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This section outlines the types of
articles that appear in S&G.
Notes on length will be found in
the section on layout and mechanics. See also the notes on debriefing and literature.
Consider these aspects carefully before you start your article.
Before sending in a ms, obtain a ms ID.
Never submit an article until
you have consulted several issues of the journal, in order to gain an idea of
the types and range of papers published in S&G. Consulting a single
issue is insufficient because the range is much larger than that contained in a
single issue, especially if it is a symposium issue. To obtain issues,
consult a good library or order from the
publisher.
Article perspectives
In principle, articles may be written from any
perspective, ranging from qualitative to quantitative, abstract to concrete, theoretical to
practical, thought piece to literature survey. However, the perspective should be suited to the topic and purpose of the
article. Article types fall into several categories, as follows.
Major academic articles
- Research-oriented and empirical
papers.
- Conceptual papers that define or redefine a
new approach or framework.
- Discussion papers that point to
under-developed areas of the field, suggest open research questions, introduce or compare
methods, or delineate new ways of apprehending significant aspects of the field.
- Integrative essays that bring together
diverse disciplinary perspectives on important topics in the field.
- Review essays that synthesize previously
disparate ideas, theories or findings.
- Philosophical analyses and in-depth
discussions on issues of importance.
- Other.
Business
All papers that have as their focus
business, management, marketing, entrepreneurship,
trade, finance, accounting, investment,
stocks and economics should be sent to the Business Section Editor.
Please note that the operative term above is focus.
If your article is called "Learning from Business Games", then you must determine
the main focus. If the article is mostly about business simulation/gaming, then send
it to the Business Section Editor, but if
it is essentially about learning, then send it to the Editor.
(The above title is more likely to indicate an article with a greater focus on
learning, as the word learning comes first.)
A guideline in deciding on main focus would
be to ask the following question and reply honestly: "If I were to take away the
business aspects of the article, would it still retain its main message?" If so,
send it to the Editor. If not, send it to the Business Section Editor. In the
last resort, send it to one of them, who will, if necessary, forward to the other.
(Note that the format for Ms ID for business papers is
different from that of ordinary IDs).
Reports & Communications (R&C Section)
- Descriptions of simulation/games or of
particularly interesting runs of simulation/games (where such simulation/games or runs
contribute to the field).
- Descriptions of debriefing instruments or
descriptive accounts of debriefing sessions.
- Informal (even anecdotal) accounts of
experiences in using a simulation/game, particularly where such accounts
contribute to the field.
- New ideas that work. Such
ideas need to be fairly novel, to show real potential or to have already made an impact to
be accepted for publication.
- Research notes or reports of work in
progress.
- Reports on conferences, workshops or other
activities.
- Other informal communications or reports on
activities.
Articles submitted for the R&C section may be
sent for a a quick review.
Debates
- A series of three to five articles, in which two
(or more) authors debate a point of academic, theoretical or even practical
contention. A special S&G Guide for
Debaters is available. It is advisable to look at already published debates
to get an idea of what is involved.
Ready-to-use simulation/games
& other usable materials
- Ready-to-use simulation/games.
The
simulation/game must be formatted according to the Ready-to-Use
Simulation/Game
Style Sheet. Discussion of debriefing is obligatory for
this type of contribution.
- Usable materials, such as
evaluation questionnaires, debriefing instruments, case studies, design
modules, protocols, procedures, and guidelines. This type of article would
include instructions on how to use the instrument, comments on how it has been used, how
it might be adapted, etc.
Reviews of simulation/games or books
- Reviews of simulation/games. The review must
be formatted according to the S&G
Simulation/Game Review Style Sheet. Discussion of debriefing is obligatory for this
type of contribution.
- Reviews of books. The review must follow the
style used in the journal for book reviews (see a recent issue).
Other sections
- These sections include Association News &
Notes (N&N for ABSEL, ISAGA, JASAG, NASAGA, SAGSAGA &
SIETAR-USA). Each of these associations
has a special
section editor. See a recent issue of the journal for information on this. To
contribute to the Association N&N, contact the respective N&N Editor directly.
- S&G can also place Announcements
(upcoming conferences, calls for papers, new associations, job
announcements, funding, etc.) To place an announcement, contact the Editor.
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