Author Guidelines
Overview
- The American Journal of Psychology & Human Behavior (AJPBHB) follows international standards for manuscript submission.
- Authors must ensure that their submissions comply with formatting, citation, and ethical guidelines.
- Manuscripts that do not adhere to these requirements may be returned for revision before peer review.
Manuscript Types
Type: Original Research Articles
Description: Empirical studies, experimental research, and longitudinal studies in psychology, mental health, and behavioral sciences.
Type: Review Articles & Meta-Analyses
Description: Comprehensive evaluations of psychological theories, advancements in mental health research, and systematic reviews.
Type: Case Studies
Description: Detailed examination of clinical cases in psychology, behavioral interventions, or unique psychological phenomena.
Type: Short Communications
Description: Concise reports presenting novel hypotheses, preliminary findings, or innovative methodologies.
Type: Theoretical & Conceptual Papers
Description: Development of new psychological theories, models, and frameworks based on existing literature.
Required Sections
- Title
- Author Names and Affiliations
- Abstract (Max 250 words)
- Keywords (4-10 keywords)
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Results and Discussion
- Conclusions
- Acknowledgements
- References (APA Style)
- Figures and Tables (with captions)
- Appendices (if applicable)
Manuscript Format
Language: Manuscripts must be written in clear and concise English. Authors are encouraged to use professional language editing services if necessary.
File Format: All manuscripts should be submitted in Microsoft Word (.docx) or LaTeX format.
Font And Spacing: Use Times New Roman, 12 pt font, double-spaced with 1-inch margins on all sides.
Word Limit:
Original Research: 5000-8000 words (excluding references)
Review Articles: 7000-10,000 words
Short Communications: 1500-3000 words
Figures And Tables:
Resolution: Minimum 300 DPI for clarity.
Format: JPEG, PNG, or TIFF for images; Tables should be in editable format within the manuscript.
Placement: Insert figures and tables at the appropriate place in the text with sequential numbering.
Abstract And Keywords
Abstract: The abstract should provide a brief summary of the study, including research objectives, methods, key findings, and conclusions. It should not exceed 250 words.
Keywords: Provide 4-10 relevant keywords that describe the research focus.
Citation And Referencing
Format: References must follow APA (7th edition) citation style.
Example: Smith, J., & Johnson, R. (2021). The impact of mindfulness on cognitive processing. Psychological Science, 32(4), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1037/psci0000369
Cover Letter
- Each submission must include a cover letter specifying:
- • The type of article (Original Research, Review, etc.).
- • A summary of the study's significance.
- • Confirmation that the manuscript is not under review elsewhere.
- • A declaration of potential conflicts of interest.
- • A suggestion of at least three potential reviewers (optional).
Submission Process
Platform: Authors should submit their manuscripts through our online submission system.
Link: /journals/american-journal-of-psychology-human-behavior/submit
Steps:
- Register or log in to the submission system.
- Fill in the submission details, including title, authors, abstract, and keywords.
- Upload the manuscript and supplementary materials (figures, tables, datasets).
- Confirm compliance with journal guidelines and submit the manuscript.
- Track submission status via the author dashboard.
Peer Review Process
Type: All submissions undergo a rigorous **double-blind peer review** to ensure high scientific and ethical standards.
Steps:
- Editorial screening: Initial assessment of manuscript quality, scope, and formatting.
- Assignment to reviewers: Manuscripts meeting initial criteria are sent to at least two independent reviewers.
- Review feedback: Authors receive detailed feedback with recommendations (Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, Reject).
- Revisions: Authors respond to reviewer comments and submit revised versions if required.
- Final decision: The editorial board makes the final decision on manuscript acceptance.
Review Timeline: The average review process takes 4-6 weeks.
Publication Ethics
Originality: Manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under review elsewhere.
Plagiarism Policy: All submissions undergo plagiarism screening using industry-standard detection software. A similarity index above 20% may lead to desk rejection.
Conflict Of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence the research.
Ethics Approval: Studies involving human or animal subjects must include an ethics approval statement and comply with relevant institutional guidelines.
Publication Charges
Apc Statement: To support Open Access publication, authors are required to pay an Article Processing Charge (APC) upon acceptance.
Fees:
High Income Countries: $1500
Middle Income Countries: $1000
Low Income Countries: $500
Waivers And Discounts: Partial or full waivers may be available for authors from low-income countries or those with financial constraints. Requests must be made at the time of submission.
Copyright And License
License: All articles are published under the **Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)**, allowing unrestricted distribution and reproduction with proper citation.
Authors Rights: Authors retain copyright and grant the journal non-exclusive rights to publish their work.