Instructions for Authors
Complete guidelines for preparing and submitting manuscripts to the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Prepare Your Manuscript for Submission
Follow these guidelines to ensure your manuscript meets JCAP requirements and receives efficient processing.
Properly prepared manuscripts move through review more quickly and receive better editorial assessment.
The Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry publishes high-quality articles advancing clinical and research knowledge in pediatric mental health. Select the appropriate article type and follow specific requirements for each format.
| Article Type | Description | Word Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Original Research | Empirical studies presenting novel findings | 4,000-6,000 |
| Review Article | Systematic reviews and meta-analyses | 5,000-7,000 |
| Case Report | Instructive clinical case presentations | 2,000-3,000 |
| Brief Communication | Preliminary findings or focused studies | 1,500-2,500 |
| Commentary | Expert perspectives on current topics | 1,500-2,000 |
Organize your manuscript according to standard scientific article structure. Ensure each section is clearly delineated and contains appropriate content for child and adolescent psychiatry research.
Title Page
Full title, all author names and affiliations, corresponding author contact details, word count, and keywords.
Abstract
Structured abstract (Objective, Methods, Results, Conclusions) of 250-300 words summarizing key findings.
Introduction
Background context, research rationale, and clear statement of objectives or hypotheses.
Methods
Detailed methodology enabling replication, including participants, measures, procedures, and analysis plan.
Results
Clear presentation of findings with appropriate statistical reporting and visual displays.
Discussion
Interpretation of results, comparison with existing literature, limitations, and clinical implications.
All research involving human participants must demonstrate appropriate ethics oversight. Research involving children and adolescents requires particularly careful attention to consent procedures and privacy protection.
Required documentation: Include ethics committee or IRB approval statement, description of informed consent procedures, and confirmation of child assent where age-appropriate. Identify the approving committee and protocol number.
- Ethics committee or IRB approval with protocol identification
- Parental or guardian informed consent documentation
- Age-appropriate child assent procedures for minors capable of understanding
- Privacy and confidentiality protections for participant data
- Special considerations for vulnerable populations clearly addressed
Reporting transparency is essential for research credibility. Follow established reporting guidelines appropriate to your study design. Adherence to these standards ensures transparency and enables assessment of research quality.
CONSORT
For randomized controlled trials, include flow diagram and complete checklist items.
STROBE
For observational studies including cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional designs.
PRISMA
For systematic reviews and meta-analyses, including flow diagram and registration details.
CARE
For case reports, ensuring complete and transparent clinical case presentation.
Prepare your manuscript following these formatting specifications to ensure efficient processing and professional presentation.
- Submit as Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx format)
- Use double line spacing throughout the manuscript
- Apply standard margins (1 inch or 2.5 cm) on all sides
- Use readable font (Times New Roman or Arial, 12 point)
- Number all pages consecutively including title page
- Include line numbers for reviewer reference during peer review
Adhere to word limits specified for each article type. Word counts include main text but exclude abstract, references, tables, and figure legends. Manuscripts significantly exceeding limits may be returned for reduction before peer review begins.
Format references according to APA style (7th edition). Ensure all citations in text appear in the reference list and vice versa. Use DOIs where available to facilitate reader access to source materials.
Cite recent, relevant literature demonstrating awareness of current developments in child and adolescent psychiatry. Limit references to those directly relevant to your research question and discussion.
Include figures and tables at the end of the manuscript file or as separate high-resolution files. Number consecutively and provide descriptive captions enabling standalone interpretation. Tables should be editable (not images) and figures should be at least 300 DPI resolution.
- Tables: Include title, clear column headers, and footnotes as needed
- Figures: Submit as TIFF, EPS, or high-resolution JPEG files
- Photographs: Obtain consent for any identifiable individuals
- Third-party content: Provide permissions documentation
Include a statement describing each author's contribution to the research. Use standard contribution categories such as conceptualization, methodology, data collection, analysis, writing, and supervision. All listed authors must meet authorship criteria and approve the final manuscript.
All authors must disclose potential conflicts of interest including financial relationships, institutional affiliations, and personal connections that could influence research or interpretation. If no conflicts exist, include a statement confirming no competing interests.
Include a data availability statement describing how underlying data can be accessed. When data involves sensitive information about minors, describe appropriate safeguards and access restrictions. Share code and analysis scripts when possible to support reproducibility.
Authors receiving revision requests should address all reviewer and editor comments systematically. Include a point-by-point response letter explaining how each concern has been addressed. Significant changes should be highlighted in the revised manuscript. Revisions not addressing major concerns adequately may be returned for further work or declined. Prompt, thorough revision increases likelihood of successful publication.
Upon acceptance, authors receive notification with Article Processing Charge information. After payment confirmation, manuscripts enter production for copyediting and typesetting. Authors review proofs before publication and should respond promptly to ensure timely release. The final version of record receives a DOI and is immediately available through open access distribution.
Submit manuscripts through ManuscriptZone, our online submission system. Create an account if you do not have one, then follow prompts to upload your manuscript and supplementary materials. Ensure all required components are included before finalizing submission.
Cover Letter
Brief letter addressing the editor, summarizing significance and confirming originality.
Manuscript File
Complete manuscript including title page, abstract, main text, references, and tables.
Figure Files
High-resolution figure files if not embedded in manuscript document.
Supplementary Materials
Ethics approvals, reporting checklists, consent forms, and additional data files.
Before submitting: Review all guidelines, ensure ethics documentation is complete, verify author information accuracy, and confirm all co-authors have approved the submission.
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Prepare your manuscript and contribute to advancing child and adolescent psychiatry research.
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