Author Guidelines

Manuscripts submitted to INSPIRE: Journal of Innovation in Social Learning should be prepared in clear, accurate, and academically appropriate English. Authors who are not native English speakers are encouraged to have their manuscripts professionally reviewed for language accuracy, grammar, and readability before submission.

Manuscripts submitted to INSPIRE must represent original scholarly work and must not have been previously published or simultaneously submitted to another journal. By submitting a manuscript, authors confirm that the work is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.

The publication language of INSPIRE: Journal of Innovation in Social Learning is English.

1. Manuscript Preparation

1.1 Formatting Requirements

Authors should prepare their manuscripts according to the following specifications:

  • Manuscripts must be written in English.
  • The recommended manuscript length is 3,000–8,000 words, including references, tables, and appendices.
  • Manuscripts should use Times New Roman, 11 pt, with single line spacing.
  • The paper size should be A4.
  • Set the page margins to 2.54 cm on the top, bottom, left, and right sides.
  • The complete manuscript should not exceed 17 pages.
  • Manuscripts must be submitted in Microsoft Word (.docx) format.

2. Article Components

2.1 Article Title

The title should:

  • contain no more than 16 words;
  • be written in Times New Roman and positioned in the center;
  • accurately represent the main topic, variables, and/or focus of the research; and
  • be concise, specific, and informative.

2.2 Author Information

The manuscript should provide:

  • the complete names of all authors;
  • the authors' institutional affiliations and study programs or departments;
  • an asterisk (*) to identify the corresponding author; and
  • the active email address of the corresponding author.

2.3 Abstract

The abstract should provide a concise overview of the study and contain 150–250 words.

It should be:

  • written in Times New Roman, 11 pt;
  • formatted with single spacing;
  • presented in italic type; and
  • focused on the research purpose, methodology, data analysis, and principal findings.

The abstract should enable readers to understand the essential aspects of the research without referring to the full manuscript.

2.4 Keywords

Authors should provide at least three keywords that represent the central concepts or important themes of the manuscript.

3. Article Content

3.1 Introduction

The Introduction should establish the context and justification of the study. It should, where appropriate, address:

  • the background and research context;
  • the significance and rationale of the study;
  • relevant theoretical perspectives and previous studies;
  • the research gap or problem;
  • the approach adopted in the study;
  • the research objectives; and
  • research hypotheses, where applicable.

The main section heading should be presented in ALL CAPS, Bold, 12 pt.

3.2 Method

The Method section should explain clearly how the research was conducted. Depending on the type of study, authors should describe:

  • research design;
  • research population, participants, or sample;
  • sampling procedures;
  • instruments or data sources;
  • data collection procedures;
  • techniques used for data analysis;
  • software or analytical applications employed; and
  • relevant ethical procedures or considerations.

Subsections may be organized using decimal numbering, such as 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3, when necessary.

3.3 Results and Discussion

The Results and Discussion section should present and interpret the findings in a logical and coherent manner.

Authors should:

  • report findings systematically according to the research objectives or questions;
  • use tables, graphs, photographs, or other figures when they improve the presentation of results;
  • interpret the findings rather than merely restating numerical or descriptive results;
  • relate the findings to relevant theories and previous studies;
  • explain similarities, differences, and possible reasons for the findings; and
  • identify the academic, practical, or theoretical implications of the results where relevant.

Tables and figures must be numbered consistently, given informative titles, and explicitly referred to in the manuscript text, for example, Table 1 or Fig. 1.

3.4 Conclusion and Suggestions

The Conclusion should synthesize the major outcomes of the research rather than simply repeat the Results section.

Authors should:

  • present the main conclusions derived from the findings;
  • ensure that the conclusions address the research objectives or questions;
  • avoid introducing new information that has not been discussed in the article; and
  • provide relevant recommendations, implications, or suggestions for practice and future research when appropriate.

3.5 Acknowledgment

An Acknowledgment section may be included when appropriate.

Authors may acknowledge:

  • financial support or research funding, including grant numbers where applicable;
  • institutional support;
  • technical or administrative assistance; and
  • contributions from individuals who supported the research but do not meet the criteria for authorship.

4. Tables, Figures, and Equations

Authors should ensure that all visual and mathematical elements are presented clearly and consistently.

  • Figures should have sufficient resolution and clarity for publication.
  • Text appearing inside figures should be readable and generally use a font size of approximately 11 pt.
  • Smaller font sizes may be used in tables when required by the layout, provided that the content remains clearly legible.
  • Multiple figures may be arranged side-by-side when this improves presentation and space efficiency.
  • Mathematical equations should be numbered consecutively when necessary.
  • References to equations should use the format “equation (1)” rather than “eq. (1)”.
  • Every table and figure must have a descriptive title and must be cited in the body of the manuscript.
  • Authors are responsible for ensuring that figures, tables, and other visual materials are appropriately cited and comply with copyright requirements.

5. References and Citation

References should be prepared consistently according to APA Style (latest edition).

Authors should follow these requirements:

  • Include at least 20 references in each manuscript.
  • At least 80% of the references should come from publications issued within the last 10 years.
  • Older sources may be used when they represent foundational theories, seminal works, historical sources, or other references that remain academically relevant.
  • Authors should prioritize relevant, credible, and peer-reviewed scholarly sources.
  • Citation and reference management applications such as Mendeley, Zotero, or EndNote are recommended.
  • The reference list should use Times New Roman, 11 pt, with normal formatting.
  • Every source cited in the manuscript must appear in the reference list, and every reference listed should be cited in the manuscript.

6. Manuscript Submission

All manuscripts should be submitted electronically through the Online Journal System (OJS) of INSPIRE:

INSPIRE: Journal of Innovation in Social Learning – OJS

Before submission, authors should ensure that:

  • the manuscript complies with the journal's formatting and structural requirements;
  • all authors have approved the submitted version;
  • the manuscript is original and is not simultaneously submitted elsewhere;
  • ethical requirements have been fulfilled where applicable; and
  • all relevant declarations have been included.

Each manuscript received by INSPIRE will undergo an initial editorial assessment and similarity screening before entering the peer-review process. Manuscripts that fail to meet the journal's basic requirements, scope, quality standards, or publication ethics may be returned to the authors or rejected prior to peer review.