Youth Justice is an international journal that engages with analyses of juvenile/youth justice systems, law, policy and practice around the world. It contains articles that are theoretically informed and/or grounded in the latest empirical research.
Youth Justice has established itself as the leading journal in the field in the UK and, supported by an editorial board comprising some of the world's leading youth justice scholars, the journal enjoys an ever-increasing international presence.
The journal aims to provide a forum for the dissemination of research and/or to facilitate learned debate and analysis in respect of theory, law, policy and practice. The Editors and Editorial Board aim to publish material that is both intellectually rigorous and accessible to a wide readership across the national and international academic, policy and practice communities.
The substantive articles that are published in Youth Justice are all refereed and peer-reviewed. Two referees (Editorial Board members and/or other expert assessors) are appointed to assess each substantive article. The final decision to publish or reject an article is taken by the Editors who are informed by the recommendations received from referees.
Youth Justice publishes three times a year in April, August and December and the manuscript for each issue is submitted to the publishers 20 weeks prior to publication.
These notes have been prepared in order to assist contributors in the preparation and submission of articles.
Format
All contributions should be submitted electronically to Professor Barry Goldson at the email address set out at the foot of these notes.
Submissions must be typed in 12 point font (with the exception of titles-see below) on single side A4 paper with double-spacing and wide margins. Pages must be numbered and the word-length of the submission (fully inclusive of references) should be clearly marked. All contributors should provide their name/s, address for correspondence, telephone number, fax number and email address. All such details should be typed on a single separate cover sheet and attached to the submission. All articles should be fully anonymised and before they are sent out for assessment and peer-review the cover sheet including the personal details of the contributor/s will be removed. Once accepted for publication, final versions of articles should be sent to Professor Barry Goldson by electronic mail.
Anti-Discriminatory and Anti-Oppressive Priorities
Articles that are published in Youth Justice may not necessarily reflect the policies and/or values of the National Association for Youth Justice, SAGE, the Editors and/or the Editorial Board. The Journal is committed to encouraging critical reflection and welcomes submissions from a diversity of perspectives. All contributors should pay particular attention to avoiding discriminatory and oppressive language, content and inference, however. Submissions that fail to take account of this guidance and are insensitive to anti-discriminatory and/or anti-oppressive priorities will not be published.
Originality
Submissions will be considered on the understanding that they are original articles that have not been published elsewhere or submitted to another journal or any other publisher in any form. This does not exclude submissions that have had prior limited circulation and/or have been presented at a conference/s. However, submissions should be prepared specifically for publication in Youth Justice and must comply with this guidance and the journal's house-style. Submission of an article will be taken to imply that it is not being considered for publication elsewhere.
Length of Articles and Other Submissions
Youth Justice is an international journal and the Editors together with members of the Editorial Board are keen to publish articles from all parts of the world.
The journal typically comprises:
-Substantive refereed articles (normally 5000-8000 words in length);
-A 'Legal Commentary' section that serves to analyse legal/policy developments and/or comment on case law and related matters;
-A 'Youth Justice News' section that covers key international, national and/or regional news;
-A 'Book Reviews' section co-ordinated by the Book Reviews Editor who should be consulted for advice and guidance. Book reviews are normally commissioned although the Book Reviews Editor welcomes unsolicited reviews of recent relevant books, videos or films.
Assessment and Peer-Review
As stated above, all of the submitted substantive articles are sent out (anonymised) to referees and assessors for comment and peer review. Assessors are invited to offer one of the following recommendations:
-To accept the paper for publication as it stands;
-To accept the paper for publication subject to minor revisions;
-To invite the author to re-submit a substantially revised version of the paper for the reconsideration of referees;
-To suggest that the paper could be of use within another section of the Journal and/or another journal altogether;
-To reject the paper and decline publication.
Publication
Articles are normally published in chronological order from the point of final acceptance. Accepted articles may be held over for a future issue of the journal subject to space and/or topicality. The Editors and Editorial Board reserve the right to reduce the length and/or edit articles before final publication. In such cases the Editors will seek to liaise with the author/s prior to publication.
Abstract
Substantive articles (normally 5000-8000 words) should be preceded by an abstract of no more than 100 words that summarises the entire article and not just its conclusion. Abstracts are not required for 'Legal Commentary' and/or 'Youth Justice News' pieces and/or for book reviews.
Key words
A list of up to five key words for is required for each substantive article. The 'key words' appear below the abstract. Key words are not required for the 'Legal Commentary', 'Youth Justice News' and/or Book Reviews section of the journal.
Biographical note
Each contributor should include a short biographical note (25-50 words maximum) to be included at the end of the article. Biographical notes are not required for 'Youth Justice News' and/or the Book Reviews section of the journal.
Referencing
Poor and/or inaccurate referencing will result in articles being rejected. References should conform to Harvard conventions as below. Please also pay particular attention to punctuation in referencing as set out below.
Book
Surname, X. and Surname, Y. (year) Title with Initial Caps: Subtitle with Initial Caps. Place: Publisher.
Article in Book
Surname, X. (year) 'Title of Chapter', in X. Surname and Y. Surname (eds) Title of Book, pp. xx-xx. Place: Publisher.
Journal Article
Surname, X. (year) 'Title of Article', Name of Journal vol.no.(issue no.): xx-xx [page range].
Government Act
Title of Act. Place: Publisher.
Government Publications
Government Department (year) Title. Place: Publisher.
Conference Paper
Surname, X. (year) 'Title of Paper', paper presented at Name of Conference, City, Month of presentation.
Website
Surname, X. (year) 'Title of Article', Name of Journal vol.no.(issue no.), URL (consulted Month, Year): http:/xxxx.xxxx.xx.xx/xxxx/xxxx
When citing a new edition of a previously published work, include both dates, e.g. Name (1912/1976), in text and references.
Spelling
UK or US spellings may be used with '-ize' spellings as given in the Oxford English Dictionary (e.g. organize, recognize). We also endorse the guidelines provided by the American Psychological Association and the British Sociological Association for non-sexist and non-racist language.
Titles and Sub-Headings
The title should appear on the first page of the manuscript in bold 14 point font. Sub-headings within articles (particularly substantive papers) are encouraged to create a more readable, accessible and logically developed paper. Sub-headings should be set out in bold 12 point font.
Quotations
Short quotations should run within the sentence. Quotations of 40 words or more should be placed on a new line and indented. Place all quotations within single quotation marks. Only quotes within quotes should appear in double quotation marks.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
The full text should be used in the first instance for terms that may subsequently be abbreviated. In such cases the abbreviated version can be inserted in brackets and used thereafter. For example '... practice in the Youth Offending Team (YOT) ...' then means that 'YOT' can be used throughout the remainder of the article.
Diagrams, Tables and Graphs
These should only be used if it is absolutely necessary and must be presented on a separate sheet at the same size as the intended printed version (so no enlargement or reduction is required). Their precise location in the text should be clearly indicated in the typescript.
Other Style Points
Italics should be indicated by underlining. Dates should be in the form 24 November 1997.
Delete points from abbreviations, hence UK, USA etc.
When referring to pagination and dates use the smallest number of numerals possible (e.g. 10-19, 42-5, 116-35, 1961-4).
Footnotes should be avoided wherever possible and all relevant material should preferably appear in the text or as a reference.
Proofs and Offprints
Authors are sent proofs for checking and after publication they will be given controlled access to a pdf of their article and a complimentary copy of the whole issue.
Co-Authorship
In cases where there is more than one author, one of the contributor's should act as a point of liaison with the journal's editors and the same contributor will have their contact details published in the journal for the purposes of allowing reader correspondence. The Editors and the Editorial Board will assume that the person serving as the point of liaison has authority to act on behalf of other named authors.
Editorial Consultation
Any potential contributor is welcome to make contact with the Editors or any member of the Editorial Board for further advice and/or guidance.
All contributions should be submitted electronically to:
Professor Barry Goldson
School of Sociology and Social Policy
The University of Liverpool
Eleanor Rathbone Building
Bedford Street South
Liverpool L69 7ZA, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 151 794 2977
Fax: ++44 (0) 151 794 2997
Email: b.goldson@liv.ac.uk
English Language Editing Services: Please click here for information on professional English language editing services recommended by SAGE.
