Manuscript Format Guidelines For Submission

All journals have a particular style and format for the article submission. The article written by the author is essentially a raw version that requires modifications. The article needs to be modified to make it journal-ready since it is not ready for submission to any journals in its current state. Formatting is one of the general procedures that must followed before submitting an article. In this article, we will discuss the formatting of articles, its importance, and its necessity.

What is article formatting?

One of the most vital and fundamental aspects of writing an article is formatting. Formatting refers to the structural and content-related editing of articles. The article written by the author undoubtedly requires editing and revision in terms of its structure. This editing includes font size, font type, page margin, referencing, writing style, and more. Therefore, all journals have a section on their official website that provides submission guidelines for authors. Authors must format their articles according to the guidelines provided in this section and then submit them to the journal.

article formatting

Must an article be formatted?

Journals aim to present a cohesive and organized collection of articles that adhere to a specific framework and structure. They expect all articles to fit within this predetermined format, and manuscripts that deviate from it are often rejected without further consideration during the initial review process. Article formatting is, in short, a necessary and non-negotiable criterion that needs to be met.

article formatting

There are important sections that need to be taken into account when formatting an article. Below is a quick summary of these sections and the specifications for formatting that go along with them:

Title Page

Names, affiliations, and corresponding author's information must be included on the title page beside the article's title. You should adhere to the journal's formatting guidelines for font size, style, and alignment.

Abstract

The abstract presents an overview of the paper, emphasizing the main objectives, methods, results, and conclusions. It typically has a word count limitation, which differs for each journal. The abstract should follow the journal's formatting and structure requirements.

Introduction

The introduction section sets the context for the research and provides a background and rationale for the study. It should be logically organized, clearly written, and formatted according to the journal's requirements.

Materials and Methods

The materials and methods section describes the experimental design, data collection procedures, and any statistical analyses performed. It should be clear and structured.

Results

In the results section, the study's findings are presented, often using tables, figures, and graphs. The data should be organized and presented concisely, adhering to the journal's formatting guidelines.

Discussion

The discussion section interprets the results, relates them to the existing literature, and provides insights and implications of the study. It should be well-structured and cohesive.

Conclusion

The conclusion section summarizes the main findings and highlights their significance. It should be brief and clear.

Acknowledgements

The acknowledgments section acknowledges individuals or organizations that have contributed to the research but may not meet the criteria for authorship.

References

The references section lists all the sources cited in the article using the appropriate citation style specified by the journal. The references should be accurately formatted to the journal’s guidelines.

Appendices

If there are any supplementary materials, such as additional data, questionnaires, or detailed methodologies, they can be included in the appendices section.

In addition to content formatting considerations, such as word count and the inclusion of specific elements, the article should formatted structurally. It includes adjusting the font, text alignment, line spacing, margins, and other formatting elements to match the journal's style and guidelines.

Overall, ensuring proper formatting of an article is crucial for its acceptance and publication. By adhering to the journal's guidelines for both content and structural formatting, authors can present their research in a professional and reader-friendly manner.

SITA’s formatting services

SITA is a reputable organization that provides comprehensive formatting services to researchers. With our expertise in academic publishing, SITA assists researchers in ensuring that their articles adhere to the specific formatting guidelines of their target journals. We understand the importance of proper formatting in improving the chances of acceptance and publication. SITA's team of professionals is well-versed in the different formatting styles, including content formatting and structural formatting, enabling them to accurately format the title page, abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion, conclusion, acknowledgments, references, and appendices according to the journal's specifications.