Guidelines

Commenting

The commenting policy of the Blog of the APA is for commenters to post under their public identity with a verifiable e-mail address.  If you have concerns about the perspectives that might be excluded from comment threads by disallowing anonymous/pseudonymous comments, please contact us so that we can consider ways to give voice to those perspectives. Comments that do not adhere to the following guidelines will be removed:

Do

  • Treat others with respect.
  • Be clear and concise.
  • Be generous and constructive.
  • Make relevant comments.
  • Make comments that further the discussion.

Don’t

  • Use hate speech, attack other users on the basis of race, sex, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or medical condition.
  • Personally attack another user. Bullying, harassing, or threatening a fellow user is strictly prohibited.
  • Share intellectual property that is not yours. Make sure you have the rights to anything you post.
  • Pretend you’re someone else. Do not assume another person’s identity.
  • Post a user’s personal information that he or she does not wish to have on the site.

Republishing

APA Blog content may be republished online or in print with prior written permission from the APA Blog and the author. You must attribute the article to the APA Blog and you must include the author’s name in your republication. Excerpts, links, and quotes may be used provided there is full and clear credit given to the author and the APA Blog with a direct link back to the original content. Content may not be sold or offered for sale.

Editorial Code of Conduct

The following is a summary of our editorial principles and practices, which apply to all sections of the APA Blog, and to all Editorial Staff.

Professionalism

  • Exercise good judgment and professionalism at all times.
  • Communicate and conduct all work with honesty, integrity, respect, fairness, objectivity, and in good faith. This means not engaging in any conduct likely to cause offense to a reasonable person. Comments that would be regarded as unprofessional in a normal academic context, wherever they are made in electronic media or otherwise, are incompatible with serving as an APA Blog Editor.
  • Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views that an Editor disagrees with.
  • Be cautious when engaging in political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality, or may damage credibility of the APA Blog.
  • Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information.

Public statements

  • Editors are not authorized to speak for the APA or the APA Blog. If contacted by the press about an issue related to the Blog, refer the person to the Lead Editor.
  • If posting or commenting on a blog, website, or social media, be clear that although an Editor can offer perspective, Editors do not speak for the APA Blog.
  • The APA and the APA Blog are not responsible for any legal action that may be taken against or by an Editor who speaks outside of his or her professional capacity, except as required by law.

Editorial decisions

  • Avoid and disclose conflicts of interest—real, potential, or perceived.
  • Make informed and non-partisan editorial decisions, which means that, before making a decision, Editors must consider all material reasonably available to them, follow appropriate procedures, and consult with relevant committees, staff, and experts. Editors should not unduly reject a post that criticizes the work of a friend or colleague.
  • Balance the need for freedom of expression against potential harm. Show compassion for those who may be affected.
  • Clearly distinguish opinion from advertising and avoid hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
  • Be willing to publish corrections, clarifications, retractions and apologies when needed.

Confidentiality

  • Maintain the confidentiality of information provided to the Editorial Team and of editorial discussions, except as required by law.

Communication and meetings

  • Respond to APA-related communications in a timely manner.
  • Fully engage in the activities and responsibilities of the Blog. Commit to making a good faith effort to attend and engage in all Blog meetings.

Membership

  • Pay APA membership dues on time (by September 1) and in full for each year of their term of service.