Guidelines for Proposal Submission for NASP Publications

A proposal for a NASP publication should reflect one or more of the following objectives:

1. to be of assistance to professionals in enhancing the mental health and educational development of all children and youth
   
2. to provide state-of-the-art information to practitioners with regard to psychological services to children and youth
3. to provide an ongoing resource to professionals in the field

The proposal will be evaluated on these criteria, and should include the information described below.

NOTE: Authors submitting completed manuscripts must include a proposal addressing areas 1-8 below. Please send three (3) copies of the completed work with the proposal. Works submitted without a complete proposal will not be considered. Materials submitted cannot be returned after review.

1. COVER PAGE, which should contain
   a. title of the proposed work (specify single?authored or edited)
   b. names, titles, and affiliations of editor(s)/author(s)
   c. date of submission
   d. signatures of editor(s)/author(s)
   
   
2. EDITOR/AUTHOR QUALIFICATIONS
   This section should summarize the professional credentials for each of the editor(s)/author(s), including past editorial or publishing experience. A vita or a summary of professional credentials relevant to the project should be included.
   
   
3. ABSTRACT
   The abstract should be on a separate page and be no more than 150-200 words in length. It should summarize the focus of the project, including its relevance to the field, and provide a synopsis of the proposed content.
   
   
4. RATIONALE FOR THE PROJECT
   This section should discuss why the product is needed and how the proposed work will contribute to the field, emphasizing its relevance to school psychology. As an example, it might be noted that this volume/product will help to organize available information into one source. There are many other possibilities for presenting the rationale, but it must explain the reasons why this particular work is needed.
   
   
5. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT
   This section should include a discussion of the proposed content, how it will be organized (e.g. chapters, sections, etc.), and how the chapters/sections will follow the theme or sub-themes of the volume. Include information about the number of chapters/sections, their tentative titles, and organization. If there is to be a standard format for each chapter or section, give a rationale for selecting the format. In the event that a chapter title is not self-explanatory, provide a brief (up to 25 words) summary of the proposed content for that chapter. Concise but explicit descriptions of content and organization will enable reviewers to evaluate the proposal more fairly and accurately. If the proposal is accepted, the author(s)/editor(s) will contract with NASP to develop the product.
   
   Please note: Recommended maximum volume length is approximately 800 manuscript pages, inclusive of tables, references, etc. There are no limits on number or size of chapters, only on the total number of pages. The final manuscript is to be submitted on computer disk in a standard word processing format, in Microsoft Word.
   
   
6. IDENTIFICATION OF AUTHORS/EDITORS
   This section should list the proposed authors/editors for the volume, with an indication of which authors will be responsible for each chapter. Although it is expected that there may be some preliminary discussion with potential contributors, obtaining firm commitments from chapter authors should only occur after acceptance of the proposal.
   
   
7. INTENDED AUDIENCE
   This section should list the intended audience(s) for the product, such as school psychologists, special education teachers, counselors, etc. Give a brief rationale as to why the volume will be of particular value or interest to each of the audiences.
   
   
8. COMPETITIVE WORKS
   Discuss competitive or correlated works and the degree of overlap with these published or to be published sources. If there are other comparable works, identify them specifically (publishers' prices, number of pages, dates of publication, etc.) and address their relationship to this proposal.
   
   
9. ANTICIPATED DEVELOPMENT COSTS
   In this section, provide reasonable estimates of the costs for developing the volume/project. In making these estimates, it is better to overestimate than underestimate. The following categories are acceptable budget items:
   

   a. photocopy/computer costs
   b. secretarial time
   c. travel costs
   d. postage
   e. telephone
   f. supplies, such as paper or computer disks (no equipment purchases, such as copiers, software, or computers will be approved)
   g. miscellaneous
   

   10. TIMELINES
   Indicate when each phase of the project is to be completed. In setting realistic timelines, address the following:
   

   a. when authors will be confirmed
   b. when first drafts of chapters are due from authors
   c. when reviewers will be selected
   d. when review of first draft is due back to the editors
   e. when first drafts are to be back to the editors after review
   f. when revisions are due back from authors
   g. when second reviews are due, if necessary
   h. when second/final revisions are due from authors
   i. when first draft of final volume/project is due
   j. when final copy is ready or available on computer disk
   

PROPOSAL FORMATIVE EVALUATION CRITERIA

Typing instructions: The proposal should be no more than 20 pages, typed and double spaced using APA style throughout, exclusive of cover page, abstract, and vita. Seven (7) copies of the entire proposal should be submitted. Include a running head at the top of each page and number all pages.

Criteria for selection:

a. Overall quality of the proposed content, including organization, scope, depth, integration of topics, and appropriate balance of theory, research, and implications for practice;

b. Relevance to practice issues in the delivery of school psychological services that enhance the educational and mental health needs of children and youth;

c. Congruence with the interests and continuing education needs of school psychologists;

d. Attention to and avoidance of overlap with previous NASP publications, with the exception of updated versions of selected titles;

e. Potential appeal to other audiences, such as special educators, pupil service providers, and other practitioners.

Each section of the proposal will be evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively, as well as by written comments of the reviewers. Proposals may be submitted at any time, but will be evaluated twice yearly by the NASP Publications Board. If the project is accepted, a contract will be signed between NASP and the developer(s), which will include provisions for assignment of copyright and assurance of compliance with copyright laws.