Author Guidelines

JESS | INFORMATION FOR AUTHORS

Author Guidelines

JESS (Journal of Education on Social Science) welcomes original and scientifically rigorous manuscripts that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in social science education, educational policy, public administration, public management, governance, public policy, and related interdisciplinary fields. Authors are expected to prepare manuscripts in accordance with the journal's scholarly standards, publication ethics requirements, and submission procedures.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AT A GLANCE

Manuscript Categories: Research Article and Literature Review

File Format: Microsoft Word or a compatible editable document

Abstract: 150–250 words

Citation Style: APA, following the edition specified by the current journal guidelines

Submission System: Online Journal Systems (OJS)

Review Process: Initial editorial screening followed by blind peer review for eligible manuscripts

1. General Submission Requirements

Authors intending to publish in JESS should carefully review the journal's aims and scope, manuscript requirements, editorial policies, and publication ethics standards before preparing their submissions.

Submitted manuscripts must:

Present original scholarly work relevant to the aims and scope of JESS;
Demonstrate a clearly defined research problem, objective, and scientific contribution;
Be prepared in an appropriate academic language and writing style;
Use a suitable and transparently reported research methodology;
Include accurate citations and complete bibliographic references;
Comply with applicable research ethics and publication integrity requirements;
Provide complete and accurate authorship and institutional information;
Include all relevant declarations concerning funding, competing interests, and research ethics;
Be submitted through the official JESS online submission system.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that the submitted manuscript is complete, accurate, and consistent with the applicable journal requirements. Failure to meet essential requirements may result in a request for technical revision or rejection during initial editorial screening.

2. Types of Manuscripts

JESS recognizes two principal categories of scholarly manuscripts.

2.1. Research Article

A Research Article presents original empirical research, theoretical developments, or academically substantial analytical contributions. Research Articles may employ quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, comparative, evaluative, or other appropriate research designs.

2.2. Literature Review

A Literature Review critically evaluates and synthesizes existing scholarly literature to identify theoretical developments, empirical patterns, methodological issues, research gaps, and opportunities for future research. Appropriate approaches may include critical, integrative, systematic, scoping, or bibliometric reviews, subject to editorial assessment.

Literature reviews must offer substantive synthesis and interpretation rather than merely summarize previous publications. The manuscript type should be clearly identified and consistent with the nature of the submitted work.

3. Manuscript Preparation and Formatting

Manuscripts should be prepared using Microsoft Word or a compatible editable word-processing format. The manuscript must be organized clearly and consistently, with appropriate headings, paragraph formatting, tables, figures, and references.

Authors should observe the following general requirements:

Use the official JESS manuscript template where provided;
Maintain consistent typography, line spacing, margins, and heading levels;
Number or identify all tables and figures clearly;
Ensure that all figures, tables, and appendices are cited appropriately in the main text;
Use clear and consistent terminology and abbreviations;
Check spelling, grammar, punctuation, and academic language;
Ensure that all references are accurate and correspond to in-text citations;
Submit editable manuscript files rather than image-only or scanned documents.

Detailed technical requirements concerning font size, line spacing, manuscript length, and page layout should follow the journal's current approved manuscript template. Where different website instructions are inconsistent, the editorial office should clarify the applicable standard before the manuscript enters production.

4. Manuscript Title and Author Information

4.1. Manuscript Title

The manuscript title should be concise, informative, and sufficiently specific to represent the research topic, central variables or phenomena, and primary research context where relevant.

Titles should avoid unnecessary abbreviations, overly broad expressions, unsupported claims, and wording that does not accurately reflect the research content.

4.2. Author Names and Affiliations

Author information should include:

The full name of each author;
The institutional affiliation of each author;
The name of the institution, city, and country;
The corresponding author's valid email address;
ORCID iDs, where available;
Any additional author identification required by the submission system.

The order of authors must be agreed upon by all contributing authors before submission. Each individual listed as an author must satisfy the journal's applicable authorship criteria and approve the final submitted manuscript.

5. Abstract and Keywords

5.1. Abstract

The abstract should contain between 150 and 250 words and provide a concise, coherent, and accurate summary of the manuscript. It should communicate the central research problem, purpose, methodology, major findings or synthesis, and scholarly contribution.

A well-prepared abstract should include:

Background: The relevant research context or problem.

Objective: The principal aim or research question.

Method: The research design, data source, or analytical approach.

Results: The most important findings or synthesis.

Contribution: The central conclusion and scholarly or practical implications.

Abstracts should not include unsupported conclusions, unnecessary citations, detailed statistical tables, or information not addressed in the main manuscript. For Literature Reviews, the abstract should identify the review approach and principal synthesis rather than imply that primary empirical data were collected.

5.2. Keywords

Authors should provide relevant keywords that represent the research topic, principal concepts, and disciplinary context. Keywords should be specific enough to support article discovery through scholarly databases and indexing services. The number and presentation of keywords should follow the current approved journal template.

6. Structure of Research Articles

Research Articles should present a coherent account of the research problem, theoretical background, methodology, findings, interpretation, and contribution. The following structure is recommended.

6.1. Introduction

Explain the research background, specific problem, relevant scholarly literature, research gap, objectives, and significance of the study. The introduction should establish why the research is necessary and what contribution it seeks to make.

6.2. Literature Review and Theoretical Framework

Critically discuss relevant theories, concepts, and empirical studies. Where applicable, explain the conceptual framework, research propositions, or hypotheses. Literature should be integrated analytically rather than presented as disconnected summaries.

6.3. Research Methods

Describe the research approach, design, setting, data sources, participants or sampling, research instruments, data collection procedures, and analytical methods. Explain relevant issues of validity, reliability, trustworthiness, ethical approval, and informed consent where applicable.

6.4. Results

Present research findings clearly and systematically in relation to the objectives or research questions. Use appropriate evidence, quotations, statistical outputs, tables, and figures without unnecessary repetition.

6.5. Discussion

Interpret the findings critically and connect them to the theoretical framework, previous research, and broader academic debates. Explain agreements, contradictions, potential mechanisms, contextual influences, and theoretical or practical implications.

6.6. Conclusion

Summarize the central findings in relation to the research objectives. Clearly identify the study's contribution, relevant implications, limitations, and justified directions for future research. Avoid introducing unsupported new findings.

6.7. References and Declarations

Provide complete bibliographic references and the applicable statements concerning author contributions, funding, competing interests, acknowledgments, research ethics, and data availability.

Combined Results and Discussion sections may be appropriate where permitted by the journal template. The organization should remain consistent with the research design and clearly distinguish evidence from interpretation.

7. Structure of Literature Review Manuscripts

Literature Review manuscripts should demonstrate methodological transparency, critical engagement with existing research, and a clear contribution to scholarly knowledge.

A Literature Review should generally include:

Introduction: the research topic, rationale, review questions, and scholarly importance;
Review Methodology: literature sources, search strategy, selection procedures, and analytical approach appropriate to the review type;
Results or Evidence Synthesis: thematic patterns, empirical findings, theoretical developments, or mapped research structures;
Discussion: critical interpretation, inconsistencies, research gaps, theoretical implications, and future research opportunities;
Conclusion: the principal contribution, limitations, and implications of the review;
References and Supplementary Information: complete citations and relevant supporting methodological records.

Systematic reviews should report search strategies, eligibility criteria, screening procedures, and synthesis methods transparently. Authors may use reporting frameworks such as PRISMA 2020 when appropriate to the review design.

Bibliometric reviews should disclose database sources, retrieval dates, search strings, screening procedures, analytical indicators, software, and limitations of the bibliographic dataset. Citation counts and visual maps should be interpreted critically and connected to substantive scholarly questions.

8. Tables, Figures, and Supplementary Materials

Authors should ensure that all visual and supplementary materials contribute meaningfully to the presentation and interpretation of the research.

Number tables and figures sequentially in the order in which they appear;
Provide informative titles and explanations of relevant symbols or abbreviations;
Refer to each table and figure in the manuscript text;
Ensure sufficient resolution and legibility;
Report measurement units and statistical notation appropriately;
Identify the original source of reproduced or adapted material;
Obtain permission where required for third-party copyrighted content;
Submit relevant supplementary files when requested or necessary for the evaluation of the work.

Figures must not be altered in ways that misrepresent research evidence. Graphical elements, images, and supplementary datasets should be consistent with the results presented in the manuscript.

9. Citation and Reference Requirements

References should follow the American Psychological Association (APA) citation system, using the edition formally specified in the journal's current Author Guidelines and approved manuscript template.

The existing JESS guidelines refer to APA sixth edition. Any transition to a later edition should be implemented consistently across this policy, the manuscript template, reviewer instructions, and published editorial requirements.

Authors are expected to:

Cite all sources that materially support the manuscript's arguments and findings;
Provide complete references for all works cited in the text;
Ensure that reference details are accurate and verifiable;
Include DOI links where available;
Prioritize relevant peer-reviewed research and appropriate primary sources;
Engage with current literature while acknowledging foundational scholarship;
Avoid excessive self-citation and irrelevant references;
Avoid citing fabricated, retracted, or unreliable materials without appropriate disclosure.

The quality and relevance of citations are more important than an unnecessarily large reference list. Authors should avoid adding references solely to increase citation counts or satisfy inappropriate citation requests.

Reference management software, including Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote, may be used to maintain citation consistency. Authors remain responsible for checking the accuracy of the generated references.

10. Research Ethics and Publication Integrity

Authors must conduct and report research in accordance with applicable ethical requirements and internationally recognized principles of responsible scholarly publication.

Research integrity requirements include:

Originality and appropriate attribution of ideas, text, data, and other materials;
Accurate reporting of research methods, findings, and limitations;
Prohibition of data fabrication and falsification;
Appropriate handling of overlapping or previously disseminated research;
Compliance with relevant research ethics approval requirements;
Informed consent and privacy protection where applicable;
Transparent disclosure of research funding and competing interests;
Responsible management of research data and supporting documentation;
Compliance with the journal's authorship and publication ethics policies.

Where institutional ethics approval is required, authors should state the relevant approval information. Where approval is not required, the manuscript should provide an accurate explanation consistent with applicable regulations and institutional requirements.

11. Authorship, Contributions, and Declarations

All listed authors must make qualifying scholarly contributions and accept responsibility for the integrity of the submitted manuscript. Individuals whose contributions do not meet the journal's authorship criteria should be recognized appropriately in the acknowledgments, with their permission.

Authors should provide the following declarations as applicable:

Author Contributions: A description of each author's scholarly responsibilities.

Funding: The sources of financial or material support and relevant sponsor involvement.

Conflict of Interest: Relevant financial and non-financial competing interests, or a declaration that none exist.

Ethics and Consent: Applicable ethical approval, participant consent, and privacy safeguards.

Data Availability: Information about access to underlying research data, where appropriate.

Acknowledgments: Appropriate recognition of non-author contributions.

Any changes to the author list or author order after submission must be communicated to the editorial office with an appropriate explanation and agreement from the individuals concerned.

12. Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools

Authors who use generative artificial intelligence or other AI-assisted tools during research or manuscript preparation remain fully responsible for the originality, accuracy, integrity, and scholarly quality of their work.

Authors should:

Disclose material use of AI-assisted technologies where relevant;
Verify AI-assisted statements, references, and other scholarly content;
Protect confidential and personally identifiable information;
Ensure that AI outputs do not misrepresent the research findings;
Avoid using AI to fabricate data, citations, research participants, or results;
Retain responsibility for the final manuscript and its declarations.

AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors. The use of AI must be consistent with the journal's approved AI Usage Policy and all applicable research integrity requirements.

13. Online Manuscript Submission

Manuscripts must be submitted through the official JESS Online Journal Systems (OJS) platform. Authors are responsible for providing complete and accurate submission information.

Step 1. Registration and Login

Step 2. Submission Information

Select the appropriate article category, complete the submission checklist, and provide any required author declarations.

Step 3. Manuscript Upload

Upload the complete editable manuscript and any required supplementary documents using the appropriate submission fields.

Step 4. Metadata Entry

Enter the manuscript title, abstract, keywords, author details, affiliations, and other relevant metadata accurately.

Step 5. Submission Confirmation

Review the information provided, finalize the submission, and retain the manuscript identification information for subsequent editorial correspondence.

Authors should monitor their submission accounts and official editorial correspondence regularly. Specific screen labels and submission steps may differ depending on the journal's OJS configuration.

14. Editorial Screening and Peer Review

Submitted manuscripts undergo initial editorial screening to evaluate their suitability for the journal, completeness, academic presentation, originality, and compliance with relevant publication policies.

Manuscripts considered suitable for external evaluation proceed to the journal's blind peer-review process. The editorial assessment considers scientific originality, theoretical contribution, methodological rigor, analytical quality, and research integrity.

Authors receiving revision requests should submit a revised manuscript together with a point-by-point response explaining how each substantive comment has been addressed.

Reviewer recommendations support editorial decision-making but do not guarantee acceptance. The final publication decision rests with the Editor-in-Chief or an appropriately designated editor.

15. Revisions, Acceptance, and Production

Authors must respond carefully to revision requests and provide academically justified explanations for recommendations that are not adopted. Revised manuscripts may be reassessed by the editorial team or returned to reviewers when necessary.

Accepted manuscripts may undergo copyediting, formatting, bibliographic verification, proofreading, and final publication checks.

Authors are responsible for reviewing proofs carefully and promptly communicating factual, typographical, or production-related corrections.

Acceptance does not authorize authors to make substantial unapproved changes to the research findings, conclusions, authorship, or other essential components of the manuscript.

16. Publication Fees, Copyright, and Open Access

Authors should consult the journal's current Article Processing Charge or Publication Fee policy for information concerning any applicable submission, processing, or publication charges.

Manuscript acceptance must be based on scholarly merit and the outcome of the editorial evaluation. Any applicable publication payment must not influence reviewer recommendations or editorial decisions.

Copyright ownership, author publishing rights, licensing permissions, and conditions governing the reuse of published content are determined by the journal's current Copyright and Licensing Policy.

Authors are encouraged to review the Open Access Statement and related publication policies before submitting their manuscripts.

17. Pre-Submission Checklist

Before submitting a manuscript to JESS, authors should confirm that:

The manuscript is relevant to the aims and scope of JESS.
The manuscript category has been selected correctly.
The research problem and contribution are clearly presented.
The manuscript follows the current journal template.
The abstract and keywords are complete and accurate.
All author names, affiliations, and email addresses are correct.
All authors have approved the submitted manuscript.
The methodology and supporting evidence are transparently reported.
Tables, figures, and references are complete and consistent.
Research ethics, funding, and conflict-of-interest statements are included where applicable.
Any material use of artificial intelligence has been appropriately disclosed.
The manuscript has been proofread for language and presentation quality.
The submission file is editable and ready for editorial evaluation.
The authors have reviewed the journal's relevant publication policies.