Manuscript Types

The following are the preferred manuscript types. Manuscripts that do not conform may be returned for revisions or declined. All submitted works must comply with the style requirements to be considered for review and acceptance. Most importantly, submitted work should be educational in nature and provide insight and thoughtful consideration of the subject matter to pique reader interest and engagement.

Keep in mind that the suggested word lengths are flexible but do serve as good benchmarks on preferred length and time commitment to read. Accepted manuscripts may be edited as needed to suit the style, tone, and quality of the publication.

There are no costs or fees associated with publishing in SHIFT.

• Letter To the Editor

  • Suggested length: 600 – 800 words
  • Letters in response to an editorial, article, or best practice may be considered. These pieces can facilitate organic, engaging discussion about topics or reports that may not otherwise have a platform.
    
    

  Submit to the editor

• Original Research for Peer Review

  Reports of original research from the researcher(s) who conducted the research. Such reports must follow original research best practices – including the hypotheses/research question, purpose of the study, methodology, and results. Original research may be quantitative, qualitative, or mixed method, but must be firsthand research and relate to occupational safety, health, and/or environmental topics with analyses and observations supported by conclusive data.

  Condensed versions of dissertations are eligible for submission whether the full, original dissertation has or has not been published elsewhere.

  Research should be original and contribute to the advancement of the EHS body of knowledge through innovation and discovery or build upon and expand existing materials. Conclusive, practical research may be selected for development into best practices designed to be implemented in the workplace.

  All research will be reviewed using the double-blind peer review process to assess the quality and methodology of the research. Therefore, any information that may identify the authors must be omitted from the text with references thereof anonymized. Such information includes professional and/or institutional affiliations and previous work. A third-person point of view may be used to prevent unintentional identifiers.

  References to funding sources and any acknowledgments should be removed from the main text during the initial review. Such information will be added back to the main text after peer review, prior to publication.

  • Submission requirements:
    • Author(s) contact information
    • Designated author as primary contact
    • Abstract with keywords
    • Main text of the manuscript (.doc, .docx, or .pdf)
    • Signed Statement of Orginality
    • Research only – No identifying information
    • Research only – Title page
    • Research only – IRB approval (if applicable)
    • Separate files for visual representations (tables, diagrams, photos, etc.) will be requested after acceptance. Please have these ready, if applicable
    • Suggested length: 2,500-5,000 words

   

  Submit Original Research

• Case Studies

  Reports of case studies from the researcher(s). Such reports must present comprehensive data (both primary and secondary research sources are allowed) about particular individuals, groups, events, technology, EHS risk reduction methods, or phenomena related to safety, health, and/or environmental topics. Reports should aim to present insight into real-world EHS situations.

  All research will be reviewed using the double-blind peer review process to assess the quality and methodology of the research. Therefore, any information that may identify the authors must be omitted from the text with references thereof anonymized. Such information includes professional and/or institutional affiliations and previous work. A third-person point of view may be used to prevent unintentional identifiers.

  References to funding sources and any acknowledgments should be removed from the main text during the initial review. Such information will be added back to the main text after peer review, prior to publication.

  • Submission requirements:
    • Author(s) contact information
    • Designated author as primary contact
    • Abstract with keywords
    • Main text of the manuscript (.doc, .docx, or .pdf)
    • Signed Statement of Originality
    • Research only – No identifying information
    • Research only – Title page
    • Research only – IRB approval (if applicable)
    • Separate files for visual representations (tables, diagrams, photos, etc.) will be requested after acceptance. Please have these ready, if applicable.
    • Suggested length: 2,500-5,000 words

   

  Submit Case Study

• Best Practices

  A synopsis of accessible, relevant, and efficient best practices on occupational safety, health, and/or environmental topics for use in the EHS field. Best practices can, but do not have to be research based.  Accepted best practices will be developed with assistance by SHIFT through research or practice.

  The Best Practice Committee, a group of CSP holders from diverse EHS backgrounds, will assist in the review and development of the Best Practice.

  • Suggested length: media dependent
  • Application requirements:
    • Author Resumé
    • Include total years of experience in EHS field.
      • Best Practice Synopsis
      • Include total time of utilization.

      Intended Media

      • Video Presentations
      • Written Guides
      • Graphical Representations
      • Other
      • Support Needed
        • Development through research
        • Development through practice

• Student Posters

  Students should be currently enrolled in an academic institution who have recently engaged in a noteworthy, scholarly investigation or safety research study in the environmental, health, and safety (ESH) field. Priority is given to recent work, including work still in progress, for which the student has had primary responsibility (i.e., qualifies as first author). Thesis research for a master’s or doctoral degree at a school is eligible for presentation, either as a report on work in progress or as a final report. For completed work (e.g., a thesis already defended), the date of completion of the investigation or study should be no greater than 18 months prior to submission.

  • Personal bio (200 words max)
  • Professional headshot (at least 44 pixels wide)
  • Abstract
    Paragraph(s) about the research, including scope and methodology
  • A signed statement of originality
  • Poster upload (image must be at least 2,500 pixels wide)
    • A 36″ x 48″ PowerPoint slide is acceptable
    • Other acceptable formats are PDF, PSD, or AI
    • For examples of published posters, click here

• Newsletter Articles

  Submitted work that may be of special interest or importance to the readership but are not appropriate for the journal may be published in the BCSP newsletter or website as a supplement to the journal. These articles may be edited for style, conciseness, and brevity. For newsletter article submissions, please email shift@bcsp.org with the subject line “Newsletter Article Submission.”

Style Requirements

All manuscripts must comply to all applicable style requirements prior to submission. Those that do not adhere to applicable requirements will not be eligible for review or acceptance, no matter the manuscript type. It is the responsibility of the author to ensure that appropriate guidelines have been sufficiently met prior to document submission.

All formatting, including grammar, font, margins, citations, tables, quotations, etc. should follow APA Style and Grammar Guidelines from the Publication Manual of the Psychological Association, 7th ed. (2020). Examples of all style requirements, including title pages, abstracts, references, tables and figures, numbering, and headings, etc. in APA format with explicit instruction and a professional sample paper at the Purdue Online Writing Lab.

• Double-Blind Review

• Word Count

• Text Formatting

• Abstract

• Keywords

• Title Page

• Main Text

• Visual Representations

• References and Citations

• Proofreading and Editing

• Manuscript Revision Process

• Manuscript Acceptance