Focus and scope

The Interamerican Journal of Forensic Psychology (ISSN 2966-3466) is the journal of the Stricto Sensu Postgraduate Program in Forensic Psychology (PPGFOR), at the Tuiuti University of Paraná.

This journal is specialized and dedicated to publish original works, whether theoretical, empirical or literature reviews, related to all subareas of Forensic Psychology and related fields. Also, experience reports aimed at the professional public that operationalize successful ways of acting for the implementation of practices in the area are also accepted. All contributions must be duly substantiated and guided according to the instructions provided.

In the scope of this journal, Forensic Psychology is understood as the conjunction of the fields of Psychology that presents involvement with Law in an expanded way, whether civil, criminal, or societal, not limited to the spaces of legal institutions, since the promotion or deprivation of rights permeates across different contexts. From an inter-American perspective, it covers the field of Legal Psychology (usual in Latin American countries, although references are found with the name Forensic Psychology in Latin America) and Forensic Psychology (usual in North American countries).

The journal's proposal seeks to integrate in a cross-cultural dimension the contributions of the fields such as Forensic Psychology in Brazil and internationally. By way of illustration, the subareas with their respective themes that promote the inter-American integration of Forensic Psychology include:

- History, Current Affairs and Scientific and Professional Methodology of Forensic Psychology

- Cognitive and Neuropsychological Processes in Forensic Psychology

- Psychosocial and Axiological Processes in Forensic Psychology

- Psychological Assessment, Instrumentation and Measurement in Forensic Psychology

- Clinical Practice, Intervention Protocols and Psychotherapeutic Effectiveness in Forensic Psychology

- Formulation, Development and Evaluation of Public Policies in Forensic Psychology

- Comparative Studies, Legislation and Interdisciplinary Themes in Forensic Psychology

 

Guidelines for Authors

The Interamerican Journal of Forensic Psychology - UTP accepts articles in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish. Submission is free and publication is quarterly and open access, with most of the costs incurred by Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná (UTP). Manuscripts that require a high level of revision of the APA (American Psychological Association - 7th edition) and textual standards must be submitted for external review at the expense of authors. For this reason, a thorough review by the authors is suggested before sending the manuscript for editorial processing. The submission formats that can be processed by the journal are listed below:

Full manuscript of complete empirical research. Integral works derived from fully reported original empirical research, whether descriptive or predictive, with or without hypothesis testing. Suggested textual format: introduction, research problem, work objectives, theoretical-conceptual basis for its conduction, hypotheses and/or guiding questions; method , with the subsections: participants, instrument(s), data collection procedures and ethical care, data analysis procedures; results , with the findings of the study, consistent with its objectives, hypotheses/guiding questions; discussion , interpretation of the main findings, summary and conclusion, as well as limitations and implications of the study. At least 40% of all references are required to have been produced in the last five years. Limited between 15 and 30 pages.

Brief communication of innovative empirical research. Partial work derived from innovative empirical research that justifies the rapid publication of results, whether descriptive or predictive, with or without hypothesis testing. Suggested textual format: introduction , research problem, work objectives, theoretical-conceptual basis for its conduction, hypotheses and/or guiding questions; method, with the subsections: participants, instrument(s), data collection procedures and ethical care, data analysis procedures; results , with the findings of the study, consistent with its objectives, hypotheses/guiding questions; discussion, interpretation of the main findings, summary and conclusion, as well as limitations and implications of the study. At least 80% of all references are required to have been produced in the last five years. Limited between 5 and 10 pages.

Literature review studies, quantitative meta-analyses, and qualitative meta-syntheses. Synthesis of a broad and relevant set of productions available in the literature of the area through a quantitative or qualitative method. It essentially consists of critical, propositional assessments of certain problems, summarizing previous investigations, presenting the state of the art, identifying gaps/issues to be explored, suggesting new steps in the investigation of a given subject. In meta-analyses, quantitative procedures are used to statically combine study results. In qualitative meta-syntheses, logical and epistemological criteria are used to systematize the contribution. Suggested textual format: introduction, research problem, reason/pertinence of the article, as well as its objectives; method, clearly presenting the corpus used, the procedures for inclusion and exclusion of studies (through a flowchart similar to the PRISMA standard - https://prisma-statement.org/prismastatement/flowdiagram.aspx ), and collection and analysis procedures; results, with the findings of the study, consistent with its objectives and guiding questions; and discussion, with the implications of the review for the study of the topic. It is required that at least the last ten years of literature be included in the study, covering at least three databases that jointly cover the inter-American focus (Portuguese, Spanish and English). Limited between 15 and 30 pages.

Theoretical and methodological essays. They must present a theoretical or methodological problem, with logical exposition and defense of a "thesis". From a rigorous argumentation, the author must express, in a reasoned way, his or her personal judgment regarding the proposed problem, signaling possible new paths or solutions. Suggested textual format: variations in structures are accepted, as long as they remain logical and cohesive. The cohesion and textual logic must include at least: introduction, outline of the problem and the objectives of the study; method, with a logical structure (the way the author worked the concepts and arguments); the equivalent of results/discussion, with the possibility of adopting coherent and logical subtitles, with the synthesis of the work and its main implications and future propositions. At least 40% of all references are required to have been produced in the last five years. Limited between 15 and 30 pages.

Experience report. Covers single or multiple case study, with evidence, methodologically appropriate, describing new methods or techniques, as well as the evaluation of the results of the experience. Suggested textual format: variations in structures are accepted, as long as they remain logical and cohesive: introduction, with presentation of the case and its contextual aspects, theoretical support and objectives of the study; method, presenting the reader with the stages of the experience, description of procedures or intervention strategies, instruments or tools used; results/discussion, with the possibility of adopting coherent and logical subtitles, containing the analysis of the implications of the experience and its contributions to the work in Forensic Psychology. At least 40% of all references are required to have been produced in the last five years. Limited between 15 and 30 pages.

Review. It includes critical reviews of works published in up to 5 years in an inter-American territory (Brazil and/or internationally) guiding the reader as to their characteristics and potential uses. It should go beyond the mere summary of the chapters, performing a critical appraisal of the work, pointing out possible contributions to the field of Forensic Psychology. Limited between 5 and 10 pages.

The article's keywords must be selected according to the Health Sciences Descriptors, with the help of the tool found at: https://decs.bvsalud.org/ 

 

Manuscript submission

Submissions occur by filling out the template with the requested information. It is the only submission file exclusively sent through the journal's platform.

Click on the link and download the file to your computer. Fill out and then submit.

Template to research articles

Template to short communications

 We adopted the publication guidelines of the APA (Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition). You can consult the Apa Style website < https://apastyle.apa.org/ >, as well as the Apa Style BLOG, for information on form aspects. Direct citations should be avoided and, when used, translated into the publication language chosen by the authors. The manuscript, in its entirety, must not exceed the maximum number of pages stipulated for the type of contribution (see guidelines for authors), including all text elements (references, figures, tables, drawings, etc.).

The title page is included in the page count (page 1). The page number must be below and centered. The manuscript must be typed in a Word for Windows 6.0 or higher word processor. Use 1.15 spacing, including references. The font of all text must be Arial, size 11, not exceeding, under any circumstances, the number of pages stipulated above. The page configuration must be A4, with all margins of 2.0 cm and left indentation. Exceptionally, summaries in different languages may use single spacing. (See template file).

The cover page (page 1) must contain, solely and exclusively, the following information, all centered on the page:

• Full title in Portuguese, between 10 and 12 words, Arial 14.
• Short title suggestion for Portuguese, not exceeding 5 words.
• Complete titles in English and Spanish, compatible with the title in Portuguese, Arial 12.
• Suggested abbreviated titles for English and Spanish.

Page 2 of the manuscript must contain the Summary (Portuguese), which must be presented in a single paragraph, containing: objectives; method; main results; conclusion. It must be limited to 200 words. Then add three keywords (Portuguese). Right after the Summary, insert, running (without page breaks), the Summary (in English), the exact translation of the Summary. Finally, present the three keywords (English). After the Summary, the Resumen (Spanish) must be presented, followed by three keywords (Spanish). The keywords must be in accordance with the Health Sciences descriptors in the VHL-PS and with versions in the three languages.

After the Summary form, the text itself must be presented. There is no need to write the word “Introduction”. Tables, figures and other macrotextual elements must be located directly in the location defined by the authors, that is, throughout the text. References must come after the body of the text. Every electronic reference must be accompanied by the Digital Object Identifier (DOI), or, in its absence, the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) address. The DOI writing must follow the standard recommended by CrossRef, which is: https://doi.org/10.000/000 (example). Do not use “doi:”, as it is an old version of APA. Authors can now submit the DOI in full hyperlink format. References must come without specific formatting resulting from the use of bibliographic management software.

If the described criteria are not met, the manuscript will be returned to the authors for correction. In case of double non-compliance with the formal guidelines for authors for submission (two returns to authors for formal issues of normalizing the text to the journal's standard), the manuscript will not be accepted for resubmission for a period of 6 months, considering that the authors they will need a longer period of study to incorporate the journal's textual norms, as well as the APA 7th edition, which justifies the established temporality.

Authors (with doctorate degrees) with articles approved in the journal undertake to provide an opinion on an article.

 

Evaluation process

All submitted manuscripts are evaluated according to a standard evaluation flow.

1. The manuscript is first received by the Editorial Assistance. At this time, it will be verified that all documents have been sent by the system (Manuscript without identification; Letter of Ethical Commitment). An Editor is chosen to whom the manuscript will be assigned, according to the theme and area of expertise. Once assigned, the Editor makes a preliminary assessment of the article, called a desk review. Two large sets of criteria are adopted at this time: a) suitability of the manuscript to the editorial line of the journal, with an assessment of its contribution to the area of knowledge (content and impact); b) adequacy to the format: structure of the manuscript, according to the instructions contained in this document; full adherence to APA standards (7th edition); size.
2. At this stage, the manuscript can receive two referrals: (1) rejected due to inadequate focus and scope; OR rejected for inadequate content and/or form (in both cases, it will be filed and in case of double filing it cannot be resubmitted for a period of 6 months); (2) accepted for processing. Authors of rejected manuscripts may resubmit their work once only, necessarily indicating the original manuscript code of the first submission. If, in the second submission, there is continuity of problems already pointed out in the previous phase, the text will be definitively rejected for a period of 6 months. The author will receive the result of the desk review within 90 days.
3. Manuscripts accepted by the desk review for processing will be sent to at least two ad hoc reviewers, preserving the anonymity of the process - double blind review. At the end of the external evaluation process, the manuscript, together with the opinions received, will be reviewed by the Editor. At that time, the latter may choose to request new opinions, if deemed necessary. The process may result in 1) definitive rejection of the manuscript; 2) the need for revisions, according to opinions; 3) acceptance with minor changes; 4) acceptance in the form submitted. The author will have access to the full content of the opinions issued, or else, depending on the case, may receive a consolidated opinion from the Editor.
4. In the case of manuscripts in need of revisions, the author will have a maximum period, defined by the editor, to send them back to the journal. This period shall be a maximum of 30 days; non-extendable under any circumstances. In case of non-compliance with this deadline, the manuscript is archived and must be submitted again. In the resubmission of corrected manuscripts, the author must necessarily send two files: 1) a letter containing a table with a double entry, where, on one side, put what was requested by the reviewers and, on the other, your answer (what has been changed, or what has not been changed, and why); 2) the reformulated manuscript, with changes highlighted in red text color. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to the manuscript being archived.

Final decision process

After receiving the reformulated version of the manuscript, the Editor may or may not trigger a new cycle of evaluations - if so, preferably with the same reviewers of the first round. Then, in possession of the evaluations of this reformulated version, it may constitute a new (consolidated) opinion, with new requests for alterations (for example, alterations not carried out by the authors and considered fundamental), reject the manuscript, or then, accept it definitively. In case of final acceptance, the author will be informed when his/her manuscript can be published (volume and journal number).

 

Editorial production process

1. The editorial production process begins after final acceptance. The manuscript will then undergo simple language and formatting revisions, including abstract/resumen. If high deviations are found, the processing is interrupted for the author to act. Manuscripts that require a high level of revision of the APA (American Psychological Association - 7th edition) and textual standards must be submitted for external review at the expense of the authors.

1. The acceptance process will only be resumed after approval of the external review paid for by the author by the journal's technical team. The manuscript article will then be diagrammed. Once diagrammed, the author will receive his manuscript for final review. At that moment, he/her must correct possible errors or point out possible adjustments to the designer. For these changes/notes to be made, the author will have a period of three working days and may have the manuscript archived in case of non-compliance with the deadline. It is not possible to modify the manuscript after this stage, the author is aware of this information after the first expression of consent for the adequacy of the final layout version.

Page with authors' identification (separated in supplementary document)

Include a sheet with the full name of the authors' address and institutional affiliation, e-mail, ORCID number (hyperlink format), indications of three names of possible reviewers (name and email address).

Some criteria for nominating names:

• master's or doctoral degree,
• experience in publishing a scientific article,
• not belong to the same research group and/or graduate program as the authors,
• not have a history of academic orientation with any of the authors or any type of relationship that could suggest a conflict of interest.

 

Ethical aspects

Manuscripts that are, by the Editorial Board, assessed as violating ethical principles, will be summarily rejected, leaving the author prevented from submitting new manuscripts to the journal. For this reason, it is recommended that, when writing your text, the author provides, if applicable, the following information: ethical criteria involved in inviting participants; procedures for free adherence to research; ethical procedures for handling information and its integrity; among other aspects recommended by the APA (7th), and by COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), whose principles are presented in the following hyperlink (http://publicationethics.org/ ).

Authors must submit the approval letter of the Research Ethics Committee for articles that had data collected with human beings.

 

Verification items for submission (checklist)

As part of the submission process, authors are required to verify submission compliance against all of the items listed below. Submissions that do not comply with the rules will be returned to the authors. In case of double non-compliance with the formal guidelines for authors for submission (two returns to authors for formal reasons of normalizing the text to the journal's standard), the manuscript will not be accepted for resubmission for a period of 6 months.

1. This is a submission compatible with the focus and scope of the scientific journal.
2. The manuscript is not under consideration in any other journal, national or international.
3. The authors correctly prepared the template and included suggestions from three referees (names and emails) who are not part of the same educational institution or its network of contacts.
4. The manuscript presents a structure strictly compatible with what is expected by the journal, depending on the type of contribution.
5. The manuscript is written in correct language, with logically ordered sections, with consistent arguments and compatible with scientific production.
6. The file is formatted in editable text (Word - .docx) or equivalent format.
7. The page numbering appears centered below, being omitted on the first page.
8. The manuscript has the appropriate number of pages for the type of contribution.
9. The abstract in different languages ​​respects the limit of 200 words and 3 to 5 keywords were presented, duly indexed in the VHL-PSI or DECS consultation with versions in the three languages ​​(Portuguese, English and Spanish).
10. The manuscript follows the APA standard, according to its Manual, in its 7th edition.
11. All Figures and Tables are mentioned in the text with the first letter capitalized, according to the numbering they appear and appear in an editable format.
12. References comply with the proportion of at least 40% of citations from the last five years.
13. The manuscript cites the articles in the list of references with the DOI number in full (http://doi.org/102312.29823) and active link in blue.
14. The manuscript has not been rejected twice by this journal in the last 6 months due to formatting and scientific writing errors.
15. The author is aware that when submitting the article, once accepted, the article becomes the property of the magazine and cannot be reproduced without its consent, which will be given, at the author's request, in writing.
16. Authors with a doctorate degree undertake to provide an opinion on an article.
17. All authors must be registered when submitting the article, with full name, institutional affiliation, email and ORCID number.
18. All bibliographic references must be registered in APA format (7th edition) when submitting the article to OJS.
19. Abstract must be submitted in three languages ​​(Portuguese, English and Spanish) at the time of submission to OJS.
20. The authors are responsible for complying with ethical procedures carried out in the research and submitted the opinion of the Research Ethics Committee.

 

Occurrence

The journal is open access with quarterly publications.

It is estimated the annual publication of at least 25 manuscripts.

 

Acknowledgements

Dean of Graduate Studies, Research and Extension, Tuiuti University of Paraná - Operational and Editorial Costs and Support Center

Information Technology Sector, Tuiuti University of Paraná - Management, Hosting and Updating of the OJS System

Postgraduate Program in Forensic Psychology, Tuiuti University of Paraná - Periodic Foundation and Technical-Scientific Council

Brazilian Journal of Organizational and Work Psychology (RPOT), SBPOT - Public Availability of Good Editorial Practices Adapted to the Periodic Present