General Information
Blind Review
Anonymous versions of manuscripts submitted to the editor are sent to two independent reviewers (double-blind review). Most of the time, these reviewers belong to the Editorial Board. However, in some cases, we also consult external reviewers. We usually do not accept an author’s suggestions to select reviewers.
Article Types
In general, all articles deal with topics associated with evolutionary studies in higher education. As such, manuscripts that directly address this topic will be given priority. Manuscripts that indirectly address the issue of evolutionary studies in higher education, but that explicitly articulate important connections to this topic will be considered. Further, and importantly, EvoS Journal is comprised of two broad classes of articles – those written primarily by academics with interests in evolutionary studies and those written primarily by undergraduate students (working closely with faculty) on evolutionary topics. The editor may also invite authors to submit book reviews and/or manuscripts for special issues.
The types of articles within these classes differ some, as follows:
Articles Written Primarily by Academics
The primary purpose of this part of the journal is to publish articles related to evolutionary training in higher education, particularly from (but not limited to) programs in the Evolutionary Studies Consortium. These articles might be about the experience of starting or participating in an EvoS Program, specific classroom examples, assessment of students or courses in EvoS related programs, or barriers to the teaching of evolution, for example. We organize the articles into two broad categories, as follows:
Curriculum Articles.
These papers span the topics such as how how specific disciplines address the instruction of evolutionary theory, specific assignments and course designs related to evolutionary theory, and how course textbooks and evolutionary literature perpetuate misunderstandings about evolutionary theory.
Research Reports.
These papers are reports of original research, using experimental or non-experimental methods, conducted in the laboratory, field settings, or using archival sources. Importantly, these papers should deal with issues tied to evolutionary studies in higher education. Accordingly, appropriate research topics would include effectiveness of specific pedagogical techniques for teaching certain topics, data regarding the assessment of courses and/or programs in evolutionary studies, work that examines faculty attitudes toward evolutionary studies across academic disciplines, etc. Research reports that are related to evolution but that are not connected to evolutionary studies in higher education, per se, will not be considered.
Theoretical/Review Contributions.
Papers that do not present original data but that provide important insights into issues tied to evolutionary studies in higher education will be considered. Such manuscripts, which may predominantly summarize a theoretical perspective on issues tied to evolution education or may report on a personal experience of teaching evolutionary theory, might address issues such as cognitive, social, or political barriers to the teaching of evolution in higher education, models for predicting the success of different approaches to evolution education, reviews of past work that examines how evolution has traditionally been addressed within the academy, etc. Manuscripts that are related to evolution but that are not connected to evolutionary studies in higher education, per se, will not be considered.
Articles Written Primarily by Undergraduate Students
The primary purpose of this part of the journal is to provide high-quality examples of student work that represents the passion that underlies the EvoS experience for undergraduate students. While this section of the journal was designed with undergraduates involved in EvoS programs in mind, we welcome submissions from undergraduate students at all colleges and universities, regardless of whether they are part of an EvoS Program.
All student submissions need to be made in conjunction with a faculty advisor, even if the student is the sole author on the paper. The faculty advisor agrees to oversee the submission process, including assisting with revisions should a revised manuscript be invited by the journal staff. When the paper is completed in line with the submission guidelines on this page, student authors have to submit the work via the Submissions Portal and include the name of the faculty advisor in the cover letter or the submission will not be considered.
We organize the articles into two broad categories, as follows:
Research Reports.
These papers are reports of original research, using experimental or non-experimental methods, conducted in the laboratory, field settings, or using archival sources. Any papers connected to evolutionary theory are welcome. These may be, for instance, revised versions of research reports that present original data in the areas of evolutionary anthropology, biology, literary studies, or psychology.
Theoretical/Review Contributions.
These papers summarize theoretical issues tied to evolutionary theory and/or review a relevant body of literature connected to evolutionary studies in a coherent fashion. Examples of such manuscripts that would be considered include a summary of the evolution of language, a review of research on some aspect of early hominid evolution, a coherent summary of different approaches to understanding the evolution of religion, etc. Topics within any academic area – connected by the thread of evolutionary theory – are acceptable.
NOTE: Thesis work should be revised into an article length piece in conjunction with your faculty advisor. Though we do not have a specific word limit and will consider longer work, pieces longer than 10,000 words tend to be too detailed for published form.
Articles for NEEPS Special Issues
In partnership with the NorthEastern Evolutionary Psychology Society (NEEPS), EvoS Journal publishes a special issue each year of articles based on research and/or theoretical work presented at the conference. All NEEPS presenters are invited to submit manuscripts by a set deadline for consideration. Submissions are peer-reviewed by other members of NEEPS. More information about the NEEPS Special Issues can be found here.
Copyright
Upon submitting a contribution, the editors have the right, after a successful peer review, to publish it. After the contribution appears in EvoS Journal, further publication elsewhere is still possible with the consent of the editors and with reference to the original publication.
EvoS Journal has the right to publish any contribution for selected print or electronic editions at any time in the future. Authors will be notified if the article will appear in special print or electronic additions.
