Submissions

Submissions

Authors are advised to read the JSSB manuscript and submissions guidelines carefully and follow the instructions. The executive editors reserve the right to return manuscripts that do not comply with the stated guidelines.

Manuscript Types

JSSB accepts submission of three types of manuscripts that (i) have not been published elsewhere (manuscripts are to be minimally 50% revised if published previously in conference proceedings), and (ii) are not currently in the submission process to other journals. 

1. Regular article

Manuscripts submitted under this category are full-length original and empirical investigations. Manuscripts should generally include the following sections: introduction, literature review, methodology/methods, results, discussion, and contributions. The empirical investigation should present novel and significant findings that contribute to advancing the research area. 

Word count: Each manuscript is not to exceed 4000 words (excluding abstract, references, tables, and/or figures). The abstract must be between 250-300 words. Provide a maximum of 5 keywords. 

2. Review article

A review article reports a critical evaluation of a given research field. It organises, integrates, and evaluates previously published materials, summarises and outlines future directions of discourse. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews are welcomed.

Word count: Each manuscript is not to exceed 3000 words (excluding abstract, references, tables, and/or figure). The abstract must be between 250-300 words. Provide a maximum of 5 keywords. 

3. Book review 

Reviewers must not review books with which they have a conflict of interest. The reviewed book must ideally be published within the last two years from the date of submission of the review. While the review may not adhere to any specific structure, it must be engaging and contain a critical discussion of the issues. 

Word count: Each manuscript is not to exceed 1000 words. 

Language Accuracy and Choice

JSSB emphasises on the linguistic accuracy of every manuscript published. Articles must be written in the English language. JSSB allows both American and British spelling. However, each manuscript must select either type and be consistent with the selected spelling type. Manuscripts must be written with competence and presented using clear and concise grammar. 

Where relevant, authors may be advised to have the manuscript checked by a competent English language editor as well as to provide evidence confirming that their manuscripts have been sufficiently edited. Associated editing costs is to be borne by the authors. If undertaken by authors on their own accord prior to submission, the process of language editing will facilitate the review process and thus increase chances for publication.

Manuscripts that are poorly written (e.g., when editors are not able to grasp what the authors are trying to convey) will face the likelihood of being rejected at the outset. 

Manuscript Format

The paper should be submitted in a one-column format with 1.5 line spacing throughout. Authors are required to use Times New Roman 11-point font and MS Word format.

Manuscript Structure

The manuscripts, in general, should be organised in the following order:

Page 1: Author(s) and Corresponding author’s information

• General information: This page should contain the full title of your paper not exceeding 25 words, with the name of all the authors, institutions and corresponding author’s name, institution and full address (Street address, telephone number (including extension), handphone number, and e-mail address) for editorial correspondence. The corresponding author must be clearly indicated with a superscripted asterisk symbol (*).
• Authors’ name: The names of the authors should be named in full without academic titles. For Asian names, please write first name and middle name before the surname/ family name. 
• Authors’ addresses: Multiple authors with different addresses must indicate their respective addresses separately by superscript numbers.

Sample of Page 1:

Paper Title (full title of your paper not exceeding 25 words)
Author 1*
Author 2
* Designation, Faculty, University Name
Street address, 
Institutional contact number, 
Mobile number, 
e-mail address.

Page 2: 

• Abstract: Include the full title of your paper and an abstract (in one paragraph).
• Keywords: Provide a maximum of 5 keywords to represent the content of the paper.

Page 3:

• Main text: A regular article should be prepared with the following order of headings: Introduction, literature review, methodology/methods, results, discussion, contributions, references and acknowledgements (where applicable)

2. Levels of Headings

Follow the American Psychological Association (APA) style (seventh edition). See guidelines below: 

Level	Format
1	Centred, Bold, Title Case Heading Text begins as a new paragraph.
2	Flush Left, Bold, Title Case Heading Text begins as a new paragraph.
3	Flush Left, Bold Italic, Title Case Heading Text begins as a new paragraph.
4	Indented, Bold, Title Case Heading, Ending with a Period. Text begins on the same line and continues as a regular paragraph.
5	Indented, Bold Italic, Title Case Heading, Ending with a Period. Text begins on the same line and continues as a regular paragraph.

3. Equations and Formulae

• These must be clearly set up and be typed double-spaced. Numbers identifying equations should be in square brackets.

4. Tables and figures 

• All tables must be prepared in a form consistent with the APA style (seventh edition) and must be numbered consecutively (e.g., Table 1, Table 2). Each table or figure should be prepared on a new page, embedded in the manuscript.
• Note: All tables and figures must be submitted in Microsoft Word format only. 
• See guidelines below:

Sample of Table: 

Table 1

Respondents' Civic Responsibility

Sample of Figure: 

Figure 1

Path Analysis Model of Associations Between ASMC and Body-Related Constructs

Note. The path analysis shows associations between ASMC and endogenous body-related variables (body esteem, body comparison, and body surveillance), controlling for time spent on social media. Coefficients presented are standardized linear regression coefficients.
***p < .001.

Source: American Psychological Association (2021)

5. Photographs

• Submit an original photograph.
• Line drawings must be clear, with a high black and white contrast.
• Each photograph should be embedded in the manuscript for reviewing.
• Where relevant, photographs should be numbered consecutively with Roman numerals.
• Provide a brief title, which should be shown at the bottom of each photograph.
• Photographs must also be submitted separately as TIFF or JPEG files in order for the journal to have the highest quality photographs.

6. Acknowledgement (where applicable)

• Individuals and/or entities that have contributed to the research should be appropriately acknowledged. This includes funding grants/ awards. 

7. References

References must be prepared in a form consistent with the APA style (seventh edition). See below for guidelines:

• References must begin on a new page and are to be listed in alphabetical order according to the first author’s last name. 
• References should be in Times New Roman, 11-point font size and single-spaced
• Only references cited in the text are to be included. 

Click this link for samples of references in the Reference Page
Sample of References

8. General Guidelines

Abbreviations: Words or phrases should be written in full the first time that they appear in the text before abbreviations (in parenthesis) are to be used. 

Co-Authors: In general, authorship is that one must have contributed significant to the manuscript and is equally accountable for its content. Contributors must decide on the order in which authors are to be listed. 

Similarity Index: All manuscripts will undergo an originality check before being sent for blind peer review. JSSB does not accept any article with a similarity index exceeding 25%.

Page numbering: Every page of the manuscript including the title page and references page must be numbered. Place page numbering on top right corner. 

9. Publication Charges

There are no publication charges.