Journal of Extension Article Categories

The Journal of Extension accepts submissions in five article categories: Feature Article, Research in Brief, Ideas at Work, Tools of the Trade, and Commentary. All articles must explicitly convey implications for U.S. Extension professionals.

Authors should carefully consider the descriptions of and differences among the article categories when determining the appropriate category for a submission.

• Feature Article (reviewed by an associate editor and two external reviewers): Feature Articles discuss concepts and research findings of broad interest to U.S. Extension professionals. They should have broad significance to U.S. Extension’s knowledge base, methodology, effective practice, or organization, and have clear implications for Extension practice. Narrative, scoping, and systematic reviews and meta-analyses would fall under the Feature category. Maximum length: 5,000 words Appendices may be included, but they will be included in the word count. The word count excludes title, author information, abstract, keywords, tables, figures, equations, references, and supplemental materials. Supplemental materials will not be copyedited or typeset; they will appear as a separate document or documents on the article’s landing page.


• Research in Brief (reviewed by an associate editor and two external reviewers): Research in Brief articles summarize research findings of interest to U.S. Extension professionals and have clear implications for Extension practice. Maximum length: 3,000 words Appendices may be included, but they will be included in the word count. The word count excludes title, author information, abstract, keywords, tables, figures, equations, references, and supplemental materials. Supplemental materials will not be copyedited or typeset; they will appear as a separate document or documents on the article’s landing page.


• Ideas at Work (reviewed by an associate editor and two external reviewers): Ideas at Work articles identify and describe novel ideas, innovative programs, and new methods that are of interest to and can be adapted by U.S. Extension professionals. They include evidence that the idea (or program) has been implemented successfully (that it works, with supporting data), and the manuscript provides suggestions for replicating, adapting, or otherwise applying it. Maximum length: 2,000 words Appendices may be included, but they will be included in the word count. The word count excludes title, author information, abstract, keywords, tables, figures, equations, references, and supplemental materials. Supplemental materials will not be copyedited or typeset; they will appear as a separate document or documents on the article’s landing page.


• Tools of the Trade (reviewed by an associate editor): Tools of the Trade articles identify, describe, and explain specific materials, books, techniques, and technologies that are useful to U.S. Extension professionals. Whereas an Ideas at Work article focuses on what is novel, a Tools of the Trade article focuses on what is useful and helps Extension professionals do their Extension work better. JOE may publish book reviews with direct relevance to a broad Extension audience as Tools of the Trade articles. JOE does not accept books for review from publishers. Maximum length: 1,250 words Appendices may be included, but they will be included in the word count. The word count excludes title, author information, abstract, keywords, tables, figures, equations, references, and supplemental materials. Supplemental materials will not be copyedited or typeset; they will appear as a separate document or documents on the article’s landing page.


• Commentary (reviewed by an associate editor): Commentary articles offer challenges or present thought-provoking opinions on issues of concern to U.S. Extension by expressing positions that are clear, specific, and rational. Maximum length: 1,500 words Appendices may be included, but they will be included in the word count. The word count excludes title, author information, abstract, keywords, tables, figures, equations, references, and supplemental materials. Supplemental materials will not be copyedited or typeset; they will appear as a separate document or documents on the article’s landing page.