ISSN 0037-8054 printed version
ISSN 2312-7198 online version

INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS

• Scope and editorial policy
• Manuscript format and layout
• Submissions

FOCUS AND SCOPE:

This South African academic peer–reviewed journal publishes articles, book reviews and commentary on articles already published from any field of social work. Manuscripts covering the following amongst others, are considered for publication: social work, welfare organizations, society, social welfare, family and child care, community work, substance abuse, substance dependence, welfare law, etc.

PEER REVIEW PROCESS:

1. All contributions will be critically reviewed by at least two referees on whose advice contributions will be accepted or rejected by the editorial committee.
2. All refereeing is strictly confidential (double blind peer–review).
3. Manuscripts may be returned to the authors if extensive revision is required or if the style or presentation does not conform to the Journal practice.

OPEN ACCESS POLICY

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

Articles form this journal can be submitted to institutional repositories, under the following conditions:

1. Always upload the final publishers' version as published at http://socialwork.journals.ac.za
2. Acknowledge Stellenbosch University (SUNJournals) as the publisher.
3. Cite the article as part of the metadata and include the doi as part of the citation to the article.

SECTION POLICIES:

Editorial, Articles, Book Reviews, Notes from Practice

AUTHOR GUIDELINES:

Register

All authors and reviewers for Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk are required to register on the journal's website.: Login | Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk (journals.ac.za)

The managing editor of Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk may be contacted for assistance to register: socialwork@sun.ac.za

Definition of authors

Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk defines an author as an individual who has made substantial contributions to various aspects of a manuscript. These contributions include the conception or design, acquisition and analysis of data, interpretation of data, drawing conclusions, formulating recommendations, drafting and revisions, as well as approval of submissions and the published version. Authors are accountable for all aspects of the manuscript.

Each manuscript must have a designated corresponding author, who may not necessarily be the first author but assumes responsibility for the submission of the manuscript and all correspondence with the journal. All authors are required to sign the Journal's Publishing Agreement before publication, in the predetermined order of their names. Please refer to the Journal’s Authorship Policy  for more information.

Modifications to authorship constitute a substantial alteration, and it is strongly recommended that authors clarify the authorship details of their manuscripts, including the sequence of authors' names, prior to submission. See the Journal’s Changes in Authorship Policy for more information.

Conflicts of interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors are obligated to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. When uncertain, it is advisable to err on the side of transparency by making a disclosure. It is essential to note that the presence of a potential conflict of interest does not necessarily result in the rejection of the submission. Please refer to the Journal’s Conflict of Interest Policy  for more information.

Submissions Details Form

Corresponding authors must mandatorily submit the Journal’s Submissions Details Form along with the manuscript as a separate file. Manuscripts will not be processed without this form. To download the Submissions Details Form, please click here.

(Added on step 3 after uploading the manuscript: "confirm"; "add another file" - upload submission details form)

ORCID iD

An ORCID iD is a persistent, unique, numeric identifier for individual researchers. The complete ORCID iD URL of all authors must be included in the Submissions Details Form. Visit the ORCID iD website to register if needed.

For further information please see: https://socialwork.journals.ac.za/pub/about/submissions 

1. Submit an article online through the journal's website

   Articles must be submitted via the journal's website. Please refer to the User Guide for submissions: making a submission. For assistance with registration, contact the managing editor of Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk at socialwork@sun.ac.za.

   
   Article length

   The length of articles is between 7000 and 11000 words, from the first to the last word.

   
   Language

   Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk promotes accessible and inclusive language in articles. Accessible language is characterised by clarity and simplicity, making it comprehensible not only to social work professionals but also to readers from diverse disciplines and those for whom English is not their first language. Inclusive language is essential as it recognises and values diversity, demonstrates sensitivity to differences, and conveys respect for all individuals. For more information, please refer to the Journal’s Accessible and Inclusive Language Policy.

   Professional language editing of articles before submission is highly recommended and may facilitate the review process.

Registration and login are required to submit items online and to check the status of current submissions.

REGISTER to obtain Username and Password or LOGIN if you already have Username and Password for Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk.