Authors intending to submit a manuscript to the journal must carefully follow these guidelines to ensure a swift and efficient review process.
Article Type and General Requirements
The journal publishes original research articles and review articles. The journal also welcomes theoretical articles that introduce or present scientific theories, as well as critical scholarly reviews of existing theories by distinguished professors and experts.
Word Count: Submitted manuscripts should be written in B Mitra font, size 13, with line spacing of 1, and should not exceed 24 pages, containing between 7,000 and 10,000 words.
Language: The primary language of regular issues is Persian. However, submission requires an extended English abstract (800 words) and an English reference list.
File Format: Manuscripts must be submitted in an editable format, preferably Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx), with single‑column layout. Submitting a PDF file alone as the main manuscript is not accepted.
Language Quality: Authors are advised to check their text for spelling and grammar before submission. For writing the extended English abstract, do not rely solely on AI or similar technologies; you may use them for translation assistance, but the final text must be reviewed by a specialist.
Anonymisation: As the journal follows a double‑blind peer review policy, the main manuscript file must be completely anonymised. This means that author names, institutional affiliations, and any explicit acknowledgements that reveal identity must be removed from the main text, images, and captions. When citing your own previous work, use neutral phrases such as "previous research has shown" instead of "our previous research." Additionally, you must remove personal information from the Word file's properties (https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/remove-hidden-data-and-personal-information-by-inspecting-documents-presentations-or-workbooks-356b7b5d-77af-44fe-a07f-9aa4d085966f).
Required Files for Submission
Five main files must be uploaded through the online submission system:
Main Manuscript File: Full text including abstract, keywords, main body, tables, and figures; without any author names or identifying information.
Title Page: A separate document containing all identifying information (details below).
Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form: This form must be signed by the corresponding author(s).
Cover Letter: A formal letter addressed to the Editor‑in‑Chief.
IranDoc or Samim Noor Similarity Certificate: Indicating the degree of overlap with previous texts.
Manuscript Structure and Format
The title page must be submitted as a separate file and contain the following identifying information:
Article Title: Should be concise, informative, and free of abbreviations (except for very well‑known ones).
Author Information: Full first and last name of each author, exactly in the order to appear in the final publication.
Institutional Affiliation: Full postal address including city, country, and postcode of the institution where the research was conducted.
Corresponding Author: Must be clearly identified and have an active email address and telephone number for correspondence.
ORCID iD: Authors are strongly encouraged to provide their ORCID iD (https://orcid.org).
Funding Sources: Details of all funding sources for the research must be provided in a "Funding" section.
Acknowledgements: Thanks to individuals who supported the work (e.g., editing or language assistance) should be included here, separate from the main text.
Template: You can download a ready‑made title page template from: https://zenodo.org/records/17764689/files/Title_Page_Template_for_Manuscript_Submission.docx?download=1
The abstract should be substantive and concise, containing between 250–300 words. It should summarise the research objective, key findings, and main conclusions. The abstract must be self‑contained and independent of the main text; avoid references to sources, non‑standard, and undefined abbreviations. (Read more about writing a standard abstract: https://www.niso.org/publications/ansiniso-z3914-1997-r2015-guidelines-abstracts). A structured abstract is preferred, organised as follows:
Purpose: Why the research was conducted.
Design/Methodology/Approach: How the research was conducted.
Findings: What was achieved (use precise numbers, avoid generalities).
Originality/Value (or Conclusion): The innovation and contribution of the article to advancing knowledge.
Authors must also submit an extended English abstract of approximately 800 words (about 1.5 pages).
Provide 5 to 7 keywords that cover the main topics of the article. These are important for indexing and search engine optimisation (read more about selecting appropriate keywords: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.1222).
This section is not mandatory but is recommended. Highlights should be submitted in a separate, editable file containing 3 to 5 bullet points. Each point should not exceed 85 characters (including spaces). These highlights should showcase innovative results and new methods, helping to increase the article's visibility.
The text should be divided into clearly numbered sections (e.g., 1, 2, 3) and subsections (e.g., 1.1, 1.1.1, etc.). In general, manuscripts follow the structure below; however, authors are not strictly required to adhere exactly to these suggested sections.
Introduction: Should present the research objectives, explain the topic's significance, provide necessary context, and state the article's contribution to existing knowledge.
Literature Review: Should review the current state of knowledge and the literature on the topic. This section should be analytical and narrative, avoiding mere description.
Methodology: For empirical research, methods must be described transparently enough to allow replication. For computational research, codes or analytical methods should be included. Also describe equipment, materials, and their sources.
Findings/Results: Focus on key facts and those with broader significance. It is recommended to present key findings in tables or figures.
Conclusion and Discussion: Summarise the main argument, state key findings, highlight research limitations, and discuss implications for future research and practical applications.
All visual and tabular elements must be properly prepared and cited in the text in sequential order.
Tables: Must be submitted as editable text, not as images. Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) for sequential numbering. Titles should be informative, with supplementary explanations placed below the table body. Avoid vertical lines and shading in tables. Follow APA Style standards for tables (https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/tables-figures/tables).
Figures: Image resolution must be high (minimum 300 dpi for halftone/photos and 1000 dpi for line drawings). Follow APA Style standards for preparing figures (https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/tables-figures/figures). Images must accurately reflect the original data. Adjustments such as brightness or contrast are only permitted if applied uniformly to the entire image and do not result in the removal or hiding of key information.
AI Prohibition for Images: The use of generative AI or AI‑assisted tools for creating or manipulating images is generally prohibited. (Exception: Only if AI use is part of the research design [e.g., in biomedical imaging] is it permitted. In such cases, the tool name, version, and usage method must be described precisely and reproducibly in the methodology section). Creating artistic images, cover artwork, or graphical abstracts using generative AI is prohibited.
Essential Table/Figure Guidelines:
Information in tables should not be repeated as figures or graphs.
Table numbers and titles go above the table; figure, graph, and chart numbers and titles go below them.
If taken from other sources, the source must be cited below the table/figure.
Dimensions should match the journal's page layout.
Each table column must have its own heading and unit. If all figures in a table share the same unit, it may be stated in the table title.
Images and maps must be clear, legible, appropriately scaled, and of suitable quality. (If colour printing of maps or graphs is required, additional costs will be calculated and charged separately.)
Whenever possible, provide the DOI of electronic resources at the end of the reference, e.g., (doi:10.1000/182).
Note on Editorial Rights: Articles received will, after initial review, proceed through the scientific peer review process. The final decision regarding acceptance or rejection will be issued by the Editorial Board. The journal reserves the right to reject, accept, or edit articles and is not obliged to return received manuscripts. Legal responsibility for the accuracy and validity of the article's content rests solely with the author(s).
Citation and Reference Formatting
The journal follows APA Style (https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples). For detailed and specific cases, authors should visit the APA Style website (https://apastyle.apa.org).
In‑Text Citations: According to APA Style (author‑date format).
Reference List: Should include only works cited in the text (and vice versa). Entries should be arranged alphabetically.
Reference Management Software: To avoid formatting errors, the use of tools such as EndNote, Mendeley, or Zotero is recommended.
DOI: Providing the Digital Object Identifier for all sources that have one is mandatory, as it creates a permanent link and increases the article's retrievability.
Data Citation: Authors must cite any underlying or related datasets they have used. This citation should include the dataset title, repository, year, and persistent identifier (DOI) and should appear in the reference list.
Supplementary Materials and Data
Supplementary Materials: Content that enriches the research but is not essential for understanding the main findings (e.g., large datasets, videos, methodological details, or appendices). These files should be uploaded simultaneously with the main file for review. They will be published online only. Supplementary materials are published exactly as received; therefore, authors must format them properly before submission. Standard formats such as PDF, Excel, and video formats are accepted. All supplementary files must be clearly cited within the main text.
Data Availability Statement: All original research articles must include a Data Availability Statement explaining how the research data can be accessed (e.g., deposited in a repository) or why it cannot be shared (e.g., sensitive information or participant privacy). Sharing data in public repositories not only demonstrates the scientific integrity of your work but also, according to statistics, increases the citation rate of your article.
Common Errors and Important Points
The main file (Word) should not contain author names or details. The file name should be the English title of the article.
Using outdated article preparation templates is not acceptable. The current author guidelines and commitment form are available on the website.
Do not upload the same manuscript multiple times, resulting in different tracking codes. Upload the article only once. If an error occurs, withdraw all codes assigned to the same article. Only one manuscript (with one specific tracking code) should be sent to the editor.
Tables must be clear according to the journal's format, visible and legible in both the print version and the electronic (PDF) format.
In many cases, the in‑text citation and referencing style does not follow the journal's required format.
English keywords should be accurate translations of the Persian keywords and listed below the abstract in order of importance.
Requests for issuance of an acceptance certificate before final approval by the Editorial Board will not be accepted, nor will manual (offline) requests.
The Editorial Board is free to reject, accept, or make any necessary edits at the time of publication.
An article will not be discussed at an Editorial Board meeting, nor will it receive a publication certificate, until it has been prepared according to the journal's author guidelines.
The author's refusal to make suggested corrections by the reviewers and Editorial Board will be considered a withdrawal of the article from publication.
Full responsibility for the opinions expressed in the article, as well as for respecting the rights of authors and researchers, rests with the author(s).
Translation of Academic Titles
فارسی English استادیار Assistant Professor دانشیار Associate Professor استاد Professor استاد پیوسته Adjunct Professor استاد (بازنشسته با دکترا و کارهای برجسته) Emeritus Professor دانشجوی دکترا PhD Candidate (Do not use periods, not "Ph.D.") دانش آموخته دکترا در ... PhD in … دانش آموخته کارشناسی ارشد در ... MA in … پژوهشگر بدون ارتباط سازمانی یا دانشگاهی Independent Researcher Article Processing Charge (APC) Payment Procedure
For each article, an initial fee of 3,000,000 IRR is required for peer review. Upon final acceptance of the article, an additional 3,000,000 IRR is charged for publication. (Please note: If the article is rejected by the reviewers, the initial 3,000,000 IRR fee will not be refunded to the author.)
Account Number: 4001070103006825
Account Name: Central Bank – Special Funds Concentration
Deposit ID: 348070174140107000000002502202
IBAN: IR830100004001070103006825
The corresponding author is kindly requested, after depositing the required amount, to scan the bank receipt and upload it as an attachment.
Please visit the following link to pay the review and publication fees. After entering your full name and national ID code, enter the amount and complete the payment:
