How to Write for Us

What kinds of articles do we publish?

The Psychologist is the official monthly publication of The British Psychological Society. It serves as a forum for communication, discussion and debate on a range of psychological topics. We aim to publish the same kind of information normally found in academic journals, but in a form suitable for our wide-ranging non-specialist audience: The Psychologist is read by more than 44,000 members and non-members.

We welcome contributions from psychologists in all areas of the discipline, at all levels, written in an informative and engaging style. Articles may provide a broad overview of a particular area or issue, review the literature, include original research, discuss theory, or debate applied issues and practical and professional problems. We do not publish articles based on a single unpublished study. Such articles are more appropriate for submission to a journal.

There are also several invited formats you may feel are suitable to your area of expertise. These include head to head debates, 'action plans' and 'how to…' guides, cutting edge reports on units or programmes of innovative research, 'why I study…' pieces, special issues and target articles for peer commentary. To discuss these possibilities, contact the Editor via psychologist@bps.org.uk

You can view examples in our searchable archive. The key message is that there is something to suit all levels and approaches, and you shouldn't wait to be asked!

How should I go about writing my article?

Articles should be written as for an intelligent, educated but non-specialist audience, as the majority of readers will not necessarily be familiar with the topic of any individual article. Articles need to be written in clear, non-technical language, and aim to engage the interest of the membership at large.

View our Style Tips

Sexist, racist and other discriminatory or devaluing language should be avoided. Articles can be of any length from 800 up to a maximum of 3000 words (excluding references), double spaced, with complete references and a precise wordcount (excluding references). References should be kept to a reasonable minimum - avoid multiple references at the same point. To allow anonymous review; authors' names and affiliations should appear on a separate page.

How do I submit my work?

Send your article as an attachment to psychologist@bps.org.uk, or post three copies to The Psychologist at the Society's office. Please provide contact details for each author. Submission of an article to The Psychologist implies that it has not been published elsewhere and that it is not currently being considered for publication elsewhere. Because of heavy pressure on space, publication of accepted articles may not be possible for several months.

Web-only material

An author may express a preference for their article being presented on the web only, or the editor may feel that this form of presentation is more appropriate due to considerations of:

- time: whether the time taken in the review and production process would render the issue less relevant or even irrelevant;
- breadth of interest: whether the subject seems too specialist in interest to warrant the space in the print version; and
- length: whether the article is too long to be considered for the print version, i.e. significantly over 3000 words.

Timeliness is the most important issue, as the other two can often change as a result of the review / revision process. However, the second and third considerations may also arise after review and even after revision, and it is possible that it will be at this stage that web-only presentation will be considered.
The editor will seek the author's agreement concerning web-only presentation. If this is not received the editor will not pursue that avenue, and may or may not then enter the article into the normal process for the print version.
In reviewing the article, the general principles set out in the Psychologist Policy Document will apply. The editor will seek the views of an associate editor if appropriate, particularly where it is felt that views aired could potentially impact on the reputation of the Society. The editor's decision on whether or not to include material on the web is final.
Please note that although there is clearly still quality control, these articles are not peer reviewed in the same way as the majority of the material in the print version. As with all articles, views of named writers are the views exclusively of those writers; publication does not constitute endorsement by the Society.
Please contact the editor via psychologist@bps.org.uk if you are interested in submitting web-only material.

Book reviews

Go to Book Reviews.

Conference reports

Brief reports on conferences of interest to a wider audience (any length up to 700 words) should be sent, within a month of the event, to the associate editor, Simon Bignell, c/o The Psychologist or at s.bignell@derby.ac.uk. Focus on what is new and of general interest, rather than including a lot of background information about the conference.

History

Send contributions concerning the history of psychology to Julie Perks at J.Perks@staffs.ac.uk.

Interviews

Contact the editor if you wish to take part in or conduct an interview.

Letters to the editor

Letters should be marked clearly 'Letter for publication in The Psychologist' and addressed to the Editor at the Society office in Leicester. Please send by e-mail if possible: psychologist@bps.org.uk (include a postal address). Letters over 500 words are less likely to be published. The Editor reserves the right to edit, shorten or publish extracts from letters. If major editing is necessary, this will be indicated. Space does not permit the publication of every letter received. Letters to the Editor are not normally acknowledged.

Media

Send views and tips on psychology in the media to jonsut@bps.org.uk.

Methods

Send short pieces about the cutting edge use of methods and ethics in any area of psychology to jonsut@bps.org.uk.

News and analysis

News of events, decisions, and developments should be sent to The Psychologist at the Society's office. We also welcome comment on current events, based on psychological knowledge (up to 1500 words).
Please send lively, informative reviews (up to 400 words) of papers published in peer-reviewed journals (or at proof stage), and a copy of the paper, to The Psychologist, St Andrews House, 48 Princess Road East, Leicester, LE1 7DR; e-mail: psychologist@bps.org.uk.

Society

News of Society events and developments that are of particular interest to a wide audience should be marked 'for Society' and emailed to psychologist@bps.org.uk.

Teaching and learning

Short pieces about developments in the teaching and learning of psychology, or the psychology of teaching and learning, should be emailed to the editor at jonsut@bps.org.uk.

How to Write for Us
How Policy and Protocols Style Tips Book Reviews Student Writer Competition	What kinds of articles do we publish? The Psychologist is the official monthly publication of The British Psychological Society. It serves as a forum for communication, discussion and debate on a range of psychological topics. We aim to publish the same kind of information normally found in academic journals, but in a form suitable for our wide-ranging non-specialist audience: The Psychologist is read by more than 44,000 members and non-members. We welcome contributions from psychologists in all areas of the discipline, at all levels, written in an informative and engaging style. Articles may provide a broad overview of a particular area or issue, review the literature, include original research, discuss theory, or debate applied issues and practical and professional problems. We do not publish articles based on a single unpublished study. Such articles are more appropriate for submission to a journal. There are also several invited formats you may feel are suitable to your area of expertise. These include head to head debates, 'action plans' and 'how to…' guides, cutting edge reports on units or programmes of innovative research, 'why I study…' pieces, special issues and target articles for peer commentary. To discuss these possibilities, contact the Editor via psychologist@bps.org.uk You can view examples in our searchable archive. The key message is that there is something to suit all levels and approaches, and you shouldn't wait to be asked! How should I go about writing my article? Articles should be written as for an intelligent, educated but non-specialist audience, as the majority of readers will not necessarily be familiar with the topic of any individual article. Articles need to be written in clear, non-technical language, and aim to engage the interest of the membership at large. View our Style Tips Sexist, racist and other discriminatory or devaluing language should be avoided. Articles can be of any length from 800 up to a maximum of 3000 words (excluding references), double spaced, with complete references and a precise wordcount (excluding references). References should be kept to a reasonable minimum - avoid multiple references at the same point. To allow anonymous review; authors' names and affiliations should appear on a separate page. How do I submit my work? Send your article as an attachment to psychologist@bps.org.uk, or post three copies to The Psychologist at the Society's office. Please provide contact details for each author. Submission of an article to The Psychologist implies that it has not been published elsewhere and that it is not currently being considered for publication elsewhere. Because of heavy pressure on space, publication of accepted articles may not be possible for several months. Web-only material An author may express a preference for their article being presented on the web only, or the editor may feel that this form of presentation is more appropriate due to considerations of: - time: whether the time taken in the review and production process would render the issue less relevant or even irrelevant; - breadth of interest: whether the subject seems too specialist in interest to warrant the space in the print version; and - length: whether the article is too long to be considered for the print version, i.e. significantly over 3000 words. Timeliness is the most important issue, as the other two can often change as a result of the review / revision process. However, the second and third considerations may also arise after review and even after revision, and it is possible that it will be at this stage that web-only presentation will be considered. The editor will seek the author's agreement concerning web-only presentation. If this is not received the editor will not pursue that avenue, and may or may not then enter the article into the normal process for the print version. In reviewing the article, the general principles set out in the Psychologist Policy Document will apply. The editor will seek the views of an associate editor if appropriate, particularly where it is felt that views aired could potentially impact on the reputation of the Society. The editor's decision on whether or not to include material on the web is final. Please note that although there is clearly still quality control, these articles are not peer reviewed in the same way as the majority of the material in the print version. As with all articles, views of named writers are the views exclusively of those writers; publication does not constitute endorsement by the Society. Please contact the editor via psychologist@bps.org.uk if you are interested in submitting web-only material. Book reviews Go to Book Reviews. Conference reports Brief reports on conferences of interest to a wider audience (any length up to 700 words) should be sent, within a month of the event, to the associate editor, Simon Bignell, c/o The Psychologist or at s.bignell@derby.ac.uk. Focus on what is new and of general interest, rather than including a lot of background information about the conference. History Send contributions concerning the history of psychology to Julie Perks at J.Perks@staffs.ac.uk. Interviews Contact the editor if you wish to take part in or conduct an interview. Letters to the editor Letters should be marked clearly 'Letter for publication in The Psychologist' and addressed to the Editor at the Society office in Leicester. Please send by e-mail if possible: psychologist@bps.org.uk (include a postal address). Letters over 500 words are less likely to be published. The Editor reserves the right to edit, shorten or publish extracts from letters. If major editing is necessary, this will be indicated. Space does not permit the publication of every letter received. Letters to the Editor are not normally acknowledged. Media Send views and tips on psychology in the media to jonsut@bps.org.uk. Methods Send short pieces about the cutting edge use of methods and ethics in any area of psychology to jonsut@bps.org.uk. News and analysis News of events, decisions, and developments should be sent to The Psychologist at the Society's office. We also welcome comment on current events, based on psychological knowledge (up to 1500 words). Please send lively, informative reviews (up to 400 words) of papers published in peer-reviewed journals (or at proof stage), and a copy of the paper, to The Psychologist, St Andrews House, 48 Princess Road East, Leicester, LE1 7DR; e-mail: psychologist@bps.org.uk. Society News of Society events and developments that are of particular interest to a wide audience should be marked 'for Society' and emailed to psychologist@bps.org.uk. Teaching and learning Short pieces about developments in the teaching and learning of psychology, or the psychology of teaching and learning, should be emailed to the editor at jonsut@bps.org.uk.



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