Submission Guidelines and Manuscript Preparation

Preparing and submitting a manuscript is a moment of both responsibility and anticipation. It is the point where years of effort, data, and reflection are transformed into a contribution to the scientific record. This page is designed to support authors in that transition. Here, the technical steps are detailed clearly, but so too are the values behind them: clarity, integrity, and service to the community. A well-prepared submission is not just efficient—it is respectful, inspiring, and enduring.

1. General Principles

Submissions are made electronically through the Online Journal System (OJS). Authors should ensure accuracy at every stage, as metadata, formatting, and documentation affect discoverability and credibility. The preparation process should be seen not as bureaucracy but as an extension of scientific care.

2. Preparing the Manuscript File

The main manuscript should be submitted in Microsoft Word or LaTeX. PDF files may be uploaded for review but must be accompanied by editable formats. Use Arial 12-point font, double spacing, and numbered pages.

2.1 Title Page

• Title: Concise, specific, and informative. Avoid jargon and excessive abbreviations.
• Author Details: Full names, institutional affiliations, and ORCID identifiers.
• Corresponding Author: Name, address, telephone, and email.
• Acknowledgments: Funding sources, contributors not qualifying for authorship, and disclosures.

2.2 Abstract and Keywords

Provide a structured abstract (200–300 words) with Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions. Supply 4–8 keywords using recognized indexing terms (e.g., MeSH where applicable). Abstracts should be clear to readers from adjacent fields.

2.3 Main Text

Structure depends on article type (see Author Guidelines), but research papers typically follow:

• Introduction: Establish context, rationale, and objectives.
• Materials and Methods: Describe procedures in detail sufficient for replication.
• Results: Present findings clearly, supported by tables and figures.
• Discussion: Interpret findings, compare with existing work, and outline implications.
• Conclusion: Summarize contributions, limitations, and future directions.

2.4 References

References must be numbered consecutively and cited in text with superscript or bracketed numerals. Vancouver style is recommended. Include DOIs where available. Authors bear responsibility for accuracy.

2.5 Figures and Tables

• Figures: Minimum resolution 300 dpi, formats TIFF, JPEG, or EPS. Label axes clearly.
• Tables: Simple, self-explanatory, and numbered sequentially. Do not duplicate results in text and tables.
• Captions: Descriptive enough to stand alone.

2.6 Supplementary Materials

Authors may submit datasets, multimedia, or methodological appendices. These are hosted online and linked with the article. Use repositories (e.g., Zenodo, Figshare) for large datasets, providing DOIs where possible.

3. Submission Process

3.1 Registration

Authors must register on the OJS platform with complete details. ORCID IDs are encouraged for all contributors to ensure proper attribution.

3.2 Metadata Entry

Metadata includes title, abstract, keywords, author details, funding sources, and conflicts of interest. Accuracy here ensures indexing in PubMed, Scopus, and other services. Inaccuracies at this stage can limit visibility long after publication.

3.3 File Uploads

• Main manuscript (without author details for blind review).
• Title page with author details.
• Figures and tables as separate files where possible.
• Supplementary files (datasets, appendices, videos).
• Cover letter summarizing significance, originality, and ethical compliance.

3.4 Conflicts of Interest

Disclose financial, personal, or institutional interests that may affect objectivity. Transparency protects trust.

3.5 Ethical Approvals

Upload documentation of ethics committee approval and informed consent for human research, or institutional approval for animal studies. These are not administrative hurdles but affirmations of respect for participants and living beings.

4. Cover Letter

The cover letter should introduce the work to editors with clarity. Highlight the novelty, importance, and alignment with journal scope. Disclose prior submissions, conference presentations, or preprint availability. A thoughtful letter reflects professionalism and strengthens first impressions.

5. Peer Review Pathway

Submissions undergo double-blind peer review. Authors should expect constructive critique and respond with openness. Revisions must include a detailed point-by-point response, showing respect for reviewer time and intellectual input.

6. Revision and Resubmission

Revised manuscripts should include tracked changes or highlighted text. Authors must justify deviations from reviewer suggestions. Dialogue, not defensiveness, characterizes the most successful revisions.

7. Post-Acceptance

• Copyediting ensures clarity and consistency.
• Typesetting prepares the article in both PDF and XML JATS formats.
• Proofs are sent to authors for review—accuracy at this stage is vital.
• Final versions are assigned DOIs, indexed, and archived permanently.

8. Values in Submission

Submitting a manuscript is more than compliance with format. It is an act of respect: respect for colleagues who review, for editors who curate, and for readers who trust. Preparation demonstrates humility, clarity, and pride in one’s contribution. By following these guidelines, authors affirm not only their professionalism but also their commitment to the larger mission of science: to inform, to inspire, and to serve.

9. Common Pitfalls

To aid authors, here are frequent issues to avoid:

• Incomplete metadata, which limits indexing and citation visibility.
• Submitting figures of insufficient resolution.
• Failure to anonymize manuscripts for double-blind review.
• Omitting ethical approvals or data availability statements.
• Superficial cover letters that do not articulate significance.

10. Encouragement for Authors

The journey from submission to publication can feel daunting, especially for early-career researchers. But it is also profoundly meaningful. Every step—formatting, metadata entry, ethical documentation—is part of a larger ritual of trust. By preparing carefully, authors honor the community they join. By submitting transparently, they affirm the dignity of science as a shared pursuit. This page is both instruction and reassurance: you are not alone in this process, and your voice, prepared with care, matters deeply.

Conclusion

Submission is the threshold where private effort becomes public contribution. Manuscript preparation, done thoughtfully, transforms research into a resource for the world. These guidelines are not burdens but pathways: they reduce confusion, prevent delays, and ensure that your work is understood, valued, and preserved. Above all, they reflect a truth that lies at the heart of publishing—that every article is part of a living conversation, and that conversation thrives when authors act with clarity, humility, and respect.