Types of Articles
Manuscripts submitted to BAP must be prepared according to the style described in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Manuscripts will be classified into the following categories for purposes of review:
Empirical Reports
Manuscripts describing the application and evaluation of behavior-analytic procedures and service delivery programs will be considered for publication as Empirical Reports. Submissions will be judged according to the following criteria: a) The procedures and findings are directly transferable to service delivery, b) information necessary to replicate the procedures is contained in the article, c) concrete guidelines for practice are included, and d) data collection and analysis permit reasonable conclusions about the findings.
Discussion and Review Articles
Manuscripts surveying and critically evaluating particular areas of practice or issues in applied behavior analysis may be accepted as Discussion or Review Articles. This includes articles on professional and clinical issues (e.g., ethics; billing for services; explaining behavior analysis to consumers; training, supervising, and/or motivating co-workers; working with parents, families, and/or clients; measurement and evaluation challenges in community settings), as well as reviews of the empirical literature that focus on best practice guidelines and that are responsive to the realities of community settings. Reviewers will be asked whether they find the manuscript helpful for establishing best practices in the field or interpreting research in applied behavior analysis. Accepted manuscripts may be published with an accompanying commentary, which will be solicited by the Editor.
Technical Articles
Manuscripts contributing primarily to methods, data analysis, or instrumentation in the practice of behavior analysis may be accepted as Technical Articles. Authors are expected to provide suitable data or documentation supporting the utility of the methods, technique, or apparatus. Technical Articles will be judged according to the following criteria: a) The topic is of general importance and relevant to the needs of service delivery, b) the conclusions are unambiguous and are based on thorough analysis of current practices, c) the information necessary for implementation is contained in the article or is readily available from the author, and d) publication of the manuscript is likely to produce significant improvement in service delivery.
Tutorials
Articles on terms (e.g., motivational operations), procedures (e.g., teaching alternative responses to problem behavior) and theories (e.g., matching law; relational frame theory) that are relevant to best practices in applied behavior analysis may be accepted as Tutorials. Reviewers will be asked whether they find the manuscript highly instructive for interpreting research in applied behavior analysis, understanding contemporary behavior-analytic procedures or terminology, or establishing state-of-the art practices.
Product and Book Reviews
Critical reviews of products and books that are aimed at parents, teachers, and practitioners who provide behavior-analytic services may be accepted. Reviews will be judged according to the following criteria: a) The product or book is directly pertinent to service delivery in behavior analysis, or it focuses on common recipients of these services (e.g., individuals with autism), and b) the evaluation of the book or product is determined to be fair, justified, and based on the product's or book's purpose.
Occasionally, other types of articles may be solicited by the Editor or Editorial Board.