Final Manuscript Preparation Guidelines for Journal of Dietetic Education
This document provides details on typesetting and layout requirements pertaining to final manuscript submission to Journal of Dietetic Education.
Manuscript Submission
Manuscripts submitted to JDE should address topics related to dietetic education at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels. JDE considers manuscripts for publication that have been submitted only to JDE, have not been published previously, are not currently in consideration for publication, and are not in press elsewhere. Original research reports will be given priority for dissemination. Submissions in the following formats will be considered for publication:
- Original Research—Scholarly research involving all aspects of dietetic education at all levels (undergraduate (diet tech and didactic), graduate, post-graduate and continuing education). Research can be quantitative, qualitative or a mixed method approach. Systematic or narrative reviews and meta-analyses are included. Suggested headings include introduction, methodology, results, discussion including limitations, and implications for dietetic education. Original research articles can be 20 double-spaced pages in length not including the abstract, references, tables, figures or title page. For experimental research designs, we highly recommend authors utilize the Consortium guidelines, checklist and flow chart when preparing their manuscript. For systematic reviews, we recommend Prisma and for qualitative studies ENTREQ.
- Research Brief- The brief involves all aspects of dietetic education and is similar to the original research but smaller in scope. A brief includes but is not limited to pilot research, case studies, studies with small or non-representative samples. Research briefs can include no more than 15 double-spaced pages in length not including the abstract, references, tables, figures or title page.
- Theory and Innovative Educational Practice - Development or exposition of an educational theory or innovative practice pertaining to dietetic education. Theory and innovations may address any of the following areas: signature pedagogy/andragogy, instruction, core knowledge requirements or competencies, curriculum, policy, philosophy, or best practice. The theory or innovation should be novel to dietetic education. Suggested headings include introduction, theoretical or innovation, relationships/patterns, discussion, and implications for dietetic education. Theory and Innovative Educational Practice articles can include not more than 15 double-spaced pages in length not including the abstract, references, tables, figures or title page.
- Educational and Instructional Technology—Description of recent educational and/or instructional technology such as media, social networks, applications, software, learning management systems, and learning objects pertinent to dietetic education. Sections to include are description of the technology, review of related literature, examples of how the technology may be incorporated in the teaching and learning process, benefits and challenges of use, training involved, and cost. Educational and Instructional Technology can include no more than 12 double-spaced pages in length not including the abstract, references, tables, figures or title page.
- Brief Educational Teaching Strategies (BETS)-A brief description of a teaching or learning strategy used in dietetic education. These can include experiential learning or competency-based activities, methods of student evaluations of learning, descriptions of a unique internship rotation, various classroom techniques or technological platforms used etc... They are to be no more than 3 pages in length and should provide a brief overview of the strategy and how it was used. The purpose of the BETS is to share ideas among dietetic educational professionals that may be able to be transferred to other settings.
Manuscripts should be submitted electronically via the journal’s online submission system at: www.jde.org
Manuscript Preparation
Cover Letter: A cover letter is required to be uploaded separately from the body of the manuscript during submission. Include the title of the article at the top of the cover letter and clearly state the purpose of the paper and its expected contribution in your letter. Also, the author should provide the contact information for at least one potential peer reviewer in the cover letter.
Title: Add a descriptive title of no more than 15 words.
Abstract: An abstract of 250 words or less must be provided for all research types. Abstract should be a narrative description of the key content and should be included with the manuscript.
Keywords: Provide 3-5 words or phrases for index purposes.
Spacing: The narrative, references, and other aspects of the manuscript should all be double spaced.
Font: Type should be in Times New Roman in 12 point font.
Margins: One inch margins should be included on all four sides.
Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation: Authors are responsible for ensuring correct spelling, grammar and punctuation throughout the manuscript.
Manuscript: The manuscript submission will include: abstract, body of the manuscript, references, and appendices as a single Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format file. Authors should add continuous line numbers and page numbers to the manuscript to assist with the peer review process. The full title of the manuscript should be included at the top of the first page. No identifying information should be provided in the manuscript. For original research (unless a tertiary study) and research briefs, an explicit statement regarding the approval of the study by a named human subjects or ethics committee and that all participants provided informed consent to take part in the study must be included.
You do not need to add a title page.
Manuscript Style and References
The Publication Manual of the American Medical Association 11th edition should be used for headings, quotations, references, and the general foundation for writing style. Below are examples of common reference listings:
Journal Article (include doi if available.)
Markwell KE, Ross LJ, Mitchell LJ, Williams LT. A self-determination theory analysis of reflective debrief themes about dietetic student placement experiences in hospital: implications for education. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2021;34(1):115-123. doi:10.1111/jhn.12808
Authored Book
Duyff RL.Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics complete food and nutrition guide. 5th edition. Boston; New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 2017.
Chapter from Edited book
Canfield MR, ed. Field Notes on Science & Nature. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; 2011.
Inclusive language use
Refer to the Inclusive Language Guidelines set by the American Psychology Association when preparing your manuscript:Tables and Figures
Tables and figures should be placed at the end of the document. All tables and figures should have a clear title that explains its purpose and stands alone. Tables and figures should be referred to in the text and should be numbered by the order in which they appear in the manuscript.
Copyediting of Accepted Manuscripts
All manuscripts accepted for publication in JDE will be copyedited in preparation for publication to ensure correct spelling, grammar, clarity, and appropriate formatting for references, tables, figures, and other aspects of the manuscript.
Acknowledgements and Declaration of Interest
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements should include recognition of those who contributed to the manuscript but did not meet criteria for authorship or who declined to be listed as an author for publication. Authors are responsible for contacting persons they wish to include in the acknowledgements section and obtaining their consent to be included. Acknowledgements should not be positioned in the body of the manuscript submitted for review and will instead be initially included in the acknowledgements submission area.
Conflicts of Interest
Any conflict of interests must be reported to disclose financial support or potential relationships including but not limited to: grant funding, employment, stock ownership, paid expert testimony, and other relationships that could indicate a conflict of interest. Those who do not have any conflicts must include the following statement: The author(s) report no conflicts of interest. Conflicts of interest should be included in the body of the manuscript submitted for review before the references.
Identification of possible peer-reviewers
The submitting author will provide contact information for at least 1 potential reviewer. The author should include the potential reviewer in the cover letter. The author may not have any conflict of interest with the suggested reviewers (i.e. someone who an author has a personal or professional relationship).