How to Submit your Manuscript
Manuscripts are accepted for consideration by Family
Systems with the understanding that they represent original
material, have not been published previously, and are not being
considered for publication elsewhere. They should generally be
ten to twenty-five manuscript pages, although longer articles
will sometimes be accepted. These can be theoretical papers,
clinical or experimental research studies, field studies,
subject-oriented papers, case reports (brief quotes may be used
in such reports, but not transcripts of sessions), and literature
reviews.
Careful attention should be paid to preserve anonymity
in case reports and similar articles. The journal will also
publish brief reports, which are generally six to eight
manuscript pages. Ideas stimulated by theoretical thinking,
clinical experiences, observations of the natural world, reading,
or other sources can be the basis of such reports. Family
Systems also has a book review section. Reviews of books,
chosen at the author's discretion, must critically engage the
ideas presented and discuss their relevance to the development of
Bowen family systems theory.
Manuscripts should be sent to Michael E. Kerr, MD, Editor, Family
Systems, Georgetown Family Center, 4400 MacArthur Boulevard, NW,
Suite 103, Washington, DC 20007. Include address and phone
numbers (office and home). Authors will be advised of the
decision about their manuscripts as rapidly as possible.
Copyright
The copyright on all material published in Family Systems
is held by the Georgetown Family Center. Authors sign a
copyright agreement when their article is accepted for
publication.
Format
Manuscripts should be prepared in accordance with
guidelines provided by The Chicago Manual of Style. An original
and three copies should be submitted on 8 1/2 x 11 inch white
bond paper, double-spaced throughout, with wide margins. The
author is advised to keep a copy to check against galley proofs.
After an article has been accepted for publication, it is
copy-edited for literary style, conformity to the style of this
journal, clarity of presentation, coherence, punctuation,
standard usage of terms, and spelling. Authors will have an
opportunity to review edited copy prior to publication. As
submissions are refereed “blind,” author's name and other
identifying marks should appear only on a detachable cover sheet.
Original artwork must be submitted for tables, charts, graphs
and illustrations.
Abstract
An abstract of 150 words should be prepared as a lead-in
to the article. An abstract is also needed for a brief report.
This will be printed in italics and should cover the intent,
scope, and principal findings of the article. No abstract is
needed for book reviews.
Authors
For each author, give professional degrees/title, and name
and location of the principal institutional affiliation. This
information will appear in a footnote on the first page of the
article.
References
An important responsibility of the author is to prepare a
correct reference list. References should be checked against
original sources. A double-spaced, alphabetized reference list
should be located at the end of the manuscript. Journal names
should be spelled out. References in the text should indicate
the author and date of publication. Page number(s) should be
included only when a direct quote is used. Please refer to a
current issue of Family Systems for examples of the proper
format.
