Norland Educare Research Journal – an international academic journal exploring children, families and home-based education and care

Editorial team and structure

Editor‑in‑Chief

The Editor‑in‑Chief has full editorial responsibility for the journal’s content, including adherence to the aims and scope of the journal. They are also responsible for deciding which papers are published, in line with reviewers’ comments and, where required, in consultation with the editors. Decisions are based on the importance of the paper to readers and other researchers, its significance to the field, and its alignment with the thematic focus of the journal.

The Editor‑in‑Chief ensures that all submitted papers undergo double‑blind peer review and notifies the corresponding author of the outcome of the review process.

Editor‑in‑Chief

• Dr Harriet Pattison

Editors

The editors provide strategic and scholarly oversight of the journal. They assist the Editor‑in‑Chief in ensuring that the journal maintains its academic rigour and relevance to the field, researchers, policymakers and the professional community.

The editors ensure that all publications adhere to research and publication ethics guidelines and that appropriate action is taken if concerns are raised regarding suspected infringements, including legal, libel, copyright or plagiarism issues, even where these arise years after publication. Where concerns are substantiated following investigation, a retraction, correction or other appropriate notice will be published in the journal.

Editors

• Dr Janet Rose
• Dr Paulette Luff
• Dr Rebecca Digby

Editorial Advisory Board

The Editorial Advisory Board assists the Editor‑in‑Chief and the editors in reviewing submitted papers and makes informed recommendations regarding review outcomes. In cases of alleged research or publication misconduct, the board may also support the Editor‑in‑Chief and editors in the investigation process.

Editorial Advisory Board

• Dr Kay Aaronricks, Anglia Ruskin University, UK
• Dr Hanna Alonim, Mifne Centre, Israel
• Dr Ernest Ampadu, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
• Professor Lynn Ang, UCL, UK
• Professor Maria Birbili, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
• Associate Professor Dr Pelham Carter, Birmingham City University, UK
• Dr Kyriakos Demetriou, University of Nicosia, Cyprus
• Dr Chandrika Devarakonda, University of Chester, UK
• Professor Rozalina Engels‑Kritidis, Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski, Bulgaria
• Dr Alison Hooper, University of Alabama, USA
• Dr Liz Hryniewicz, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK
• Dr Mallika Kanyal, University of the Arts, UK
• Dr Daniela Mangione, Anglia Ruskin University, UK
• Dr Colwyn Martin, Wits University, South Africa
• Dr Eva Mikuska, University of Portsmouth, UK
• Dr Alex Morfaki, Norland, UK
• Professor Karin Murris, University of Oulu, Finland
• Dr Zoi Nikiforidou, University of Ioannina, Greece
• Dr Amanda Norman, University of Winchester, UK
• Dr Ioanna Palaiologou, University of Bristol, UK
• Dr Theodora Papatheodorou, Independent early years scholar and researcher
• Professor Sally Peters, University of Waikato, New Zealand
• Professor Peter Rule, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
• Dr Carla Solvason, University of Worcester, UK
• Dr Evgenia Theodotou, University of East London, UK
• Dr Christopher Turner OBE, University of Exeter, UK
• Dr Hazel Wright, Anglia Ruskin University, UK

Editors of book reviews

• Viki Bennett Kane, Norland, UK
• Tamsin Grimmer, Norland, UK
• Dr Rimsha Taqdees, Norland, UK

Copy editor

Ben Corrigan, The Whole Proof

Publisher

Norland, Bath, UK

Write for the Norland Educare Research Journal

Guidance for authors

Abstract submission

To be considered for publication in the Norland Educare Research Journal, authors are invited to submit an extended abstract of up to 500 words using the template.

Paper submissions

Length of papers

• Empirical, conceptual, philosophical and methodological papers may be up to 8,000 words, including illustrative materials but excluding appendices and references.
• Papers based on systematic literature reviews and scoping studies may be longer, up to 10,000 words, including illustrative materials but excluding appendices and references.
• Critical reviews and position papers must be no more than 5,000 words, including illustrative materials but excluding appendices and references.

Language

The Norland Educare Research Journal accepts submissions in British English only. Papers should be written in clear, accessible language and follow Harvard referencing conventions.

Illustrative materials (for example, tables, graphs, figures, charts and photographs) should be carefully prepared to enhance clarity. All illustrative materials must be self‑explanatory and easy to read.

Ethics

Authors are expected to consider and discuss research ethics and to demonstrate that their research was conducted in accordance with relevant legislation and the guidelines of appropriate professional bodies. Where applicable, authors must confirm that the research received approval from a relevant institutional ethics committee.

Authors must also include a statement confirming that informed consent was obtained from participants and that privacy and confidentiality were respected.

Manuscript structure

The following structure is indicative and intended to support early‑career researchers. The journal welcomes innovation and encourages a plurality of approaches.

• The title of the paper
• The name(s) of the author(s) and their institutional affiliation(s)

The journal will remove these details for you when the paper is sent for peer review.

The abstract

The abstract should be 200–300 words in length and summarise the key aims, arguments and findings of the paper.

Keywords

Authors should provide five to seven keywords, presented in italics and separated by commas.

The main body of the manuscript

Introduction

The introduction should clearly state the aims of the paper and provide relevant contextual information.

Literature review

The literature review should situate the paper within relevant theoretical frameworks and existing literature, and clearly identify any research gaps.

Methodology

For empirical and methodological papers, authors should include details of the research design, sample, data analysis, ethical approval and ethical considerations.

For systematic literature reviews and scoping studies, authors should describe the methodology used, including search strategies, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and methods of analysis. Where formal protocols are followed (for example, PRISMA or Cochrane), the relevant guidance should be adhered to.
Philosophical, position or critical review papers may not include a methodology section; however, authors should clearly articulate their thesis, ontology and epistemology.

Results and discussion section(s)

The structure of this section will depend on the nature of the research or discussion undertaken. Results should be presented clearly and discussed critically in relation to the literature, with consideration given to significance and limitations.

Conclusion

The conclusion should summarise the key arguments or findings and may outline directions for future research.

Declarations and acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

Authors must acknowledge individuals who contributed to the work but do not meet the criteria for authorship, such as those who provided advisory input, sources of information or technical support.

Funding

Authors must declare all sources of funding for the research. This may include, but is not limited to, employer or institutional support, funding bodies and grant numbers.

Conflict of interest statement

Authors must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest (for example, financial, employment, commercial, legal or professional relationships) that may have influenced, or be perceived to influence, the work. Where no conflicts exist, this should be explicitly stated.

Use of AI

The journal does not permit the use of generative AI tools other than for language improvement (for example, Grammarly). Any use of such tools must be declared in the author declaration, including the full name and version number of the tool and a description of how it was used.

Authors remain fully responsible for the content of their manuscripts. Use of AI tools may be subject to editorial review and investigation.

Reference list

The reference list should include only works cited in the manuscript and must follow Harvard referencing conventions.

References for works not originally published in English should be listed in the original language, followed by an English transliteration in square brackets.

Typographic guidance for manuscript preparation

Headings

• Heading 1 – Font: Calibri, size 14pt, bold
• Heading 2 -Font: Calibri, size: 12pt, bold italics
• Heading 3 – Font: Calibri, size 12pt, italics
• Heading 4 – Font: Calibri, size 11, bold
• Font colour for all headings: black

Body text

• Font: Calibri
• Font size: 11pt
• Text style: normal
• Font colour: black

Page set-up

• Page size: A4
• Margins (top: 2.54cm, bottom: 2.54cm, left: 2.54cm, right: 2.54cm)
• Header: 1.25cm
• Footer: 1.25cm
• Line spacing: double
• Page numbers: bottom right, Calibri 9pt

Tables

• Font: Calibri
• Font size: 11pt
• Accent colour – light grey
• Tables must fit within page margins

Table example

Labelling illustrative materials

Diagrams, charts, graphs, illustrations and photographs must be labelled as Figures, with titles positioned below the figure in Calibri 11pt.

Proofreading

Authors are responsible for proofreading their manuscripts prior to submission.

Document saving

• Manuscripts must be submitted as .doc or .docx files.
• Charts, figures, illustrations and photographs must be supplied as .jpg or .tiff files with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.

Manuscript submission

The corresponding author must submit the following files:

• File 1: Full paper, named using the corresponding author’s surname followed by submission 1 (for example, Jones submission 1).
• File 2: Written permission for any copyrighted material used (where applicable).

Submissions should be emailed to [email protected]