Journal information

Psychological Bulletin^® publishes syntheses of research in scientific psychology. Research syntheses seek to summarize past research by drawing overall conclusions from many separate investigations that address related or identical hypotheses.

A research synthesis typically presents the authors' assessments:

• of the state of knowledge concerning the relations of interest;
• of critical assessments of the strengths and weaknesses in past research; and
• of important issues that research has left unresolved, thereby directing future research so it can yield a maximum amount of new information.

Research syntheses may take many forms (e.g., systematic reviews, meta-analyses, meta-reviews, meta-synthesis). Research syntheses that develop connections between areas of research are particularly valuable. No matter the form of review submitted, it is ideal that the methods to reach the conclusions are stated with precision and clarity, so that the contribution of the research synthesis can better be judged. Thus, transparency of methods is a priority. In some cases, rigorous and thorough qualitative reviews can be considered for publication. In all cases, expert peer reviewers assess the claims made in the review; submissions are expected to note limitations to the methods used to review evidence. Manuscripts dealing with topics at the interface of psychological sciences and society are welcome, as are evaluations of applied psychological therapies, programs, and interventions. Expository articles may be published if they are deemed transparent, accurate, broad, clear, and pertinent. Research syntheses should be submitted to Psychological Bulletin even when they develop integrated theoretical statements. Still, original theoretical articles should be submitted to Psychological Review, even when they include summaries of research. Methodological articles that previously were submitted to Psychological Bulletin should now be submitted to Psychological Methods.

Disclaimer: APA and the editors of Psychological Bulletin^® assume no responsibility for statements and opinions advanced by the authors of its articles.