Aims & Scope
The Journal of Rural Social Sciences (JRSS) is the official peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Rural Sociological Association. JRSS is focused on disseminating scholarly works that build knowledge and have the potential to inform development practice and policy across social, economic, cultural, and environmental domains.
JRSS welcomes manuscripts that propose, critique, and elaborate on theories, methodologies, and pedagogies; report empirical research, including original studies, meta-studies, and systematic reviews; and critically analyze programs and policies that may impact life across the rural-urban continuum. Although work that focuses on the rural Southern United States is always sought, JRSS also considers studies focused on other regions and countries around the world. Studies that engage issues relevant to understanding rural issues by connecting local and global perspectives are of particular interest.
TYPES OF ARTICLES
Research Article (peer reviewed)
A research article is an original, research-based paper that advances knowledge on rural people, places, communities, and/or institutions. The paper should have a well-developed theoretical perspective, literature review, methodology/research design, and analyses/results.
Total length, including main text, references, tables, figures, and notes, should not exceed 9,000 words. Research papers should be formatted according to the JRSS Manuscript Preparation Guidelines.
Example of a Research Paper:
Albrecht, Don E. 2010. “Nonmetropolitan Population Trends: Twenty-First Century Updates.” Journal of Rural Social Sciences 25(1):1-21.
Research Note (peer reviewed)
A research note is a short article that highlights preliminary/novel findings of original research. We also welcome descriptive pieces and assessments of innovative, successful, and cost-effective programs conducted by national, state, and local agencies and community-based organizations and groups for rural population and communities.
Total length, including main text, references, table, figures, and notes, should not exceed 4,000 words. Research notes should be formatted according to the JRSS Manuscript Preparation Guidelines.
Example of a Research Note:
Wimberly, Dale W. 2010. “Quality of Life Trends in the Southern Black Belt, 1980-2005: A Research Note.” Journal of Rural Social Sciences 25(1):103-118.
Commentary (non-peer reviewed)
A commentary is a thought-provoking, scholarly essay that addresses timely and salient issues associated with rural people, places, communities, and/or institutions.
Total length of these essays should not exceed 2,000 words.
Example of a Commentary:
Floro, George K. 2010. “Applying Craft for Sociological Practice: Place in Odyssey.” Journal of Rural Social Sciences 25(1):119-127.
Book Review (non-peer reviewed)
The Journal of Rural Social Sciences publishes reviews of recent books on rural topics that use the theoretical and methodological perspectives of the social sciences. The Book Review Editor will solicit reviewers for recently published books, but volunteer submissions of book reviews are also welcome.
Guidelines for this format permit between 800 and 1,000 words. Reviews of multiple titles may be somewhat longer but should not exceed 2,000 words. If the book review contains citations and references, follow the JRSS Manuscript Preparation Guidelines.
. For questions about content, contact jrss@olemiss.edu.Example of a Book Review:
Bonanno, Alessandro, and Douglas H. Constance. 2010. “Stories of Globalization: Transnational Corporations, Resistance, and the State: Book Review.” Journal of Rural Social Sciences 25(1):128-131. Reviewed by Ariel Brovont and Emily Reiersgaard.
