Submissions

Author Guidelines

Reviewed 5/14/2026

Sacramento State
The CHPPR Journal of Interprofessional Scholarship and Practice

Bridging Disciplines in Health, Education, & Human Services

About the Journal

The CHPPR Journal of Interprofessional Scholarship and Practice is a peer-reviewed, open-access scholarly publication housed within the Center for Health Practice, Policy, & Research at Sacramento State. The journal is dedicated to advancing interprofessional knowledge and collaborative, evidence-informed practice across health, education, and human services.

The journal publishes original research, practice-based scholarship, policy analysis, educational innovation, and community-engaged work that addresses complex individual, family, and community needs. Emphasis is placed on scholarship that integrates multiple professional perspectives to improve outcomes in clinical practice, education, policy, and community engagement.

All submissions must demonstrate scholarly rigor, ethical integrity, and relevance to interprofessional collaboration. Manuscripts undergo editorial screening followed by a rigorous double-blind peer review process. Submission does not guarantee publication.

Mission

The mission of the journal is to provide an inclusive and accessible platform for disseminating high-quality scholarship that promotes interprofessional collaboration, innovation, equity, and excellence in practice and education.

Aims and Scope

The journal publishes work that explores, evaluates, or advances interprofessional approaches across disciplines. Submissions may employ quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods methodologies, provided they are methodologically sound, ethically conducted, and clearly situated within an interprofessional framework.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Applied and translational research with implications for practice
• Community-engaged and participatory scholarship
• Equity, access, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices
• Health, education, and social policy
• Implementation science and knowledge translation
• Interprofessional education and workforce development
• Interprofessional practice and service delivery
• Patient- and community-centered care
• Program development, implementation, and evaluation
• Team-based care and collaborative models

Both empirical and conceptual contributions are considered when they clearly articulate significance, rigor, and implications for interprofessional collaboration and impact.

Intended Audience

The journal’s intended audience includes scholars, practitioners, educators, administrators, students, and policymakers across health, education, and human services disciplines who are engaged in interprofessional work.

Publication Model and Frequency

The journal operates under a fully open-access model, ensuring that all published content is freely available without subscription or payment barriers. Articles are distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license, allowing sharing and adaptation with appropriate attribution.

The journal is published biannually, with issues released in the Fall and Spring semesters, supporting timely dissemination of scholarly work.  The journal is committed to maintaining a consistent publication schedule to support timely dissemination of scholarly work.

Editorial Governance

The journal is overseen by an interdisciplinary Editorial Board composed of scholars and professionals representing multiple fields within health, education, and human services. Members are selected based on scholarly expertise, professional experience, and commitment to interprofessional collaboration.

The Editorial Board provides guidance on journal policy, scope, peer review processes, and scholarly standards, and ensures adherence to principles of quality, ethical integrity, and editorial independence.

Types of Submissions / Article Types

The journal welcomes a range of manuscript types, including but not limited to:

• Original Research Articles including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods (typically 3,000–6,000 words; up to 6,000–8,000 for full manuscripts)
• Brief Reports or Commentary (2,000–3,500 words, or as designated by the editorial board)
• Case Reports / Implementation Studies / Practice Innovations (1,500–3,000 words)
• Community-Engaged Research and Partnerships
• Educational Innovations and Program Descriptions (with evaluation outcomes preferred)
• Policy Analyses and Reviews / Policy or Perspective Articles
• Practice-Based or Applied Scholarship
• Quality Improvement / Implementation Science (follow SQUIRE 2.0)
• Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (must follow PRISMA)

Submission categories may be expanded as the journal evolves.

Before You Submit

Authors must ensure that:

• Submissions are original and not under review elsewhere
• All authors meet ICMJE authorship criteria (provided below):
• Make a substantial contribution to the work
• Examples: study conception/design, data collection, data analysis, or interpretation
• Participate in drafting or critically revising the manuscript
• Not just minor edits; rather, this involves meaningful intellectual input
• Approve the final version of the manuscript
• All authors must review and agree to the version being submitted
• Accept accountability for the work
• Each author is responsible for the integrity and accuracy of the work and should be able to address questions related to it
• Manuscripts comply with ethical standards
• Authors agree not to submit the manuscript to another journal while it is under review
• Research involving human participants includes ethics (IRB) approval or exemption

MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION, STRUCTURE, AND REQUIREMENTS

Manuscripts must be submitted through the journal’s online submission system at:  https://journals.calstate.edu/jipsp/about/submissions   All manuscripts are to be fully de-identified for double-blind review.  All submissions are required to include the following sections:

• Cover letter (not blinded)
  • See template with required disclosures (located at the bottom of this page)
  • Manuscript title
  • Author names and affiliations
  • Corresponding author contact information
• Title page (not blinded)
  • Manuscript title
  • Author name(s) and affiliation(s)
  • Corresponding author contact information
• One fully de-identified manuscript document including all of the following sections:
  • Abstract (250 words maximum)
  • Key Words (3-5)
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • Conflict of Interest Statement (examples provided below):
• No Conflict of Interest (Standard Declaration)
  The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest related to this work.
• Financial Support / Funding Disclosure
  This study was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (Grant No. XXXXX). The funding agency had no role in the design of the study; collection, analysis, or interpretation of data; writing of the manuscript; or decision to submit for publication. The authors declare no additional conflicts of interest.
• Employment or Institutional Affiliation
  Author A is employed by [Organization Name], which provides services related to the subject of this study. This affiliation did not influence the study design, data analysis, or interpretation of findings. All other authors declare no conflicts of interest.
• Consulting / Advisory Role
  Author B has served as a paid consultant for [Company/Organization Name] within the past 12 months. This relationship is unrelated to the present study. The remaining authors declare no conflicts of interest.
• Multiple Financial Interests
  Author C reports receiving research funding from [Agency Name], consulting fees from [Company Name], and honoraria for speaking engagements from [Organization Name]. These entities had no role in the design, execution, or reporting of this study. All other authors declare no conflicts of interest.
• Intellectual Property / Patents
  Author D is a co-inventor on a patent (Patent No. XXXXX) related to the intervention described in this manuscript. This interest has been disclosed and managed in accordance with institutional policies. The other authors declare no conflicts of interest.
• Personal or Professional Relationship
  Author E has collaborated professionally with Author F on prior projects unrelated to this study. This relationship did not influence the conduct or reporting of the present work. No other conflicts of interest are declared.
• Editorial Role Conflict
  Author G serves on the editorial board of this journal but was not involved in the editorial review or decision-making process for this manuscript. All other authors declare no conflicts of interest.
• Student–Faculty Relationship
  Author H is a graduate student under the supervision of Author I. This relationship has been disclosed and managed to ensure objectivity in the conduct and reporting of the research. No other conflicts of interest are reported.
• Data or Material Support
  The authors received in-kind support from [Organization Name], which provided materials used in this study. The organization had no role in study design, analysis, or manuscript preparation. The authors declare no additional conflicts of interest.
• Mixed Disclosure with “No Conflict” Statement
  Author J reports receiving grant funding from [Agency Name]. Author K declares no conflicts of interest. All other authors have no competing interests to disclose.
• Preprint Disclosure
  A preprint version of this manuscript has been posted on [Platform Name]. The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this work.

Grant or Scholarship acknowledgement, if applicable

• Standard (with named funder):
  “This work was supported by [Funder Name] under Grant No. [XXXX]. The funding source had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or manuscript preparation.”
• Multiple funders:
  “This research was supported by [Funder 1] (Grant No. XXXX) and [Funder 2] (Grant No. XXXX). The funders had no involvement in the design of the study, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or writing of the manuscript.”
• Institutional/internal support:
  “This work was supported by internal funding from [University/Department Name].”
• Mixed funding (external + institutional):
  “This work was supported by [Funder Name, Grant No. XXXX] and additional institutional support from [University/Department Name]. The funders had no role in the conduct or reporting of the study.”
• No external funding:
  “The authors received no external funding for this work.”
• With required disclaimer language (common for federal grants):
  “This work was supported by [Agency Name] under Grant No. [XXXX]. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of [Agency Name].”

Ethics/IRB Statement (see examples below):

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Statement

All research involving human participants described in this manuscript was reviewed and approved by the [Full Name of Institutional Review Board], in accordance with applicable federal regulations and institutional policies governing the protection of human subjects. The study was conducted in compliance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted under protocol number [####], dated [Month Day, Year].

Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to their inclusion in the study. For participants under the age of 18, parental/guardian consent and participant assent were secured as required. All data were de-identified to protect participant confidentiality, and appropriate safeguards were implemented to ensure data security.

               Alternative statements (use as appropriate):

• Exempt Determination: This study was reviewed by the [Institution Name] IRB and determined to be exempt from full review under 45 CFR 46.104(d)[category], protocol number [####].
• Not Human Subjects Research: The [Institution Name] IRB determined that this project does not constitute human subjects research as defined under 45 CFR 46; therefore, IRB review and approval were not required.
• Secondary Data Analysis: This study utilized de-identified secondary data and was determined by the [Institution Name] IRB to be exempt from review (protocol number [####]).
• No Human/Animal Subjects: This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

Note:  Authors should select and modify the statement that best reflects the nature of their study and institutional determination.

Data Availability Statement

Authors are encouraged to include a Data Availability Statement specifying whether data are:

• Publicly available
• Available upon reasonable request
• Restricted due to ethical, legal, or privacy considerations

AI Disclosure Statement

The author(s) disclose the following regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the preparation of this manuscript:

• No AI Use: The authors confirm that no AI-assisted technologies were used in the generation of the manuscript text, data analysis, or interpretation.
• Alternative statements (use as appropriate):
• AI-Assisted Writing (Editing Only): The authors used AI-assisted tools (e.g., language models) solely for minor editorial support, such as grammar, spelling, and clarity. All content, analysis, and conclusions are the original work of the authors, who take full responsibility for the integrity of the manuscript.
• AI-Assisted Content Generation: The authors used AI-assisted tools in the preparation of portions of the manuscript (e.g., drafting text or summarizing literature). All AI-generated content was reviewed, edited, and verified by the authors for accuracy and appropriateness. The authors assume full responsibility for the final content.
• AI in Data Analysis: AI-based tools were used as part of the data analysis process (e.g., machine learning models). The methods, tools, and parameters are fully described in the Methods section, and the authors take full responsibility for the validity and interpretation of the results.

Note: Authors should select and adapt the statement that best reflects their use of AI technologies and ensure transparency in accordance with journal policies.

Acknowledgments (not required)

References

General Formatting

• File format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)
• Font: Times New Roman, 12-point
• Spacing: Double-spaced throughout
• Margins: 1 inch on all sides
• Page numbers: Required
• Line numbers: Required
• Style: APA (7th edition or most current)
• Language: Bias-free, professional, and scholarly tone

Manuscript Length

• Full manuscripts: approximately 6,000–8,000 words
• Original research: typically 3,000–6,000 words
• Brief reports/commentaries: 2,000–3,500 words
• Case reports/practice innovations: 1,500–3,000 words

The main manuscript file must be fully de-identified for double-blind review.

Abstract and Keywords

Abstracts must not exceed 250 words and include 3–5 keywords.

Tables and Figures

Tables and figures must be cited in the text and placed in the desired location within the body of the manuscript. 

References

All references must follow APA style (current edition).

Peer Review Process

All manuscripts undergo a two-stage review process:

1. Initial editorial screening for scope, quality, and readiness
2. Double-blind peer review by at least two expert reviewers

Reviewers are expected to provide objective, constructive, and confidential evaluations.

Reviews of submissions will address:

• Alignment with the journal’s interprofessional mission
• Contributions to scholarship, practice, policy, or education
• Methodological rigor and appropriateness
• Originality and contribution to the field
• Relevance to journal scope
• Clarity, organization, and scholarly presentation
• Ethical integrity and transparency

Editorial decisions include acceptance, revision, or rejection. Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest and maintain confidentiality.  Decisions may include acceptance, revision, or rejection. Initial decisions are typically provided within 30 days.

Reporting Standards

Authors must follow appropriate reporting guidelines, including but not limited to:

• CONSORT (clinical trials)
• PRISMA (systematic reviews/meta-analyses)
• STROBE (observational studies)
• COREQ (qualitative research)
• SQUIRE (quality improvement)

Ethics and Integrity

The journal adheres to COPE and ICMJE standards. The following are strictly prohibited:

• Plagiarism
• Data falsification or fabrication
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest

Authorship Criteria and Guidelines

The journal follows ICMJE authorship criteria recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Authorship credit requires that all four of the following criteria be met:

1. Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data;
2. Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content;
3. Final approval of the version to be published; and
4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
   
   Allowing one’s name to appear as an author without significant contribution, or adding individuals who have not contributed or approved the work, constitutes inappropriate authorship.

Corresponding Author

One author must be designated as the corresponding author. The corresponding author assumes primary responsibility for communication with the journal during submission, peer review, publication, and post-publication.

Contributors and Acknowledgments

Individuals who do not meet all authorship criteria should not be listed as authors but should be acknowledged with a description of their contributions.

Ethical Standards and IRB Approval

All research manuscripts involving human participants must include documentation of Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval or exemption, clearly stated within the manuscript.

Artificial Intelligence Use

The HHS Interprofessional Journal requires authors to declare any use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLMs), or similar technologies that contributed to manuscript text, whether during brainstorming, drafting, or revision.

Authors must include an Artificial Intelligence Statement within the manuscript disclosing AI use and assume responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of all AI-assisted content. AI-generated images or video are prohibited, and AI tools may not be credited as authors, as they do not meet authorship criteria, cannot hold copyright, or declare conflicts of interest.

Open Access and Copyright

All articles are published as open access under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Authors retain copyright.

Upon acceptance, authors must complete a copyright and licensing agreement and obtain permission for any copyrighted material.

Submission Checklist

Authors should ensure scope alignment, formatting compliance, entire manuscript de-identification, IRB documentation, AI disclosure, data availability statement inclusion, accurate references, and valid authorship.

Before submission, authors should confirm:

• Alignment with journal scope
• Compliance with formatting requirements
• Manuscript de-identification
• Inclusion of IRB/ethics documentation
• Inclusion of AI disclosure statement
• Inclusion of data availability statement describing whether data are publicly available, available upon reasonable request, or restricted due to ethical, legal, or privacy considerations.
• Accurate and properly formatted references
• Valid authorship designation

Contact Information

Questions regarding submissions or the review process may be directed to the journal’s editorial team at editorjipsp@csus.edu

Cover Letter Template – Required JIPSP Format 

Date 

Dear Editors, 

Please consider our manuscript, <Manuscript title>, for publication in the CHHS Journal of Interprofessional Scholarship and Practice (JIPSP). We are submitting this work as an original   <type: research, case study, etc> submission. 

This manuscript examines <brief description of topic and approach>. We believe this work aligns with the journal's focus on interprofessional practice and scholarship because <state reason(s)> and will be of interest to relevant readership. 

The manuscript word count from the introduction through conclusion is <#> and includes <#> of tables and <#> figures. 

All authors have contributed to, reviewed, and approved the submission. The manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere, nor will it be submitted anywhere else while under review with JIPSP. [If applicable: indicate any prior presentation, e.g., "A portion of this work was presented at [Conference], [Year]."] 

Ethics and compliance 

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at institution name (IRB approval #approval number). Informed consent was obtained from all participants.   

If not applicable, state: "IRB review was not required for this submission type." 

Funding 

State funding sources and grant numbers, or: "This research received no external funding." 

Conflicts of interest 

Disclose any conflicts for all authors, or: "The authors declare no conflicts of interest." 

Data Availability Statement  

Authors are encouraged to include a Data Availability Statement specifying whether data are, publicly available, available upon reasonable request, or restricted due to ethical, legal, or privacy considerations 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Sincerely, 
 
Corresponding author name, credentials 
Title, department, institution 
email address