The Research Process: A Step-By-Step Guide

Please see the instructions for authors provided by the journal you will be submitting to for specific guidelines.

Margins

• Suggested minimums 1” margins for the inner gutter (left side)

• Suggested minimums 0.75” for top, outer (right), and bottom margins

Text Formatting

• Text can be a solid block on each page or divided into 2 or 3 columns, separated by white space.
• Size of the publication will help determine format.
• Figures and table should be aligned with the margins of the text block and be readable in the same orientation as the text. If it is too large for this orientation it can be rotated 90 degrees.
• Use subheadings as needed. These indicate structural elements of the article as well as breakup long uninterrupted blocks of text.
• In general, the subheadings for all levels should be in, or closely related to, the typeface of the text or in a contrasting, but consistent, typeface.

Title Page

• This page should have all the necessary information to allow the reader to identify the contents, author(s), origin of the article and its location in the journal.

Article Title

• Be as straightforward and informative as possible.
• Start with a word or term representing the most important aspect of the article. 
• Keep punctuation to a minimum. Semicolons and dashes should generally be avoided.

Abstract

• Should be complete and understandable unto themselves, without reference to the full article.
• Do not use abbreviations unless they are understood when standing alone (ex. DNA, pH)

Footnotes

• Generally not used in scientific journals. 

Appendices

• “Appendix sections should be self-contained and capable of standing alone, without reference to the article.” P.514
• Each appendix should be headed with a specific explanatory title.
• Use Arabic numerals to number each appendix.

Name-Year

• Enclose the name and year in parentheses.

Citation-Sequence

• Use numbers within the text to refer to the end references.
• Number the references and order them within the list in the sequence in which they first appear.
• This means that the reference list will not be in alphabetical order.

Citation-Name

• Complete the list of end references and then sequence them first alphabetically by author, then by title.
• Number the references in that order.
• The numbers assigned to the end references are used for the in-text references regardless of the sequence in which they appear in the text of the work.

• Only list sources that have been cited with the text.
• List references in the order indicated by the style you choose: Name-Year, Citation-Sequence, or Citation-Name