About the Journal
The International Journal of Population Data Science (IJPDS) is an electronic, open-access, peer-reviewed journal focussing on the science pertaining to population data.
It publishes articles on all aspects of research, development and evaluation connected with data about people and populations. These include:
- Accessing distributed data
- Analytical advances
- Architectures and infrastructures
- Capacity building
- Delivering and measuring impact
- Data and linkage quality
- Epidemiology
- Ethical, legal and societal implications (ELSI)
- Legal and regulatory issues
- Linking to emerging/complex data types
- Outcomes-based research
- Privacy-protection methodologies
- Public involvement and engagement
- Service evaluations
- Technological advances in data storage and management
- Using big data
The creation of the IJPDS was inspired by the International Population Data Linkage Network (IPDLN). The journal has a regular section for topics of particular interest to the IPDLN sub-edited by the Director(s) of the network.
Call for Abstracts Open
ADRF Network Research Conference, November 13-14 2018, Washington, DC.
As official publishers for the ADRF 2018 Conference, IJPDS will publish a Special Issue entitled 'Innovations in Administrative Data for Social Science' to include all accepted abstracts for oral presentations in association with ADRF 2018. To submit an abstract or find out more about the conference click here.
In addition, the top two abstracts will be presented with the Best Paper Awards, and the authors will be invited to submit the full articles to IJPDS.
- The Program Committee will present 2 Best Paper Awards.
- Abstract submitters must opt into consideration for the Best Paper Award. Abstracts to be considered for the Award must follow the IJPDS author guidelines.
- Winners of the Best Paper Award must have full manuscripts prepared and submitted to IJPDS by November 1, 2018 and will go through IJPDS' peer-review process
- Manuscript types can be include research articles, protocol papers, case studies, features on a particular topic, methodological developments, working papers, and commentaries. ADRF Network will pay for the article processing fees.
- The final manuscripts are expected to be published around February 2019
- ADRF Network will cover the cost of article processing charges. (APCs)
RCUK* block grants now available to fund Article Processing Charges (APCs)
If your research is funded by RCUK* then you can apply for help with Article Processing Charges (APCs)
The RCUK block grant is now available to its funded researchers to help pay article processing charges (APCs), enabling authors to comply with RCUK's* open access policy.
The RCUK* stipulates that journals must meet the following criteria for publication:
- A peer-review process
- Gold open access - this allows immediate, unrestricted on-line access to peer-reviewed and published research papers, free of any access charge and with maximum opportunities for re-use
- Publish under Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) licence and allow immediate deposit in other repositories
IJPDS is fully compliant with RCUK's funding criteria as listed on SHERPA/RoMEO and in our author guidelines.
Follow this link to check whether your organisation is in receipt of RCUK open access block funding 2017/2018.
(*RCUK includes AHRC, EPSRC, ESRC, MRC, NERC, NC3Rs and STFC)
Tracking Impact
At IJPDS we value research that truly impacts society. We are uniquely committed to connecting academia with the public and keeping them informed of exciting new research as it unfolds.
Working to bridge the gap between academic research and the public
The IJPDS' innovative model brings a new dimension to the traditional academic journal format by informing the public of the latest research and providing authors opportunities for direct impact and even greater visibility.
Engage directly with the public for maximum impact via The Conversation
In the field of Population Data Science, arguably the most important audience for your work are the ultimate beneficiaries, the public. This is where IJPDS authors can create the greatest impact of all.
To help authors disseminate the complex content of manuscripts published in IJPDS to this audience, we offer a service through The Conversation, which is an influential and independent channel for research news and views. Articles selected from the academic and research community for publishing in The Conversation are delivered directly to the public in an easy to understand general reader format, prepared by the authors from their original published manuscript.
The Conversation is truly international with Editors based in the UK, Australia, US, Africa and France, that are working with more than 55,000 specialist scholars and researchers. It is a not-for-profit, open access educational entity that provides a free on-line resource to help provide the public with clarity and insight into society's biggest problems.
Watch this video to find out how Emily Marchant, PhD Researcher from Swansea University, benefited from writing for The Conversation, or follow this link to find out more about The Conversation and to see previously published articles.
Why impact matters
The importance of impact beyond the world of academia cannot be underestimated. The ability to demonstrate the contribution of your research to and its influence on society
- is essential to securing future funding in an increasingly competitive market
- aids career progression through e.g. REF, University KPIs, PDRs and other HEIs
- helps develop your profile as a researcher specialising in a particular area
- aids networking and future collaboration
- has the potential to influence public policy
The Conversation can help IJPDS authors to achieve essential impact. Articles are disseminated to more than 22,000 sites worldwide, giving a global reach of 35 million readers a month, and The Conversation is a primary resource for up-to-the-minute content for the press, web, radio and TV.
Put simply, The Conversation unlocks the knowledge of researchers and academics allowing for better understanding of complex issues and a better quality of public discourse and conversations.
How to write for The Conversation
We encourage every author that publishes a manuscript in IJPDS to take full advantage of the service offered through The Conversation. As soon as your manuscript is published, we will contact you by email offering you the possibility of writing an article for The Conversation.
For authors wanting to take advantage of this service, we will forward your published manuscript* to IJPDS' designated Editor at The Conversation who will review the suitability of the content. Successful applicants will then be introduced directly to the Editor who will work closely with them to create the finished article.
*This service is available for manuscripts that undergo a full peer-review process with IJPDS
Speed of Publishing
As an e-journal, IJPDS has the flexibility to publish approved manuscripts immediately without having to wait for each Issue.
As soon as a manuscript is ready, we ensure that your work is instantly available to the right audience via Open Access giving authors the greatest possibility of citations.
Readership - Reaching the Right Audience
IJPDS benefits from an established specialist global audience spanning six continents within the field of population data science through its strategic partner, the International Population Data Linkage Network (IPDLN). We publish articles from around the world in order to highlight how the field of population data science is impacting societies globally.
IJPDS publishes research of interest to a number of sectors including:
- Academia and research institutes
- Governments
- Healthcare and hospitals
- Third sector organisations
- Private sector organisations (e.g. Information Technology, Manufacturing, Consultancies)
- Life Sciences
Our established readership spans a broad spectrum of specialist areas within population data science. Here is an example of the types of experts included in the Journal's readership:
- Government officials
- The public
- Regulators
- Academics (scholars, researchers, students)
- Information governance professionals
- Data Scientists
- Statisticians
- Epidemiologists and public health workers
- Social scientists
- Technologists (computer and information sciences)
- Public Engagement professionals
- Media
The IJPDS has a particular interest in engaging with the public, the ultimate beneficiaries of population data science research, which sets us apart from other scientific journals.
We value research within the field of population data science that truly impacts society and are uniquely committed to connecting academia with the public to keep them informed of exciting new research as it unfolds.
Variety of Manuscripts Welcome
At IJPDS we appreciate that good quality research is presented in different formats.
The Journal distinguishes itself by accepting a broad range of submission formats that may be out of scope for other academic journals. These include:
- Research articles
- Review articles
- Protocol papers
- Methodological developments
- Applied papers
- Case studies
- Features on a particular topic
- Commentaries
- Comments and letters
- Reports of events
- Working papers
- General reader summaries of complex topics
- Help-sheets and tips
- Informative reports
- Consultations
Article Processing Charges (APCs)
From 1st January 2018 all manuscript submissions will be subject to Article Processing Charges (APCs). However, we are delighted to be able to offer a 30% discount on all manuscript submissions for the first 12 months*. Please view the author guidelines for individual prices.
Whilst we are committed to keeping our APCs competitively priced for our authors, we must ensure the sustainability of IJPDS by covering all costs associated with the open access publishing process, from initial submission through to final publication and promotional activities.
Therefore, we will only ever charge what is necessary for the welfare of the journal and the satisfaction of its contributing authors.
Follow this link for details of the IJPDS Article Processing Charges
*1st January to 31st December 2018
Peer Reviewers Awarded 50% discount on APCs*
In 2017, IJPDS received an overwhelming response to both the general and special issue calls for manuscripts. As a result, we need to increase the size and complexity of our review panel.
Population Data Science spans numerous fields and whilst we welcome anyone working within PDS to join, we have particular interest in recruiting experts in the following areas:
- Analysis of free-text data
- Architectures and infrastructures
- Clinical IT systems
- Data protection legislation and regulation
- Disease registers
- Ethics and ELSI (ethical, legal & societal implications)
- GIS (geographic information systems) / spatial data analysis
- Information / data governance
- Information security
- Metadata development
- Privacy-preserving methodologies, including SDC (statistical disclosure control) and PPRL (privacy-preserving record linkage)
- PROMs (Patient reported outcome measures)
- Public engagement
- Survey data
- Use of apps
How to get involved?
If you are interested in becoming a peer reviewer and joining our international panel of PDS experts, then now is a great time to seize the opportunity to get involved whilst the call is open.
All you need to do is email us directly using contact@ijpds.org with your name, organisation, area/s of expertise, and contact details.
All peer-reviewers who go on to publish a manuscript in IJPDS within 12 months of conducting a review will be awarded a 50% discount on the standard article processing charges.*
We look forward to welcoming you to the team!
*To qualify for the 50% discount, a reviewer must conduct a thorough peer-review upon request, and then submit an article within 12 months of completing the review. Requests to review articles are based upon the areas of expertise required for the content of a particular manuscript and therefore, we cannot guarantee that every IJPDS peer-reviewer will qualify for this offer.
Publishing Datasets
Sharing the data that accompanies your published research is a positive growing trend for the research community. Whilst we recognise that it is not always possible to share all data openly for ethical or confidentiality reasons, IJPDS encourages the sharing of non-sensitive raw data along with details of the software used wherever possible.
Why Share Research Data?
Benefits to the research community – Datasets are valuable to the research community and re-use of data avoids duplication of effort and the associated costs. This, in turn, can stimulate further research.
Benefits to the public – Stimulating further research through data sharing wherever possible is in the public’s interest as it can help accelerate the pace of research and its subsequent impact.
Satisfying Funders – Research funders are increasingly stipulating the sharing of data as a requirement. For example, in the UK, RCUK require the inclusion of a statement on data availability within academic papers. For full guidance see: RCUK Common Principles on Data Policy
Increase research impact – Publishing your data is not only a good way of demonstrating that you were the first to conduct the research, but if your data is re-used, then you will benefit from citations in addition to the accompanying article.
Scientific Integrity – Sharing data allows others to replicate, validate, and correct your results thereby adding to the integrity of the science.
For details on how and where to submit your data, please refer to the Author Guidelines.
Latest Article
ADRF Network Hosts Research Conference to Advance Uses of Administrative Data in the United States
Open Calls
Call for new submissions
IJPDS is now accepting new submissions and publishes on a continual basis. To submit a manuscript, you will be asked to register. IJPDS accepts a wide variety of manuscript types. Please refer to the author guidelines for the full list. There are no article processing fees at present.
Make a Submission
News
Research Councils UK confirm RCUK Open Access block grant funding levels until 2020
Job vacancy
Interim Programme Manager - Nuffield Foundation
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