Education Policy and Practice Perspectives - EP³

Style Guidelines

 

Contributions are accepted for submission from faculty, researchers, scholars, master's and doctoral students, teachers, practitioners, and policy makers in higher education and related fields. Submissions which pass the initial stage of review and then considered by the full Editorial Board will receive written feedback. EP³ reserves the right to only consider manuscripts that are not simultaneously being considered for other publications. Please follow these guidelines in preparing your manuscript for submission.

 

I. Suggested EP³ Outline

A. Introduction. Include an overview of the topic including its theme and purpose.

B. Development of your topic. What are the primary or related issues? Why is this an important topic? If relevant, include historical or theoretical background or reference

current debate.

C. Current or proposed solutions. Examples of model practice, ideas, or programs. Practical

ideas which can be implemented on other (campuses or are interdisciplinary) are especially helpful.

D. Conclusions and recommendations for readers.

E. References: All citations mentioned in the brief must be referenced.

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II. Manuscript Elements

A. EP 3 Text

1. Word Count . Finished manuscripts should be between 5,000 and 7,000 words including references. All EP 3 policy briefs are designed to be either 8 or 12 page documents.

2. Font. Submit manuscript using Times New Roman font only , and set all text in 12 point size, double-spaced.

3. Headings and subheadings . Follow APA (5 th ed.) style guidelines to determine headings and subheadings appropriate for the manuscript. Use headings to convey the hierarchy and relationship between and among ideas.

4. Lists. Lists of information should be displayed consistently throughout the EP 3 . If you

are using numbers on one list, number all lists; if you use bullets, use bullets throughout the EP 3 for all lists. If you indent lists, use the same indention throughout. Do not use punctuation in lists unless the item is a complete sentence.

5. Tables/Figures. Tables should be laid out according to APA (5 th ed.) style guidelines. Tables should be numbered according to the sequence within the EP 3 . In the manuscript itself, insert a copy of the table or figure and number the manuscript page accordingly.

6. Quotations. The author is responsible for securing permissions from the copyright holders to use quotes of 300 words or more or if adapting a tables or figures. A copy of the publisher's written approval must be provided to the EP 3 Advisory Board upon acceptance of the manuscript for publication.

B. Bibliography/References

1. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of references, quotations, tables, and figures and should make sure these are complete and correct.

2. Though you may cite classic works or studies, current references and recent works should be also included. The most up-to-date information is most valuable to EP 3 readers.

2. Attempts should be made to substantiate claims made within the EP 3 manuscript.

3. When preparing the reference list, please make sure you include complete information for the most recent edition.

4. Provide page numbers for all direct quotations.

5. It is also essential to complete a careful proofread of the spelling of author's names in your bibliography.

6. All references should follow APA (5 th ed.) style guidelines.

C. Authors

1. Check and confirm the spelling of all authors' names and how the author would like their names to appear.

2. Include institution affiliation for authors. No institutional acronyms can be used.

3. Submission of a manuscript indicates the author's agreement to provide additional information beyond the actual manuscript. The editor/s may request additional information to assist with the review process.

4. Upon acceptance of a manuscript, authors are responsible for making changes

recommended by the editor/s.

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III. Style/Mechanics

A. Capitalization

Avoid unnecessary capitalization. For example, “president” should not be capitalized unless used as a proper noun. Similarly, departments need not be capitalized nor do courses unless followed by a course number. The most important concern is that of consistency of usage. Make sure a word or phrase that is capitalized in one place appears the same way in another.

B. Gender/Stereotypical Language

Follow APA (5 th ed.) style guidelines to reduce biases and over emphasis of dominant culture.

C. Jargon

Avoid unnecessary educational or discipline jargon. You can assume that most readers will be educators and that is reasonably safe to use widely recognized terms. If you use terms that may not be in wide use or that have variant meanings, you should be careful to define your terms carefully.

D. Passive Voice

Do not overuse the passive voice. The active voice is more precise, less wordy and gives your writing more energy and interest.

E. Punctuation

1. Periods. Leave one space between a period at the beginning of the next sentence, letter, or numeral.

2. Semicolon. Use semicolons to separate items contain internal commas. Use semicolons

to separate two independent clauses when coordinating conjunction.

3. Colons. Use a colon between a grammatically complete introductory clause and a final phrase or clause that illustrates, extends, or amplifies the preceding thought.

4. Ellipses. Use ellipses to indicate words that you have omitted from a direct quotation.

To show that you have omitted an entire sentence or more, use a period at the end of the sentence followed by three ellipses dots.

F. Wordiness

Avoid unnecessary phrases and words (e.g., "At this point in time," "The consensus among the group is," "It is in fact the case that"). If you can reduce word and phrases without distorting the meaning, do so.

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IV. EP 3 Editorial Board

A. Editorial Rights

The EP 3 Editorial Board reserves the rights to made editorial adjustments to manuscripts in order to fit publication specifications and guidelines. Care will be taken to not change the content or meaning of the manuscript. Each author will be given the opportunity to review the final draft before the brief goes to print.

 

V. Requirements for Submission

When you are ready to submit your manuscript, or any portion of your manuscript, please use the following items as a checklist:

  The manuscript must be double-spaced to allow editing and queries from the editor to the author(s).

  Submit the entire text as an e-mail attachment in a Microsoft Word document.

  Include electronic versions of all figures and tables with your submission.

  Follow APA style format following Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5 th ed.

  Include e-mail and telephone numbers for the primary contact with your submission.

  The Department of Education Leadership & Policy Studies provides a limited number of complimentary copies of the published EP 3 . Please include the street address for each contributor.

 

Questions regarding these guidelines should be directed to:

Vijay Kanagala

Editor-in-Chief

(515) 294-5521

Email: vijay@iastate.edu