Application Review Guidelines for JTHS

Reviews can be of applications running on a computer, smartphone, or from a web site. If your are provided with the application, complete the review within two months from receiving the application and email the review to Dale Fitch <fitchd@missouri.edu>. Application reviews are usually 6-12 double spaced typewritten pages. Reviews are only of complete products, not demos, slide shows, nor alpha or beta products. When reviewing applications for the Journal of Technology in Human Services, you should address questions such as the following:

What does the application do, i.e., what is its function, subject area, is it up to date, etc.?
In what ways does the application perform or not perform its stated function?
Whom are the primary and secondary users for whom the application was intended (Clinical; administrative; research; other)?
Is the application suitable for intended users in terms of complexity, friendliness, etc?
Is evidence provided (testimony, controlled research, etc.) that indicates the application achieves the outcomes stated (Is the application efficacious?).
Whom would you recommend to use the application and who would you not recommend buy it?
Should any special features of the application be noted?
Is the application adaptable to different needs?
Does the application take advantage of the capabilities of the computer, smartphone, or the web?
Does the application provide useful feedback to the user, e.g., error messages?
Is the accompanying documentation and help files adequate, clear, accurate, and simple?
Have you been able to "crash" the application?
What hardware and software configuration was used to test the application, e.g., type and specifications of the computer, smartphone, web browser, etc.?
What type and level of support is available for the application? Please include Internet sites, etc. Did you need technical support? If so, was the response helpful and quality acceptable?

Software Review Submission Form

All accepted reviews must have a standard cover sheet containing the following information. Use the headings below as the first page of your review.

Application Review Summary (circle or highlight one)

                  Poor                             Excellent
Performance       0   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10
Ease of Use       0   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10
Error Handling    0   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10
Documentation     0   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10
Efficacy	  0   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

Value for Money   0   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

Application/software Product: Give the complete name of product being reviewed, including version.

Keywords: Provide up to 5 keywords describing the tasks the application performs. JTHS will use these keywords for indexing.

Product Summary: Provide a 25-word summary of the product and what it does.

Evaluation Summary: Give your overall evaluation/recommendation.

Source: Provide the name of the vendor, including address, phone number, email address, and web site for anyone wanting to contact the vendor, to obtain the application, or access the application if it is available online.

Product Detail: Provide the application price, system requirements, release date, demo disk availability, etc.

Reviewer Hardware and Software: State the hardware, operating system, memory required, and any special hardware/software used in your review, e.g., Windows version, etc.

Reviewer: State your name, degree, title, address, and email address

Include a copyright release form. Reviews are expected within two months of receipt of the application unless otherwise noted. When completed, email your review as a file attached to Dale Fitch <fitchd@missouri.edu>

Mechanics

If the application does not install or work as described, contact the vendor's technical support staff. Report on your technical support experience in your review. Your review will be sent to the vendor to insure that no technical errors exist. Vendors will not be allowed to change reviewer's opinions that are based on fact or judgment. One or more members of JTHS’s editorial board will examine your review and revisions may be required. Not providing acceptable revisions may result in the review not being published. Use APA guidelines were applicable. Once submitted, you will have the opportunity to make only minor revisions prior to publication. Taylor and Francis editors will read the review and query on errors and mechanical problems. Please use your grammar and spell checker before submitting the review. Avoid long and complex sentences. For example, use two or more sentences rather than using parentheses or dashes to separate phrases within one sentence. Application review authors will receive 1 copy of the journal issue in which their review appears. Vendors and publishers receive a copy if their address is included in the review. All authors will receive an order form for the purchase of additional reprints upon publication.

Conflict-of-interest

If there is any possibility of a conflict-of-interest, the reviewer should discuss the potential conflict with the editor prior to any agreement to review the application.