Author Guidelines
Instructions for Authors
All papers published in IJLCD are eligible for Panel A in the Research Excellence Framework (REF). The embargo is 12 months, please see the Author Compilance Tool for more information.
1. Aims & Scope
International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders is the official peer reviewed journal of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists.
It is a key publication in the field of speech, language, communication disorders and speech and language therapy. We believe that the dissemination and application to practice of high quality research can improve the lives of people with communication disorders. Our aim is therefore to publish the highest quality science in the field with the potential to significantly impact practice.
The journal provides a forum for the exchange of information and discussion of issues of clinical and/or theoretical relevance in the above areas. All papers should clearly communicate their relevance to speech, language, communication disorders and speech and language therapy (SLT), and specifically communicate how the paper can be applied to SLT practice.
We are proud to be an international journal and welcome studies conducted in languages other than English and with multi-lingual populations. All papers we accept will be able to demonstrate that they move the field forward, providing significant new insights with international reach.
The journal publishes a range of articles, including research reports, reviews, discussions and clinical fora, as well as special editions commissioned by the editors. Research reports from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives are encouraged but must have an appropriate and clear methodology and thoroughly analysed and interpreted results. Further information about the Journal, including links to the online sample copy and contents pages, can be found on the Journal homepage.
2. Submission of Manuscripts
All submissions should be made online at the International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders ScholarOne Manuscripts site. New users should first create an account. Once a user is logged onto the site submissions should be made via the Author Centre.
Your covering letter should state clearly which Editor your submission is for (see below).
Dr Paul Conroy deals with submission on:
Adult communication disorders and dysphagia
Service provision related to speech and language therapy
Email: Paul.Conroy@manchester.ac.uk
Dr Lindsay Pennington deals with submissions on:
Communication difficulties associated with neurodevelopmental disorders
Eating drinking and swallowing in children
Education and schools
Email: lindsay.pennington@newcastle.ac.uk
Dr Joanne Cleland deals with submissions on:
Children's communication and disorders of unknown cause
Cleft lip and palate
Clinical education
Other areas not covered above
Email: joanne.cleland@strath.ac.uk
IJLCD Editorial Office Email Address:
ijlcd.office@wiley.com
If you experience any problems in your submission, please contact the relevant Editor directly, preferably by the email addresses given above.
Your submissions should be accompanied by a covering email/letter stating that:
a) the submitted paper comprises original, unpublished material and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere;
b) the study on which the paper has been based has received full ethical approval by an appropriate Research Ethics Committee;
c) the study falls within the scope of the journal.
By submitting a manuscript to or reviewing for the journal, your name, email address, and affiliation, and other contact details the publication might require, will be used for the regular operations of the publication, including, when necessary, sharing with the publisher (Wiley) and partners for production and publication. The publication and the publisher recognize the importance of protecting the personal information collected from users in the operation of these services, and have practices in place to ensure that steps are taken to maintain the security, integrity, and privacy of the personal data collected and processed. You can learn more by clicking here.
IJLCD requires the submitting author (only) to provide an ORCID iD when submitting a manuscript.
3. Preparation of Manuscripts
Manuscripts must be written in English. Authors are referred to recent copies of the Journal and are encouraged to copy the published format of papers therein.
Text should be supplied in a format compatible with Microsoft Word for Windows (PC). All manuscripts must be typed in 16px font and in double space with margins of at least 2.5 cm. Charts and tables are considered textual and should also be supplied in a format compatible with Word. All figures––illustrations, diagrams, photographs––should be supplied in jpg format.
Please also note the following:
• Please write clearly and concisely, stating your objectives clearly and defining your terms. Your arguments should be substantiated with well reasoned supporting evidence.
• In writing your paper, you are encouraged to review articles in the area you are addressing which have been previously published in the Journal, and where you feel appropriate, to reference them. This will enhance context, coherence, and continuity for readers.
• For all manuscripts, gender-, race-, and creed-inclusive language is mandatory.
• Ethics of Experimentation: submissions to the Journal are required to have followed the procedures in force in their countries which govern the ethics of work done with human subjects. The Code of Ethics of the World Medical Association (Declaration of Helsinki) represents a minimal requirement.
Article Preparation Support
Wiley Editing Services offers expert help with English Language Editing, as well as translation, manuscript formatting, figure illustration, figure formatting, and graphical abstract design – so you can submit your manuscript with confidence. Also, check out our resources for Preparing Your Article for general guidance about writing and preparing your manuscript.
Phonetic Symbols
To ensure that phonetic fonts convert to pdf correctly, use the font DoulosSIL. This can be downloaded free of charge here. Fonts must also be embedded. To do this click Tools from the top menu bar, go to Options and select the Save tab. Tick the box to ‘Embed TrueType Fonts’ and click OK. Authors are also asked to upload a pdf copy of their manuscript, designated as ‘file not for review’. In the event that phonetic fonts do not convert properly, this will expedite the review process.
3.1 Publication Types
Research Reports: a full report of a research study using appropriate quantitative or qualitative methods
Reviews: a review of theoretical or clinical topics or issues that entails a critique of current research or addresses significant issues or takes a novel and interesting view.
Clinical Forum: a target article on clinical issues or topics of interest to the readership presenting novel or controversial views or taking a novel stance on issues, followed by peer-commentary and an author’s reply.
Discussions: a relatively short discussion of some theoretically or clinically relevant topics or issues.
Editorials or commentaries: a short article on novel or controversial topics or topics of interest to the readership, commissioned by the editor(s).
Letters: letters relating to materials previously published in the Journal or to topical issues.
Special issues: part or whole special issues comprising a collection of papers on a particular theme and usually edited by a guest editor.
3.2 Word Limits
It is recommended that authors do not exceed the following word limits. Word limits include all text (article, references, tables, figures)
- 4000 - 8000 words for research reports and discussions. No more than 40 references.
- 10000 words for reviews. No more than 50 references.
- 1000 words for editorials or commentaries. No more than 10 references.
3.3 Manuscript Components
Manuscripts must include:
a) Title Page.
This should contain the article title, a running head not exceeding 50 characters (including spaces), 3–6 keywords and full contact details of the authors (including telephone and fax numbers and emails).
b) Declaration of Interest.
c) Structured Abstracts.
Authors submitting papers should note that structured abstracts (between 150–400 words) are now required for all papers. Please do not include references in the abstracts. There is good evidence that structured abstracts are clearer for readers and facilitate better appropriate indexing and citation of papers. The essential features of the structured abstract are given below. Note in particular that any clinical implications should be clearly stated. Note also that the headings should be included in the text, as section markers.
For Research Reports and Clinical Forum papers
- Background. Describe the background to the study;
- Aims. State the aims and objectives of the study including any clear research questions or hypotheses;
- Methods & Procedures. Outline the methodology and design of experiments, the participants targeted and how they were recruited, the materials employed and the nature of the analyses performed;
- Outcomes & Results. Outline the participants' characteristics with basic relevant demographic information and the important and relevant results of the analyses;
- Conclusions & Implications. State the basic conclusions and implications of the study. State, clearly and usefully, if there are implications for management, treatment or service delivery.
For Reviews and Discussions
- Background. Outline the background to the review;
- Aims. State the primary objective of the paper; the reasons behind your critical review and analyses of the literature;
- Methods: State your approach and methods if relevant and the sources you used to retrieve references;
- Main Contribution. The main outcomes of the paper and results of analyses; and any implications for future research and for management, treatment or service delivery;
- Conclusions. State your main conclusions.
Please note: in addition to supplying the abstract in the ‘Abstract’ box in the online submission portal you will need to also include it in the “Main document” which you upload. This is the text which will go out to peer review.
d) What this paper adds.
As part of the submission process you will be requested to provide information regarding what your paper adds to existing knowledge offering the main points your paper adds to the literature, for readers who would like an overview without reading the whole paper. We recommend that this is divided into three short sections, each with 1–3 short sentences.
- Section 1: What is already known on this subject. In a couple of short sentences say what was already known on this subject before you did your study and why your study needed to be done. Be clear and specific, not vague;
- Section 2: What this study adds. In a couple of short sentences give a simple answer to the question ‘What do we now know as a result of this study that we did not know before?’ Be brief, succinct, specific and accurate. You might use the last sentence to summarise any clinical or theoretical implications that your study has;
- Section 3: Clinical implications of this study. In a couple of short sentences state the direct or potential clinical implications of your study.
Please note: in addition to supplying these three sections in the relevant boxes in the online submission portal you will need to also include them in the “Main document” which you upload. This is the text that will go out to peer review.
e) Text.
This should in general, but not necessarily, be divided into sections with the headings: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Summary and/or Conclusion(s). The text must be in the exact format of the Journal. Please ensure that the clinical application of the paper is made clear in the Introduction, Discussion and Conclusions.
f) Tables and Figures.
Tables and figures should be referred to in text as follows: figure 1, table 1. The place at which a table or figure is to be inserted in the printed text should be indicated clearly on the manuscript. Each table and/or figure must have a legend that explains its purpose without reference to the text.
Artwork submitted for publication will not be returned and will be destroyed after publication, unless otherwise requested.
Colour figures.
a. Any figure submitted as a colour original will appear in colour in the journal's online edition free of charge and can be downloaded.
b. Paper copy colour reproduction will only be considered on condition that authors contribute to the associated costs. Charges are: £500/US$1030 for the first colour page and £250/US$515 for each colour page after per article. (Colour costs will be waived for invited Review Articles.)
g) References.
International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders uses the Harvard (Author Date) system to indicate references in the text, tables and legends. The full references should be listed alphabetically, and presented following the text of the manuscript.
The journal uses the following conventions for references:
To a book
BANDLER, R. and GRINDER, J., 1979, Frogs into Princes: Neuro-linguistic Programming (Moab, Utah: Real People Press).
To a chapter in a book
BENJAMIN, B. J., 1988, Changes in speech production and linguistic behaviours with aging. In B. B. Shadden (eds), Communication Behaviour and Aging. A Sourcebook for Clinicians (Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins), pp. 162–181.
To an article in a journal
BIEVER, D. M. and BLESS, D. M., 1989, Vibratory characteristics of the vocal folds in young and adult geriatric women. Journal of Voice, 3, 120–131.
To a newspaper or magazine
RICHARDS, H., 1996, Republican life? The Times Higher Education Supplement, 1 November, 16.
To an Internet source
RCSLT. Country by country: SLT information oversees. [online] Available: http://www.rcslt.org/pdfs/countries.pdf [accessed 1 January 2005].
To a case in law
In text, italicize names of plaintiffs and defendants: Miranda v. Arizona 1974
To government legislation
US Congress, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, 1956, The Mutual Security Act of 1956, 84th Congress, second session, report 2273. US Congress, House Committee on Banking & Currency, 1945, Bretton Woods
4. Review Process
All submissions are considered by the editorial team. A manuscript will be rejected if it does not fall within the scope of the journal or does not meet the submission requirements.
Manuscripts deemed acceptable will be sent for blind peer review. Manuscripts will typically be sent to two reviewers, though more or a single review may at times be utilised. An Editor will consider the reviews and make a decision regarding your paper.
Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and the editor’s decision is final.
We aim to make decisions as soon as possible, typically within 6 weeks from submission.
4.1 IThenticate
IJLCD is a member of CrossCheck by iThenticate. iThenticate is a plagiarism screening service that verifies the originality of content submitted before publication. The iThenticate software checks submissions against millions of published research papers, documents on the web, and other relevant sources. Authors, researchers and freelancers can also use the iThenticate system to screen their work before submission by clicking here.
5. Decision Appeals
Authors may appeal a manuscript decision by emailing both the Associate Editor who handled the manuscript and the Editor-in-Chiefs of the journal. The email message must clearly state the case for why the decision should be changed. Appeals will only be considered if the authors a) identify factual errors made by the reviewers or Editor that had a major impact on the decision, or b) can provide a substantiated claim of unfair treatment and/or bias in the review process. Appeals for any other reason will be denied without further consideration. Appeals that meet the identified criteria will be discussed among the Associate Editor and the Editor-in-Chiefs, and one other member of the editorial team. When an Editor-in-Chief is the Associate Editor then an additional member of the editorial team will be consulted. The three editors will review the appeal and vote to uphold or reverse the original decision. Final decisions will be based on majority vote (i.e., decisions need not be unanimous). Authors should expect to receive a decision on their appeal within one month of submission.
6. Proofs
The Editor reserves the right to proceed to press without submitting page proofs to the author. However, usual practice will involve electronically sending one set to the corresponding author, unless otherwise requested. Proofs should be returned within 48 hours.
If authors do not return page proofs within five days of receipt, the Editor reserves the right to either delay publication to a subsequent issue or to proceed to press without author corrections.
7. Electronic Offprints
Authors will be provided with an electronic offprint of their article. Additional paper offprints may be ordered online. Please click here, fill in the necessary details and ensure that you type information in all of the required fields.
You can also access electronic offprints of your article through the Author Services system. By registering for Author Services, you will be able to enjoy the following additional benefits:
- Track the progress of your article through the production process;
- Receive publication status alerts;
- Enable free access to your published article online for all co-authors and up to 10 nominated colleagues;
- Enjoy a 25% discount on Wiley books Future benefits will enable you to discover the number of times your article has been downloaded and which articles have cited yours.
8. Copyright
If your paper is accepted, the author identified as the formal corresponding author for the paper will receive an email prompting them to login into Author Services; where via the Wiley Author Licensing Service (WALS) they will be able to complete the license agreement on behalf of all authors on the paper.
8.1 For Authors Signing the IJLCD Copyright Transfer Agreement (CTA)
If the Open Access option is not selected, the corresponding author will be presented with the IJLCD CTA to sign. The terms and conditions of the IJLCD CTA can be previewed below:
Terms and Conditions:
Copyright Transfer Agreement
Please do not complete this PDF until you are prompted to login into Author Services as described above.
8.2 Note to Contributors on Deposit of Accepted Version
Funder arrangements
Certain funders, including the NIH, members of the Research Councils UK (RCUK) and Wellcome Trust require deposit of the Accepted Version in a repository after an embargo period. Details of funding arrangements are set out here. Please contact the Journal production editor if you have additional funding requirements.
Institutions
Wiley has arrangements with certain academic institutions to permit the deposit of the Accepted Version in the institutional repository after an embargo period. Details of such arrangements are set here.
8.3 For authors choosing Open Access
If the Open Access option is selected, the corresponding author will have a choice of the following Creative Commons License Open Access Agreements (OAA):
Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY
Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License CC BY NC
Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial -NoDerivs License CC BY NC ND
To preview the terms and conditions of these open access agreements please visit the Copyright FAQs hosted on Wiley Author Services here and click here for more information.
If you select the Open Access option and your research is funded by The Wellcome Trust and members of the Research Councils UK (RCUK) you will be given the opportunity to publish your article under a CC-BY license supporting you in complying with Wellcome Trust and Research Councils UK requirements. For more information on this policy and the Journal’s compliant self-archiving policy please click here.
8.4 Preprints
This journal will consider for review articles previously available as preprints. Authors may also post the submitted version of a manuscript to a preprint server at any time. Authors are requested to update any pre-publication versions with a link to the final published article. Please find the Wiley preprint policy here.
9. Video Abstracts
Authors whose papers are accepted for publication are encouraged to submit a`video abstract' to accompany their article. This is a short audio-visual recording of the author(s) outlining the paper. The video abstract should not be the author reading the abstract aloud, instead it should answer the following questions:
What were our research questions/aims
What did I/we do?
What didI/we find out?
What are the clinical implications of our findings?
The recording should be 2-4 minutes long and accessible to all by uploading it to a video sharing website, such as Youtube. Contact us if you have any questions or would like to see examples. Further information on creating a video abstract can be found here.
10. Article Promotion Support
Wiley Editing Services offers professional video, design, and writing services to create shareable video abstracts, infographics, conference posters, lay summaries, and research news stories for your research – so you can help your research get the attention it deserves.
11.1 Data Sharing
The International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders recognizes the many benefits of archiving data for scientific progress. Archived data provides an indispensable resource for the scientific community, making possible future replications and secondary analyses, in addition to the importance of verifying the dependability of published research findings.
The journal expects that where possible all data supporting the results in papers published are archived in an appropriate public archive offering open access and guaranteed preservation. The archived data must allow each result in the published paper to be recreated and the analyses reported in the paper to be replicated in full to support the conclusions made. Authors are welcome to archive more than this, but not less.
All papers need to be supported by a data archiving statement and the data set must be cited in the Methods section. The paper must include a link to the repository in order that the statement can be published.
It is not necessary to make data publicly available at the point of submission, but an active link must be included in the final accepted manuscript.
In some cases, despite the authors’ best efforts, some or all data or materials cannot be shared for legal or ethical reasons, including issues of author consent, third party rights, institutional or national regulations or laws, or the nature of data gathered. In such cases, authors must inform the editors at the time of submission. It is understood that in some cases access will be provided under restrictions to protect confidential or proprietary information. Editors may grant exceptions to data access requirements provided authors explain the restrictions on the data set and how they preclude public access, and, if possible, describe the steps others should follow to gain access to the data.
If the authors cannot or do not intend to make the data publicly available, a statement to this effect, along with the reasons that the data is not shared, must be included in the manuscript.
Finally, if submitting authors have any questions about the data sharing policy, please access the Wiley Data Sharing Policy Page for additional details.
11.2 Supporting Information
Examples of possible supporting material include intervention manuals, statistical analysis syntax, and experimental materials and qualitative transcripts.
1. If uploading with your manuscript please call the file ‘supporting information’ and reference it in the manuscript.
2. Please note supporting files are uploaded with the final published manuscript as supplied, they are not typeset.
3. On publication your supporting information will be available alongside the final version of the manuscript online.
4. If uploading to a public repository please provide a link to supporting material and reference it in the manuscript. The materials must be original and not previously published. If previously published, please provide the necessary permissions. You may also display your supporting information on your own or institutional website. Such posting is not subject to the journal's embargo date as specified in the copyright agreement. Supporting information is made free to access on publication.
Full guidance on Supporting Information including file types, size and format is available on the Wiley Author Service website.
For information on Sharing and Citing your Research Data see the Author Services website here.
12. Author Name Change Policy
In cases where authors wish to change their name following publication, Wiley will update and republish the paper and redeliver the updated metadata to indexing services. Our editorial and production teams will use discretion in recognizing that name changes may be of a sensitive and private nature for various reasons including (but not limited to) alignment with gender identity, or as a result of marriage, divorce, or religious conversion. Accordingly, to protect the author’s privacy, we will not publish a correction notice to the paper, and we will not notify co-authors of the change. Authors should contact the journal’s Editorial Office with their name change request.
