Special Student Issue of Visible Language (Feb 2018)

Website: Visible Language
Deadline for submissions: 12 February 2018

Visible Language is looking for submissions for an issue to include student articles on research into typographic and graphic design involving usability testing (e.g. small scale testing of prototype iterations), observational studies, or experiments comparing alternative designs. The objective of the special issue is to allow students to experience the publication process.

The research might be on a smaller scale than would normally be published. Therefore, studies may involve smaller numbers of participants, be a pilot or scoping study (with a reasonable number of participants), or usability studies with no need for statistical analysis. The research would need to meet the criteria for a rigorous study including:

• a clearly stated research question of relevance to design practitioners
• ethical approval for the study
• appropriate experiment design
• valid interpretation of results

In line with the aims of the journal, we wish to actively support young scholars and therefore encourage supervisors/tutors to be involved in the publication process with joint authorship where appropriate. Also following the practices of the journal, we are willing to liaise with supervisors and students to advise on what is suitable for submission, make suggestions, and provide feedback. Contact Mary Dyson or Maria dos Santos Lonsdale well in advance of the submission deadline with any questions about the submission criteria or process and for advice.

Criteria for acceptance
Criteria for acceptance of a submission to the special issue are:

• The submission was received on or before the date specified in the call for submissions (12 February 2018).
• The submission must fall within the scope of the Call for Papers.
• The submission must not be under review or have been published elsewhere.
• The literature review, limited to 1500 words, must be relevant to the objectives of the study and cite the most relevant literature.
• The method used to collect any data included must meet standards for validity and reliability.
• Any statistical procedures used and interpretation of results must be appropriate.
• The conclusions drawn from the results of the study must follow from the method and any statistics used in the study.
• Polished academic writing.
• While the special student issue editors will be looking for quality work, the standard against which the papers will be judged may not be the same as manuscripts by more experienced researchers.
• Any revisions requested are carried out to a level accepted by the editors and within the specified timescale.

Submission length and structure
The submission should be no longer than 6000 words and may be shorter, in particular if reporting a usability study. The structure should include (as appropriate)

• Abstract
• Background and Rationale (including literature review and objectives)
• Method (including examples of test material, as appropriate)
• Results
• Discussion (including interpretation of results and Implications)
• References in appropriate form (see the submission guidelines of Visible Language)

Submission schedule
The closing submission deadline is 12 February 2018 with projected publication in the journal’s December 2018 issue. Submissions will be reviewed by two people and feedback provided by 1 June 2018. Any revisions to the manuscript will be required by 15 August 2018. Final acceptance will be notified by 15 September 2018. The acceptance of a submission will be determined by the special student issue editors and Visible Language Editor Mike Zender.

How to submit a manuscript
Manuscripts should follow the submission guidelines of Visible Language and should be emailed to Dr. Maria dos Santos Lonsdale by 12 February 2018.