Information For Authors

 

 

New submissions

Manuscripts must be submitted online, with all steps handled digitally. Authors will be guided through the process of creating and uploading their files. This electronic submission process minimizes the time required for editorial processing, review, and publication. Please submit your article via: Submission Link

 

Minimum Requirements For Submission

To initiate the review process, authors should submit at least four files: a cover letter, manuscript files based on the requested template (including author details), manuscript files based on the requested template (excluding author details), and a publication metadata form.

a) Cover Letter: Please use the provided template for your cover letter when submitting your manuscript.

b) Manuscript Files: Kindly use the provided 'Full Paper Template' for your manuscript submission. Please provide two versions of your manuscript: one without author details, which will be used for the review process, and one with author details, which will help us track and manage your article in the future.

 c) Publication Metadata Form: Complete and submit the publication metadata form using the provided template.

Note: Authors and co-authors must have an ORCID number to submit their manuscripts. Ensure your ORCID profile is updated so our editors can easily access your previously published work. You can obtain your ORCID number here.

 

Submission Preparation Checklist

As part of the submission process, authors must ensure their submission adheres to the following guidelines:

Note: To ensure originality, your article will be checked by CrossCheck. For more information, please refer to the CrossCheck Plagiarism Screening System.

 

Literature Citations: Manuscripts must appropriately acknowledge and cite relevant scholarly works. Submissions that fail to include recent and pertinent references may be rejected during the initial desk review process.

Language Clarity: Manuscripts should be written in clear and accessible English to ensure comprehension by a global readership. Authors are strongly encouraged to have their work proofread by a native English speaker with expertise in urbanism or a related field.

Content Relevance: Submissions must closely align with the manuscript’s title and fall within the journal’s defined scope. Irrelevant or off-topic content may result in rejection.

Grant Support: If the research was supported by funding, authors must include an acknowledgment of the grant source, including the grant number and funding organization.

Article Subdivision: Manuscripts should be organized into clearly defined and numbered sections. Subsections should follow a hierarchical numbering system (e.g., 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.2, etc.). Note that the abstract is not included in the section numbering.

In-text Citations: Every reference cited in the text must appear in the reference list, and vice versa. Avoid including citations in the abstract. Unpublished results and personal communications may be mentioned in the text but should not be included in the reference list. References marked as 'in press' must have been accepted for publication.

Reference List: References should be listed alphabetically and, if necessary, chronologically. Ensure accuracy and completeness in formatting.

Reference Style: All manuscripts must follow the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition citation style. Ensure all articles include DOI numbers, where available, or are scientific books relevant to your manuscript’s topic. Use up-to-date references (preferably from the last 5 years) and avoid relying on unofficial internet sources or URLs.

Note: Make sure to use Endnote (see how), Mendeley (see how) or Microsoft Word Referencing Program (see how) in APA style.

Formatting: Manuscripts should be in Microsoft Word format, A4 size, Times New Roman, 12-point font for the abstract and keywords, and 12-point for the text. The complete manuscript should be a maximum of 8,000 words, including references, tables, figures, and appendices.

Use italic font for emphasis, quotes, or sentences.

Note: Manuscripts not adhering to these guidelines will be desk-rejected.

 

 

 

Manuscript Structure

Your manuscript should include at least Title, Abstract, Keywords, Highlights, Contribution to the Field Statement, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, Acknowledgements, Funding, Institutional Review Board Statement, Conflicts of Interest, Data Availability Statement, and CRediT Authorship Contribution Statements.

» Title
» Abstract
» Keywords
» Highlights
» Contribution to the Field Statement
» 1.Introduction
» 2.Materials and Methods
» 3.Results
» 4.Discussions
» 5.Conclusions
» Acknowledgements
» Funding
» Institutional Review Board Statement
» Conflict of interests
» Data availability statement
» CRedit author statement
» Appendices

 

» Title: The manuscript title should be concise and informative, reflecting the manuscript's originality and relevance to the journal's scope. It should be no longer than 15 words, clearly presenting the uniqueness and contribution of the work without using abbreviations or acronyms. An effective title should: convey the main topics of the study, highlight the importance of the research, be concise, and attract readers.

 

» Abstract: The abstract should summarize, in one paragraph of 200 words or less, the major aspects of the entire paper in a specific sequence that includes:

• Emphasize the significance of the research to engage readers and ensure they understand why the research was conducted, starting with a general background and narrowing down to the specific context.
•  Identify the problem the research addresses, its scope, and the main argument or thesis.
• Briefly describe the models, approaches, or types of evidence used in the research.
• Present specific data or general findings, quantifying the progress made.
• Suggest changes that should be implemented based on the findings and explain how the research adds to the existing body of knowledge.

The abstract should not include:

• Acronyms or abbreviations
• Any images, illustrations, figures, or tables
• Citations to other works
• Jargon or confusing terms
• Lengthy background or contextual information
• Redundant phrases, unnecessary adverbs, and adjectives

Techniques for Writing an Abstract:

• Write the abstract last
• Reread the article, focusing on the main parts: purpose, methods, scope, results, conclusions, and recommendations
• Draft a rough version without referencing the original article
• Edit for organization, improve transitions, eliminate unnecessary information, and add important details
• Have a colleague review the abstract

 

» Keywords: Keywords capture the essence of your paper, making it searchable and increasing citations. Include 4-6 relevant keywords that consist of two or three words each. Avoid single-word keywords to reduce false matches. Ensure all acronyms and abbreviations are fully spelled out.

 

» Highlights: Highlights summarize the novel results and new methods used in the study, if any. Each bullet point should be informative, concise (75 characters or fewer), and free of jargon, acronyms, or abbreviations.

Examples:

1. This paper provides evidence for the effect of rural land marketization on CRM.
2. A directional distance function model in super-efficiency form is proposed.
3. Adoption, legitimation, and diffusion growth phases revealed with sector narratives.

Important Note: From volume 7 number 1 onward, authors are required to provide "Highlights" for their submitted articles.

 

» Contribution to the Field Statement (originality/value/findings): Authors should briefly summarize (in 50 words) the manuscript’s contribution to the existing literature. The statement should highlight new knowledge and research findings, demonstrating how the journal makes a unique contribution compared to existing research. It should be written in a way that non-experts can understand, avoiding technical language and non-standard acronyms.

Examples:

1. This fivefold theoretical model adds to the existing architectural knowledge by adopting a multidisciplinary approach, providing stakeholders with fresh insights into relationships between older people and their residential environment.
2. The originality of this paper lies in discussing the paradox of customization in housing, proposing a new approach and design tool that fulfill the conditions and avoid the customization paradox.
3. This study offers the first in-depth comparative analysis of small home typologies in India.
4. This paper suggests further study areas to reduce attrition rates of registered women in this discipline, focusing on positive aspects of the profession to improve retention.

Important Note: From volume 7 number 1 onward, authors are required to provide a "Contribution to the Field Statement" for their submitted articles.

 

» 1. Introduction: The Introduction section of a scientific article is crucial for setting the stage for your research. It should provide context, establish the significance of the study, and clearly state the research objectives. The introduction should avoid extensive literature reviews or detailed summaries of results. Instead, it should focus on the following:

Establishing a research area by:

• Emphasizing the significance of the topic,
• Offering broad statements about the subject, or
• Providing a summary of current research in the field.

Identifying a research niche by:

• Questioning existing assumptions,
• Highlighting gaps in current knowledge,
• Defining a specific research question or problem, or
• Building on established disciplinary traditions.

Placing your research within the niche by:

• Clearly stating the purpose of your study,
• Outlining the main features of your research,
• Briefly mentioning key findings, and
• Presenting a short outline of the paper’s structure.

Note: Although the introduction is the first main section, it is often helpful to finalize it after completing the rest of the paper to ensure it aligns with the overall structure and findings.

 

»  2. Materials and Methods:

The Materials and Methods section outlines the research design, tools, and procedures employed in the study. It begins with a description of the materials, such as geographic data, urban maps, software tools (e.g., GIS, simulation software), and any physical or digital resources used for analysis. If the study involves case studies, surveys, or interviews, details about the selection of sites, participants, or data sources are provided, including criteria for inclusion and ethical considerations (e.g., informed consent or institutional approvals). The methods section then elaborates on the research approach, whether qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods, and describes the step-by-step processes for data collection, such as fieldwork, spatial analysis, or participatory workshops. Analytical techniques, including statistical methods, spatial modeling, or thematic analysis, are also explained, along with any software or tools used for data processing and visualization.

To ensure reproducibility, the section provides sufficient detail about the experimental or analytical framework, including the rationale for chosen methodologies and any validation steps. For example, if the study involves urban simulations or design interventions, the parameters, assumptions, and validation processes are clearly stated. Ethical considerations, such as compliance with urban planning regulations or community engagement protocols, are also addressed. This section is written in past tense and avoids interpretation, focusing solely on the procedural aspects of the research to allow others to replicate the study in similar urban contexts.

"To Do" Actions

"Not To Do" Actions

- Be detailed and specific about materials, reagents, and equipment. - Use subheadings to organize the section logically. - Clearly describe data collection methods and conditions. - Mention ethical approvals for studies involving human or animal subjects. - Cite established protocols and describe any new methods in detail. - Specify software and tools used, including version numbers. - Clearly define independent, dependent, and control variables. - Provide full details of the statistical methods and significance thresholds. - Write methods that allow for full reproducibility of the study. Describe any adjustments or special conditions in your methods.

- Do not use vague descriptions without explaining methods or tools. - Do not omit crucial details like sample sizes, controls, or timeframes. - Do not include results or analysis in the Methods section. - Do not use ambiguous terminology without specifying conditions. - Do not state product or software names without version numbers. - Do not assume the reader is familiar with specific techniques. - Do not omit mentioning ethical approval for studies involving subjects. - Do not re-explain widely known methods; cite them instead. - Do not generalize complex procedures like statistical techniques. - Do not include excessive, irrelevant details unrelated to replication.

 

 

» 3. Results: The Results section of a scientific article presents the data and findings in a clear, objective manner without interpretation. Researchers should use a combination of narrative text, tables, figures, and graphs to report all relevant results, including both positive and negative findings. Statistical information, such as p-values and confidence intervals, should be provided for quantitative results, and consistency with the methods section is essential. The results should be organized with subheadings and visual aids for clarity, and raw or unanalyzed data should not be included. Importantly, this section should refrain from any discussion or interpretation, which belongs in the Discussion section, ensuring the readers focus solely on the outcomes of the study.

"To Do" Actions

"Not To Do" Actions

- Use tables, graphs, and figures to clearly present your findings in an organized manner. - Include all relevant results, even if they do not support your hypothesis. - Use subheadings to organize different types of results for clarity. - Present the results factually, without interpretation or bias. - Explicitly reference figures and tables in the text (e.g., “Figure 2 shows…”). - Provide exact p-values, confidence intervals, and other relevant statistical measures. - Present both significant and non-significant findings. - Present your results in a logical sequence, typically aligned with the methodology. - Ensure consistency between the methods and results sections, referring back to how data were collected. - Use visual aids like graphs and charts to highlight trends and patterns in your data.

- Avoid interpreting or discussing the results; leave that for the Discussion section. - Avoid overwhelming the reader with raw data unless it’s essential for understanding. - Avoid vague expressions like “it can be seen” or “it seems,” be specific. - Don’t exclude negative or non-significant findings just because they don’t support your hypothesis. - Avoid repeating information already presented in tables or figures in the text. - Ensure all important data is presented, including unexpected findings. - Avoid using figures or tables without proper labels or explanations. - Only include data that has been processed and analyzed, not raw or preliminary data. - Avoid highlighting trivial data or statistically insignificant results unnecessarily. - Avoid overuse of abbreviations, especially if they’re not defined or commonly understood.

 

»  4. Discussions: This section should delve into the implications and meaning of the results rather than simply restating them. In some cases, combining the Results and Discussion sections may be suitable. Avoid overloading the section with excessive citations or lengthy reviews of existing literature. Instead, focus on interpreting the data and connecting it to broader research by addressing:

• How the findings align with or challenge the original hypothesis,
• How your results compare to or build upon prior studies,
• Potential reasons for any unexpected outcomes, and
• Suggestions for future research directions or hypotheses.

Ensure there is no unnecessary repetition between the Results and Discussion sections. Conclude with a concise summary of the key insights and their significance.

"To Do" Actions:

1. Explain how your results relate to the research question and hypotheses.
2. Compare and contrast your findings with previous studies and highlight similarities or differences.
3. Discuss the implications of your results and how they advance knowledge in your field.
4. Explain any unexpected results and suggest possible reasons for them.
5. Be honest about the limitations of your study and how they may affect the interpretation of the results.
6. Offer real-world applications or potential uses of your findings.
7. Identify gaps that remain in the field and suggest future studies to address these areas.
8. Highlight how your research might influence policy, industry, or further academic inquiry.
9. Discuss both the strengths and weaknesses of your findings objectively.
10. Make sure all discussion points are directly linked to the results you obtained.

"Not To Do" Actions:

1. Don’t Repeat Results
2. Don’t Overstate Findings
3. Don’t Introduce New Data
4. Don’t Ignore Limitations
5. Don’t Be Biased
6. Don’t Be Overly Speculative
7. Don’t Ignore Alternative Explanations:
8. Don’t Include Unnecessary Details
9. Don’t Focus Only on Positive Outcomes
10. Don’t Be Overly Jargon-heavy

 

» 5. Conclusions: Present the main conclusions of the study in a short Conclusions section, either standalone or as a subsection of the Discussion. Follow these general rules:

• Restate the research problem,
• Avoid simply reiterating results or discussions,
• Summarize overall arguments or findings,
• Indicate opportunities for future research if not covered in the Discussion.

"To Do" Actions:

1. Clearly state the main outcomes of your research in a concise manner.
2. Highlight why your findings are important and how they contribute to the field.
3. Refer back to the original research question or objectives, and explain how they were addressed.
4. Discuss how your results could be applied in real-world contexts.
5. Ensure the reader leaves with a clear understanding of the most critical points of your study.
6. Reflect on how your findings might influence future research, policy, or practice.
7. Suggest directions for future studies based on the gaps or limitations in your work.
8. Keep the conclusion brief and to the point, avoiding repetition from earlier sections.
9. Point out what is new or unique about your research and its potential impact.
10. Present the findings and conclusions based on data without overstating the results.

"Not To Do" Actions:

1. Don’t Introduce New Information
2. Don’t Repeat the Abstract
3. Don’t Overstate the Findings
4. Don’t Discuss Detailed Methodology
5. Don’t Ignore Limitations
6. Don’t Be Vague
7. Don’t Be Overly Speculative
8. Don’t Rehash Results
9. Don’t Use Technical Jargon
10. Don’t Be Unfocused

 

 » Acknowledgements: Include a separate Acknowledgements section before the references, listing individuals who provided help during the research.

"To Do" Actions:

1. Mention individuals or organizations that provided technical, financial, or intellectual assistance but did not meet the criteria for authorship.
2. Clearly state the type of help received, whether it’s funding, technical support, or feedback.
3. If your research was supported by grants or financial assistance, acknowledge the funding bodies and grant numbers.
4. Keep the acknowledgements section formal and respectful.
5. If required, thank people who helped with ethical approvals, patient recruitment, or data collection (with consent).

"Not To Do" Actions:

1. Don’t Include Co-authors
2. Don’t Use Informal Language
3. Don’t Thank Close Family and Friends (Unless Appropriate)
4. Don’t Acknowledge Without Permission

 

» Funding:

A “funding statement” is a way for authors to claim ownership of any potential biases, announce financial affiliations, and promote maximum transparency in their work.

Authors may choose one of the following scenarios relevant to your study (and adjust the details as needed):

- This research received funding from [Funder Name], grant number [Number].

- This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

- This study was partially supported by [Institution/Funder Name], under grant number [Number].

- The research was conducted using internal institutional resources only.

 

»  Institutional Review Board Statement:

For studies requiring ethical committee approval, authors must provide detailed information about the approval, including the name of the ethical committee, the date of approval, and the approval number. This information must be explicitly stated in:

1. The Methodology Section: Include the ethical approval details as part of the description of the study's methods.
2. The First and Last Page of the Manuscript: Clearly mention the ethical approval details for transparency.

This statement must appear at the end of the manuscript—under the heading “Institutional Review Board Statement” and before the references section. Authors may choose one of the following scenarios relevant to their study (and adjust the details as needed):

-This study received ethical approval from [Committee Name], approval number [Number], dated [Date].

-This study did not require ethical approval as it does not involve human or animal subjects.

-Ethical approval was not applicable to this study in accordance with [specific guideline or reason].

-All procedures followed ethical standards and were conducted in compliance with institutional and national regulations.

 

»  Conflict of Interests:

To ensure transparency and maintain the integrity of the research published in this journal, all authors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the objectivity, interpretation, or presentation of their work. A conflict of interest may arise from financial, personal, professional, or other relationships that could be perceived as biasing the research.

If there are no conflicts of interest to declare, authors must explicitly state:
"The Author(s) declare(s) that there is no conflict of interest."

If a conflict of interest exists, authors must provide a detailed statement explaining the nature of the conflict. This declaration will be included in the published manuscript to inform readers and ensure accountability.

Examples of conflicts of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Financial support or funding from organizations that may benefit from the research outcomes.

• Employment, consulting, or advisory roles with entities related to the study.

• Personal relationships or affiliations that could influence the research process or results.

 

»  Data Availability Statement:

In alignment with our dedication to advancing open research practices, the Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs now mandates that all submitted manuscripts include a “Data Availability Statement” as a condition for publication. This statement informs readers about the location of the research data associated with the study and outlines the terms under which the data can be accessed. Below, you will find a table with template statements that authors can use or modify to meet this requirement.

 

Availability of Data	Template for Data Availability Statement	Policy
Data openly available in a public repository with DOIs	The datasets supporting this research are publicly available in [repository name] and can be accessed via [DOI link].	All
Data openly available in a public repository without DOIs	The datasets supporting this research are publicly available in [repository name] at [URL].	All
Data derived from public domain resources	The datasets supporting this research are available in [repository name] at [URL/DOI] and originate from public domain sources: [list resources and URLs].	All
Data available within the article or supplementary materials	The authors confirm that all data supporting this research are included in the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.	Basic, Share upon Request
Data generated at a large-scale facility, available on request	Raw data were produced at [facility name]. Processed data can be obtained from the corresponding author, [initials], upon request.	Basic, Share upon Request
Data under embargo due to commercial restrictions	The datasets supporting this research will be accessible in [repository name] at [URL/DOI] following a [7-month] embargo period post-publication.	Basic, Share upon Request
Data available on request due to privacy/ethical restrictions	The datasets supporting this research can be obtained from the corresponding author, [initials], upon request.	Basic, Share upon Request
Data subject to third-party restrictions	The datasets supporting this research are available from [third party].	Basic, Share upon Request
Data available on request from the authors	The datasets supporting this research can be obtained from the corresponding author, [author initials], upon reasonable request.	Basic, Share upon Request
Data sharing not applicable – no new data generated	Data sharing is not applicable to this study as no new datasets were created or analyzed.	All
Non-digital data available	Non-digital datasets supporting this research are archived at [add location].	Basic
Data not available due to ethical/legal/commercial restrictions	Due to ethical, legal, or commercial constraints, the datasets supporting this research are not publicly available.	All

 

 

»  CRediT Author Statement:

CRediT provides authors with the chance to accurately and thoroughly describe their various contributions to the published work. CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy) is a high-level categorization system consisting of 14 roles that can be utilized to represent the typical functions performed by contributors to scientific scholarly output. The roles describe the unique contribution of each contributor to the scholarly output.

When documenting the contributions of multiple authors in a research article using the CRediT taxonomy, please adhere to the following guidelines:

• Assign multiple roles to individual contributors as needed, and allow a single role to be shared by multiple contributors.
• Specify the level of contribution as "lead," "equal," or "supporting" if multiple individuals share the same role.
• The corresponding author is responsible for assigning roles, and all contributors should have the opportunity to review and confirm their assigned roles.
• Select only the contribution roles that are relevant to the specific study, as not all categories will apply to every type of research.
• Ensure the accuracy of the role descriptions and obtain agreement from all authors, which is the responsibility of the corresponding author.
• List the roles of all authors as they appear in the article.

 

A detailed CRediT author statement must be included to outline the specific contributions of each author. For example:

"Conceptualization: A.B., C.D., E.F. Data curation: C.D., A.B., G.H., I.J. Formal analysis: E.F., A.B., C.D., G.H. Funding acquisition: A.B., C.D., E.F. Investigation: C.D., G.H., I.J., A.B. Methodology: A.B., C.D., E.F., G.H. Project administration: C.D., A.B. Writing—original draft: C.D., A.B. Writing—review and editing: A.B., C.D., E.F., G.H., I.J. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript."

The corresponding author is responsible for serving as the main point of contact between the journal and the co-authors, ensuring that all authors are informed and involved in key decisions related to the publication. In cases of joint first authorship, include a note such as "A.B. and C.D. contributed equally to this work" in the manuscript, and clearly define their roles in the authorship statement. This framework, based on the Consortia Advancing Standards in Research Administration (CASRAI) guidelines, includes 14 distinct roles to accurately reflect each contributor’s involvement. For multi-author research articles, include a concise paragraph summarizing individual contributions.

For instance:

CRediT Author Statement: Conceptualization: A.B., C.D., E.F. Data curation: C.D., A.B., G.H., I.J. Formal analysis: E.F., A.B., C.D., G.H. Funding acquisition: A.B., C.D., E.F. Investigation: C.D., G.H., I.J., A.B. Methodology: A.B., C.D., E.F., G.H. Project administration: C.D., A.B. Writing—original draft: C.D., A.B. Writing—review and editing: A.B., C.D., E.F., G.H., I.J. All authors have reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

The corresponding author should ensure effective communication between the journal and co-authors, keeping everyone informed and engaged in critical publication decisions. For studies with multiple first authors, clearly state "A.B. and C.D. contributed equally to this work" in the manuscript and provide a detailed breakdown of their roles in the authorship statement.

Sources:

1. The presentation of the 14 roles has been adapted from the Consortia Advancing Standards in Research Administration (CASRAI) website.
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/leap.1210

 

 

»   Appendices: Identify multiple appendices as A, B, etc. Number formulas and equations separately within each appendix. Tables and figures should follow a similar format.

 

 Footnotes and Abbreviations: Avoid footnotes and abbreviations. If necessary, footnotes should contain additional text only, not source information. Abbreviations in tables and figures should be explained.

 

 

Respond to Reviewers’ Comments

If you have received a revision request (minor or major) from a journal, it means you have convinced the editors and reviewers that your article makes an original contribution to the literature; however, it does not necessarily mean that your article will be published in the journal. During the process of revision which sometimes might be stressful, you should develop a strategy to completely understand each comment which is given by the reviewers and/or editors. Considering this fact, the main reason that you receive revision is that the reviewers would like to see how and in what way you are revisioning your article. They want to see your academic knowledge, ability and professionality in the process of revision. One of these abilities is how much you can perceive different perspectives of one single concern of a reviewer and/or how you will be able to apply given comments in the different parts of your manuscript. If the reviewers realized that the response to the reviewers is not appropriate or they were not satisfied with the quality of your work in a given time they may reject your manuscript. 

 

Minimum Requirements to Submit the Revised Manuscript

To ensure a smooth resubmission process, please include the following documents:

1. Rebuttal Letter: This is your opportunity to respond directly to the reviewers—clarify misunderstandings, defend your work, and outline improvements made. The letter should include your manuscript details and a brief note about the resubmission, typically written by the corresponding author. You can find a template here.
2. Author's Response to Reviewers and Editor Comments: In this document, provide detailed explanations of how you've addressed each comment from the editors and reviewers, justifying your responses. A template is available here.
3. Tracked Changes Document: Submit your revised manuscript with all changes clearly highlighted using tools like Microsoft Word's "Track Changes" feature to make your revisions easily identifiable. A template can be found here.
4. Clean Version: Provide a final, clean copy of your manuscript without any markup or highlights, showing your work in its final form; this version is usually uploaded as the main "manuscript" file and allows the editor to read your work without distractions.

Please ensure all these documents are included with your resubmission to facilitate an efficient review process. Thank you for your cooperation.

What the author should do during the revising?

Do’s:

• Choose your battles carefully: Even if you disagree with a minor change suggested by a reviewer, it's often best to make the change to demonstrate your openness to feedback.
• Clearly indicate where changes have been made in the text.
• Keep the version with tracked changes separate from the main manuscript.
• Respond to each reviewer’s comment individually, explaining how you have addressed it or providing a rationale if you chose not to make the change.
• Provide a detailed, point-by-point response to the reviewers.
• Express gratitude to the reviewers and editors for their time and effort. Remember, they are volunteering their time to help improve your manuscript.
• Be diplomatic when explaining disagreements: Use supplementary materials like figures and tables to support your argument without including them in the manuscript.

What the author shouldn’t do during the revising?

Don’ts:

• Don’t ignore any concerns raised by a reviewer. Address each comment by either making the change or justifying why you did not.
• Avoid ending your letter to the reviewer with generic statements like, “We would like to thank the referee again for taking the time to review our manuscript.”
• Don’t assume a reviewer’s misunderstanding is due to ignorance. If they didn't understand something, it likely means your explanation needs to be clearer.
• Don’t give simple yes or no answers. Even for minor corrections like typos, say “We’ve corrected the typo.” For more significant errors, add an apology if necessary.
• Don’t avoid or ignore specific questions from reviewers, as this could lead them to reject the revision.
• Don’t simply say, “I’ve made all the recommended changes.” Detail how each change was made.
• Don’t take reviewer comments personally.

For more information please see:

a) How to respond to reviewers’ comments: A practical guide for authors, by Cristina N. from here

b) How to respond to reviewer comments – the CALM way, by Catherine Carnovale  from: here

c) How to write an effective “Response to Reviewers” letter, by  Jeff Offutt from:  here

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Reference Style

All manuscripts must follow the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style (7th edition), which is widely used in the social sciences. Authors should refer to the latest edition of the APA Publication Manual when preparing their manuscripts.

APA referencing Basics:

» Journal Articles » Books » Book Chapter » Translation (Book) » Book Review » Published Thesis or Dissertation » Unpublished Thesis or Dissertation

» Published conference paper » Paper Published in Conference Proceedings-Book form » Paper Published in Conference Proceedings-Journal Form » Not Published Symposium Material » Article from a Newspaper » Newspaper Article with No Author Given » Article from a Magazine

» Proceedings of Meetings and Symposia Published Regularly Online » Electronic Resources » Data Downloaded From the Official Organization Website » Powerpoint Slides or Lecture Notes » Report » Newspaper » Press Release

» Blog Post » Twitter/Instagram » Podcast » Movie » YouTube Video » Dictionary or Encyclopedia » Report of an organization or institution » Published work on the Internet as a scanned copy » Computer Software

• Journal Articles:

Format: Author(s). (Year). Title of the article. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), page range. https://doi.org/DOI

Example: Haruna, P. B., Zubairu, S., Olagunju, R. E., & Akande, O. K. (2023). Liveability Considerations: Towards Designing Sustainable Public Housing in Niger State, Nigeria. Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs, 7(2), 262–278. https://doi.org/10.25034/ijcua.2023.v7n2-16

• Books:

Format: Author(s). (Year). Title of book (Edition). Publisher. DOI or URL

Example: Smith, T. (2020). The citation manual for students: A quick guide (2nd ed.). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1000/182

•  Book Chapter:

Format: Author(s) of Chapter. (Year). Title of the chapter. In Editor(s) (Ed.), Title of the book (Edition, pp. page range for chapter). Publisher. DOI or URL

Example: Smith, J. A., Johnson, R. T., & Lee, K. M. (2024). Sustainable design strategies in urban environments. In P. Roberts & M. Green (Eds.), Innovations in urban design (4th ed., pp. 123-145). Urban Development Press. https://doi.org/10.1000/978-1-234-56789-0

 

• Translation (Book)

Format: Author(s). (Year). Title of the book (Translator's Name, Trans.). Place of Publication: Publisher. (Original work published Year).

Example: García, M., Sánchez, P., & Torres, L. (2024). The philosophy of cultural identity (A. Lopez, Trans.). New York, NY: Horizon Publishing. (Original work published 2008)

• Book Review

Format: Reviewer, A. A. (Year). [Review of the book Title of book, by B. B. Author]. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page number. DOI or URL (if available)

Example: Martin, A., Lee, C., & Zhang, P. (2024). [Review of the book Innovation in sustainable urban design, by J. Roberts, T. Green, & S. White]. Journal of Urban Studies, 45(3), 245-247. https://doi.org/10.1234/jus.2024.00345

Example: Johnson, M. K., & Patel, S. R. (2024). [Review of the book Sustainable cities and urban development, by L. T. Brown & P. W. Davis]. Journal of Urban Planning, 38(2), 112-114. https://doi.org/10.5678/jup.2024.00215

• Published Thesis or Dissertation:

Example: Smith, J. A. (2022). Urban planning and its impact on public health [Doctoral dissertation, Metro University]. Digital Thesis Repository. www.digitalthesisrepository.com
Example: Williams, K. (2019). Education's role in economic advancement [Master’s thesis, National University]. National University Repository. https://nationaluniversity.edu/thesis/2019

• Unpublished Thesis or Dissertation:

Example: Brown, A. A. (2021). Renewable energy advancements [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Greenfield University.
Example: Garcia, M. (2018). The influence of culture on learning outcomes [Unpublished master's thesis]. Global University.

• Published Conference Paper

Example: Martin, P., & Davis, R. (2023, July 10-13). New methodologies in urban design [Paper presentation]. Global Symposium on Urban Development, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1234/gsud.2023.7890

• Paper Published in Conference Proceedings-Book form:

Example: Clark, S. (2023). Future trends in digital learning. In J. White & M. Black (Eds.), Proceedings of the Educational Technology Conference (pp. 95-110). EdTech Publications. https://doi.org/10.5678/etc.2023.456

• Paper Published in Conference Proceedings- Journal form:

Example: Harris, L. A., & Jones, T. B. (2022). Advances in artificial intelligence. Journal of AI Research, 17(2), 201-218. https://doi.org/10.8765/jair.2022.007

•  Not published Symposium Materials:

Example: Roberts, J., & Lee, H. (2002, March 15-18). Innovations in virtual reality. Paper presented at the International Symposium on Virtual Environments. Abstract retrieved June 10, 2002, from http://www.virtualsymposium.com/papers/innovations

• Article from a Newspaper:

• Newspaper Article with No Author Given:

• Article from a Magazine:

  

• Proceedings of Meetings and Symposia Published Regularly Online:

  

  • Electronic Resources

  Format: Author, A. (Year). Title of the software [Type of resource]. Retrieved from URL
  Example: Wilson, P. (2011). Advanced statistical analysis software [Computer software and manual]. Retrieved April 12, 2013, from http://www.statssoftware.com/analysis

  • Data Downloaded from the Official Organization Website

  Format: Organization. (Year). Title of the data [Data file]. Available from URL
  Example: World Health Organization. (2021). Global health statistics [Data file]. Available from the WHO website, http://www.who.int/data

  • PowerPoint Slides or Lecture Notes

  Format: Author, A. (Year). Title of the slides [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from URL
  Example: Lee, J. (2023). Fundamentals of AI [PowerPoint slides]. Online Education Portal. https://www.onlineeducation.com/ai_fundamentals

  • Report

  Format: Author, A. (Year). Title of the report. Publisher.
  Example: United Nations. (2022). Annual report on global development. New York: Author.

  • Newspaper Article

  Format: Title of the article. (Year, Month Day). Title of Newspaper, volume(issue), page numbers.
  Example: Healthcare advancements. (1983, August/September). Health Insights, 4, 1-2.

  • Press Release

  Format: Author, A. (Year, Month Day). Title of the press release [Press release]. Retrieved from URL
  Example: Williams, K. (2023, October 5). Breakthroughs in renewable energy [Press Release]. www.renewablenews.com
  American Psychological Association. (2018, January 31). Dishonest individuals perceived as less capable [Press release]. http://www.apa.org/news/press/dishonest-individuals.aspx

  • Blog Post

  Format: Author, A. (Year, Month Day). Title of the blog post. Blog Name. Retrieved from URL
  Example: Brown, L. (2023, March 10). Raising awareness for mental health. Health Blog. https://healthblog.com/mental-health-awareness

  • Twitter/Instagram

  Format: Author, A. [@Username]. (Year, Month Day). First 20 words of tweet [Tweet]. Twitter. URL
  Example: Smith, J. [@JaneSmith]. (2023, April 15). Excited to announce my new research on sustainable living! [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/JaneSmith/status/1234567890

  • Podcast

  Format: Host, A. (Host). (Year). Title of the podcast [Type of podcast]. Retrieved from URL
  Example: Davis, M. (Host). (2023). Tech innovations today [Audio podcast]. Tech Talks. https://techtalkspodcast.com/innovations

  • Movie

  Format: Producer, A. (Producer), & Director, A. (Director). (Year). Title of the movie [Motion picture]. Production Company.
  Example: Rogers, T. (Producer), & Lee, M. (Director). (2022). Journey into the unknown [Motion picture]. Discovery Films.

  • YouTube Video

  Format: Author, A. (Year, Month Day). Title of the video [Video]. Retrieved from URL
  Example: Clark, R. (2023, May 22). Discovering the ocean depths [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcdefgh

  • Dictionary or Encyclopedia Entry

  Format: Author, A. (Year). Title of the entry. In B. Editor (Ed.), Title of the reference work (pp. pages). Publisher.
  Example: Miller, J. (2023). Emotional development. In K. Green, P. Brown, & L. Black (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Psychology (pp. 50-53). Knowledge Press.

  • Report of an Organization or Institution

  Format: Organization. (Year, Month). Title of the report (Report No. xxx). Publisher.
  Example: Economic Research Institute. (2021, March). Economic outlook report (Report No. 123). Washington, DC: Author.

  • Published Work on the Internet as a Scanned Copy

  Format: Author, A. (Year). Title of the article [Electronic version]. Journal Name, volume(issue), pages. Retrieved from URL
  Example: Johnson, K., Brown, L., & Doe, J. (2005). Social media's impact on communication [Electronic version]. Journal of Communication Studies, 7, 89-101.
  Johnson, K., Brown, L., & Doe, J. (2010). Social networks in modern communication [Electronic version]. Journal of Communication Studies, 8, 202-215. Retrieved July 10, 2011, from http://communicationstudies.org/articles.html

  • Survey Retrieved from the Internet

  Format: Title of the survey. (Year). Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
  Example: 7th Annual User Survey. (2020). Retrieved August 1, 2020, from http://www.usersurvey.com/2020

  • Computer Software

  Format: Author, A. (Year). Title of the software (Version) [Computer software]. Location: Company.
  Example: Taylor, M. E. (2015). Data Pro Analyzer (Version 3.2) [Computer software]. New York, NY: Data Solutions Inc.

Note: You may use the following templates of references in  APA style prepared by Victoria University. https://libraryguides.vu.edu.au/apa-referencing/7JournalArticles 

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Number of Authors to Include in In-text Citations:

The way authors are cited within the text depends on both the number of authors associated with the source and the specific citation style guidelines. Below is an overview of in-text citation formats, illustrating how to cite works with varying numbers of authors or group authors.

In-text	Narrative: First mention	Narrative: Later mentions	Parenthetical: First mention	Parenthetical: Later mentions
Single author	Nia (2023)	Nia (2023)	(Nia, 2023)	(Nia, 2023)
Two authors	Collins and Rivera (2021)	Collins and Rivera (2021)	(Collins & Rivera, 2021)	(Collins & Rivera, 2021)
Three or more	Harrison et al. (2019)	Harrison et al. (2019)	(Harrison et al., 2019)	(Harrison et al., 2019)
Groups/Organisations	World Health Organization (WHO, 2020)	WHO (2020)	(World Health Organization [WHO], 2020)	(WHO, 2020)

Works With the Same Author and Same Date

If you have multiple sources by the same author(s) published in the same year, attach a lowercase letter after the year to distinguish them. Apply this year-letter format in both in-text citations and the references list.

• In-text Citations:
• First source: Johnson (2021a) or (Johnson, 2021a)
• Second source: Johnson (2021b) or (Johnson, 2021b)
• References List:
• Johnson, R. T. (2021a). Emerging trends in virtual education. Journal of Educational Technology, 12(1), 22–35. https://doi.org/10.1234/jet.2021.00022
• Johnson, R. T. (2021b). Online learning in rural communities. Education & Society, 9(2), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.1234/es.2021.00045

 

Citing References in the Text

Make sure each reference cited in the manuscript also appears in the references list (and vice versa). Any citation included in the abstract must be fully detailed. Referring to a source as “in press” signals that the work is officially accepted for publication.

Two Authors

For sources with two authors, always include both authors’ surnames, the publication year, and use an ampersand (&) between their names when citing parenthetically.

Example:

• Li and Carter (2010) demonstrated…
• As shown by (Liu & Gardner, 2012)…

Three, Four, or Five Authors: When a work has three, four, or five authors, include all names the first time, and then use the first author's surname followed by "et al." for subsequent citations.

First time: Johnson, P., Lee, M., & Carter, D. (2010) found ...

Second time: Johnson et al. (2010) found ...

No Author: When a work has no author, cite the organization or institution that issued the work. Use an abbreviation for long names if needed.

First time: (World Health Organization [WHO], 2015) ...

Second time: (WHO, 2015) ...

Anonymous Work: If the work is labeled as anonymous, indicate it in a bracket.

(Anonymous, 2020).

Same Last Name Authors: If there are two authors with the same last name, include the initials to avoid confusion.

1. M. Smith and R. L. Smith (1995) studied ...

Multiple References by the Same Author: When citing multiple references by the same author(s), list the years of publication separated by commas.

Past research (Williams, 2003, 2005, 2007) ...

Same Author, Same Year: When the same author has multiple works in the same year, label the sources with letters (a, b, c, etc.).

Several studies (Miller, 2010a, 2010b) ...

Multiple Authors in One Citation: When citing works by different authors in the same citation, list them in the same brackets separated by semicolons.

Several studies (Green, 1998; Black, 2001; White & Blue, 2005) ...

Citing Secondary Sources: When quoting hearsay, cite the original author and year of the work, followed by "as cited in" and the secondary source.

Deci (1975; as cited in Ryan, 2001, p. 108) ...

Original and Translation Publication Years: When a work has an original publication year and a translation year, list both years separated by a slash.

(James, 1890/1983)

Internet Source without Bookmarked Page: For an Internet source without a bookmarked page, use paragraph numbers.

(Myers, 2000, para. 5)

Personal Communication: Personal communication should be cited in text with the date and not included in the reference list.

Deci (personal communication, April 18, 2001) ...

Important Note:

Non-Latin scripts cannot be used in the reference list. The title must be transliterated into English, with the original title in Latin script and the translation in brackets.

Example: Chen, L. (2005). 水资源管理 [Water resource management]. Beijing: Science Press.

 

Referencing Tables and Figures in the Text:

Number all tables and figures within the main body of the text and refer to them by their designated numbers rather than their location (e.g., avoid “the table above” or “the figure on page 12”).

In-text Examples:

• Henderson et al. (2023, Table 2) illustrate how social media influences consumer behavior…
• As depicted in Table 2, Regions A and B register high levels of air pollution…
• Figure 3 shows the decade-long growth in smartphone adoption…
• …according to the data (see Table 4).
• …following a comprehensive review (see Figures 6 and 7).

 

Referencing Images Without Displaying Them in the Text

When referring to an image not included in your paper, cite it just as you would any other source, providing the author, date, and relevant page number(s). List the complete reference in the bibliography according to the correct format (e.g., book, website).

In-text Example:

• The theme of industrial development is vividly portrayed in The Innovators at Work (Martinez, 2018, p. 52), a painting renowned for its realistic depiction of factory life.

 

Direct Quotes in APA Style

A direct quote is a verbatim excerpt from another source. It may consist of a single word, a short phrase, a sentence, or a longer passage.

Examples:

• According to a recent study, “quotations can offer enhanced clarity in academic papers” (Morris et al., 2019, p. 32).
• Bailey and Chen (2020) assert that “academic misconduct often stems from misunderstanding rather than intentional deceit” (p. 9).

 

 

Citing Indirect Sources:

When referring to a source found within another source, always try to access the original. If the original source is not available, cite it through the secondary source using "as cited in".

Examples: (Taylor, 1985, as cited in Roberts et al., 2019)

If the primary source’s publication date is unknown, only include the secondary source's publication year.

Example: Clark (as cited in Evans, 2018) argues that...

Include a reference entry only for the secondary source, not the primary source.

Author Roles in APA References:

If contributors have roles other than “author,” sometimes (but not always) include a description of their role in parentheses. Refer to the table below for guidance on when to provide a role description.

Source type	Role	In the reference entry
Book	Author	Miller, J. J.
Book	Editor	Miller, J. J. (Ed.)
Film	Director	Tarantino, Q. (Director)
TV series	Executive producer	Gilligan, V. (Executive producer)
Podcast	Host	Rogan, J. (Host)
Webinar	Instructor	Lee, A. A.
Artwork	Artist	Da Vinci, L.

* Abbreviate the editor role to “Ed.” (one editor) or “Eds.” (multiple editors).

Abbreviations in APA references:

To save space in the reference entry, some common parts of works are abbreviated. Pay attention to the differences in capitalization and punctuation.

Word	Abbreviation
Revised edition	Rev. ed.
Second edition	2nd ed.
Editor(s)	Ed. / Eds.
Translator(s)	Trans.
Narrator(s)	Narr. / Narrs.
No date	n.d.
Page(s)	p. / pp.
Paragraph	para.
Volume(s)	Vol. / Vols.
(Issue) number	No.
Supplement	Suppl.
Chapter	Chap.
Table	Tbl.
Figure	Fig.
Edition	Ed.
University Press	Univ. Press
Manuscript	MS
Anonymous	Anon.
Section	Sec.
International	Intl.
Conference	Conf.
Government	Govt.
Department	Dept.

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Reference Management Software

Using reference management programs is one of the simplest ways to organize citations and format references correctly. Examples include:

• Mendeley: http://www.mendeley.com/features/reference-manager
• EndNote: http://www.endnote.com/support/enstyles.asp
• Reference Manager: http://refman.com/support/rmstyles.asp

These tools integrate with word processors, enabling authors to apply the appropriate journal template during manuscript preparation. The references list and in-text citations are then automatically formatted according to the style described in this guide. If no specific template is available, consult the reference and citation examples provided here and adapt them to fit the required style.

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English Editing and Proofreading

Ensure your manuscript is written in clear, correct English, adhering consistently to either American or British language conventions. Authors who suspect their paper may need revisions in grammar, spelling, or technical language can make use of professional English editing services. If a reviewer or editorial board member identifies the need for further editing at any stage of the review process, authors must consult a native English speaker or a professional proofreading service to refine the manuscript.

Note: When proofreading in Microsoft Word, enable “Track Changes” so all edits are visible. Submit both the final clean version of the file and the version showing tracked changes.

 

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After Acceptance

Final Proofreading and Corrections

Authors are required to review and approve the final proof of their manuscript before publication.The editorial office will send the formatted manuscript to the corresponding author for a final check. Authors must respond within a specified timeframe (e.g., 48–72 hours) with any minor corrections or confirm approval. Major changes are not permitted at this stage.

Scheduling for Publication

Accepted articles are scheduled for publication in the next available issue based on the journal’s editorial calendar. The editorial office will notify authors of the expected publication date and issue. Articles may be published online first period to the mail publication.

Post-Publication Corrections and Retractions

The journal is committed to maintaining the integrity of the published record. Errors identified after publication will be addressed through corrections, errata, or retractions as appropriate. Authors or readers can report errors to the editorial office. The editorial team will investigate and, if necessary, issue a correction or retraction notice linked to the original article.

Promotion and Dissemination

The journal will promote published articles to increase visibility and impact. The editorial office will share published articles on the journal’s website, social media channels, and relevant academic databases. Authors are encouraged to share their work within their professional networks and provide feedback on the journal’s promotional efforts.

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