Peeling Back the Curtain: A Primer on the General Peer-Review and Publication Process in Behavior Analysis

Area of Science:

• Behavior Analysis
• Scientific Publishing

Background:

• The peer-review and publication process is often opaque to individuals outside of traditional research settings.
• Lack of training and mentorship can create barriers for researchers in less research-intensive environments, hindering scholarly communication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive primer on the peer-review and publication process specifically for behavior analysis.
• To clarify common misconceptions and offer practical guidance for navigating academic publishing.

Main Methods:

• The study outlines the overall peer-review process, including decision types and navigation strategies.
• It details journal selection criteria, typical timelines, and the roles of editors and reviewers.
• Specific behavior-analytic journals relevant to practitioners are discussed.

Main Results:

• The primer clarifies the steps involved in scholarly publishing within behavior analysis.
• It addresses common misunderstandings, such as author-pays publication models.
• Guidance is provided on selecting appropriate journals and understanding editorial decisions.

Conclusions:

• This resource aims to reduce barriers to publication for behavior analysts, particularly practitioners.
• Understanding the peer-review process empowers researchers to effectively disseminate their work.
• Demystifying scholarly publishing fosters greater engagement and contribution within the field.