Author Guidelines

 

Article Types Accepted

  • Research Article (4,500–7,000 words): Original empirical studies using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods.

  • Research in Brief/Short Essays (1500–2,000 words): Concise empirical studies or pilot research.

Manuscript Structure

Submissions must include the following elements, in order:

Manuscript Structure

Submissions must include the following elements, particularly for any empirical research article, in order:

  • Title Page
    Include the article title only. Do not list author names or affiliations to maintain anonymity for peer review.

  • Abstract (100–120 words)
    Provide a clear and concise summary of the research purpose, method, key findings, and significant implications.

  • Keywords (5–8)
    Include key terms that reflect the focus of your study. 

  • Introduction
    State the research problem, articulate the study’s purpose, and explain its significance

  • Literature Review
    Synthesize current research related to your topic. Identify the theoretical foundations and gaps your study addresses.

  • Methodology
    Describe the research design (precise one, e.g., a case study, a survey research, an experimental research, a convergent mixed methods, etc), participants, data collection tools, and procedures in sufficient detail to ensure reproducibility. 

  • Results
    Present the key findings of the study using text, tables, and/or figures, clearly organized and free of interpretation. Max 2-3 tables, 1-2 figures

  • Discussion
    Interpret the results in relation to the research questions, existing literature, and implications for practice or future research.

  • Conclusion and Implications
    Summarize the study’s contributions and limitations. Offer practical implications and suggestions for further inquiry.

  • References (APA 7th Edition)
    List only sources cited in the text, formatted according to APA 7th edition guidelines, and arranged alphabetically.

  • Tables and Figures
    Include relevant visual data with clear titles and captions. Ensure figures are high resolution (300 dpi) and tables are editable.

  • Acknowledgments (if applicable)
    Briefly acknowledge any individuals, institutions, or funding bodies that supported the research.

  • AI Tools Statement (if applicable)
    Authors may use generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly, Quillbot) responsibly to support idea generation, language refinement, and formatting. Any use of AI must be disclosed clearly in the acknowledgment section and must not compromise academic integrity or originality. See sample acknowledgment here: 

    The authors used generative AI tools (ChatGPT, OpenAI; Grammarly) to assist with language editing and formatting during the manuscript preparation process. These tools were partially used to strengthen research content, analyze data, or draw conclusions. All ideas, interpretations, and findings are the original work of the authors.

     

Formatting Requirements

  • Use APA 7th Edition throughout.

  • Manuscript file: .doc, .docx [no PDF]

  • Double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, 1-inch margins.

  • Remove all identifying information from the manuscript file.

Upload Instructions

  • Main Manuscript: Single file (no author details, Word file, NO PDFs), include Tables and Figures at the end of the document or wherever they are applicable. Each figure is a JPG or PNG file (300 dpi).

Online Submission Metadata

Enter the following in the system:

  • Title of the paper

  • Abstract

  • Author details: Name, affiliation, country, brief bio

  • Corresponding author

  • Keywords 

  • Full reference list (copy from the document)

Peer Review & Copyright

  • All submissions undergo double-blind peer review.

  • Authors must agree to the journal’s copyright license upon submission.

Support: 

For authors seeking editing support, professional services are available through Star Scholars Press Editing Services. Contact: publications@starscholars.org

Final Steps

Click “Finish Submission” in the portal. A confirmation email with a tracking link will follow.