Instructions For Authors

The Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice publishes research that will guide the development of evidence based solutions, policy and programs in an effort to reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities among racial and ethnic minority populations.

The Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice is an on-line journal, published three times per year, that explores the problems and challenges of health disparities among these diverse populations.

The journal welcomes submissions of original papers from researchers, public health practitioners, and students researching and working on health disparities solutions. Each issue has four sections: a letter from the editors; original papers on health disparities research, practice, policy and/or evaluation; a student paper; and a brief communications section for book reviews, letters, and relevant information such as conference announcements.

Questions about the suitability of a topic should be directed to the editor.

Submit your manuscript electronically to: JHDRP@UNLV.NEVADA.EDU

For questions please send an email to the address above or send a letter to:

Editor, Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

UNLV Center for Health Disparities Research

4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 453060

Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-3060

CHECKLIST FOR PREPARATION OF MANUSCRIPTS

I. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

• Write clearly and succinctly, with a minimum of jargon.
• Type manuscript double-spaced, in both upper- and lower-case letters.
• Do not use proportional spacing or justified margin.
• Spell out numbers from one to nine except for measurements (e.g., four days; 14 beds; 3 mm).
• Within a paragraph where a number higher than nine appears (e.g., 15 questions) use numerals for all numbers (e.g., 7 responses).
• For references: Please use APA style.

NOTICE: Please send the names, contact email, and CV for at least two possible reviewers for your manuscript when you send in your submission. This will significantly shorten the time for completion of the review process.

II. ORIGINAL PAPERS (INCLUDING STUDENT PAPERS)

Original papers include research reports, literature reviews, policy analyses, evaluations of innovative or otherwise noteworthy health and health disparities problems and solutions; 2,501-10,000 words.

Student papers are invited. Students should be masters or doctoral level and be first author of original work. In the cover letter please include your institution, program or department, and major course of study. Please follow directions below for preparing your manuscript.

Cover letter - In a cover letter, identify the primary author. The letter should state that the manuscript is not being considered for publication elsewhere and will not be as long as it is under consideration at JHDRP. The letter also should state that all authors have approved the final manuscript.

Title pages - On one title page, give the title of the paper (not to exceed 8 to 10 words), the number of words in the paper, and the name(s), academic degree(s), and institutional affiliation(s) of all authors. To allow blind review, include a second page listing only the title.

Abstract and key words - On a separate page, provide an abstract of up to 150 words that presents the reason for the paper, the main findings, and the principal conclusions. The abstract should be able to stand alone without the paper. After the abstract, list 3 to 5 key words or short phrases to help index the article.

Text - Clearly state the problem or issue at hand, describe past efforts to address it, and specify how the manuscript represents a new contribution to the field.

• Offer policy recommendations if appropriate.
• Include brief section headings. Research reports should contain the following sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion. Omit the "Introduction" section heading.
• List any acknowledgments and grant support at the end of the text.

Tables and Figures

• Type tables on pages separate from the text. Provide a title and consecutive Arabic numbering for each.
• It is preferable to use the "Table" feature in Microsoft Word® for Windows® or Macintosh®. Otherwise, USE TABS, NOT SPACES, to separate columns when formatting tables on a word processor.
• List source for tables as appropriate.
• Maps, diagrams, and drawings should be professionally rendered in black ink on white paper. Other figures (bar graphs, pie charts, etc.) may be produced by hand or computer.
• Include actual data. For figures that contain percentages, include raw numbers.
• List source for figures as appropriate

Submission - Submit an electronic copy of the manuscript in rich text format (.rtf) to the email address below. After manuscripts are peer reviewed and accepted, authors will receive instructions on how to submit a final draft. Assemble submission in the following order: cover letter, title page, abstract and key words page, text, tables, figures, references.

Review - Authors are notified promptly, by email, when manuscripts are received. Remaining manuscripts are reviewed by at least two external reviewers who are experts in the topic area addressed by the paper. Reviewers provide comments to the editor, who relays them to the primary author. Authors and reviewers do not know each other's identity. Authors are encouraged to recommend potential reviewers

Copyright - Accepted manuscripts become the permanent property of the Journal and are not published until all authors have signed a copyright transmittal form and returned to the editor. Authors who assign exclusive copyright to the Journal retain residual copyright to the words and data in their manuscripts. The Journal and publisher usually honor requests to reprint copyrighted material, providing that permission is also obtained from the author(s) and proper credit is given to the source.

Proofs and reprints - After revisions are completed, primary authors receive galley proofs for review. Galleys must be returned with any substantive corrections within 48 hours after receipt. The JHDRP is currently a free, on-line journal available in a PDF format. Authors will be sent an indivdual PDF file with their paper in final format as well as a PDF version of the full journal issue.

III. BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS

Research briefs; Letters in response to items published in the Journal; brief reports of programs, legislative activities, or other items of interest to readers; referenced as appropriate; up to 2,500 words. Above sections on cover letter, tables, figures, permissions, submission, copyright, and proofs and reprints apply.

Thank you for your interest in the Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice.

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