AUTHOR GUIDANCE
A Practical Guide to Preparing and Publishing Your Research
IQ Research Journal (IQRJ) welcomes original scholarly contributions from researchers, academics, postgraduate students and professionals across different disciplines.
These guidelines are designed to help authors plan their research, prepare a well-structured manuscript and understand the key stages involved in submitting work for publication.
Whether you are preparing your first research paper or have previous publishing experience, following these recommendations can help improve the clarity, quality and presentation of your manuscript.
RESEARCH PREPARATION
Preparing Your Research
Planning Your Research
A strong research paper begins with a clear research idea and a well-defined problem. Identify a relevant topic, review existing literature, identify gaps and unanswered questions, establish clear research objectives and questions, choose suitable methods, and consider the ethical requirements of the proposed research.
Conducting a Literature Review
Establish the academic foundation of your research. Consult relevant journal articles, books and credible academic sources; discuss important existing research; identify relevant theories and findings; compare scholarly perspectives; highlight gaps and limitations; and explain how your study relates to previous work.
Preparing Your Manuscript
A research manuscript should be logically organised, clearly written and easy to follow, with a clear title, informative abstract, relevant keywords and properly presented references.
MANUSCRIPT STRUCTURE
Structure of a Research Paper
Title
A clear and descriptive title that accurately communicates the subject of your research.
Abstract
Summarise the research problem, objectives, methodology, main findings and conclusions.
Keywords
Relevant terms that describe the main topics and concepts covered in your research.
Introduction
Introduce the topic, explain the problem, discuss background literature and state the study’s objectives.
Literature Review
Discuss relevant previous studies, theories and academic perspectives.
Methodology
Explain the research design, methods, participants or data sources, instruments and procedures.
Results and Findings
Present the findings clearly using appropriate explanations, tables, charts and figures.
Discussion
Interpret the findings, explain their significance and relate them to existing research.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Summarise the major findings, explain the contribution and suggest areas for further investigation.
References
List all sources cited in the manuscript using the referencing style required by the journal.
The structure may vary depending on the research discipline and manuscript type. Authors should follow the applicable journal formatting instructions.
WRITING STANDARDS
Writing and Presentation Standards
- Use clear, accurate and concise academic language.
- Organise the manuscript with appropriate headings and subheadings.
- Avoid unnecessarily long paragraphs and repetitive explanations.
- Check spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Number tables and figures consistently, with clear titles and captions.
- Ensure all references cited in the text appear in the reference list.
- Obtain permission where copyrighted images or materials are reproduced.
A manuscript should communicate its research findings accurately without overstating the significance of the results.
RESEARCH ETHICS AND ORIGINALITY
Research Ethics and Originality
- The submitted manuscript is original.
- Previously published work is properly acknowledged and referenced.
- The manuscript is not simultaneously under consideration by another journal.
- All listed authors have made appropriate contributions and approved the submitted version.
- Research data and findings are presented accurately — never fabricated, falsified or manipulated.
- Conflicts of interest are disclosed and funding sources acknowledged.
- Required ethical approvals and participant permissions are obtained where applicable.
Authors must also respect confidentiality, privacy and the rights of research participants.
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT
Submission Checklist
Use this checklist to review your paper before submission.
The manuscript has a clear title and appropriate abstract.
The research objectives and methodology are clearly presented.
The manuscript follows an appropriate academic structure.
All tables, figures and illustrations are correctly labelled.
All sources have been properly cited and referenced.
Ethical statements and relevant declarations are included.
All authors have approved the final manuscript.
The manuscript has been proofread and checked for completeness.
The manuscript is not under consideration by another journal.
SUBMISSION AND PEER REVIEW
Online Submission Process
1
Access the journal platform
Visit the official online journal submission page.
2
Register or log in
Create an author account if you are a new user, or access your existing account.
3
Start a new submission
Follow the instructions provided by the online submission system.
4
Enter manuscript information
Provide the manuscript title, abstract, keywords and required author details.
5
Upload your files
Upload the manuscript and any required supplementary documents.
6
Complete and confirm
Review the information and follow the system instructions to complete your submission.
EDITORIAL DECISIONS
Peer Review and Editorial Decisions
Following submission, manuscripts undergo an initial editorial assessment. Manuscripts considered appropriate may proceed to peer review. Authors may receive one of several editorial decisions:
Accept
The manuscript is accepted for publication.
Accept with Minor Revisions
Limited corrections required before final consideration.
Major Revisions
Substantial changes required before a further decision.
Revise and Resubmit
Authors are invited to make significant improvements and resubmit.
Reject
The manuscript is not accepted for publication.
Responding to reviewer comments: (1) Read all comments carefully. (2) Address each comment clearly and professionally. (3) Explain any recommendations that cannot be implemented. (4) Identify the changes made in the revised manuscript. (5) Submit the revised document within the stated timeframe, where applicable. A constructive response to reviewer feedback can improve the clarity, accuracy and academic quality of a manuscript.
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
Authors may provide additional electronic materials that support their research and cannot be fully presented in the main manuscript. Depending on the journal’s submission requirements, these may include:
- Research datasets.
- Supplementary tables and figures.
- Audio and video files.
- Animations and other multimedia materials.
- Additional research documentation.
All supplementary materials should be relevant to the manuscript, clearly identified and submitted according to the journal’s instructions.
AUTHOR RIGHTS
Authors should ensure that they have the necessary rights and permissions for all material included in their manuscripts. The journal’s applicable copyright, licensing and publication terms should be reviewed before submission.
- Third-party materials are properly acknowledged.
- Necessary reproduction permissions are obtained.
- Author contributions are accurately represented.
- Any applicable publication or licensing agreements are understood before publication.
For specific information about copyright, reuse, licensing and publication rights, please consult the journal’s official policies.
RESOURCES
Manuscript Template & Useful Resources
To support authors in preparing their manuscripts, IQRJ recommends using a consistent document structure and following the journal’s formatting requirements.
Manuscript Template — Download and use the official journal manuscript template when preparing your submission.
Research Writing Guidance — Authors may also benefit from additional guidance on research planning, academic writing, literature reviews, methodology, data presentation and referencing.
Please consult the official author instructions for the latest formatting requirements and available downloadable resources.
NEED ASSISTANCE?
Questions About Manuscript Preparation?
For questions about manuscript preparation, submission requirements or the publication process, contact the IQ Research Journal editorial office.
IQ Research Journal (IQRJ) — A Multidisciplinary, Peer-Reviewed Open Access Journal
Online ISSN: 2790-4296