Author Guidelines

Author Guidelines for BioSPed: Biological Sciences and Pedagogy Journal

BioSPed: Biological Sciences and Pedagogy Journal invites authors to submit high-quality manuscripts in the field of biological sciences and pedagogy. All manuscripts are subject to double-blind peer review and should adhere to the following guidelines to ensure a smooth submission and evaluation process.

General Submission Guidelines

  1. Manuscript Submission

    • Manuscripts should be submitted through the journal's online submission system.
    • Before submitting, please ensure that your manuscript is formatted according to the guidelines outlined below.

  2. Originality

    • Manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration for publication elsewhere.
    • Plagiarism will be detected using plagiarism detection software (e.g., Turnitin or iThenticate).

  3. Article Types

    • Original Research Articles
    • Review Articles
    • Short Communications
    • Case Studies
    • Opinion and Perspective Papers
    • Letters to the Editor (for feedback or commentary on previously published articles)

  4. Language

    • Manuscripts must be written in English. Authors whose first language is not English are encouraged to have their manuscripts professionally proofread.

Manuscript Structure

Manuscripts should be structured in the following format:

  1. Title Page

    • The title of the manuscript should be concise, descriptive, and without abbreviations.
    • The title page should include:
      • Title of the paper
      • Full names of all authors
      • Affiliations (department, institution, country)
      • Corresponding author’s contact information (email, phone number)
      • Acknowledgements (if applicable)
      • Conflict of interest statement
      • ORCID IDs for all authors (if available)

  2. Abstract

    • The abstract should summarize the main points of the manuscript in 250 words or less.
    • It should include the research question, methods, main findings, and conclusions.
    • The abstract should be concise and clear without references or figures.

  3. Keywords

    • Provide 3-6 keywords that best describe the content of the manuscript. Avoid using words that are already in the title.

  4. Introduction

    • Provide a background of the research topic, the problem being addressed, and the objectives of the study.
    • State the research question and hypotheses (if applicable).
    • Highlight the significance of the study and its contribution to the field of biological sciences and pedagogy.

  5. Materials and Methods

    • Provide a detailed description of the materials, procedures, and methodologies used in the study.
    • Include sufficient information for replication of the experiment.
    • Use subheadings to organize this section logically (e.g., Study Design, Data Collection, Statistical Analysis).

  6. Results

    • Present the main findings of the study, including any relevant tables, figures, and statistical analysis.
    • All figures and tables should be clearly labeled and cited in the text.
    • Results should be presented without interpretation.

  7. Discussion

    • Interpret the results in the context of existing literature.
    • Discuss the implications of the findings for biological sciences education and pedagogy.
    • Highlight any limitations of the study and propose areas for future research.

  8. Conclusion

    • Summarize the main findings of the study.
    • Discuss the potential impact of the research on education, policy, or practice.

  9. References

    • Cite all references in the APA style (7th edition).
    • References should be listed in alphabetical order at the end of the manuscript.
    • Ensure that all citations in the text match the full references listed in the bibliography.

    Example:

Figures and Tables

  1. Figures

    • Figures should be submitted as separate files in JPEG, PNG, or TIFF format with a resolution of at least 300 dpi.
    • Each figure should be accompanied by a caption describing its content.
    • Figures should be cited sequentially in the text (e.g., Figure 1, Figure 2).

  2. Tables

    • Tables should be formatted using standard text (avoid excessive use of cells or merged columns).
    • Tables should be cited sequentially in the text (e.g., Table 1, Table 2).
    • Each table must have a title and a brief description of the contents.

Ethical Guidelines

  1. Human and Animal Rights

    • Research involving human participants or animals must have approval from the relevant ethical review board or committee, and the approval number should be stated in the manuscript.

  2. Conflict of Interest

    • Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may influence the research outcomes. This includes financial interests, affiliations, or personal relationships.

  3. Acknowledgement of Funding

    • If applicable, authors should acknowledge the sources of financial support for the research.

Submission Process

  1. Peer Review

    • All submitted manuscripts will undergo a double-blind peer review process.
    • Authors will be notified of the editorial decision (accepted, minor revision, major revision, or rejected) after peer review.

  2. Revisions

    • If revisions are requested, authors must submit a revised version within 4 weeks.
    • Revised manuscripts should include a response to reviewers’ comments with a point-by-point explanation of the changes made.

  3. Final Decision

    • The final decision regarding the acceptance or rejection of the manuscript is made by the Editor-in-Chief after considering reviewer recommendations.

Copyright and Open Access

  • BioSPed is an open-access journal. All published articles are freely available to read and download from the journal’s website.
  • Authors retain the copyright to their articles but grant BioSPed the right to publish the work in perpetuity.
  • Authors are encouraged to share their work in institutional repositories and other platforms, with proper citation to BioSPed.

Additional Information

For further inquiries or clarifications regarding manuscript submission or the submission process, please contact the editorial office at [email address].