Columbia University Libraries
Prepare your manuscript for Columbia Social Work Review.
Review the checklist, choose your article type, and turn your draft into a cleaner submission package.
Checked 2026-07-15
Article types
Review
Perspective
Readiness requirements
Review the key details below, or download the complete checklist with every stored source-backed requirement.
Abstract length
- The CSWR is an academic journal and articles should be submitted in that form (with appropriate sections included, such as an abstract, introduction, body sections, and conclusion).
Reference style
- Articlo formats your supplied references in APA style and checks that citations match the reference list; source validity is not verified.
- Pieces that incorporate references should generally uphold the conventions of APA 7th Edition for citations.
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- **The Amsterdam accepts articles on a rolling basis through the “submissions” tab. They can be on any social work- or social justice-related topic, must be less than 1000 words, and should be referenced using APA 7th Edition rules of citation.
Figure and table rules
- Keep every figure and table numbered, captioned, and cited in the manuscript.
Ethics statement
- Review: Add or confirm the author-written Ethics statement; Articlo flags it if author input is still needed.
- Review: Research with human beings as subjects should include approval from Columbia’s Institutional Review Board (or applicable IRBs at other institutions).
Blinded manuscript
- Review: Articles accepted for The Amsterdam undergo an extensive editing process with editors before publication, but do not undergo double-blinded peer review.
Preprints and prior publication
- Has your submission been previously published? (Previously published work cannot be accepted.).
Other submission requirements
- Articles must be no longer than 15 pages and consistent with APA style (i.e., APA 7th edition).
- Submissions should be well-written and succinct, with a strong point of view and clear thesis.
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- Diverse members of the broader social work community should be able to find the piece interesting, educational, and thought-provoking.
- Works cited in the submission should be high-quality and authors should accurately and thoughtfully represent the works cited.
- Review: Below are the selection criteria* to help authors better understand the kind of articles the Review seeks to publish and what aspects writers should focus on when preparing an article for submission.
- As part of the submission process, authors are required to check off their submission's compliance with all of the following items, and submissions may be returned to authors that do not adhere to these guidelines.
- Review: Distinction between the Review and the Amsterdam: The CSWR journal cannot accept non-academic papers (e.g. self-reflections, poetry, etc.); however, authors interested in publishing more creative, less formal research work may consider submitting to our blog, The Amsterdam.**.
- Review: The views and opinions expressed in each piece published by The Columbia Social Work Review and The Amsterdam are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Columbia Social Work Review, The Amsterdam, Columbia University, or any affiliated individuals, editors, staff, or advisory boards.
Manuscript structure
- Perspective: No specific thematic requirements; however, the piece should be thought-provoking, innovative, and written from a social work perspective with the potential to contribute to a larger discussion within the field.
Language and text style
- Authors should communicate their ideas in a coherent and logical manner, with clear, unambiguous, and engaging language.
What your package checks
References: APA
Source transparency
This preparation guide uses published journal-specific author requirements. Journal instructions can change, so authors should complete a final review before submission.
Open official guideline source