Submission Requirements

Before submitting your research paper to the Journal of Academic Inquiry, please carefully review the following guidelines to ensure your work meets our standards. Submissions that do not follow these requirements will not be considered for publication.

1. Eligibility for Submission

We accept submissions from high school students, undergraduates, and early-career researchers. Papers must be the original work of the submitting author(s). Authors who have previously published their work elsewhere are still eligible to submit. However, we may contact you to inquire about the other publications where your work has been published or submitted for consideration.

*Papers may be co-authored, but the submitting author must ensure that all contributors are properly credited.

2. Paper Format

File Format: All papers must be submitted in PDF format.
Length: Papers should be between 2,000 and 6,000 words, excluding references.
Font: Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double-spaced text.
Margins: One-inch margins on all sides.
Page Numbers: Include page numbers in the footer of each page.

3. Structure and Content

Your submission must include the following sections:

Title Page

Your title page should clearly present the following information:

Paper Title: Choose a concise and descriptive title that reflects the core focus of your research.
Author Name: Include your first and last name as the primary author. Ensure that all other contributors are properly credited.
School or Academic Institution: Specify the name of your high school, college, or university.
Contact Information: Provide your email address so that we can reach you regarding your submission.

The title page should be formatted with centered text, and all information should be presented in a professional and legible font, such as Times New Roman, 12-point.

Abstract

The abstract is a critical component of your paper, offering a brief overview of your research:

Length: 150–250 words.
Content: Summarize the following elements:
- The research question you investigated.
- The methods you used to conduct the study.
- The key results of your research.
- A concise conclusion of your findings and their implications.

The abstract should provide enough information for readers to understand the scope of your research without needing to read the entire paper.

Introduction

The introduction should set the stage for your research:

Research Question: Clearly define the central research question your study seeks to answer.
Background Information: Provide context by discussing relevant literature, prior studies, or important concepts that relate to your research topic.
Significance: Explain why your research is important, highlighting the potential contribution to your field or the broader academic community.

This section should guide the reader through the rationale for your study and lead naturally to your methodology.

Methods

The methods section should detail how you conducted your research:

Study Design: Describe the approach you took to investigate your research question (e.g., experimental, observational, qualitative, quantitative).
Procedures: Explain the specific steps you followed during the research process.
Data Collection: Outline how you gathered your data, whether through surveys, experiments, or other means.
Tools and Materials: Mention any tools, software, or materials you used.
Participants (if applicable): If your study involved human subjects, describe the participants, how they were selected, and any ethical considerations.

The methods section should be detailed enough that another researcher could replicate your study.

Results

In the results section, present the findings of your research:

Data Presentation: Use tables, graphs, or figures to visually present your data, if applicable. Be sure to label each clearly and reference them in the text.
Text Explanation: Describe the results of your research without interpreting them. Focus on the facts and avoid speculation.
Significant Findings: Highlight any statistically significant results, correlations, or patterns that emerged from the data.

Be concise but thorough, ensuring that readers can clearly understand what your research uncovered.

Discussion/Conclusion

This section allows you to analyze and interpret your results:

Interpretation: Explain what your results mean in the context of your research question. Are they consistent with your expectations or prior research?
Implications: Discuss the broader implications of your findings. How do they contribute to the field or the academic community?
Limitations: Acknowledge any limitations or weaknesses in your study and suggest areas for future research.
Conclusion: Summarize the main findings and the key takeaways from your research.

The discussion should connect your results back to the introduction and provide closure to the paper.

References

In the references section, list all the sources you cited in your paper:

Citation Style: Use either APA or MLA citation format consistently throughout your paper.
In-Text Citations: Ensure all sources referenced in the text are also included in the references section.
Formatting: Each reference should be formatted according to the chosen style guide. For example, in APA format, a journal article might look like this:
- Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, volume number(issue number), page range.

Make sure all references are accurate and complete, as this reflects the academic rigor of your paper.

4. Originality and Plagiarism

The Journal of Academic Inquiry takes originality seriously. Submissions must be the author’s own work and free from plagiarism. Papers that are found to contain plagiarized material will be rejected. We use plagiarism detection software to verify the authenticity of each submission.

5. Review Process

All submitted papers undergo a rigorous peer-review process, which evaluates the research's originality, methodology, and academic contribution. Only approximately 10% of submissions are accepted for publication. Please note that submission does not guarantee publication. Feedback may be provided on a case-by-case basis, depending on the reviewers' assessments.

6. Resubmission Policy

If your paper is not accepted, you may revise and resubmit it for future consideration. However, resubmissions must address the feedback provided by the reviewers and meet all the required standards for publication.

7. Ethical Considerations

Authors must ensure that their research adheres to ethical standards. Any studies involving human participants must have been conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines, including obtaining informed consent.

8. How to Submit

Once your paper is ready and meets all the submission requirements, please visit our submission page to upload your paper and complete the submission form.

Still have questions?

If you have any questions about the submission process or requirements, please feel free to contact us through the link below.