faq
Frequently Asked Questions for Authors
Submission Process
What types of manuscripts does your journal accept?
Our journal accepts original research articles, review articles, case studies, short communications, and letters to the editor. Each submission type has specific requirements regarding length, format, and scope. Please refer to our Submission Guidelines for detailed information on each article type.
How do I submit my manuscript?
All submissions must be made through our online submission system. Create an account on our journal website, complete the author profile, and follow the step-by-step submission process. You'll need to upload your manuscript files, suggest potential reviewers, and complete a submission checklist.
What file formats do you accept for manuscript submission?
We accept manuscripts in DOC, DOCX, or RTF formats (not PDF). Figures should be submitted as separate high-resolution files (TIFF, JPEG, or EPS format, minimum 300 dpi). Tables can be included in the main manuscript file or uploaded separately as DOC, DOCX, or RTF files.
Is there a submission fee?
There is no fee to submit a manuscript for consideration. However, if your manuscript is accepted for publication, an Article Processing Charge (APC) will apply. This fee covers the costs associated with DOI registration, online hosting, and maintenance of the publication infrastructure. For current APC rates, please see our website's Fees and Payments section.
Can I suggest or exclude specific reviewers for my manuscript?
Yes, during the submission process, you may suggest up to five potential reviewers (please provide their names, institutions, and email addresses). You may also request to exclude specific reviewers (with justification). While we consider these suggestions, the final selection of reviewers remains at the editor's discretion.
Manuscript Preparation
What citation style should I use?
Our journal follows the APA 7th citation style. Please ensure all references are formatted accordingly. For detailed guidelines, please refer to our Author Guidelines section.
What should be included in the cover letter?
Your cover letter should include: the manuscript title, article type, a brief description of your research and its significance, confirmation that the work is original and not under consideration elsewhere, disclosure of any conflicts of interest, and suggestions for potential reviewers.
Do you have a template for manuscript preparation?
Yes, templates for different article types are available on our website's Author Resources page. Using these templates will ensure your manuscript meets our formatting requirements and can expedite the review process.
What is the word limit for different article types?
- Original research articles: 3,000-8,000 words
- Review articles: 4,000-10,000 words
- Case studies: 1,500-3,000 words
- Short communications: 1,000-2,000 words
- Letters to the editor: 400-800 words (Word counts typically exclude abstract, references, tables, and figure captions)
How should I structure my manuscript?
A typical research article should include the following sections:
- Title page (title, authors, affiliations, corresponding author details)
- Abstract (structured or unstructured as specified in the guidelines)
- Keywords (3-6)
- Introduction
- Materials and Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
- Declarations (funding, conflicts of interest, ethics approval)
- References
- Tables and Figures (with captions)
- Supplementary materials (if applicable)
Peer Review Process
What is our review timeline?
- Initial evaluation: Maximum 1 week
- Peer review: 2-4 weeks
- Decision after peer review: Within 4 weeks of submission
What type of peer review does your journal use?
Our journal employs a double-blind peer review process where both authors and reviewers remain anonymous to each other. Each manuscript is reviewed by at least two expert reviewers. Additional rounds of review may be conducted if necessary.
What do reviewers evaluate in my manuscript?
Reviewers assess if your manuscript:
- Presents original work with clear objectives and research gap
- Is methodologically sound
- Follows appropriate ethical guidelines
- Presents results that support the conclusions
- Properly references previous relevant work
What are the possible outcomes of peer review?
After peer review, manuscripts may receive one of the following decisions:
- Accept (without revision)
- Accept with minor revision
- Accept with major revision
- Reject
The Editor makes the final decision based on reviewer reports and, when necessary, consultation with Editorial Board members.
What happens after acceptance?
Once accepted, we will issue a Decision Letter containing the publication decision and the Article Processing Charge (APC) invoice. Your manuscript will then enter the production process for publication.
How do I submit a revised manuscript?
Log in to your author account, locate your manuscript in the "Revisions" queue, and upload your revised files. Include a point-by-point response to the reviewers' comments and highlight the changes in your revised manuscript (using track changes or highlighting).
Publication Ethics
What is your policy on plagiarism?
All submitted manuscripts are screened for plagiarism using Turnitin or iThenticate software. A maximum of 25% similarity is allowed. Manuscripts exceeding this threshold will be returned for correction and resubmission.
Depending on the severity of plagiarism detected, the following actions may be taken:
-
Minor: A short section plagiarized without significant data or ideas taken
- Action: Warning and request to revise with proper citation
-
Intermediate: Significant portion plagiarized without proper citation
- Action: Manuscript rejection and one-year submission ban
-
Severe: Significant plagiarism including reproduction of original results or ideas
- Action: Manuscript rejection and five-year submission ban
Self-plagiarism is also monitored. All authors are responsible for the manuscript content, and all will be subject to the same penalties. Second instances of plagiarism may result in a permanent submission ban.
How should I disclose conflicts of interest?
All authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could inappropriately influence their work. This information should be included in the manuscript under a "Conflicts of Interest" section and during the submission process.
What are your requirements for ethics approval?
Research involving human participants, their data or tissues, or animals must include a statement on ethics approval from an appropriate institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee. The manuscript should specify the name of the ethics committee and the reference number of the approval.
What is your policy on authorship criteria?
We adhere to the ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) guidelines for authorship. All listed authors must have made substantial contributions to the research, participated in drafting or revising the manuscript, approved the final version, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
What is your policy on manuscript withdrawal?
Authors are discouraged from withdrawing manuscripts after they enter the publication process. If withdrawal is necessary, authors must pay a processing fee of US $150 to cover resources already invested in the manuscript.
What is your policy on retractions and corrections?
We may retract publications in cases of:
- Unreliable findings due to error or falsification
- Plagiarism
- Redundant publication
- Unauthorized material
- Copyright infringement
- Unethical research
- Compromised peer review
- Undisclosed conflicts of interest
Corrections may be issued for honest errors, and expressions of concern may be published when evidence of misconduct is inconclusive or an investigation is ongoing.
Open Access and Copyright
Is your journal Open Access?
Yes, our journal provides immediate open access to all content on the principle that making research freely available supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.
What are the benefits of publishing in an Open Access journal?
Benefits include:
- Free access for all users worldwide
- Authors retain copyright to their work
- Increased visibility and readership
- Rapid publication
- No spatial constraints
What license applies to published articles?
All works in our journal are bound to Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), allowing users to copy, distribute, display, and perform the work for non-commercial purposes only, with proper attribution to authors and our journal.
What rights do authors retain?
Authors retain all rights to their published works, including:
- Copyright and other proprietary rights
- The right to use the substance in future works (lectures, books, etc.)
- The right to reproduce the article for personal use
- The right to self-archive the article
- The right to enter into additional distribution arrangements with acknowledgment of initial publication
How is co-authorship handled?
The submitting author warrants they have authorization from all co-authors to agree to our copyright and license terms. Our journal will not be held liable for internal author disputes and will communicate only with the corresponding author.
Are royalties paid to authors?
As an open access journal disseminating articles for free under the Creative Commons license, no royalties or other fees are paid to authors.
After Acceptance
What happens after my manuscript is accepted?
Once accepted, your manuscript enters the production process. You will receive proofs to review before publication. After approval, the article will be assigned to an issue and published online. Depending on the journal's publication schedule, it may appear in print at a later date.
Will my article be published online before being assigned to an issue?
Unfortunately No, we publish articles after they have been copyedited, typeset, and proofread. So you need to wait the issue published and you will find your paper online.
Can I share my published article on social media and academic networks?
Yes, we encourage authors to promote their work through social media and academic networks. Please refer to our sharing policy for specific guidelines on which version (preprint, accepted manuscript, or published version) can be shared on different platforms.
Article Processing Charges and Funding
Are there any charges for publishing in your journal?
Yes, our journal charges an Article Processing Charge (APC) for accepted manuscripts. This fee covers the costs of DOI registration, online hosting, and long-term maintenance of your publication. The APC is only payable upon acceptance, not during submission. Current APC rates can be found on our website's Fees and Payments section.
Do you offer waivers or discounts for article processing charges?
To cover the costs of maintaining DOIs and other operational expenses, we apply article processing charges (APCs). However, we recognize that financial challenges may arise, and we are willing to consider discounts on a case-by-case basis (subject to a limited quota per issue). If you would like to explore this option or need assistance, please contact the editor handling your submission for further details.
How can I acknowledge my funding sources?
Include all funding information in the "Acknowledgments" section of your manuscript and during the submission process. Specify the funding agency name and grant number using the format preferred by the funder.
Contact Information
Who should I contact if I have questions about my submission?
For questions related to manuscript submission, status updates, or the review process, please contact the Editorial Office (please see in Contact section).
Who should I contact regarding technical issues with the submission system?
For technical support with the online submission system, please contact the Editorial Office (please see in Contact section).
How can I contact the Editor-in-Chief directly?
The Editor-in-Chief can be reached at (please see in Contact section). Please note that manuscript submissions sent directly to the Editor will not be processed.