Information For Authors

GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS 

1. 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. 

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, please state, “The authors declare no competing interests.”