The SWACJ Qualitative Criminology Journal is a scholarly publication of the Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice that focuses on advancing qualitative research in criminology and criminal justice. The journal provides a platform for researchers to present in depth, narrative driven studies that explore crime, victimization, policing, corrections, and related social issues through methods such as interviews, case studies, ethnography, and field observations. Emphasizing rich description and contextual understanding, the journal supports work that moves beyond numerical analysis to capture the lived experiences of individuals and communities within the justice system. It serves academics, practitioners, and students interested in theory development, applied research, and innovative qualitative methodologies in the field of criminology.

Manuscripts must present original, unpublished qualitative research that is not under review by another journal. Submissions should focus on criminology or criminal justice topics using qualitative methods such as interviews, ethnography, case studies, or narrative analysis. Authors are expected to demonstrate methodological rigor and provide a clear explanation of their research design and data collection process.

All manuscripts should follow APA formatting guidelines, including proper citation of sources, reference list formatting, and overall paper structure. Submissions should typically include a title page, abstract, main body, and references, with the abstract clearly summarizing the purpose, methods, and key findings of the study.

Authors must ensure the manuscript is written in clear academic language while maintaining the depth and richness expected in qualitative research. The journal values detailed descriptions, contextual insight, and strong connections between theory and findings. Papers should contribute to the broader understanding of crime, justice systems, or social responses to crime.

Submissions must be anonymized for peer review. This means removing all identifying information about the author or institution from the manuscript. A separate title page with author information is usually required during submission.

If human subjects were involved, authors must confirm compliance with ethical standards, including Institutional Review Board approval when applicable. A brief statement addressing ethics and informed consent should be included in the manuscript.

Authors are encouraged to integrate relevant literature and clearly position their study within existing research. Strong literature engagement and clear articulation of the study’s contribution are important for acceptance.

Manuscripts are typically submitted electronically through the SWACJ submission system or via email, depending on current journal procedures. Authors should follow any specific submission instructions provided by SWACJ, including file type and naming conventions.

Finally, all submissions will undergo a peer review process, and authors should be prepared to revise their manuscript based on reviewer feedback before final acceptance.