Notice to Contributors

CALL FOR SPECIAL ISSUE SUBMISSIONS

Journal of Research on Adolescence

Special Issue on Network and Behavior Dynamics in Adolescence
Call for Manuscript Proposals

Guest Editor
René Veenstra, University of Groningen, the Netherlands

Guest Consulting Editors
Jan Kornelis Dijkstra, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
Christian Steglich, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
Maarten Van Zalk, Orebro University, Sweden

The goal of this special issue (8-10 articles) of Journal of Research on Adolescence is to give an overview of the use of stochastic actor orientated models for analyzing the joint interdependent dynamics of networks and behavior in adolescence. These models can be estimated by software called SIENA, Simulation Investigation for Empirical Network Analysis. It has proven to be a useful analytic tool for questions about selection (friends change but behavior stays similar) and influence (friends stay similar but behavior changes) effects, with as strengths that it models unobserved changes between observation points, controls for network structure effects, and takes dependencies in the data into account.

For this special issue we invite authors to look at selection and influence dynamics and its applications for adolescent adjustment. We seek contributions that derive testable hypotheses from different theoretical approaches and test these hypotheses empirically using innovative designs (longitudinal network data) and analyses (multivariate models). Besides questions about selection and influence dynamics, we hope that the authors also address additional questions, such as questions de-selection dynamics and questions about moderation and mediation processes in network and behavior dynamics. To provide a coherent focus to the special issue, we would like that authors build upon two recent review articles in this area:

• Brechwald, W. A., & Prinstein, M. J. (2011). Beyond homophily: A decade of advances in understanding peer influence processes. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21, 166-179.
• Veenstra, R., & Dijkstra, J. K. (2011). Transformations in adolescent peer networks. In B. Laursen & W. A. Collins (Eds.), Relationship pathways: From adolescence to young adulthood (chapter 7). New York: Sage (available at www.gmw.rug.nl/~veenstra/CV).

Editorial Scope
The Journal of Research on Adolescence welcomes high quality manuscripts that present original research findings on all topics related to development during adolescence, including articles focused on the transitional periods preceding and following adolescence. Although we encourage research using longitudinal data, innovative cross-sectional and qualitative studies will be considered. In addition, we encourage submission of integrated, critical review articles that synthesize and expand on existing research or challenge existing lines of research. We also will continue to publish brief empirical reports that highlight methods and findings.

In looking forward, the editorial team particularly encourages studies that build linkages between research and practice by addressing real-world problems and concerns of adolescents and others involved in their development (families, schools, agencies, etc.), and that include multi-method research. We encourage authors to present findings from translational research or discuss the translational implications of their work, as well as the connections between theory and practice. By translational we mean the multi-phased process by which research-generated knowledge of adolescent development is used to inform public policy and practice and vice versa. We also hope to expand the presence of articles from our international colleagues, and will make a focused effort to encourage submissions related to adolescence in developing countries. To increase the accessibility of the journal for diverse audiences, we will publish brief lay summaries of all articles. We also hope to expand the number of pages in the journal and increase on-line and early access to accommodate these new directions.

Audience
Clinical, social, and developmental psychologists, sociologists, social workers, and those specializing in family studies.

Types of Manuscripts
The Journal of Research on Adolescence considers only original manuscripts in formats described below. Inquiries concerning alternative formats should be addressed to the Editor prior to submission. All submissions are expected to be no more than 40 manuscript pages, including tables, references, and figures (but excluding appendices). Authors are strongly encouraged to submit concise and focused papers in the 25-30 page range. All manuscripts must be written in English and strictly adhere to APA Style (6^th Edition).

Empirical articles comprise the major portion of the journal. To be accepted, empirical articles must be judged as being high in scientific quality, contributing to the empirical base of adolescent development, and having important theoretical, practical, or interdisciplinary implications. Reports of multiple studies, methods, or settings are encouraged, but single-study reports are also considered. Longitudinal studies are encouraged, but important and novel studies using cross-sectional data will be considered.

Brief reports are reserved for short cutting-edge empirical papers that are no longer than 4000 words in length (approximately 15 pages, including ALL text, tables, footnotes, appendices), that advance research and knowledge in an area through noteworthy findings and/or new methods. For manuscripts that require longer descriptions of methods and results, authors should use the empirical article format.

Reviews focus on past empirical and/or on conceptual and theoretical work. They are expected to synthesize or evaluate a topic or issue relevant to adolescent development, should appeal to a broad audience, and may be followed by a small number of solicited commentaries.

Special issues and/or special sections devoted to a focused theme relevant to adolescent development also will be considered. Authors interested in proposing a special issue should submit a two-page proposal to the Editor describing the focus, justification, types of articles to be solicited, and potential contribution to the field.

Submitting to JRA
Manuscripts must be submitted via the JRA ScholarOne portal at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jra for editorial consideration. 

Permissions
Authors are responsible for all statements made in their work and for obtaining permission from copyright owners to reprint or adapt a table or figure or to reprint a quotation of 500 words or more. Authors should write to original author(s) and publisher to request nonexclusive world rights in all languages to use the material in the article and in future editions. Provide copies of all permissions and credit lines obtained.

Regulations
The corresponding author for a manuscript must, in an accompanying cover letter, warrant that all co-authors are in agreement with the content of the manuscript and that the study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association. Authors should also state that the findings reported in the manuscript have not been published previously and that the manuscript is not being simultaneously submitted elsewhere.

Manuscript Review
The Journal of Research on Adolescence seeks to complete a full review of all submissions within 90 days of their submission. Our Board of Editors is vested with control over manuscript review and publication. Manuscripts are reviewed by the Editor and the Board of Editors and by invited reviewers with special competence in the area represented by the manuscript. Articles and reviews must be judged to be of substantial importance to the broad, multidisciplinary readership of the journal as well as meet a high level of scientific acceptability. A first level of review determines the importance and appropriateness of submissions to the journal readership at large in conjunction with scientific merit; on this basis, the Board of Editors decides whether the manuscript will be reviewed further.

A system of blind reviewing is used. It is the author's responsibility to remove information about the identity of the author(s) and affiliation(s) from the manuscript; such information should appear on the cover letter or title page, neither of which will be included when a manuscript is sent out for peer review. The Board member responsible for a manuscript will have the discretion to integrate solicited reviews with the member's own opinions and recommendations into a determinative response. The Editor retains the right to reject manuscripts that do not meet established ethical standards.

Publication Process
The first author of an accepted manuscript will receive instructions for final manuscript preparation guidelines as well as a licensing form that must be returned to the JRA editorial office before publication. All accepted manuscripts are exclusively licensed for publication by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the Society for Research on Adolescence. Authors retain certain limited rights for re-using an accepted article that are outlined on the form itself.

JRA uses our publisher Wiley-Blackwell’s Early View online publication program, in which a manuscript is fully published online (and is considered fully citable) prior to its print publication. Authors can reasonably expect be published to Early View within 3-4 months from the date of acceptance. As of June 2011 there is a roughly 8-month lag from acceptance to print publication.

There is no charge for publication in the Journal of Research on Adolescence.

Note to NIH Grantees
Pursuant to NIH mandate, The Society (through Wiley-Blackwell) will post the accepted version of Contributions authored by NIH grantholders to PubMed Central upon acceptance. This accepted version will be made publicly available 12 months after publication. For further information, see http://www.wiley.com/go/nihmandate.