Submissions

Author Guidelines

GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS

1. Publication Policies

1.1 Scope and Aims

Our journal aims to publish high-quality research articles across various fields in the Arts and Sciences. We welcome submissions from these fields and encourage interdisciplinary research.

1.2 Submission Requirements

• Originality: Submissions must be original work and not under consideration for publication elsewhere.
• Authorship: All authors must have significantly contributed to the research. The order of authorship should be agreed upon by all authors.
• Competing Interests: Authors must declare any potential competing interests that could influence the research or interpretation of the results.
• Ethical Standards: Research involving human participants or animals must adhere to ethical standards and obtain necessary approvals. Include an ethics statement in the manuscript.

1.3 Peer Review Process

The SUKISOK Journal of the Arts and Sciences (SJAS) is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic rigor and integrity through a double-blind peer review process.

1. Initial Screening – All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial review to ensure alignment with the journal’s scope, compliance with formatting and authorship policies, and a similarity check (≤ 15%). Submissions that do not meet these requirements are returned to the author for correction or rejected outright.
2. Reviewer Selection – Each manuscript is assigned to an Associate Editor, who invites at least two qualified reviewers with subject matter expertise. Reviewers are chosen based on disciplinary fit, independence, and scholarly credentials. Authors may suggest potential reviewers, but the Editorial Board makes the final selection.
3. Double-Blind Review – Reviewer and author identities remain confidential throughout the process. Reviewers are expected to provide fair, objective, and constructive evaluations using the official Journal Article Review Form. Reviews focus on originality, methodological soundness, clarity of presentation, adherence to ethical standards, and the manuscript’s overall contribution to the field.
4. Review Timeline – Reviewers confirm acceptance of the invitation within five (5) days and submit their evaluation within two (2) weeks. Extensions may be granted upon request.
5. Editorial Decision – Based on reviewers’ recommendations, the Editorial Board issues one of the following decisions: Accept; Accept with Minor Revisions; Revise and Resubmit (Major Revisions); and, Reject.
6. Author Revision – Authors are required to submit revised manuscripts and a point-by-point response letter within the prescribed timeframe (1–2 weeks).
7. Final Review & Acceptance – Revised manuscripts are re-assessed by the editors (and, if necessary, reviewers) before a final decision is made by the Chief Editor.
8. Post-Acceptance Processing – Accepted manuscripts proceed to copy-editing, layout, proof approval, and online publication with DOI assignment.

SJAS follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices and the ICMJE recommendations, ensuring transparency, accountability, and scholarly integrity throughout the peer review process.

1.4 Editorial Decision

• The editorial board will make the final decision on the acceptance, revision, or rejection of a manuscript based on reviewer recommendations.
• Authors will be notified of the decision along with reviewer comments and recommendations for revisions, if applicable.

1.5 Publication Ethics

SJAS abides by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices and adopts the ICMJE recommendations for the conduct, reporting, editing, and publication of scholarly work.

• Authorship must be honest, with no gift or ghost authors permitted. Every manuscript must be original, and the journal screens submissions with Turnitin to ensure a similarity index of fifteen percent (15%) or less.
• Authors are responsible for maintaining data integrity and ensuring that their findings are reproducible. They must also disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
• Studies involving animals or human participants require prior approval from an appropriate ethics review board.
• When warranted, the journal issues corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern promptly to uphold the integrity of the scholarly record.

2. Formatting Requirements (APA Style)

2.1 General Formatting

• Font: Use Times New Roman, 12-point font.
• Margins: Set all margins to 1 inch (2.54 cm).
• Spacing: Double-space all text, including references and block quotations.
• Alignment: Justify.

2.2 Title Page

• Author Names and Affiliations: Below the title, list the authors' names and institutional affiliations.
• Corresponding Author: Indicate the email address of the corresponding author.

2.3 Abstract and Keywords

• Abstract: Begin on a new page, with the heading "Abstract" centered and bold. Summarize the research in 150-250 words.
• Keywords: After the abstract, include the word "Keywords:" (italicized) followed by 3-5 keywords.

2.4 Main Body (IMRAD Format)

• Introduction: Outline the background, significance, and objectives of the research. Provide a brief review of relevant literature.
• Methods: Describe the research design, participants, procedures, materials, and analytical methods used. Include a discussion of the study’s ethical considerations.
• Results: Present the findings of the study, including data and statistical analyses. Use tables and figures as necessary.
• Discussion: Interpret the results, discussing their implications, limitations, and potential for future research.
• Limitations and Implications: Discuss any limitations of the study, including potential biases or constraints. Analyze the implications of the findings for theory, practice, policy, or future research.

2.5 Word Count

• Length: Articles should be between 6,000 to 8,000 words, including references, tables, and figures.

2.6 In-text Citations and References

• In-text Citations: Follow the author-date citation format. Example: (Smith, 2020).
• Reference List: Begin on a new page, with the heading "References" centered and bold.
• Formatting: Use a hanging indent for each reference entry.
• Order: List references alphabetically by the last name of the first author.
• Examples: ▪ Journal Article: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number (issue number), pages. https://doi.org/xx.xxx/yyyy
• ▪ Book: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.

2.7 Tables and Figures

• Tables: Include tables on separate pages after the references. Label each table with an Arabic numeral and provide a brief, descriptive title.
• Figures: Include figures on separate pages after the tables. Label each figure with an Arabic numeral and provide a caption.

2.8 Inclusive Language

• Gender-neutral Terms: Use gender-neutral terms such as "they" instead of "he/she," "humankind" instead of "mankind," etc.
• Avoid Bias: Avoid language that is biased, stereotypical, or discriminatory. Refer to individuals or groups with the terms they prefer.
• Respect for Diversity: Ensure that your language respects diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, age, disability, and socio-economic status.

2.9 Appendices

• Appendix Sections: Place any appendices after the tables and figures. Each appendix should be labeled with a capital letter (e.g., Appendix A).

3. Declaration of Competing Interests

Authors are advised include a statement at the end of the manuscript declaring any competing interests that could be perceived to influence the results or interpretation of their research. If there are no competing interests, authors should state, “The authors declare no competing interests.”