Developmental Science

Edited by:
Mark H. Johnson, Paul C. Quinn and Denis Mareschal

Print ISSN: 1363-755X
Online ISSN: 1467-7687
Frequency: Bi-monthly
Current Volume: 13 / 2010
ISI Journal Citation Reports® Ranking: 2008: 7/55 Psychology, Developmental
Impact Factor: 3.818

TopAuthor Guidelines

Journal scope
Developmental Science aims to represent the very best of contemporary scientific developmental psychology and developmental cognitive neuroscience, both in the presentation of theory and in reporting new data. Developmental Science includes: comparative and biological perspectives, connectionist and computational perspectives, and developmental disorders. Developmental Science publishes work that bridges levels of explanation, such as from brain development to cognitive or social change, or work that specifically attempts to elucidate mechanisms of developmental change at one level. Manuscripts judged to fall outside this remit may be rejected without full refereeing.

Types of article published in Developmental Science

1. Fast-track reports (up to 4,000 words)
Fast-track reports receive rapid review (within one month) and, if accepted, will be published promptly on the journal's web site. It is important to note, however, that a simple accept/reject decision will be made for fast-track reports, and no feedback will be provided. Manuscripts submitted through the fast-track process will only be accepted if they can be published without major revision, and if they are judged to be of significant and broad importance to the field.

2. Papers (up to 8,000 words)
This type of submission covers both shorter, succinct accounts of scientific findings (previously called "reports") and more extended empirical studies. Some papers judged by the editorial team to present important theoretical issues in developmental science may be selected as Target Articles for peer commentary. These will be accompanied by at least one peer commentary of 1,000 words. Authors may wish to suggest names and addresses of individuals who might be invited to offer peer commentary, at the Co-editor's discretion. Authors wishing that their manuscripts to be considered for peer commentary should flag this on submission.

As from January 2008, all papers will initially be assessed rapidly for relevance to the aims of the journal and potential impact. Authors will receive a prompt decision as to whether their paper will be sent for peer review. This initial decision will be based on recommendations from members of the editorial board. Papers selected for peer review will then be sent out to external readers for full review. Authors should choose the article type based on word count and perceived importance of the findings. Please note that the acceptance criteria are more stringent for fast track articles.

Manuscript Preparation

Word Count
The word count does not include author names and affiliations, acknowledgments, figure captions and references.

Style
The style of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th edition, should be followed with respect to handling of references, footnotes, tables and figures, and abbreviations and symbols. Information about the APA guidelines can be found on their website at: http://www.apastyle.org

Pre-submission English-language editing
Authors for whom English is a second language may choose to have their manuscript professionally edited before submission to improve the English. A list of independent suppliers of editing services can be found at www.blackwellpublishing.com/bauthor/english_language.asp. All services are paid for and arranged by the author, and use of one of these services does not guarantee acceptance or preference for publication.

References in Articles
There are several software packages available to help authors manage and format the references and footnotes in their journal article. We recommend the use of a software tool such as EndNote or Reference Manager for reference management and formatting.

EndNote reference styles can be searched for here:
http://www.endnote.com/support/enstyles.asp

Reference Manager reference styles can be searched for here:
http://www.refman.com/support/rmstyles.asp

Preparation of electronic files

Text
Manuscripts should be double-spaced throughout. Two versions of your manuscript should be prepared; one 'blinded' version, which should not contain any author identifying information (such as author names, contact details, or acknowledgments), and one full version. When saving the two versions, please indicate which is the blind version (e.g. by adding the word 'blind' to the file name). Please do not include any author names or identifying information as part of the file names. Once we receive your submission, the full (non-blinded version) will be hidden from the reviewers. Although all submitted files are checked, it is the responsibility of the authors to ensure that the blind version does not reveal identifying information.

Most common file types can be uploaded to the submission website (address below) where they are converted to html and pdf format. You will not be able to upload files with extension: .exe, .com, .vbs and .zip. However, please bear in mind that if your work is accepted, pdf files are not acceptable for final version text as they cannot be edited for typesetting by the publishers.

Figures
Each figure and table should be clearly identified and on a separate page. Landscape positioning, tints and complex shading should be avoided.

Again, most common file types can be uploaded to the submission website but for the final, accepted version PDF files or Tif files are preferable. The resolution should be 300 dpi for block drawings/photos; 600 dpi for line drawings. Word files can be used for simple diagrams such as graphs.

For more information on preparing electronic figures, please go to http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/bauthor/illustration.asp

Permission from the copyright owner should be included for use of any figure previously published elsewhere. A standard permissions request form can be downloaded here: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/bauthor/Authorguidefiles/Apermisetter-03-06.doc

Colour figures will be reproduced in colour in the electronic version. We can publish colour figures in the printed version, but authors will have to meet the costs involved. Blackwell Publishing require you to complete and return a colour work agreement form before your paper can be published. This form can be downloaded as a PDF from the internet. The web address for the form is: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/pdf/SN_Sub2000_F_CoW.pdf

Once completed, please return the form to the Production Editor. Any article received by Blackwell Publishing with colour work will not be published until the form has been returned.

We can also publish supporting information. For more information please go to http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/bauthor/suppmat.asp

Manuscript submission
Before submission please ensure that you have prepared your material according to the guidelines above and that you have current and accurate e-mail addresses for each author.

Manuscripts should be submitted to the following website: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/devsci

Full submission instructions can be found on this website. If you do not have access to the internet, please contact the Developmental Science office to discuss alternative means of submission.

Please note that revisions to manuscripts that were not initially submitted to the website, should be sent as an e-mail attachment to the Developmental Science e-mail address.

A cover letter should be submitted with your manuscript and must include a statement that the data have not been published, and are not under consideration for publication elsewhere. It will be presumed that all listed authors of a manuscript have agreed to the listing and have seen and approved the manuscript.

The publication process

Copyright Transfer Agreement

Authors will be required to sign a Copyright Transfer Agreement (CTA) for all papers accepted for publication. Signature of the CTA is a condition of publication and papers will NOT be passed to the publisher for production unless a signed form has been received. After submission authors will retain the right to publish their paper in various media/circumstances (please see the CTA for further details). To assist authors an appropriate form will be supplied by the editorial office. Alternatively, authors may like to download a copy of the form here. Please return all completed and signed forms to:

Cindy Chong - Production Editor
Developmental Science
Wiley-Blackwell
(Wiley Services Singapore Pte Ltd)
Journal Content Management
600 North Bridge Road #05-01
Parkview Square
Singapore 188778

Online Production tracking
NEW: Online production tracking is now available for your article through Wiley-Blackwell's Author Services
Author Services enables authors to track their article - once it has been accepted - through the production process to publication online and in print. Authors can check the status of their articles online and choose to receive automated e-mails at key stages of production. The author will receive an e-mail with a unique link that enables them to register and have their article automatically added to the system. Please ensure that a complete e-mail address is provided when submitting the manuscript. Visit http://authorservices.wiley.com/bauthor/ for more details on online production tracking and for a wealth of resources including FAQs and tips on article preparation, submission and more.

Early View
Developmental Science is covered by Blackwell Publishing's Early View service. Early View articles are complete full-text articles published online in advance of their publication in a printed issue. Articles are therefore available as soon as they are ready, rather than having to wait for the next scheduled print issue. Early View articles are complete and final. They have been fully reviewed, revised and edited for publication, and the authors' final corrections have been incorporated. Because they are in final form, no changes can be made after online publication. The nature of Early View articles means that they do not yet have volume, issue or page numbers, so Early View articles cannot be cited in the traditional way. They are therefore given a Digital Object Identifier (DOI), which allows the article to be cited and tracked before it is allocated to an issue. After print publication, the DOI remains valid and can continue to be used to cite and access the article.

Developmental Science office contact details

Developmental Science, Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck University of London, Henry Wellcome Building, Torrington Square, London WCIE 7HX, UK.

Tel : +44 (0)207 631 6372
Fax: +44 (0)207 631 6587
E-mail: devscience@psyc.bbk.ac.uk

Journal homepage:
http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journals/desc

Submission page:
http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/devsci