Submission checklist
Before submitting your manuscript to Development Letters, please confirm each of the following:
Separate title page: A separate title page has been uploaded, containing the article title, the full names and institutional affiliations of all authors, and all applicable declarations.
Corresponding author: One author has been designated as the corresponding author. Their email address, full postal address and telephone number are provided on the title page.
Anonymous manuscript: The manuscript contains no author names, affiliations or other identifying details, including in comments and tracked changes.
Declaration of Competing Interests: The title page includes a declaration disclosing any financial, personal or professional relationships that could influence the work, including relevant editorial affiliations. If there are no competing interests, this is explicitly stated.
AI declaration: The title page includes a declaration identifying any AI tools used and explaining when, how and for which tasks they were used, including language editing or reference checking. The declaration confirms that the authors reviewed the output and accept responsibility for the final content. If no AI tools were used, this is explicitly stated. An unsigned version of the declaration is included before the manuscript’s reference list.
Signature and date: The corresponding author’s signature and date appear after the Declaration of Competing Interests and the AI declaration on the separate title page.
Separate graph and figure files: Each graph, chart, figure, image or diagram has been uploaded as a separate, clearly labelled file, such as “Figure_1”, with editable source files supplied. These items also appear beside the relevant manuscript text.
Complete submission: The title page and manuscript have been uploaded as editable DOC or DOCX files. The manuscript includes an abstract of no more than 150 words, 1–7 English keywords, the main text, references and any applicable appendices.
Tables and captions: Tables are supplied as editable text. All tables and figures are numbered consecutively, cited in the text and accompanied by titles or captions, sources and any necessary notes or footnotes.
Length and formatting: The manuscript does not exceed 2,000 words, excluding references, and follows the journal’s formatting requirements.
Language and references: Spelling and grammar have been checked using British English. References follow a consistent APA style. Every in-text citation has a matching reference-list entry, and every reference-list entry is cited in the text.
Permissions: Any necessary permission to reproduce copyrighted material, including material obtained online, has been obtained, and the source is acknowledged.
Originality and author approval: The work has not been published in another academic journal and is not currently under consideration elsewhere. Any preprint has been disclosed. All authors and relevant institutional authorities have approved the submission.
Data availability: Data and code can be shared with the editors on request, or a Data Statement explains any restrictions.