For Authors

Scope

The Journal of Science and the Law (JSciLaw) is a peer-reviewed, open access, interdisciplinary science journal that provides a forum for scholarship at the intersection of scientific research and legal policy. 

JSciLaw invites submission on all issues that fit our mission to promote top-tier research that has the potential to guide policy decisions. JSciLaw publishes the following types of submissions:

  • Original Research Articles describe the study, methods, and results of original research. A discussion and interpretation of possible implications are required.
  • Opinions are intended to encourage constructive discussion and peer-review. Authors must support viewpoints with appropriate evidence.
  • Letters to the Editor discuss publications or issues presented in JSciLaw.
  • Review Articles cover important concepts, issues, and questions related to the intersection of science and law. Submissions under this section should not simply recap the literature, but provide additional insight or perspective on a subject. Review articles should not include unpublished data or meta-analyses of existing data sets.
  • Book Reviews are timely critiques of the content and merit of books relevant to science and law. 

JSciLaw is pioneering the use of interactive data-visualization software to provide a unique opportunity for publishing data-driven research. However, not all submissions are required to be empirical, and JSL will also review theoretical, qualitative, or comparative research.

 

Guidelines

Please read these guidelines carefully. JSciLaw reserves the right to return manuscripts that do not adhere to these guidelines.

All material to be considered for publication should be submitted via an email to action editor Sean Judge at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

JSciLaw de-emphasizes word limits in deference to quality—i.e. articles should be as long as they need to be (but no longer).

All non-original information should be referenced in APA format using endnotes. Supporting material that complements the manuscript can be made available and linked to the online manuscript.

All manuscripts much be written in English.

When preparing your manuscript, please include the following:

  • Cover Page containing the following information: Title; type of submission; name and institutional affiliation of contributing author(s); name, address, phone number, and email address of the corresponding author
  • Keyword Page containing up to 5 key words for the submission
  • Abstract of up to 500 words that includes statement of purpose, a description of the relevant facts, and a summary of the conclusions
  • Manuscript with figures and tables included in the same document as the text. The document should be in PDF format. Microsoft Word files (.doc or .docx) are not accepted.
  • Reviewer Suggestion: Provide at least three suggested reviewers on a separate page within the manuscript

In the event JSciLaw accepts your manuscript for publication, please be prepared to provide the following:

  • Figures in either EPS or TIFF format
  • Funding Statement
  • Competing Interests Statement
  • Ethics information: This includes approval from your institutional review board (such as IRB or IACUC, as applicable)

If the research is data-driven, JSciLaw strongly encourages the relevant underlying data to be made available in the event of publication. We offer the ability to make use our data-visualization software. If this applies to your submission and you would like to include web-based, interactive data analysis, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to determine the best format for your dataset.

 

Overview of the Submission Process

All submissions to JSL follow a 4-step process.

Step 1 in your email, please indicate the appropriate section for your submission (Original Research,  Review, Opinion, Book Review, or Letter to the Editor), acknowledge the submission checklist and agree to the copyright policies of JSciLaw. In this section, there is also the option to provide comments for the editor.

Step 2 attach your full manuscript in PDF format. The manuscript should include a title page, all relevant text and figures, references and a list of suggested reviewers. Manuscripts submitted in the form of Microsoft Word files (.doc and .docx) will be returned to the author.

Step 3 include the list of authors, article title and abstract, and search terms for indexing the submission. You may also list any contributors and supporting agencies relevant to your submission.

Step 4 attach supplementary files. You may include any additional files relevant to the submission process, including data sets, transcripts, or research instruments. 

Step 5 complete and attach our Conflict of Interest Declaration and Author Agreement Form

Publication Ethics

The Journal of Law and Science requires authors to comply with the highest standards of publication ethics. In cases of suspected misconduct, JSciLaw will follow the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) standards and practices.

We define plagiarism broadly at JSciLaw, and it is not tolerated. This includes the copying of text, visuals, or ideas without clear attribution as well as the reuse of your own text from other articles or publications. If we uncover plagiarism, we reserve the right to inform the author's institution (or place of employment). If it is uncovered after publication, then we also reserve the right to retract or correct the article at our discretion.

 

Copyright and Licensing

If submitted manuscripts include previously-published visuals, it is the responsibility of the author to identify its copyright and secure permission for its use.

Authors who submit an article agree to provide an open access Creative Commons License in the event of publication at JSciLaw. This license furthers science by making cited research freely accessible to both scholars and the general public while allowing authors to retain ownership over the copyright of their articles and data.  

 

Publication Fees

Like most journals, JSciLaw provides open access by charging a publication fee of $1,200 to the authors, institutions or funders for each article published.

 

Peer Review Procedures

If selected for peer review, JSciLaw will assign the manuscript to anonymous, qualified reviewers who are expected to abide by the Committee on Publication Ethics’ "Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers."

For those manuscripts disputing published work, authors should explain the relationship between the manuscripts in their cover letter, and authors should be aware that JSL may invite the disputed author as a reviewer.

If the reviewers conclude that minor or major revisions are required, authors will have 60 days to resubmit the revised article along with a Reply to Reviewers. JSciLaw may send the article through another round of anonymous peer review.

 

Policy on Conflict of Interest, Human and Animal rights, and Informed Consent

CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY

Authors are to disclose any conflicts of interest using the Conflict of Interest Declaration and Author Agreement Form.

STATEMENT OF HUMAN AND ANIMAL RIGHTS

If applicable, all human and animal studies must be approved by the appropriate ethics committee and have therefore performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments.

STATEMENT OF INFORMED CONSENT

If a study contains Human Subjects, all persons involved in the study must give their informed consent prior to their inclusion in the study.

 

Advertising Policy

Please see this PDF regarding our journals Advertising Policy