/753/writing_an_academic_journal_article.pdf

Publishing Templates (APA 6th Edition Formatting)

Templates on how your submission to the First Peoples Child & Family Review should be set up can be found by viewing the following examples:
 
http://www.theprof4you.net/ENG1100/Rubrics/APAFormatTemplate.pdf
 
http://www.mtroyal.ca/library/files/citation/APA%20Manuscript%20Format%20w%20Abstract%20FINAL%20NO%20FOOTER%20F10.pdf
 
http://my.ilstu.edu/~jhkahn/APAsample.pdf
 
http://www2.indwes.edu/ocls/apa/apa6eguide.pdf

Additional Resources

Great sources to assist in writing for publications in APA style can be found by clicking on the following links:
 
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

http://www.nova.edu/library/dils/teachinghandouts/apa/APA_6th_ed.pdf