This webpage has recently been updated to provide current information on the process involved in publishing in New Directions for Evaluation.
General Information About NDE Proposals: The best proposals exhibit the following characteristics.
In addition to these general characteristics the Proposal Review Guidelines provide specific requirements that will be considered in the review of the proposal.
Types of Issues: An NDE issue includes between 37,500 and 42,500 words. It consists of a brief editorial introduction and usually of 6 to 8 chapters that address and develop the topic, method, or theme. Inclusion of at least one practical example or application is required. The presentation of original research on evaluation, including a brief description of methods and a presentation of the relevant results, is encouraged. The following list illustrates formats that have been used, though other innovative approaches are encouraged.
Proposal Development and Review: Proposals are developed iteratively through ongoing review, negotiation, and revision. The following are typical steps, though each issue may differ depending on the topic and format.
Common Causes for Revision or Rejection:
- Proposals are submitted in incomplete form. - Chapters lack sufficient detail (abstracts should be 1-2 pages). - The topic is not developed in a manner that relates to broad audience. - An example of how the topic can be used or applied is weak or missing. - The topic does not focus sufficiently on evaluation or make connections to evaluation explicit. - The topic does not provide an original contribution or perspective.
Initial Editorial Review: The NDE Editor-in-Chief reviews each proposal. Incomplete proposals or those that do not comply with the Proposal Format, will be returned for revision prior to distribution for formal review.
Final Editorial Review: Once a complete proposal is submitted for formal consideration, Editorial Advisory Board members (see a current NDE issue for a list) will be selected and asked to review the proposal, comment on its strengths and weaknesses, and make summary recommendations regarding acceptability for the journal. Reviewers are asked to address the questions in the Proposal Review Guidelines.
Editorial Summary Review: The reviews from the Advisory Board members are assembled, and the Editor-in-Chief prepares a summary review, adds any comments of his own, and makes a recommendation to accept, revise, or reject the proposal. The ultimate goal is to produce a valuable source for the evaluation field. Prospective guest editors should expect that the review will emphasize constructive critique and collaborative feedback designed to help shape their ideas into a high-quality and influential final publication.
The manuscript is submitted to the NDE Editor-In-Chief for final review and transmission to Wiley Publications.
Questions and Contacts:
Editors-in-Chief, 2017-2020 Leslie Ann Fierro Assistant Clinical Professor of Evaluation Claremont Graduate University PO Box 1661 Topanga, CA, 90290 Phone: 1-404-290-4482 Email: nde@eval.org
Todd Michael Franke, Ph.D. Professor and Chair Department of Social Welfare UCLA - Luskin School of Public Affairs 3250 Public Policy Los Angeles, CA 90095 Phone: 1-310-825-5932 | 1-310-206-6102 Email: nde@eval.org