Online Submission Guidelines

To ensure smooth peer review, production, and publication, authors must adhere to the following guidelines. Submissions not conforming to these requirements may be returned for revision.

Submission Policy

The Rubrics Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies (ISSN 2454-1974) accepts submissions year-round. Manuscripts should be original, unpublished, and align with the journal’s Focus and Scope.

Manuscript Structure

Arrange your paper in this order:

  1. Title: Concise (≤12 words).
  2. Author Details:
    • Full name, designation, institutional affiliation, and address.
    • Email and contact number (optional: ORCID/Scopus ID).
  3. Submission Date: Format (DD/MM/YYYY).
  4. Abstract: 100–150 words, summarising objectives, methods, and key findings.
  5. Keywords: 3–5 terms, separated by commas.
  6. Main Text:
    • Minimum 2,000 words, maximum 4,000 (inclusive of references, tables, and endnotes).
    • Structured with sections (e.g., Introduction, Methodology, Discussion).
  7. Endnotes: If applicable (footnotes not permitted).
  8. Works Cited: Follow APA 7th Edition (2020).
  9. Acknowledgements: Optional brief section for funders/contributors.

Formatting & Submission

  • File Format: Microsoft Word (.docx) only.
  • Style Guide:
    • Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt.
    • Line spacing: 1.5.
    • Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides.
  • Citations & References: Use APA 7th Edition. Ensure all in-text citations match the Works Cited list.

Submission Modes

  1. Online Submission (Preferred):
  2. Email Submission:
    • Attach the manuscript as a Word file.
    • Subject Line: “New Submission for The Rubrics – [Your Name]”.
    • Filename: “Firstname-Lastname.docx” (e.g., “John-Doe.docx”).
    • Send to: therubrics@gmail.com.

Additional Notes

  • Plagiarism: Submissions must be original. Plagiarised content will be rejected.
  • Peer Review: Employs a double-masked process; ensures anonymity (removes author identifiers from the manuscript file).
  • Copyright: Authors retain rights but grant the journal first publication rights.
  • Word limit(s): If the manuscript exceeds the permissible word limit, the article will be charged extra.

For further queries, contact the editorial team at therubrics@gmail.com.

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

The Rubrics Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies adheres to the following criteria to ensure the publication of high-quality, relevant scholarship.

Inclusion Criteria

We welcome submissions that meet these requirements:

  1. Language: Manuscripts must be in English.
  2. Originality: Unpublished, original research with significant interdisciplinary contributions.
  3. Methodology:
    • Qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research.
    • Theoretical or conceptual papers with robust analytical frameworks.
    • Secondary data analysis (if ethically compliant and methodologically rigorous).
  4. Formatting: Strictly follows APA 7th Edition (2020) for citations and references.
  5. Scope: Aligns with the journal’s Focus and Scope, spanning humanities and social sciences.
  6. Rigour: Clear research questions, methodologies, and evidence-based conclusions.
  7. Interdisciplinarity: Explicit engagement with multiple disciplines or innovative cross-disciplinary approaches.

Exclusion Criteria

Submissions falling under these categories will not be considered:

  1. Non-Research Works:
    • Opinion pieces and commentaries without research components.
    • Creative writing (poetry, fiction, etc.).
    • Book reviews (unless invited).
  2. Redundant or Non-Original Content:
    • Previously published articles or abstracts (including self-plagiarism).
    • Dissertations/theses without substantial adaptation for journal format.
  3. Methodological Limitations:
    • Studies lacking a defined methodology or theoretical foundation.
    • Purely descriptive work without critical analysis (e.g., uninterpreted data or case reports).
    • Lexical/natural language studies presenting only quantitative results (without qualitative insights).
  4. Review Articles: Systematic, narrative, or qualitative reviews (unless part of a special issue).
  5. Ethical Concerns: Research without proper ethical approvals (e.g., for human/animal subjects).

Special Notes

  • Interdisciplinary Focus: Priority given to studies bridging ≥2 disciplines (e.g., anthropology + media studies).
  • Negative Results: Studies with null or negative findings are welcome, provided they are methodologically sound.
  • Replication Studies: Considered only if they address significant gaps or controversies.

For queries, contact therubrics@gmail.com.