Focus and Scope

The focus of the AWL Journal, the longest-running, continuous journal on women's leadership issues, is to publish peer-reviewed quantitative and qualitative research, literature critiques, and position papers related to women's leadership issues or gender equity in national and international contexts.

Peer Review Process

The AWL Journal includes peer-reviewed articles. Typically, the peer-review process ranges from two to four months. The time depends on availability of the Review Board members. Additionally, there may be times when the Editors must seek a specialized reviewer; that is the point when the process may be extended.

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

AWLJ Statement of Ethics

AWLJ is committed to maintaining the utmost integrity in the publications we produce, recognizing that the credibility of academic publishing hinges on ethical conduct across all stages. We strongly encourage authors and editors to refer to the comprehensive guidelines provided by Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to ensure adherence to best practices and refer to COPE's Principals of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing. 

OJS-TDL, our publishing partner, shares this commitment and prioritizes:

• Preserving the autonomy of journal editors to uphold editorial standards
• Supporting editors in fostering ethical and transparent practices within their journals
• Ensuring the accuracy and transparency of academic records, including promptly addressing any necessary corrections or retractions.

Authors should:

• Guarantee the originality of their work and acknowlede all sources appropriately.
• Adhere strictly to copyright regulations and obtain requisite permissions for material usage when appropriate.
• Maintain the integrity of their data and discloseany potential conflicts of interest or ethical concerns.
• Engage in open communication with journal editors to address any discovered errors or ambiguities promptly.

Reviewers are expected to uphold the integrity of the peer review process by:

• Conducting thorough and equitable assessments of submitted manuscripts.
• Providing detailed feedback in the interest of improving the manuscript. 
• Submit timely feedback. 

Editors, as stewards of ethical publishing practices, are tasked with:

• Establishing and enforcing consistent ethical guidelines across AWLJ.
• Ensuring the confidentiality of the peer review process while maintaining transparency in decision-making.
• Demonstrating personal integrity by managing potential conflicts of interest effectively.
• Collaborating closely with authors, Reviewer Board, and Editorial Board to ensure comprehensive understanding and adherence to ethical standards.

Collectively, all involved parties, including Editorial Boards, are urged to:

• Advocate for fairness, equality, and inclusivity within scholarly discourse.
• Champion transparency and accountability in all aspects of academic publishing.
• Respect the confidentiality of authors, reviewers, and colleagues.
• Foster an environment of openness and honesty by promptly disclosing any real or perceived conflicts of interest.

Additional Resources: 

American Educational Research Association (AERA)

American Psychological Association (APA)

Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) 

Council of Science Editors (CSE)

 

 

Sources of Support

Education Leadership Research Center (ELRC), American Educational Research Association's Research on Women and Education (RWE) Special Interest Group, and the International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership (ICPEL) sponsor the Advancing Women in Leadership Journal. ELRC is a center within the Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development, School of Education and Human Development, Texas A&M University.