- For authors
- Open access · CC BY 4.0
- Published by Open Access Pub
Instructions for Authors
How to prepare and submit a manuscript to the Journal of Verbal Behavior: submission routes, article types, manuscript structure, reporting standards, ethics statements and fees.
Submission routes
- Primary route
ManuscriptZone
The publisher's online submission and review system. Register or sign in, choose the Journal of Verbal Behavior and upload the manuscript files.
- Alternative route
Simple manuscript submission form
A single-page form that opens with the Journal of Verbal Behavior selected.
- Assisted route
Editorial email
For authors who are unable to use either online route. Send the manuscript files with a cover letter.
Authors must use only one submission route for the same manuscript.
Article types
JVB publishes the article types below. Requirements depend on the format: hypotheses, a structured abstract and a Methods and Results structure apply where the design calls for them. The scope of each type is set out in the Aims and Scope.
Original Research
Empirical studies of verbal behavior and language, basic or applied, using single-case experimental, group, quasi-experimental, observational, qualitative or mixed-methods designs.
- Abstract
- Structured: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions.
- Main text
- Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion. State the research question and, where applicable, the hypotheses. Describe participants, setting, materials, dependent and independent variables, measurement and interobserver agreement, procedural fidelity and design. For single-case designs, show the data for each participant, and report social validity where relevant.
- Reporting
- The guideline for the design, for example SCRIBE for single-case research, CONSORT, TREND or STROBE.
Replication Study
A direct or systematic replication of a published finding.
- Abstract
- Structured.
- Main text
- Identify the original study, state how the replication matches it and how it differs, and compare the results with the original.
- Reporting
- As for Original Research.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Systematic syntheses of evidence on a defined question, with or without meta-analysis. Scoping reviews that use systematic methods are included.
- Abstract
- Structured.
- Main text
- Introduction; Methods (eligibility criteria, information sources and the full search strategy, study selection, data extraction, risk-of-bias or quality assessment and synthesis); Results with a flow diagram; Discussion. Give the protocol registration where applicable. Reviews of single-case research describe the quality and effect-size methods used.
- Reporting
- PRISMA 2020; PRISMA-ScR for scoping reviews.
Review
Narrative or critical reviews that organize and interpret a body of literature.
- Abstract
- Brief, unstructured.
- Main text
- Free structure with descriptive headings. State how the literature was identified and selected, and keep conclusions proportionate to the evidence.
- Reporting
- Reference the evidence for each claim.
Theoretical or Conceptual Article
Theory development, conceptual analysis and analysis of terminology.
- Abstract
- Brief, unstructured.
- Main text
- State the problem, define the terms, develop the argument with reference to the literature, and set out its implications for research or practice. Methods and Results sections are not required.
- Reporting
- Cite the sources for each claim and define technical terms at first use.
Methods and Measurement
New, adapted or validated methods, measures, coding systems and assessment procedures, including computational approaches, and protocols for planned studies.
- Abstract
- Structured, with headings adapted to the method.
- Main text
- Rationale; a description of the method with the detail, materials or code others need to apply it; validation or a worked application, compared with existing approaches where available; limitations. A protocol sets out the design, outcomes, analysis plan and ethics approval, and has no Results section.
- Reporting
- COSMIN for measurement properties, STARD for diagnostic accuracy, PRISMA-P or SPIRIT for protocols, where applicable.
Brief Report
A concise report of a focused or preliminary finding, including a short single-case study.
- Abstract
- Brief, structured.
- Main text
- A condensed Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion centered on the main finding.
- Reporting
- As for Original Research, where applicable.
Commentary
A reasoned, evidence-based response to published research or to a current question in the field.
- Abstract
- Brief, unstructured.
- Main text
- Free structure with descriptive headings; claims supported by cited evidence and conclusions proportionate to it. A commentary on a published article cites it in full, and its authors may be invited to reply.
- Reporting
- Reference the evidence for each claim.
Book Review
A critical review of a recent book relevant to verbal behavior and language.
- Abstract
- None.
- Main text
- Give the full citation of the book, summarize its argument, and assess its contribution and its usefulness to the field.
- Reporting
- Quote and cite the book accurately.
Length. There are no fixed length limits for any article type; manuscripts should be concise and proportionate to their content.
Choosing a type. Where a manuscript sits between types, choose the closest type and explain the choice in the cover letter; the editors confirm the classification. Single-case and group experimental designs are both Original Research, a short single-case study is a Brief Report, and a terminology or conceptual analysis is a Theoretical or Conceptual Article or a Review.
Preparing the manuscript
These requirements apply to every article type. The structure of the main text follows the guidance for the type above.
- Files
- The main text as an editable word-processing file (for example, Microsoft Word), with figures, tables that cannot be edited in the text, and supplementary material supplied as separate files.
- Title page
- A concise, informative title; full names, affiliations and ORCID iDs (recommended) of all authors; and the corresponding author's contact details.
- Double-blind review
- For double-blind review, remove author names, affiliations, acknowledgments, funding details, institution names, and other identifying information from the reviewer manuscript. Provide identifying information separately in the title-page file or submission form.
- Abstract
- As set for the article type. Structured abstracts use the headings Background, Methods, Results and Conclusions.
- Keywords
- A short list of specific, searchable terms that readers in behavior analysis, language and communication science would use.
- Statistics and data
- Describe statistical and visual-analysis methods in enough detail for replication; report effect estimates with measures of uncertainty where statistical tests are used, and name the software and version.
- Declarations
- Author contributions (CRediT), funding, conflicts of interest, ethics approval and consent where applicable, data availability and any use of AI tools.
- Cover letter
- States the article type and the fit with the journal's scope, confirms that the manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere, and notes any preprint and any request for double-blind review.
- Language
- Clear English, with abbreviations and technical terms defined at first use.
Reporting guidelines
Report the study following the guideline that matches its design and upload the completed checklist as a supplementary file. The guidelines are available from the EQUATOR Network.
| Study design | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Single-case experimental research | SCRIBE |
| Randomized trials | CONSORT |
| Non-randomized evaluations of interventions | TREND |
| Observational studies (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional) | STROBE |
| Systematic reviews and meta-analyses | PRISMA 2020 |
| Scoping reviews | PRISMA-ScR |
| Trial and review protocols | SPIRIT; PRISMA-P |
| Diagnostic accuracy studies | STARD |
| Measurement properties of instruments | COSMIN |
| Qualitative research | SRQR or COREQ |
| Animal research | ARRIVE 2.0 |
References, tables and figures
- Reference style
- Use one consistent style throughout; APA style is welcome. Cite primary sources, give a DOI or stable URL where one exists, and check every reference for accuracy.
- Tables
- Editable, numbered consecutively, each with a descriptive title; abbreviations and symbols explained in a footnote.
- Figures
- High resolution (at least 300 dpi) in TIFF, EPS, PNG or high-quality JPEG, with a caption for each figure. For single-case data, label axes and conditions clearly, use consistent scales and make the data points legible after reduction.
- Supplementary files
- Numbered (for example, Supplementary Table S1), cited in the text and listed with short titles at the end of the manuscript. They are published as supplied, so they must be final and free of participant identifiers. Video clips of procedures need documented consent from the people shown.
- Reused material
- Written permission from the copyright holder to reproduce or adapt published figures, tables, assessment tools or text, unless the material is already available under a license that permits reuse; the source is cited in the legend.
Reference examples (APA style)
- Journal article
- Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of the article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), pages. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx
- Book
- Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the book (Edition). Publisher.
- Report or webpage
- Organization Name. (Year). Title of the report or page. URL
- Dataset
- Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the dataset (Version) [Data set]. Repository Name. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx
- Preprint
- Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the preprint. Preprint Server Name. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx
- Trial registration
- Sponsor or Principal Investigator. (Year). Title of the trial. Registry Name. Registration number. Registered Month Day, Year. URL
Ethics and declarations
Each manuscript includes the statements below that apply to it. The full policies are set out in the Editorial Policies.
- Human participants
- The name of the approving ethics committee or institutional review board and the approval reference number, and confirmation of informed consent, or a waiver documented by the ethics committee, where applicable. Describe parent or guardian permission and participant assent where applicable, and the confidentiality protections for participants.
- Clinical trials
- Interventional clinical trials must be registered in an accepted public trial registry at or before the first participant provides consent for enrollment. The registry name, registration number, and registration date must be reported in the manuscript.
- Animal research
- Approval from the institutional animal care and use committee or animal ethics committee with its reference number, compliance with animal-welfare regulations, and reporting in line with the ARRIVE guidelines.
- Conflicts of interest and funding
- All financial and non-financial interests of every author, each source of funding and the role of the funder.
- Data availability
- Every empirical research manuscript must include a data-availability statement. It explains where the data can be found or the conditions for access.
- Use of AI tools
- Any use of AI tools in writing, analysis or figure preparation, with the tool named and its use described. AI tools are not listed as authors.
Peer review and decisions
All submissions undergo initial editorial screening, including a similarity check with Crossref Similarity Check. Manuscripts that meet the journal's scope and minimum requirements proceed to independent peer review.
Single-blind by default; double-blind review is available on request.
Manuscripts that proceed to external peer review are normally evaluated by at least two independent subject-matter experts. Editorial decisions are based on scope, scientific quality, methodological rigor, ethical compliance, reporting quality, and relevance to the journal.
Revised manuscripts are accompanied by a point-by-point response to the reviewers' comments. After acceptance, authors check the proofs, and the article is published open access under CC BY 4.0.
Fees
USD 1,400
Article processing charge for every article type. The article processing charge is USD 1,400, payable only after acceptance; withdrawal after submission is subject to the journal's withdrawal policy.
No charge is made at submission. Fee-relief inquiries are considered case by case; contact the editorial office before or at submission. Full details are on the Article Processing Charges page.
Final checklist
A fuller checklist and the submission routes are on the Submit Manuscript page.
- The manuscript addresses a question about verbal behavior or language and uses one of the article types above.
- The title page, abstract, keywords and main text follow the guidance for the article type.
- For double-blind review, the reviewer manuscript is anonymized and identifying information is in the title-page file.
- Ethics approval, consent or waiver, and trial registration are reported where applicable.
- The completed reporting checklist is attached where applicable.
- Declarations cover contributions, funding, conflicts of interest, data availability and AI use.
- Figures, tables and supplementary files are cited in the text, and permissions are in place for reused material.
- A cover letter accompanies the submission, which is made through one route only.
Author inquiries
Questions about preparing or submitting a manuscript can be sent to the editorial office at info@openaccesspub.org.