Types of Manuscripts
Author Guidelines
Critical Studies
Study and Scrutiny is looking for critical discussion of historical and contemporary Young Adult Literature (YAL) that, based on critical theory, pushes the conversations around Young Adult texts or text sets--fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels. We appreciate literary criticism that not only speaks to literary critics in the field of YAL but also to teachers of YAL in secondary and post-secondary settings. We are especially interested in critical studies focused on representation and antiracism.
Empirical Studies
The heart of this journal is to fill the gap created from the dearth of empirical literature on the effects in the present and future of reading YAL. For example, there is the claim that reading YAL creates life-long reading. While we hope this is true, we do not have the empirical evidence. We invite qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods researchers to share their empirical studies focused on YAL.
Manuscript Guidelines for Critical and Empirical Studies
Manuscripts should be approximately 8,000-12,000 words, including tables, figures, and references, and should be written in Times New Roman 12-point font. Manuscripts should be double-spaced with 1” margins and should follow the 7th edition of the APA style guide.
All references to the author(s) should be removed from the body of the manuscript in preparation for blind review. However, the title page should include the following:
- contact information for each author (note main contact)
- a 100 word abstract
- 5-8 keywords
- an originality statement
- a 2-3 sentence bio for each author
- social media info
Scholarly Book Reviews
Study and Scrutiny: Research on Young Adult Literature features in-depth reviews of scholarly books focused on the study and/or teaching of young adult literature. In most cases, the books should be published within the past five years and should include substantive ideas on the uses of young adult literature in the classroom or offer rigorous research on the texts. Reviews of texts that align with an issue’s theme are especially appreciated.
A review can either focus on a single scholarly work or on several related books by the same authors or editors. Reviews should be approximately 1000-2000 words and offer an in-depth look at the book, its contents, and its merits in relation to the field of young adult literature. The review should include contextual information on the scope and purpose of the text as well as a summary and critical evaluation of the contents. This critical evaluation should be balanced, and any criticism should be constructive in nature. Additionally, the review should address how the text adds to the understanding and conversation of young adult literature and what audiences (teachers, researchers, etc.) would benefit from reading the book. Reviews should adhere to the 7th edition of APA style. More information can be found at the journal’s Submission Preparation Checklist, above. (https://journals.shareok.org/studyandscrutiny/about/submissions#authorGuidelines).
If you have questions, please contact the book review and interview editor, Terri Suico, at tsuico at saintmarys.edu.
YAL Book Reviews
For specific issues, Study and Scrutiny: Research on Young Adult Literature is planning to include reviews of recent young adult literature that complement the issue’s themes or the topics addressed in the issue’s scholarly book reviews. The call for reviews will come from the book and interview editor. If you are interested in being on the list of possible reviewers or if you have a specific book that you would like to review, please contact the section editor. Please do not submit reviews without first checking with the section editor so we can avoid duplicate reviews.
Reviews should be approximately 500 words and provide a summary of the book, an evaluation of the text’s strengths and limitations, and any other points regarding the book that teachers and scholars of young adult literature might find useful. These reviews should also include some pedagogical ideas for classroom use.
If you have questions, please contact the book review and interview editor, Terri Suico, at tsuico at saintmarys.edu.
