SCRA Book Series Additional Information
Book Authors, Editors and Structure
The Book Series will consider the following types of volumes: single- and multiple-authored books (i.e., those in which the same author or set of authors write all or at least most of the chapters) and edited books. Edited books should be of such a length that they could not be considered as possible candidates for an American Journal of Community Psychology (AJCP) special issue (typically, 300 double-spaced manuscript pages or fewer). Such books should also have a level of integration that would typically be characterized by a single- or multi-authored book. Sole and co-authored books are preferred over edited books. Brief, edited, multi-chapter volumes will not be considered.
Series authors/editors may include non-SCRA members, but the content should reflect the values and the scope of the field. Thus, a broad range of community research and action offerings are invited and encouraged. We hope the Series will be turned to by those in a variety of disciplines, both as a contributing source and as an outlet for their work.
All books, whether single/multi-authored or edited, must cohere and “tell a story.” They should be integrated and reflect the complexity of the topic, while equally serving the mission of the Series, and provide helpful frameworks for action in the community. Sole and co-authored books of this series can include ashort book option (similar to a monograph). This allows author(s) to pursue a topic of interest with more space than a manuscript allows, but does not require a book of a more traditional length. This format lends itself to timely and cost effective distribution and we believe is a desirable addition to the publication outlets currently available in the field.
Given the wide range of topics likely to be pursued in the Series, coherence will be achieved primarily through a shared structure. We hope such a planful structure will set some expectations regarding what readers anticipate in each book and also create a common vision for what each book in the Series will accomplish. In particular, we would like each book to address three major areas: a) an integrative literature review that will compile existing work in the field of interest and/or revisit past literature in an integrative fashion; b) current conceptualizations or challenges that extend existing research and/or practice; and c) a foundation for new approaches and implications for research, policy, practice, and action. Thus, it is our hope that all books in the Series will be grounded in existing knowledge, seek new horizons, and make clear the practical implications of the knowledge offered.
Proposal Process
Books are invited and proposed. The Book Series editors will generate topics of interest in consultation with the Editorial Board and the publisher, where applicable. Authors/Editors may be invited to consider a topic and generate a proposal (proposal requirements are detailed below). In addition, the Book Series Editors make a “general call” for proposals at least annually (and more frequently if necessary) to invite proposals from the general membership of SCRA periodically.
All potential book editors and authors will be asked to submit a prospectus using a particular format (this may be edited based on the specific needs of a chosen publisher). See the Prospectus Outline.
As discussed earlier, books included in the Series can address a particular social issue, an intervention approach, methodological issues (in research and/or practice), ethics, and/or implementation (in research and/or practice). There is no limit to what will be considered, but the topic must address facets of Community Research and Action as defined by a commitment to understanding people in the contexts in which they live, work and play and in doing so with an orientation to collaborative and/or participatory research and practice.