About the Journal

Focus and Scope

Submissions to the BSUJ focus on research topics in the behavioural sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology, health sciences, nursing, gender studies, social work, etc.).

Authors may submit original scholarly works or modify works written for course credit in a scholarly manner (e.g., essays, term papers, research report, honours thesis) in accordance to BSUJ submission guidelines.

NOTE. Please ensure ethics approved for dissemination if submitting work involving human participants. Please check with your professor if submitting course work.

Submissions include, but are not limited to:

  • commentary (on the field, on other papers, argue a point)
  • review article (argue a larger point, bring research up to speed, compare models and definitions, point to gaps)
  • analysis (critical, case study)
  • qualitative, quantitative, experimental studies, 
  • and more!

Peer-Review Process

Acceptance into publication for the BSUJ includes a rigorous process.

Peer-Reviewers

  • Reviewers are ideally matched to a topic that reflects their indicated interest 
  • Sometimes a reviewer may review papers outside of the given discipline in order to ensure comprehension by general readership
  • 1-2 peer-reviewers
  • 1-2 faculty-reviewers
  • Double-anonymous review
  • Review by Journal Editor through each stage
  • Editor reviews manuscript for submission criteria (preliminary review - before being sent to reviewers)
  • Editor sends request for available reviewers
  • Editor reviews peer-reviews and faculty-reviews for adherence to policy at each stage
  • Editor reviews revisions made by authors at each stage
  • Review of Editor's work by External Editor(s) for validity and transparancy
  • All studies using human participants are submitted for ethical review (ETHICS and HREB)

Reviewers are supported through faculty mentorship and comprehensive guidelines provided by the Journal Editor during the review process. Examples of criteria peer-reviewers look for throughout manuscripts include (and are not limited to):

  • Is there a novel contribution to research?
  • Does the contribution fit with the scope of the BSUJ?
  • Is the background research sufficient?
  • Does the methodology test the hypothesis?
  • Does the discussion link findings to research question?
  • APA style requirements
  • Credibility of sources

* Reviews must be constructive and informative (must offer SUGGESTIONS for improvement, no harsh commentary)

e.g., Instead of, "This makes no sense" or "this is wrong", but say something like, "I think you are trying to say... but this is unclear. Try doing X to clarify."

* Review timeline may vary depending on the current BSUJ committee, but 3-4 months for full review (not including publication) is typical; 1-2 week blocks for each review/revision phase is typical

Publication Frequency

Journal submissions that adhere to peer-review criteria will be published fluidly (as ready) or collectively (in issues).

Other publications may be published on an irregular schedule, including journal research, editorials, publishing materials, conference abstracts, announcements and newsletters.

Open Access Policy

This journal does not charge publication fees or access fees -- it is diamond open access thanks to Mount Royal University, University of Alberta, and the Public Knowledge Project's Open Journal Systems (OJS). The BSUJ 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. Authors retain their copyrights and work is published under Creative Commons License. 

Sponsors

The original BSUJ committee would like to thank the MRU Library as well as former Dean Jeff Keshen and the Faculty of Arts for their support and involvement with this journal.

Sources of Support

Journal History

2012 BSUJ founded by students at MRU

2013 Inaugural issue: Ubiquity of Heteronormativity (volume 1, issue 1)

2013 BSUJ symposium at MRU

2014 BSUJ and Research Days symposium at MRU

2015 Special Issue: Self & Social Cognition (volume 2, issue 1)

2015 Psychology Student Society & BSUJ join for symposium at MRU

2016 Psychology Student Society & BSUJ join for symposium at MRU

2017 Fluid publication launched (volume 3, issue 1)

2017 BSUJ participates in MRU research symposium

2017 MRU Psychology Lab Grand Opening

2017 - 2020 Fluid publication closed (volume 3, issue 1)

2021 - 2023 Covid hiatus

2024 BSUJ re-launch