VWBPE 2020: STELLAR

VWBPE Proceedings Paper Submission Guidelines

Follow these general organization and format requirements to submit a proceedings paper for review.

Please note that papers will be reviewed by the Journal of Virtual Studies (JoVS).

The VWBPE 2020 proceedings will be published in JoVS approximately 6 weeks after the conference.

The person submitting the paper is considered to be the lead author and will be the point of contact for all communications.

Subsequent authors / co-presenters should be listed in the order to be published.

Paper Format

All proceedings paper submissions should use the APA style of formatting, which includes guidance for heading structure, organization, in-text citations, and reference list. APA Style guides are available online. Paper submissions should adhere to the following guidelines:

  • File type: MS Word (.doc or .docx) or .rtf
  • File size limit: 5 MB
  • Length: 5-10 pages
  • Format: Double spaced1
  • Abstract: 100-150 words
  • Keywords: 2-4
  • Tables, charts, diagrams, images: submitted as separate files (include inline message in text, “Recommend insert Figure 1 here”). 15 MB max. File types: jpeg/jpg, png, zip, or gzip
  • Captions for above: separate page at end of paper submission with list of captions for each
  • Image and diagram copyrights: documentation for images or diagrams that were not created by the author should be included to indicate copyright permissions.

1 Double spacing is required for review purposes. Final papers for publication will be formatted single spaced according to APA guidelines.

Paper Preparation for Blind Review

Blind reviews ensure fairness of the selection process. Please ensure that your paper submission has been blinded to support the blind review process. Papers that have not been blinded properly will be returned to the author, unreviewed.

Employ the following tactics to properly blind paper submissions:

  • If you include a title page and running head, remove author names and affiliation information.
  • Do not include any acknowledgements in the paper.
  • Authors may cite themselves, as long as they cite themselves in the third person.
  • DO NOT replace reference citation with “author”. Use real citation.
  • Remove author information from the file properties, including any images and table submission. This short video tutorial (enable captions, if needed) shows you how to remove author information from a file: https://youtu.be/RcBvczrqWec

Author information is requested during the submission process, and then added to papers that are accepted for publication based on that information. Please make sure that all authors and their affiliations are included in the submission form.

Special Category Considerations

In addition to the VWBPE track, proceedings papers must indicate either of the three JoVS categories: Research, Praxis, and Conceptual. Please review the category descriptions to determine which one best fits your paper.

All papers should demonstrate appropriate usage and correct grammar, active voice, smooth organization, and transitional conventions that flow ideas from one section to the next. However, each category has its own unique qualities to consider when preparing your paper.

Research

Research Category Paper Components

JoVS accepts research methodologies considered qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods, as long as you provide a clear and specific data collection and analysis procedure. Research considered for publication should also include a well-developed literature review of relevant and recent (excepting seminal works) empirical research on your area of study.

Research category submissions must include confirmation of an IRB or similar review for the protection of human subjects, where relevant to the research methodology.

  • Literature review
  • Methods
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Instruments and participants (where relevant to the methodology)
  • Results or Findings
  • Implications and conclusions

Praxis

Praxis Category Paper Components

Praxis is the enactment of theory, strategies, frameworks, etc., in education practice. Submission of praxis would describe situations of effective practice being applied in an innovative way.

These submissions would describe what happened, outline a clear and detailed procedure for application or implementation, at the course or program level, as well as, the lessons learned from it, including potential implications for wider implementation or application.

  • Introduction
  • Relevant theory or frameworks that guide the praxis
  • Literature review that sets up a context
  • Processes undertaken
  • Lessons learned
  • Implications and conclusions

Conceptual

Conceptual Category Paper Components

Conceptual submissions are introspective discussions that attempt to delve deeply into a topic or that expand an existing theoretical construct. These may be philosophical or epistemic in nature, which provide thoughtful conceptual deconstruction of theory, which leads to broader social implications or new ideas in research or praxis.

Submissions should include some literature or theory from which to ground the conceptual, though it does not need to be as extensive as a literature review for a research study. The focus should be on thoughtful introspection or extension of concepts guided by a general thesis that reaches some logical conclusions.

  • Introduction and Context
  • Theory, framework, or concepts
  • Supporting literature for all points made to support a stated thesis
  • Implications and conclusions