Purpose and Scope
The Journal of
Rehabilitation Research and Development is a peer-reviewed scientific
rehabilitation research and development publication in the
multidisciplinary field of disability rehabilitation. Its mission is to
report the results of rehabilitation research relevant to veterans. It
exists to improve clinical practice, enhance the quality and relevance of
VA rehabilitation research and implement the transfer of biomedical and
engineering advances into clinical practice. General priority areas
are: Prosthetics, Amputations, Orthotics, and Orthopedics; Spinal Cord
Injury and other Neurological disorders (with particular interest in
traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and restorative therapies);
Communication, Sensory and Cognitive Aids; Geriatric Rehabilitation; and
Functional Outcome Research. The Journal receives submissions from
sources within the United States and throughout the
world.
Only original Scientific Rehabilitation Research
and Development papers (including Pilot Studies) will be
considered. All submissions should include statements that the research
and development study meets and addresses the special concerns of the
clinical core mission of the VHA.
Technical Notes
describing techniques, procedures, or findings of original scientific
research may be submitted. Clinical Studies are of interest. These
may be studies of an evaluation of a particular prototype developed, a new
clinical technique, or other topic of clinical interest. Selective
Reviews may also be considered.
Letters to the
Editor are encouraged. Books for Review may be sent by authors
or publishers. The Editor will select reviewers.
Review Process
Scientific papers submitted to the Journal are subject to critical peer review by at least two
referees who have expertise in a particular subject. To ensure
objectivity, anonymity will be maintained between the author(s) and the
referees. The final decision as to a paper's suitability for publication
rests on the results of the peer review.
Originality
A letter signed by all authors (with
their full names and academic degrees) must confirm that the
contribution has not been published by or submitted to another
journal.
Instructions to Contributors
Authors should
prepare manuscripts in accordance with the "Uniform Requirements for
Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals" developed by the
International Committee of Medical Journal
Editors.
Manuscripts should meet the following
requirements: 1) Original and in English, keeping in mind that English is
the first language of many of our readers; 2) Contain an Abstract,
Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, and References; 3)
Be typewritten, in 12-point font, double-spaced with liberal margins, on
good quality standard white paper; and, 4) Be accompanied by a plain .TXT
file, via either email or 3.5 in (8.9 cm) non-returnable disk. If using
Macintosh, please so label on the disk. Manuscripts generally should not
exceed 20 double-spaced typed pages. Three hard copies are
requested.
Sponsorship: Source of funding must be
included and should be listed on the cover
page.
Abstracts: An Abstract of 150 words or
less must be provided with the submitted manuscript. It should give the
factual essence of the article and be suitable for separate publication in
index journals.
Key Words: Three to ten key words,
preferably terms from the Medical Subject Headings from Index
Medicus should be provided.
Running Heads: A
running head (short title) of fewer than 40 characters, including spaces,
should be included.
Figures: Graphics (i.e.,
drawings, schematics, charts, graphs, etc.) and photos may be used for
clarifying the text; all will be shot down to 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide and no
more than 7.5 in (19 cm) high. We recommend that |
Authors inspect their
figures at this size to make sure that they are still readable when so
reduced. Graphics received as separate electronic files (.TIF, .EPS, or
.JPG) result in the cleanest, sharpest output for printing; next best is
camera-ready on glossy photographic stock; we request at least 600 dpi
resolution. No external titles or labels are permitted. Images
embedded in Microsoft Word files are unacceptable for printing. Black and
white photos with good contrast are accepted only in 5x7 in (12.5x17.5 cm)
format; use no tape on photos. List number and indicate "TOP" on a typed
label affixed to the back of each figure. While we can and do use color
for online publications, the book remains in black and white: please be
sure that data lines on colored graphs are sufficiently distinguished by
texture, pattern, and/or size to be identifiable in black and white.
Unacceptable illustrations will be returned for
revision.
References should be typed separately,
double-spaced, and numbered consecutively in the order in which they are
first mentioned in the text. References first cited in tables or figure
legends should be numbered so that they will be in proper sequence with
references cited in the text. "Unpublished observations" or "personal
communications," for which the author has secured permission of the person
cited, should be treated as footnotes and not included in the numbering of
the references. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of their
references. Please follow these sample formats, which are in the
Vancouver style:
Article. Gilsdorf P, Patterson R,
Fisher S. Thirty-minute continuous sitting force measurements with
different support surfaces in the spinal cord injured and able-bodied. J
Rehabil Res Dev 1991;28:33-8.
Chapter in a Book.
Wagner KA. Outcome analysis in comprehensive rehabilitation. In: Fuhrer
MJ, editor. Rehabilitation outcomes. Baltimore: Brookes Publishing Co.;
1987. p. 233-9.
Published Proceedings Paper.
Kauzlarich JJ, Thacker JG. Antiskid wheelchair brake design. Proceedings
of the 14th Annual RESNA Conference; 1991 Jun 21-26, Kansas City, MO.
Washington, DC: RESNA Press, 1991. p. 143-5.
Tables should not duplicate material in text or illustrations. They should be
numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals cited in the text. Each table
should be typed double-spaced on a separate sheet and should have a brief
title. Short or abbreviated column heads should be used and explained, if
necessary, in footnotes.
Mathematical Formulae: Traditional mathematical treatments should be extended by adding brief
narrative notes of explanation and definitions of terms, as appropriate,
to ensure that readers of other disciplines gain the fullest understanding
of the material presented. The Metric System is requested for use
in all quantities in text, tables, and
figures.
Specialized Nomenclature. Correct
terminology for amputation: above-knee is "transfemoral";
below-knee is "transtibial"; above-elbow is "transhumeral";
and below-elbow is "transradial." This nomenclature is more in
keeping with anatomical amputation.
Permissions and Copyright
Articles published and
their original illustrations (unless borrowed from copyrighted sources)
are in the public domain. Borrowed illustrations must contain full
information about previous publication and credit to be given. Authors
must obtain permission to reproduce figures and signed release forms for
use of photographs containing identifiable persons, and submit originals
of those signed documents with the manuscript.
Review of Proofs
Proofs will be sent to the
first-named author, unless otherwise requested. To avoid delays in
publication, proofs should be checked immediately and returned to the
publishers by express mail within five working days. If not received
within the prescribed time, it will be assumed that no changes are
needed. |