Authors' Guidelines 
Editing Your Paper
Manuscript Format/Style
References, Footnotes, Tables, Figures and Appendices
Graphics and Illustrations
Submission Policy
Review Process
The Project Management Journal® publishes research relevant to researchers, advanced practitioners and organizations from the project, program and portfolio management field. Due to the integrative and interdisciplinary nature of these fields, the Journal publishes the best papers from a number of other disciplines including, but not limited to, organizational behavior and theory, strategic management, sociology, economics, political science, history, information science, systems theory, communication theory, and psychology. We look for work that transcends the bounds of particular disciplines to address a broad audience. The Journal publishes qualitative papers as well as quantitative works and purely conceptual or theoretical papers, including diverse research methods and approaches. Our aim is to integrate the various strands of project, program and portfolio management research.
The Journal neither approves nor disapproves, nor does it guarantee the validity or accuracy of any data, claim, opinion or conclusion presented in either editorial content, articles, letters to the editor or advertisements.
Authors' Guidelines
Each paper should contain one key point, which the author should be able to state in one sentence.
Authors are expected to describe the epistemological position(s) underlying their research approach(es) and theoretical concepts that give meaning to data, and to demonstrate how they are relevant to organizations. Papers that speculate beyond current thinking are more desirable than papers that use tried-and-true methods to study routine problems, or papers motivated strictly by data collection and analysis.
Authors should strive to be original, insightful and theoretically bold; demonstration of a significant "value-added" advance to the field's understanding of an issue or topic is crucial to acceptance for publication. Multiple-study papers that feature diverse methodological approaches may be more likely to make such contributions.
Authors should make the contributions of specialized research to project, program and portfolio management theory and practice evident, avoid jargon, and define specialized terms and analytic techniques. We are looking for papers well argued and well written. We attach no priorities to subjects for study, nor do we attach greater significance to one methodological style than another.
Editing Your Paper
Make sure papers stick to the theme or question to be answered. Writing should be clear. Make sure that sentences are not too long and can be followed; that paragraphs are not too long; that references to "it" and "them" are clear, etc. Limit the length of your paper to 40 manuscript double- spaced pages, including references, appendixes, tables and figures? Research notes should not ordinarily exceed 25 double-spaced pages. Ensure that exhibits are properly formatted and numbered in the order in which they appear in the text. Are they referred to in the text? Does each exhibit have a title?
Make sure all references are properly cited both in the text and in the reference section. Check the latest copy of the APA style book and make certain the citations and reference list follow APA for punctuation style.
Be sure to "Americanize" spelling (words like organization with a "z", behavior without a "u", etc.). We need to be consistent throughout the Journal and we are using the U.S. spelling conventions.
Back to Top
Manuscript Format/Style
All manuscripts submitted for consideration should meet the following guidelines:
• All papers must be written in the American English language.
• Manuscripts that offer an original theoretical and empirical contribution, but one that is smaller in scope, may be published as research notes. Manuscripts submitted as research notes should not ordinarily exceed 25 double-spaced pages, including references, tables, figures and appendices.
• The title page of the manuscript should include only the title, author name(s) and affiliation(s), and the name, mailing address, phone and fax numbers of the author to whom correspondence should be directed. To permit objective reviews by two referees, the abstract and first page of the text should not reveal the author(s) and/or affiliation(s), but only the manuscript title.
Formatting the Paper
Final papers must be submitted in electronic format as an e-mail attachment or on disk. The following word processing programs are acceptable:
• Microsoft Word™ — any version (.doc extension)
• Other formats — (.txt) or Rich Text (.rtf)
• We highly suggest, if your paper includes charts, graphs or graphic files, that you save your paper in .doc format.
For Mac Users
First, try to convert the file to a Windows format. If that does not work, Mac users should save files as Word (.doc) files or Rich Text Format (.rtf).
Fonts
Use a Times or Times New Roman 10- to 12-point font. You may use bold and italics in the text, but do not underline.
Margins and Length
Full articles should not ordinarily exceed 40 manuscript double-spaced pages, including references, appendixes, tables and figures. Research notes should not ordinarily exceed 25 double-spaced pages. Papers should be double-spaced and in a single-column format. All margins should be 1 inch.
Headings
Use the following format:
• Paper Title — Title, Centered, 14pt bold
• Level A Heading — Level A, centered, 12 pt. bold
• Level B Heading — Level B, left aligned, 11 point bold
• Level C Heading — Level C, left aligned, 10 point bold italics
• Body Text — 10 pt. normal
• Do not use all caps and do not underline; italics and “quotation marks” are acceptable.
Back to Top
References, Footnotes, Tables, Figures and Appendices
Always acknowledge the work of others used to advance a point in your paper. For questions regarding reference format, refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. See the section titled Reference Citations used in the text should be identified by author name and publication date in parentheses, (e.g., Cleland & King, 1983), and listed alphabetically as references at the end of the manuscript. Page numbers should be cited for all quotations.
Follow the format example shown below:
• Baker, B. (1993). The project manager and the media: Some lessons from the stealth bomber program. Project Management Journal, 24 (3), 11–14.
• Cleland, D. I., & King, W. R. (1983). Systems analysis and project management. New York: McGraw-Hill.
• Hartley, J. R. (1992). Concurrent engineering. Cambridge, MA: Productivity Press.
Electronically created footnotes lose all links when set in our publishing software, so please type all references manually. If your word processor automatically creates footnotes or automatic endnotes, make sure this feature is turned off.
Tables and figures should be titled, numbered with Arabic numerals, and grouped at the end of the manuscript. Indicate their preferred location within the body of the text. All tables, figures and other illustrations will be printed 2-3/4, 4-1/8, 5-7/8 or 7-3/16 inches in width. In addition, upon acceptance of the manuscript for publishing, the author(s) will be asked to provide artwork in computer format (preferred formats are CorelDraw, Freelance Graphics, PowerPoint, Windows MetaFile-WMF or Computer Graphics MetaFile-CGM). Contact natasha.pollard@pmi.org for further details.
An appendix can be used to provide more detailed information. However, this must be included in the 40 (or 25)-page total.
Back to Top
Graphics and Illustrations
The exhibit number and title should be centered below the exhibit and bolded. The exhibit title should have one clear line between it and the exhibit box.
Tips for creating your graphics:
• Always use the simplest display that represents the necessary details. The larger the graphic, the more difficult it will be to convert and use for the publication.
•Color graphics are acceptable.
• Helvetica or Arial font should be used for text inside your graphic illustrations.
• Exhibit titles should be centered under the exhibit.
• All illustrations, whether they are tables, charts, graphics or photographs should be referred to as exhibits and numbered consecutively in the order they appear in the text.
• Be sure the exhibit is mentioned in the text.
• Tables with lines separating columns and rows are acceptable.
Back to Top
Submission Policy
|
What to Send With Your Paper
|
|
A complete manuscript submission includes:
• One copy of the manuscript on 8-1/2 x 11 inch paper, double-spaced throughout, and sent via e-mail (one single file in a MS Word compatible form) to natasha.pollard@pmi.org.
• The statement, "I (we) affirm that my (our) manuscript conforms to the submission policy of Project Management Journal" (see "Submission Policy").
•A brief justification (50 words or fewer) of the appropriateness of the paper for publication in the Journal. This statement will be forwarded to the editor and reviewers.
• A list of keywords (3 to 4).
And, on a separate page each author must list:
• Full name
• Any suffixes describing degrees and/or certifications that each author wishes to display
• Job title or position
• Employment affiliation
• Postal mailing address
• Telephone and fax numbers
• E-mail address
Please forward any questions or final papers to:
Natasha Pollard
Four Campus Boulevard
Newtown Square, PA 19073 USA
E-mail: natasha.pollard@pmi.org
Tel: +1-610-356-4600 ext. 5016
Fax: +1-610-355-1633
Note: Incomplete final acceptance information may delay the publishing process. |
By submitting a manuscript, the author certifies that it is not under simultaneous consideration by any other publication; that neither the manuscript nor any portion of it is copyrighted; and that it has not been published elsewhere. Exceptions must be noted at the time of submission. Accepted manuscripts become the property of PMI, which holds the copyright for materials that it publishes. Material published in the Journal may not be reprinted or published elsewhere, in whole or part, without written permission of PMI.
Submissions are subjected to a double-blind review. Accepted manuscripts are subject to editorial changes made by the Editor. The author is solely responsible for all statements made in his or her work, including changes made by the editor. Submitted manuscripts are not returned to the author; however, reviewer comments will be furnished.
Back to Top
Review Process
The Journal's reputation and contribution to the field depend upon our publishing the best work available. Thus, we must attract the best research. The Journal competes for the best available manuscripts by having the largest and widest readership among all project management journals. Equally important, we also compete by offering high quality feedback. The timeliness and quality of our review process reflect well on all who participate in it.
Developmental Reviews
It is important that authors learn from the reviews and feel that they have benefited from the Journal review process. Therefore, reviewers should strive to:
• Be Specific. Authors should be told what is positive about the paper, what the problems are and how these problems can be addressed. This should be in the form of specific comments, reactions and suggestions.
• Be Constructive. If problems cannot be fixed in the current study, suggestions may be made to authors on how to improve on their next attempt. Reviewers should be clear as to whether the issue is with the underlying research, the research conclusions or the way the learning is being communicated in the submission.
• Identify Strengths. One of the most important tasks for a reviewer is to distinguish between limitations that can be fixed in a revision and those that definitely cannot. Reviewers should strive to help an author shape a mediocre manuscript into an insightful contribution.
• Consider the Contribution of Manuscript. Technical correctness and theoretical coherence are obvious issues for a review, but papers should be considered for the overall contribution that the manuscript offers. Papers will not be published if the contribution it offers is not meaningful or interesting.
• Consider Submissions From Authors Whose Native Language is Not English. Reviewers will distinguish between the quality of the writing, which may be fixable, and the quality of the ideas that the writing conveys.
• Address Uncertain Issues. Reviewers should address issues and any uncertainty about a paper for which they are not sure in their review. Facts in all papers will be checked so that review comments will be as accurate as possible.
Note: All papers that are submitted for consideration for the Journal will be first evaluated by the editor and staff who will then decide if papers will go for the review process with the editorial board.
Respectful Reviews
We recognize that authors have taken a lot of time and effort into every submission. Reviewers will always treat an author’s work with respect, even if the reviewer has disagreement or finds fault with what has been written.
Double-blind Reviews
The policy of "double-blind" review means that the reviewer and the author do not know the identity of each other. Should a reviewer have any doubt of his or her ability to be objective, the reviewer will request not to review a submission as soon as possible upon receipt.
Reviewers will not discuss any manuscript with anyone (other than the acting editor) at any time.
Pointers on the Substance of the Review Theory
• Does the paper have a well-articulated theory that provides conceptual insight and guides hypotheses formulation?
• Does the study inform or improve our understanding of that theory?
• Are the concepts clearly defined?
• Does the paper cite appropriate literature and provide proper credit to existing work on the topic? Has the author offered critical references? Does the paper contain an appropriate number of references?
• Do the sample, measures, methods, observations, procedures and statistical analyses ensure internal and external validity? Are the statistical procedures used correctly and appropriately? Are the statistics’ major assumptions reasonable?
• Does the empirical study provide a good test of the theory and hypotheses? Is the method chosen (qualitative or quantitative) appropriate for the research question and theory?
• Does the paper make a new and meaningful contribution to the management literature in terms of all three: theory, empirical knowledge and management practice?
• Has the author given proper citation to the original source of all information given in their work or in others’ work that was cited?
Author Information
Before the Journal can publish a manuscript, we must receive from the author(s):
• Short biographical sketch (electronic form)
• Professional portrait-style (passport-style) photograph (300 dpi - 600 dpi)
• Full contact information for each author, including complete mailing address, e-mail address and phone/fax numbers
• Final manuscript text via e-mail and on disk. Include graphics in text file grouped at the end of the manuscript. Indicate their preferred location within the body of the text.
• Tables and figures via e-mail and on disk. To conform all published tables and graphics to the format, please submit a hard copy of all figures and tables along with the disk containing this work. Please have figures and tables in separate files and only list their preferred location in text file.
Back to Top