Aims and scope
The Journal of Cognition and Development is the official journal of the Cognitive Development Society (CDS). Some CDS members are concerned with basic research or theory; others focus on policy issues and practical applications. The range of interests includes cognitive development during all stages of life, and we seek to understand ontogenetic processes in both humans and nonhumans. Finally, their interests encompass typical as well as atypical development, and we attempt to characterize both biological and cultural influences on cognitive change and continuity.

The relationship between the journal and the society is symbiotic in that the journal enhances the field of cognitive development by providing a prestigious forum for innovative research and theory. JCD welcomes submissions describing well-designed, well-powered studies on aspects of cognitive development that report theoretically interesting null results as well as those that report significant ones.

JCD publishes the very best articles on all aspects of cognitive development. In addition to empirical reports, it features theoretical essays (occasionally accompanied by peer commentaries), and essay reviews of new and significant books. Criteria for acceptance of submitted manuscripts include:

relevance of the work to issues of broad interest;
substance of the argument (including methodological rigor and support for conclusions drawn);
relevance of the work to developmental processes in infancy, childhood, and adolescence;
ingenuity of the ideas or approach; and
quality of expression.