Current Directions in Psychological Science Template
Get your Current Directions in Psychological Science paper right the first time: a ready-made structure with the right abstract and citations, so editors see your science, not formatting slips.
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How to Use the Current Directions in Psychological Science Template | A Step-by-Step Guide
Authored by Sumalatha Gangadhar | Published on 7 August, 2026
Submitting to Current Directions in Psychological Science goes smoothly when your draft already matches the journal's own rules. Editors screen new manuscripts against the Current Directions in Psychological Science guide for authors before peer review, so formatting, structure, and required statements should be right on the first draft rather than repaired during upload. This template sets that structure up for you.
What is the Current Directions in Psychological Science Template?
It is a manuscript shell aligned to Current Directions in Psychological Science. It covers front matter, the abstract the journal expects, a body organized to the journal's article types, and a reference list in the journal's required style. Confirm current scope and article types on the Current Directions in Psychological Science journal page before you draft.
What's actually in a Current Directions Psychol Sci submission:
Prepare the title, authors, affiliations, and ORCID iDs. Write the abstract to the journal's rule and word limit, organize the body to the article type, and apply the required reference style from the first citation. Complete every declaration (ethics, competing interests, funding, data availability) the Current Directions in Psychological Science guide for authors lists, and cite figures and tables in order.
What separates a clean submission from one that gets kicked back:
The common failure modes are formatting or reference style that does not match the guide for authors, missing required statements, and an incomplete portal checklist. Clear all three against the Current Directions in Psychological Science guide for authors before you submit.
What does this Current Directions in Psychological Science Template include?
The shell mirrors what editorial staff check first: article-type fit, the abstract rules, required declarations, and the journal's reference style. For more detail see the author resources. When your draft is ready, upload it through ScholarOne (Manuscript Central).
Steps to Use This Template with SciSpace Agent
- Click Start Writing on this page. The SciSpace Agent prompt screen opens with the template loaded.
- Use the loaded template, or upload a version your group already uses for Current Directions Psychol Sci.
- Edit the prompt with your topic and article type, and note any requirement from the Current Directions in Psychological Science guide for authors.
- Run the prompt. The agent drafts into the correct structure and reference style.
- Use View Outputs to verify required statements and formatting are present.
- Export and submit through ScholarOne (Manuscript Central).
Current Directions in Psychological Science Template Structure at a Glance
| Element | Current Directions Psychol Sci requirement |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Abstract: 10-200 words. 3-5 keywords required underneath the abstract. The abstract is included in the 2,500-word limit along with the main text. No specification of structured vs. unstructured format |
| Main text | 2,500 words maximum (strict limit) for the abstract and main text combined. The recommended readings, cover page, tables, figures, and figure captions do not count in the 2,500-word limit. Maximum of 30 cited references (preferably nearer to 20). Articles should be divided into sections with headings |
| Declarations | Ethics approval/consent as applicable; competing interests; funding; data availability |
| Figures/tables | Publication-ready; cited in order |
| Supplemental | Upload separately when used |
| Keywords | 3-5 keywords required, placed underneath the abstract |
| References | APA format (7th edition) for in-text citations and reference entries. Maximum of 30 sources listed at the end of the manuscript (preferably nearer to 20). List all authors unless there are 21 or more, in which case list the first 19 and then the last, preceded by ellipsis dots. Page numbers required for chapters in edited books. Full titles of journals required. DOIs required for articles in online-only journals |
| Peer review | Peer reviewed; blind model not specified in the official author guidelines |
| Submission | mc.manuscriptcentral.com/cdps |
Quick Tips for Using the Current Directions in Psychological Science Template
Read the Current Directions in Psychological Science guide for authors once before drafting and once before upload. Draft the abstract after results are stable. Set the reference style before adding citations. Keep a cover letter that states your contribution and fit to Current Directions in Psychological Science in under a page.
Best Practices
Skim two or three recent Current Directions Psychol Sci papers to calibrate depth and figure style. Make the novelty clear in the first two pages. Deposit data and code when the policy on the Current Directions in Psychological Science journal page requires it. Disclose any preprint or conference version with identifiers in the cover letter.
Before You Submit: Final Check
Do one focused pass against the Current Directions in Psychological Science guide for authors: scope, length, reference style, required declarations, and figure quality. Then submit through ScholarOne (Manuscript Central).
