Purpose and Audience
The Practical Health Psychology (PHP) blog aims to translate cutting-edge Health Psychology research into actionable strategies for healthcare practitioners and public health professionals. Your post should clearly demonstrate how scientific knowledge can be applied in real-world practice. Please refer to the checklist below to ensure your post meets our criteria.
Content and structure
- Length: Posts should be written in clear, accessible English and should be between 500–750 words. Each post should conclude with up to five practical recommendations (totalling 200–300 words), offering specific, applicable tips based on the main content. The combined length of your post and recommendations should not exceed 1,000 words.
- Tone and style: Use plain language and avoid jargon. Aim for clarity, write concisely, and use a tone that is both professional and engaging.
- Practical focus: Emphasise how your research or topic can inform and improve practice. Include real-world examples where possible.
Referencing and pointing to other sources
- Embed links: Please do not include a reference list. Instead, embed links to relevant sources directly in the text at appropriate points. Whenever possible, link to open-access sources so that all readers can access the material freely.
Title and visuals
- Title: Provide a short, descriptive, and catchy title that draws in readers.
- Images: Please include or suggest an image that illustrates your post’s content. Images will be displayed alongside your post on the blog’s homepage. Any image used must be appropriately licensed, so we encourage use of free stock image websites (e.g., Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay).
Opinion and objectivity
- Author’s responsibility: Posts are by invitation only. As a contributor, you are solely responsible for the accuracy and integrity of your post.
- Opinion vs. evidence: You are welcome to share informed opinions, but please ensure that all scientific claims are objective and evidence-based, helping practitioners make sound decisions.
Pre-submission checklist
Before submitting your blog post, please make sure:
- The language is clear, jargon-free, and easy to understand.
- The post includes practical, real-world examples.
- Content is directly useful for healthcare and public health practitioners.
- It highlights a unique or valuable contribution from Health Psychology or Behavioural Science.
- The title is concise and attention-grabbing.
- An image has been included or suggested, and it’s appropriately licensed.
- The post presents scientific evidence objectively.
- The main text is no longer than 750 words.
- Practical recommendations are provided at the end (max 300 words, up to 5 recommendations).
- All sources are linked in the text (no reference list).
Editorial Process
Once we receive your first draft, two members of our editorial team will review it to ensure alignment with the blog’s aims and the checklist above. You will then receive feedback, which may include requests for clarification, expansion, or rewriting.
After you submit your revised version, the handling editor will assess whether the feedback has been sufficiently addressed. If so, the post will be passed on to the full editorial board for final approval. Only in rare cases will further revisions be requested.
Upon acceptance, your post will be translated into many languages by our National Editors, allowing for broad dissemination. We will also promote your post via social media and national distribution lists to spark conversations and enhance its impact in the practitioner community.