Submissions

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Submission Preparation Checklist

As part of the submission process, authors are required to check off their submission's compliance with all of the following items, and submissions may be returned to authors that do not adhere to these guidelines.
  • The contribution is original and unpublished, and not being evaluated for publication by another journal, otherwise explain in "Comments to the Editor."
  • The submission files are in Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, or RTF format.
  • The manuscript file does not have elements that allow the authors identification.
  • The text follows all norms described in the Author Guidelines section.

Author Guidelines

The RBTCC publishes original research, conceptual articles, systematic reviews of the literature, and case studies. The contribution must be original and unpublished, and not being evaluated for publication by another journal. The article will be published in the author's language choice: English, Portuguese, or Spanish.

Manuscripts must be written following the Publication Manual  of the American Psychological Association (7th edition, 2020). 

The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for receiving submitted manuscripts and appointing Adjunct Editors who will make an initial decision on the feasibility of sending a manuscript for peer review or rejecting it. This evaluation takes place during the first week of each month. In turn, the Adjunct Editor assesses the initial quality of the manuscripts, deciding whether they should be forwarded for peer review and designating Associate Editors as necessary. The aim is to ensure a rigorous evaluation process, completed within 3 weeks. During the peer review process, the article is sent to two ad hoc reviewers, and a third reviewer is assigned in case of disagreement between the opinions that cannot be resolved by the Associate Editor themselves.


After this initial selection, the manuscript will be forwarded to two ad hoc reviewers, and forwarded to a third reviewer in case there are disagreements between recommendations that cannot be solved by the associate editor.


The final acceptance of the manuscripts depend on the reviewers’ recommendations, the authors’ making the necessary adjustments, and the editorial board’s final approval.

Peer-Review Process

Once the manuscript has been received, it will be evaluated based on to the suitability to general journal standards (i.e., formatting, APA standards, and page limits). If any standard is not met - or if the manuscript is not within the scope of the journal - the article will be rejected. Then, the submission will be archived and the authors will be notified. If the adjustments are small, the editor will ask the author(s) to make the necessary modifications and resubmit the manuscript.

If the manuscript is approved in this initial evaluation, it will be assigned to one of the associated editors who will proceed with the evaluation of the article under the double-blind review system with the support of at least two expert ad hoc reviewers in the theme of the manuscript.

The reviewers will evaluate the manuscript and indicate whether they accept or reject the manuscript. When the associate editor receives the reviews, they will communicate the author(s) the editorial decision, which could also include a short additional third review, from the associate editor. The editorial decision can be:

  1. Accept the manuscript: The article will be published by the journal following all required procedures of the editorial process
  2. Accept pending revisions: The article may be accepted as long as it is revised in accordance with the recommendations of the associate editor and the reviewers. A 21-days deadline to make the edits will be given, which can be extended if necessary.
  3. Reject with an invitation to resubmit: The article may be accepted as long as it is revised in accordance with the recommendations of the associate editor and the reviewers, but must be resubmitted and will be evaluated again in accordance with the peer-review process.
  4. Reject the manuscript: When the associate editor and reviewers understand that substantial changes in the manuscript are needed, the manuscript will not be accepted by the journal.

In case of disagreements or controversies, the authors and the editorial board will discuss the issue in accordance with the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The final decision will be made by the RBTCC editorial board.

Authors should be aware of and follow all the guidelines described in the Publication Ethics section.

After Manuscript Acceptance

Approved papers are immediately published online after receipt of proof corrections. This is the official publication quoted with the DOI. Once the period for publication of the specific volume of the RBTCC ends, all articles become part of the closed volume, and can also be cited with additional information about the journal’s volume and page numbers.

Manuscript Presentation

When pertinent, the authors must send a copy of the ethics’ committee (Institutional Review Board) approval to conduct the study, This document should be send during the manuscript submission process. Manuscripts and all other documentations may be written in Portuguese, English or Spanish.

Manuscripts submitted must be typed in Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, or RTF format, using double spacing (1 cm), Times New Roman font, size 12, not exceeding 80 characters per sentence and must contain a maximum of 30 pages. This includes the manuscript’s text, abstracts in Portuguese, Spanish and English, figures, tables, and appendix. The page should be set to A4 format, with all margins set to 2.54 cm (1.5-in.). References and cover sheet will be counted separately.

As an optional procedure, we encourage authors to also submit a separate list with the names of reviewers in conflict of interests (go to "Submit a manuscript"> "Transfer a file"> "Other ").

IMPORTANT GUIDELINES:

  • The file to he sent to peer-review should only include the manuscript’s title (in Portuguese, Spanish, and English) and without identification of authors and institutions. The editorial process will not start if the manuscript is submitted with the authors' identification.
  • Manuscripts submitted that are not in accordance with the APA guidelines will be automatically archived. This includes submissions without the DOI’s code for each publication listed in the References section.

1.  Cover Page with Identification

The cover page with identification must contain (1) the title of the manuscript in Portuguese, Spanish, and English; (2) the email and complete institutional address (including zip code) of one of the authors, who will be the author for correspondence; (3) if authors are registered in ORCID (https://orcid.org), the profile’s link for each author must also be indicated; and (4) statements about conflicts of interest related to each author - if there many of all authors have no conflict of interest, this can be stated in a single sentence (e.g., "Author A, Author B, and Author C declare that they have no conflict of interest"). During the submission process, conflicts of interest regarding the editors or potential reviewers of the manuscript should also be mentioned - through the online submission system or by email to the Editorial Board of the RBTCC.

To follow the double-blind peer-review process, the cover page with identification must be sent as a separate file (go to "submit an article"> "transfer of a file"> "cover page with identification").

2. Cover Page 

Must contain the title of the manuscript only.

It should be a succinct and clear statement about the content of the manuscript.

3. Resumo, Abstract, and Resumen

Must be written in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, containing up to 150 words.

The abstract for research studies should contain: main objective, method (sample, main instruments, procedure), results, and conclusion.

The abstract for conceptual articles should include: main objective, importance of the topic under analysis, used sources (e.g., published literature), and conclusions.

The abstract for systematic literature review should include main objective, method (database, searched period, key-words used), results, and conclusions.

The abstract for case studies should include: main objective, case description and procedures, importance of the topic, treatment description, and conclusions.

Key-words should be included in Portuguese, English, and Spanish (minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5, in lower case and separated by semicolons).

4. Body Text

4.1. Research Studies

The main focus of the journal is to publish original research studies. Manuscripts must contain the following sections:

  • Introduction
    The purpose of the introduction is to present the necessary knowledge that supports the research goals. The introduction identifies the major themes that will be studied, the important references on the subject, and the purpose of the study. It should clearly identify the importance of the problem and why the study is necessary.
  • Method
    Must provide all the details that allow replication of the study. It describes participants, materials or instruments used, operationally defined dependent and independent variables, how the data were collected, what procedures were performed, and a detailed description of the experimental design.

In case of Clinical Trials, you should describe the sample size, how it was calculated, and the clinical-demographic characteristics relevant to the understanding of the research. The patients’ flow chart (CONSORT flow diagram) should be inserted (http://www.consort-statement.org/).

In case of studies using Single Case Methodology, describe the planned design, how the baseline was conducted, at which moment the intervention was initiated and concluded, what variables were manipulated, and how they were measured.

Primary and secondary outcomes: Define operationally if/how the outcome has been achieved.

Statistical Analysis (if applicable): Describe how the analysis was performed and the level of significance used.

  • Results
    Describe the findings that are relevant to the study’s goals. Text should not repeat information that appears in tables and figures.
  • Discussion
    Interpret the findings and compare them to the existing scientific literature. It should describe the strengths and limitations of the study.
  • Conclusions
    In a few sentences describe the main findings and contributions of the study. Conclusions should be strongly supported in the results of the study.

4.2. Systematic Literature Reviews

Should follow the standards proposed by the Prisma-Statement - Transparent Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis.

  • Introduction
    The purpose of the introduction is to present the necessary knowledge that supports the research goals. Must describe the review relevance and mention, in few phrases, what the review intends to demonstrate.
  • Method
    It should contain the following items:

Sample: Describe criteria for selecting articles (inclusion and exclusion),

Procedures: Describe how the review was performed, so that replication is possible. Present the Boolean equation used or the main terms used in the search (in the language in which they were used), databases searched, period searched, and participants.

The relevant articles found, their quality and methodological problems, and main conclusions should be presented. Text should not repeat information that appears in tables and figures.

  • Discussion                  Interpret the findings and compare them to the existing scientific literature. It should describe the strengths and limitations of the review.
  • Conclusions                          In a few sentences describe the main findings and contributions of the review.

4.3. Conceptual Articles

  • Introduction
    The purpose of the introduction is to present the necessary knowledge that supports the goals of the conceptual thesis.
  • Justification
    Describe in one sentence the importance of the discussion of the topic, thesis or construct under analysis.
  • Goals
    Mention in a few sentences what the discussion or analysis intends to demonstrate.
  • Discussion
    Describe the sources used (observation made by the author, published literature), and the analysis of the topic or construct.
  • Conclusions
    Briefly present the main conclusions and perspectives that the study proposes.

4.4. Case Studies

It should follow the APA guidelines for case study (available at http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/pst/evidence-based-case-study.aspx) and contain the following sections:

  • Introduction
    The purpose of the introduction is to present the necessary knowledge that supports the goals of the report or case study. It should include the aim of the study: description of the case, technique or application that will be presented. Report the importance of this study for the application of behavior analysis in the mentioned area.
  • Description of the case or report of the application
    Report what was done, clinical aspects, treatments or procedures performed. Must present a clinical vignette verbatim, with cutouts that show the relevant passages.
  • Results obtained
    Must present outcome measures.
  • Conclusions

4.5. Translation of Seminal Article

Translations of seminal or historical papers. You must submit an authorization letter from the scientific association that own the article’s copyright. We will not accept authorizations with circulation limits (that is, maximum number of downloads, views, shares, or accesses of any kind). Members of the editorial board will decide on the relevance of the translation for the field.

4.6 Brief Reports from International Scholars 

The goal of this submission is to support research from international scholars, particularly from graduate students or early-career behavior analysts. International Brief Reports describe preliminary or final results of behavior-analytic research. It can include exceptional studies presented in the form of posters or symposia in regional or national conferences. All submissions in this category will have an expedited process designed to facilitate international dissemination. Abstracts should be no more than 100 words. The body of the manuscript should include a brief summary of the literature, a detailed method section, preliminary or final results, and a brief discussion. The entire manuscript should be between 6 to 12 pages, including abstract, references, and figures.


5. References

Authors should carefully check if the references are following the APA publication standards (6th Edition). All references mentioned in the text must be in the references section, and vice versa.

6. Figures and Tables

Should be presented with their captions and titles, one on each page. Figures and tables should not exceed 11.5 X 17.5 cm. The titles of tables should be placed on the top of them in lowercase letters and indicating their contents. The titles of the figures should be presented below them. Both the figures and the legends must be informative enough to be understood without having to consult the text. Figures and tables must come in the same file as the manuscript, with title and numbering, after the reference section, one per page. Do not send in separate files. Authors should indicate in the body of the manuscript where each figure and table should be placed.

Case study

Análises sobre a aplicação profissional da Análise do Comportamento, das Terapias Comportamentais, Cognitivas e Contextuais, da Medicina Comportamental e de outras áreas profissionais correlatas em quaisquer contextos. Os manuscritos devem justificar claramente o ineditismo e a contribuição científica do trabalho. Não serão aceitos manuscritos que não apresentem novidades científicas. Apresentar a demanda de intervenção, os procedimentos realizados e os resultados produzidos detalhadamente. Deve apresentar, por exemplo, nos casos de intervenções em psicoterapia, verbatim de vinheta clínica, com recortes que evidenciam os trechos relevantes. É necessário operacionalizar todas as variáveis dependentes e descrever detalhadamente como foram medidas e quais foram todos os seus resultados. Também não serão aceitos trabalhos com (i) relatos de experiência nos quais são apenas narradas experiências vivenciadas por profissionais, estudantes ou pesquisadores durante sua atuação; ou (ii) relatos de caso narrativos, isto é, sem descrição detalhada dos procedimentos realizados e medidas válidas e fidedignas dos resultados produzidos. Experimentos de caso único são considerados pesquisa original (vide acima) e não estudos de caso. O manuscrito deve apresentar as seguintes seções: introdução; método; resultados; e discussão.

Review Articles

Estudos que organizam, integram e avaliam material publicado anteriormente de forma sistematizada, considerando a evolução das pesquisas para o esclarecimento de um problema (APA, 2012). O manuscrito de uma revisão sistematizada da literatura (com ou sem metanálise) deve descrever sistematicamente seus procedimentos de busca, seleção e análise, além de seus resultados. O manuscrito de uma revisão sistematizada da literatura deve basear-se – inclusive em relação à divisão do texto em seções – nas diretrizes mais recentes do Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) para revisões sistemáticas da literatura, para revisão de escopo ou para protocolo. A Revista requer o envio, na submissão, de uma dessas três listas de checagem PRISMA completamente preenchida, com justificativas no caso de itens ausentes no texto. Não é necessário atender a todos os itens da lista de checagem escolhida, porém os itens ausentes devem ser devidamente justificados. Outros tipos de revisões (integrativas, narrativas etc.) só serão aceitos em seções especiais, quando indicado explicitamente em sua chamada.

Artigos históricos, interpretativos, teóricos, conceituais ou de discussão profissional

Descrição, análise e/ou crítica de processos históricos pertinentes ao foco e escopo da Revista. Apresentação de interpretações de fenômenos ou temas diversos, pertinentes ao foco e escopo da Revista, inclusive na interface com outras disciplinas (Antropologia, Sociologia, Economia, Psicologia, Administração, Políticas Públicas etc.). Discussão de conceitos, teorias, questões profissionais ou da prática pertinentes ao foco e escopo da Revista. Artigos conceituais devem explicitar de que modo o manuscrito ampliará os conceitos sob investigação. O manuscrito deve apresentar a literatura da área, o problema de pesquisa e o desenvolvimento argumentativo que vise expandir o conhecimento sobre os fenômenos sob investigação, organizando o texto em seções de acordo com os seus objetivos.

Pesquisas empíricas (básicas, translacionais ou aplicadas, com humanos e/ou não-humanos)

Relatos originais de pesquisas empíricas envolvendo dados primários ou secundários. São especialmente bem-vindos experimentos de caso único ou de comparação entre grupos, ensaios controlados randomizados e pesquisas aplicadas experimentais relativas a qualquer área ou atividade humana. O manuscrito deve apresentar as seguintes seções: introdução; método; resultados; e discussão.

Artigos metodológicos ou notas técnicas

Trabalhos cujo objetivo principal é a apresentação ou crítica de equipamentos, instrumentos, softwares, métodos ou técnicas de produção e/ou análise de dados para a condução de pesquisas pertinentes ao foco e escopo da Revista. Devem ser discutidas as implicações para a pesquisa na área. O manuscrito deve ser organizado em seções as quais melhor atendam aos seus objetivos.

Copyright Notice

The Brazilian Journal of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy own the copyright of all articles published by it. The reproduction of articles in this journal in other publications, or for any other purpose, by any other means, requires permission from the Editor.

Pre-Print, Accepted Manuscript, and Final Published Version Archiving, Sharing and Re-Use Policy

The authors’ contribution to RBTCC has three versions, which are defined below and can be archived, shared, and re-used under the following conditions:

1. A pre-print (or original submission) is the author’s version of the article before peer-review has taken place. Prior to acceptance for publication, author(s) retain the right to make a Pre-Print of their article available: on their own personal, self-maintained website; or on a legally compliant pre-print server (e.g., PsyArXiv, arXiv). Once the article has been published, the author(s) should update their acknowledgement and provide a link to the definitive version on RBTCC’s website, adding a text such as: “This is a pre-print of an article published in the Brazilian Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/[insert DOI]”. RBTCC encourages posting of preprints of manuscripts on preprint servers, authors’ or institutional websites, and open communications between researchers whether on community preprint servers or preprint commenting platforms. Posting of preprints is not considered prior publication and will not jeopardize consideration from RBTCC. Authors should disclose details of preprint posting - including DOI and licensing terms - upon submission of the manuscript or at any other point during consideration at RBTCC publication process.

2. An accepted manuscript is the version accepted for publication in RBTCC following peer review but prior to copyediting and typesetting that can be made available under the following conditions:

(i) on their own personal, self-maintained website immediately on acceptance,

(ii) for public release, 12 months after first publication (i.e., "Embargo Period"), on any of the following: their employer’s internal website; their institutional and/or funder repositories. Accepted manuscripts may also be deposited in such repositories immediately on acceptance, provided that they are not made publicly available until after the Embargo Period.

An acknowledgement in the following form should be included with a link to the published version on the publisher’s website: “This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in the Brazilian Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy. The final authenticated version is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/[insert DOI]”.

3. The final published (PDF) version is the copy-edited and typeset RBTCC’s PDF, the same version published on the journal’s website. It can be archived in institutional or funder repositories and can be made publicly accessible immediately.

Any re-use terms for users of websites and repositories (where your pre-print or accepted manuscript are posted) are restricted to non-commercial and no derivative uses.

The authors may not republish or translate any version of their contribution in another journal without prior permission from RBTCC’s Editor-in-Chief.

Privacy Statement

The names and addresses entered in this journal will be used exclusively for the services provided by this publication, not being made available for other purposes or to third parties.