Author’s Guidelines

Author’s Guidelines 

Declaration: AI tool, namely ChatGPT was used only to find selected examples, especially relating to Social Media. All content, structure of presentation and conclusions are my own responsibility.

Every journal has its own policy.  An author is required to ensure compliance with the journal’s editorial policy and standard. Sampratyaya, therefore prescribes author’s guidelines to ensure that the article is scientific and confirm to its academic standard. The author has to consider the following:

What Type of Research the Author Wants to Submit and The Size of Each Type?

  • Research Article (6,500–7,500 words excluding tables and references)
  • Review Articles (4,000–5,000 words excluding references)
  • Short Communication/Note (2,000–3,000 words)
  • Book Review (1,000–1,500 words excluding references)
  • Critical Opinion (1,500–2,500 words)

1. Formatting of the Research Article 

1.1 Font and Spacing

Manuscripts should be typed in Times New Roman, 12 pt., double-spaced.

1.2 Citation and Reference

Sampratyaya style of citation and reference must be followed

1.3 Parts of MSS 

1.3.1 Pre-text material

Title page must include title (sub-title if any) with a maximum of 30 words and no abbreviation, author (s) name (name of corresponding author in case of more than one author), affiliation(s), contact details –Postal address and postal PIN, email, phone number and ORCID number.

1.3.2 Text material

Text shall start with ‘Abstract and Keywords’ followed by ‘Introduction’ and end with ‘Conclusion’; recommendations and suggestions are not necessary except in ‘evaluation type of studies’.

  • Abstract: 200–300 words, summarizing objectives, methods, findings, results, implications and conclusion.
  • Keywords: 5–6 words/phrases (preferably double worded: ‘cultural heritage’ – not ‘culture’ and ‘heritage’ separately.

1.3.3 Tables and figures

Table/figures/illustrations/boxes (photos in jpg format), shall not be more than 5(five). Box material shall be avoided unless it adds to clarification and consistence of argument.

Tables and illustrations shall be submitted separately.

Tables shall be typed (double line-spaced) on separate sheets. But in the text, their position shall be indicated with a note on table title/caption, table number, etc.   The table title shall be descriptive, short and below the table with footnotes and their source(s) shall be placed.

Illustrations include line diagrams and photographs. They are also   termed ‘Figures’.  They should be numbered consecutively as Fig.1, Fig.2, etc. Line diagrams shall be drawn in a suitable format in separate file(s) for immediate reproduction (i.e. without re-drawing).   Photographs shall be submitted in jpg format.

1.3.4 Reference material

It includes in-text citation, endnote and references (bibliographic information). 

Remember: Reference section in a research article includes bibliographic information of in-text citations and citation in the endnote (if any). Interview, etc. are placed in endnote.

2. Structure of Text/Content of the Research Article

IMRaD (introduction, methods, results and discussion) model is usually followed for a standardized structure of scientific articles and accepted in Scopus, Web of Science, and COPE-compliant journals.

However, this model is not exclusively accepted in all journals especially in the social sciences, humanities, and interdisciplinary researches, though it forms the core of the alternative structure. Instead of ‘results’ and ‘discussion’ the modified model allows use of ‘findings’, ‘analysis’, and ‘implications’ in interdisciplinary journals.  Sampratyaya is a multi-disciplinary journal and suggests modified model for flexibility, but is still rigorous with IMRaD model at the core.

2.1 Introduction/Background/Statement of the Research Problem 

Every research begins with a problem or question for which the scholar has no solution or answer.  The title of the research/article reflects the problem. The presentation in this section goes around what the author intends to study.

    1. Context of the research problem (background, setting)
    2. Research gap (absence of a reply or solution to the problem or query in the context)
    3. Aims of the scholar in relation to the context/problem (the aim of the scholar shall be distinguished from the objectives of the study)
    4. Organization of presentation under categories and listing of themes/sub-themes under each category (optional)

Example: The article is divided into five parts. Part–I discusses research problem, objectives, formulate hypothesis, etc. In Part-II theoretical perspective is presented, and so on. 

2.2 Objectives

The objective/objectives of a study is/are to answer why the research is undertaken. So objective is formulated using verbs like:  to study, investigate, enquire, examine, compare, focus, understand, know, identify, determine, assess, evaluate, develop, describe, calculate, estimate, define analyse, state, apprise, criticise, scrutinise and so on.

2.3 Hypotheses/Research Questions (if applicable) 

Especially in evaluative or problem solving studies hypothesis is formulated. A hypothesis is either affirmative or negative; it cannot be in question form.

Hypothesis can be a null hypothesis (H0), meaning no significant difference/relationship existing between variables or alternative hypothesis (H1 or Ha), meaning significant difference/relationship existing between variables. In fact, hypothesis offers a tentative solution to the research problem. It is either verified or rejected.

In place of hypothesis research questions are formulated. Research questions are in question form. Both hypothesis and research questions are not formulated in a study.

 2.4 Literature Review 

a. Literature review is a crucial component of a study that justifies, shows novelty of present work or proves research gap on the topic. It enriches vocabulary, concepts and generates ideas; it helps to write the article concisely, objectively and meaningfully using appropriate terms and to establish theoretical framework. The scholar gains knowledge on trends, patterns, key debates, theories, and findings on the topic. S/he identifies key authors, schools of thought, or models that helps him to present his work objectively.

b. The review may be annotated or thematic. The former refers to review of individual works critically and the latter refers to list works on single theme. Usually, in a research article thematic review is preferred.

c. International, national, local or community level works are followed sequentially on some topics of research. Chronological arrangement is preferred where possible.

d. Critical review of existing studies (strengths, weaknesses, biases)

2.5 Research Design and Methodology (Methods and Materials) 

Introduction states what the research problem is. Methodology is about how the researcher engages with the problem. Methodology will be formulated in a matter so that the research is scientific. The following points are to be considered:

  • Approaches: empirical vs experimental; descriptive or analytical
  • Research design (qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method)
  • Data collection methods (survey, interview, PRA, FGD, experiment, ethnography, archival, etc.). Duration of field study where applicable
  • Sampling (population, sample size, selection criteria)
  • Tools and techniques used (questionnaire, coding framework, lab equipment, etc.)
  • Presentation of data (tables, graphs) and use of statistical tools (mean, ANOVA, etc.)
  • Ethical considerations (consent, confidentiality, sensitivity)
  • Validity, reliability, or authenticity of data
  • Limitations and challenges in methodology (Limitations are disguised from weakness, shortcomings, etc. Limitations refer to limitations in sample or use of method, etc.)

2.6 Area or People’s Profile, if relevant     

People’s profile includes ethnic and socio-cultural profile, demography, etc.  Area profile includes location- geographical and political, amenities

2.7 Theoretical/ Conceptual/Analytical Perspective, if required

  • Definition of key concepts and constructs
  • Choice of theory/theories for the present research
  • Rationale for selecting the framework
  • Linkage of the theory with research questions
  • Workable conceptual or theoretical framework in the context (if possible)

2.8 Findings

Simply this section shall provide input/information for engagement in following sections like ‘discussion’, ‘analysis’ and ‘interpretation’. So the following are usually presented:

  1. raw data, tables, charts, graphs, figures (if required).
  2. thematic organization and presentation (in qualitative studies).
  3. statistical outputs (percentage, mean, correlations, regressions, etc., in quantitative studies).
  4.  Raw data, tables, statistical figure, etc. should link to research questions.

Note: Don’t engage in ‘discussion’ or ‘analysis’ or ‘interpretation’ in this section.

2.9 Discussions

  1. Interpretation of findings (what do the results mean?).
  2. Establishing relationship among variables
  3. Linking findings with research questions/hypotheses.
  4. Comparison with previous studies (agreement, contradiction, innovation).
  5. Theoretical implications (support, extend, or challenge existing theory).
  6. Practical or policy implications.
  7. Explanations for new findings.
  8. Limitations of your study in relation to results.

2.10 Analysis/ Interpretation (sometimes included in discussion)

  1. Deeper conceptual/theoretical analysis of findings.
  2. Cross-comparison of different data sets or themes.
  3. Causal relationships, underlying mechanisms, or explanatory models.
  4. Contextualization within broader social, cultural, political, or scientific contexts.
  5. Use of theoretical framework to analyse and interpret.
  6. Positioning your argument within academic debates.

2.11 Conclusions

Conclusion means conclusion of what the author has discussed above. So nothing new like new citation, new data or new idea forms a part of conclusion. Authors may follow the suggestion below:

  1. Restatement of main objectives/ research questions
  2. Concise presentation of findings and analysis
  3. Statement of contributions to knowledge (theoretical, empirical, methodological, addition to existing one).
  4. Practical implications and recommendations (recommendations or suggestions are part of applied research or evaluation studies. But in theoretical or basic research, suggestions are indicative of further research).

2.12 Endnote 

  1. To explain terms and concepts which cannot be done without disrupting the flow of presentation
  2. Interview details
  3. Bibliographic information which cannot be put in the standard format
  4. Citations can be used to support explanation or argument

2.13 Acknowledgements

Funding agencies, institutions, or from whom support is taken to write the article. However, it should be limited to a couple of sentences.

2.14 Declaration 

Author or authors have to make a declaration on the topic of originality, plagiarism, authorship contributions, conflict of interest, funding, ethical principles and data availability. On the basis of the merit of this declaration the article shall be rejected or accepted for review.

Declaration format is available in the website. It is desirable that all authors sign. But Sampratyaya also allows signature of corresponding author only on behalf of all authors.

Declaration is made on whether the author(s) have any financial, institutional, or personal conflicts which may influence the present research article.

Examples: (i) The article though is based on the research funded by ICSSR/UGC, the funding agency had no role in the designing of the study, data collection, analysis and other decisions.(ii)  The author (s) declare that there is no conflict of interest.

2.15 References 

Sampratyaya style of bibliographic information is provided in author’s guidelines. ONLY cited work shall be included. 

2.16 Appendices 

Supplementary materials such as large data tables, formulas, detailed calculations, official documents cited in the text. They should be presented in Appendix for reference. However, as far as possible appendix section shall be avoided in a research paper. 

3. Structure of Presentation

Presentation of the text shall be organised thematically into headings and sub-headings.  A sub-heading may be organised into sub-subheadings (called level 2 headings), and so on. Let’s take a hypothetical example.

4. Methodology (level 1 heading or main heading)

  1. Level 1 heading is centred, bold and title case; text begins as a new paragraph, font size 12.
  2. Note:  Use the title case till level 3 heading.  First letter of all nouns, adjectives, and verbs    are capitalised.   Prepositions above five letters also are capitalised.

4.1 Research Design (level 2 heading or a sub-heading under main heading)

  • Level-2 heading is placed at left margin, bold and title case; text begins as a new paragraph, font size 12.                     

4.1.1 Qualitative Approach (level 3 heading or sub-heading under level 2 heading)

  • Level 3 heading is also placed at left margin, bold and italic, title case; text begins as a new paragraph, font size 12.

4.1.1.1 Case study (level 4 heading or sub-heading under level 3 heading)

  • Level 4 heading is placed at left margin, bold and italic, sentence case; text begins as a new paragraph, font size 12.

4.1.1.1.1. Criteria for factory selection (level 5 heading or sub-heading under level 4 heading)

  • Level 5 heading is indented from left margin, italic, sentence case; text begins as a new paragraph, font size 12.

4.1.1.1.2 Number of participants (second level 5 heading or sub-heading under level 4 heading).

  • Level 5 heading is indented from left margin, italic, sentence case; text begins as a new paragraph, font size 12.

Remember: 

  1.  Main heading may have more than one sub-heading, and a sub- heading may have more than one sub-subheading.
  2. Submission of raw data by authors for editorial verification, if required.