The Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development (JRRD) 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 JRRD 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 accepted. When reporting experiments on human subjects, indicate if the procedures followed the standards of the institutional review board; when reporting experiments on animals, indicate whether the procedures followed the institution's Committee on animal experimentation. The Journal may require authors to verify the above procedures.

  Papers that may be submitted are —

• Technical Notes describing techniques, procedures, or findings of original scientific.
  
  
• Clinical Reports that may evaluate the development of a particular prototype, a new clinical technique, or any other topic of clinical interest.
  
  
• Selective reviews.

  Letters to the Editor are encouraged.

Review Process

  Scientific papers submitted to the JRRD are subject to critical peer review by at least two referees who have expertise in a particular subject. To ensure objectivity, the JRRD will maintain anonymity 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

  All authors must sign a letter (with their full names and academic degrees) confirming 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 —

1. Be 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 standard white paper.
   
   
4. Be submitted in hard copy (3 copies) and as a plain .txt file, via either e-mail or 3 ½-in. (8.9-cm) nonreturnable disk, CD, or Zip disk. Label the disk appropriately. If using Macintosh, please so label on the disk. One of the three copies must be blinded for peer review, with all author information removed from the title page. Remove any acknowledgments from the blinded copies. The other two copies should have a title page containing the title and complete author information. Any acknowledgments should be on a separate page following the references.
   
   
5. Should not generally exceed 20 double-spaced typed pages.
   
   
6. Include a cover letter stating the name, address, telephone number, fax number, and email address of the corresponding author.

• Reduced to 3½ 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 ensure that they are still readable.
  
  
• Sent as separate (not embedded as part of the document) electronic files in .tif, .eps, or .jpg format on 3½-in disk, CD, or Zip disk. Please include a labeled hard copy of all images.
  
  
• Numbered and the "TOP" is indicated on a typed label affixed to the back of each figure.
  
  
• NOT sent in PowerPoint format.
  
  
• Scanned at 400 dpi and printed at 600+ dpi, on nonglossy 32 lb–60 lb. And 94+ brightness premium paper.
  
  
• NOT embedded in Microsoft Word files. These images are unacceptable for printing.
  
  
• Sufficiently distinguished by texture, pattern, and/or size when they include data lines on colored graphs so as to be identifiable in black and white at 3½ in. wide. While we can and do use color for online publications, the book remains in black and white.

• Scanned at 400 dpi.
  
  
• Printed on glossy photograph paper. No external titles or labels are permitted.
  
  
• In a 4- × 6-in. or 5- × 7-in. format in black and white or color with good contrast; use no tape or paper clips on photos.
  
  
• In colors that provide enough contrast as black and white images. Unacceptable illustrations and photos will be returned for revision.

References: 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:

Article. Gilsdorf P, Patterson R, Fisher S. Thirty-minute continuous sitting force measurements with different support surfaces in the spin. Outcome analysis in comprehensive rehabilitation. In: Fuhrer MJ, editor. Rehabilitation outcomes. al cord injured and able-bodied. J Rehabil Res Dev 1991;28:33–8.
Chapter in a Book. Wagner KABaltimore: 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; 143–5.

Tables: 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 Formulas: 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

   Journal articles published and their original illustrations (unless borrowed from copyright sources) are in public domain. To use illustrations from copyright sources, Authors must acquire written permission from the copyright owner, to include full information about previous publication and credit to be given. Authors must obtain permission to reproduce figures, obtain signed release forms to use 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, check the proofs immediately and return them to the publishers by express mail within five working days. If the proofs are not received within the prescribed time, it will be assumed that no changes are needed.