Guidelines for Paper Submission
Shodh Swaraaj Swanand welcomes high-quality original research contributions from scholars, academicians, researchers, and practitioners across all disciplines covered under its multidisciplinary scope. Authors are requested to carefully read and follow the guidelines given below before submitting their manuscripts. Adherence to these guidelines will ensure smooth processing and timely publication of accepted papers in the quarterly print editions of the journal (RNI No. BHBIL/26/A2015).
Types of Manuscripts Accepted
The journal accepts the following types of manuscripts:
- Original Research Articles: Empirical or theoretical research papers presenting new findings, analysis, or interpretations (typically 2000–5000 words).
- Review Articles: Comprehensive and critical reviews of existing literature on a specific topic (typically 2000–6000 words).
- Case Studies: In-depth analysis of specific cases, events, policies, or practices with broader implications.
- Theoretical Essays / Conceptual Papers: Papers that develop new theoretical frameworks or offer fresh conceptual insights.
- Policy Analyses: Research focused on policy evaluation, formulation, or recommendations.
- Book Reviews: Critical reviews of recently published books relevant to the journal’s scope (800–1500 words).
All submissions must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.
Submission Process
Manuscripts should be submitted through the journal’s online submission portal available on the official website. Alternatively, authors may email their papers along with required documents to the editorial office. Upon submission, authors will receive an acknowledgement email with a unique manuscript ID for future correspondence. The journal follows a two-stage review process — initial pre-review screening followed by double-blind peer review.
Manuscript Preparation Guidelines
Authors are advised to prepare their manuscripts as per the following specifications:
- Language: Manuscripts may be submitted in English or Hindi. Authors submitting in Hindi are requested to also provide an English abstract and keywords.
- File Format: Submit the manuscript in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx). PDF files will not be accepted for review.
- Formatting: Use A4 size paper with 1-inch margins on all sides. Font: Times New Roman, size 12. Line spacing: 1.5. Paragraphs should be justified with first-line indent of 0.5 inch.
- Title Page: The title page should contain the full title of the paper (not more than 15 words), name(s) of author(s), institutional affiliation(s), email address(es), and ORCID ID (if available). This page should be submitted as a separate file to maintain anonymity during blind review.
- Abstract and Keywords: Every manuscript must include an abstract of 150–250 words summarising the objectives, methodology, key findings, and conclusions. Provide 4–6 keywords below the abstract.
- Main Text Structure: Research articles should generally follow the structure: Introduction, Review of Literature, Research Methodology, Results/Analysis, Discussion, Conclusion, and References. Headings and sub-headings should be clearly numbered (e.g., 1., 1.1, 1.1.1).
- Tables and Figures: Tables and figures should be placed within the text at appropriate places. Each table/figure must have a clear title and source (if applicable). Number them consecutively (Table 1, Figure 1, etc.).
- References: The journal follows APA 7th Edition referencing style. All citations in the text must appear in the reference list and vice versa. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of references. DOI should be included wherever available.
- Plagiarism and Originality: All submissions will be screened for plagiarism. The journal maintains a strict policy against plagiarism, duplicate publication, and data fabrication. Authors must ensure that the similarity index is below the acceptable threshold as per journal policy.
- Author Declaration: Authors must submit a signed declaration stating that the work is original, has not been published or submitted elsewhere, and that all authors have contributed significantly and agree with the content.
Peer Review and Publication Process
All manuscripts undergo an initial editorial pre-review to assess suitability for the journal’s scope and quality standards. Suitable papers are then sent for double-blind peer review by at least two independent experts in the relevant field. Based on reviewers’ comments, the editorial board takes the final decision — Accept, Revise and Resubmit, or Reject. Authors will be informed of the decision along with reviewer comments. Revised manuscripts should be submitted within the stipulated time. Accepted papers are scheduled for publication in the forthcoming quarterly print issue.
Publication Ethics
Shodh Swaraaj Swanand follows strict publication ethics in line with international standards. Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to adhere to the principles of honesty, transparency, and accountability. Any form of misconduct, including plagiarism, authorship disputes, or manipulation of data, will result in rejection of the manuscript and may lead to blacklisting of the author(s).
Copyright
Upon acceptance, authors will be required to transfer copyright of the paper to Shodh Swaraaj Swanand. However, authors retain the right to use their work for academic and non-commercial purposes with proper acknowledgement of the journal.
Publication Charges
At present, the journal does not charge any submission or publication fee for regular issues. However, authors may be required to bear nominal charges towards printing, postage, and processing in certain cases. Detailed information will be communicated at the time of acceptance.
Contact Information
Email: shodhswaraaj.org@gmail.com
Mobile No: 99420-01015