Author Guidelines
Authors are invited to make a submission to this journal. All submissions will be assessed by our journal manager to determine whether your manuscript meets the aims and scope of this journal. Those considered to be a good fit will be sent for peer review before determining whether they will be accepted or rejected. Follow the guideline below to get your manuscript submitted with a good chance of being accepted.
Author Guidelines
Scope of the Journal
JMS welcomes contributions from academia, industry, government, and standard-setting organisations that address the following areas:
- Innovative Methodologies: Research introducing novel experimental, analytical, computational, or design methods that improve accuracy, efficiency, or scalability in scientific and technical work.
- Standardisation and Protocol Development: Studies detailing the creation, refinement, and implementation of standards, guidelines, and protocols that promote consistency and comparability across institutions, sectors, and regions.
- Validation and Benchmarking: Articles that assess the reliability, reproducibility, and robustness of existing or new methods through comparative studies, inter-laboratory trials, and performance evaluations.
- ISO Standards and Global Frameworks: Research and commentary on the development, application, and impact of ISO standards and other internationally recognised frameworks in various domains including manufacturing, healthcare, environmental science, and information technology.
- Interdisciplinary and Cross-Sector Applications: Case studies and methodological approaches that demonstrate utility across multiple fields or facilitate collaboration between academia, industry, and regulatory bodies.
- Policy, Ethics, and Governance: Contributions exploring the regulatory, ethical, and policy dimensions of standardisation, including quality assurance, accreditation, and the role of open science and FAIR principles.
Types of Articles Accepted
The Journal of Methods and Standards (JMS) accepts a diverse range of article types that contribute to the advancement of methodological rigor, standardization, and reproducibility across disciplines. Submissions should align with the journal’s mission to promote validated, transparent, and widely applicable approaches in research and practice.
1. Original Research Articles
Comprehensive studies presenting novel methods, protocols, or standards. These articles should include detailed methodology, validation data, and discussion of implications for practice or policy.
2. Review Articles
Critical and systematic reviews of existing methods, standards, or frameworks. These may include meta-analyses, comparative evaluations, or historical perspectives on methodological evolution.
3. Technical Reports
Detailed documentation of procedures, instrumentation, or software tools. These reports should provide sufficient detail to enable replication and may include performance metrics or case applications.
4. Standards Proposals
Articles proposing new standards, protocols, or guidelines for adoption by the scientific or industrial community. Submissions should include rationale, stakeholder relevance, and potential for implementation.
5. Validation and Benchmarking Studies
Studies that assess the reliability, reproducibility, and robustness of existing or new methods. These may include inter-laboratory comparisons, sensitivity analyses, and performance benchmarking.
6. Case Studies
Real-world applications of methods or standards in specific contexts. These articles should highlight practical challenges, adaptations, and outcomes, offering insights for broader implementation.
7. Perspectives and Commentaries
Short articles offering expert opinions, insights, or critiques on emerging trends, policy developments, or methodological debates. These may be invited or submitted independently.
8. ISO Standards Analysis
In-depth examinations of ISO standards and other global frameworks. Articles may explore their development, implementation, impact, or comparison with alternative standards.
9. Policy and Governance Papers
Research or analysis focused on regulatory frameworks, ethical considerations, accreditation systems, and the role of governance in shaping methodological integrity.
10. Data Papers
Descriptions of datasets generated through standardized methods, including metadata, collection protocols, and potential for reuse. These papers support transparency and data sharing.
Language
Language Policy
The Journal of Methods and Standards publishes articles in English to ensure broad accessibility and international reach. Authors are expected to submit manuscripts that are clear, grammatically correct, and professionally written.
Language Requirements
Manuscripts must be written in Standard Academic English.
Non-native English speakers are strongly encouraged to use professional language editing services prior to submission.
Submissions with poor grammar or unclear language may be returned for revision before peer review.
Writing Style
Use concise, objective, and scientifically accurate language.
Avoid jargon unless clearly defined.
Ensure consistency in terminology, units, and abbreviations throughout the manuscript.
Translation Support
While the journal does not provide translation services, authors may include translated abstracts or summaries in other languages as supplementary material, subject to editorial approval.
Editorial Assistance
Authors may request language and style feedback during the editorial process. Minor language editing may be provided at the discretion of the editorial team.
Authorship Criteria
Journal of Methods and Standards adheres to internationally recognized standards for authorship to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical publishing practices.
Who Qualifies as an Author?
To be listed as an author, individuals must meet all of the following criteria:
Substantial Contribution
Made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or analysis of the study.
Manuscript Preparation
Participated in drafting or critically revising the manuscript for important intellectual content.
Approval of Final Version
Reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript before submission.
Accountability
Agrees to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring integrity and accuracy.
Author Roles and Responsibilities
First Author: Typically, the individual who contributed most to the research and writing.
Corresponding Author: Responsible for communication with the journal during submission, peer review, and publication. Must ensure all co-authors approve the final manuscript.
Co-authors: Must meet the authorship criteria and contribute meaningfully to the work.
Contributors Who Do Not Qualify as Authors
Individuals who provided general supervision, funding, technical assistance, or administrative support should be acknowledged in the Acknowledgments section, not listed as authors.
Changes to Authorship
Any changes to authorship (addition, removal, or reordering) after submission must be approved by all authors and justified in writing to the editorial office.
Manuscript Preparation
Authors submitting to Journal of Methods and Standards must ensure their manuscripts are professionally written, well-organized, and formatted according to the journal’s standards. The following guidelines apply to all article types.
General Formatting
File Format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)
Font: Times New Roman, 10-point
Spacing: Single-spaced throughout
Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides
Page Numbers: Bottom right corner
Line Numbers: Continuous line numbering is required
Manuscript Structure
Each manuscript should include the following sections in order:
Title Page
Title of the manuscript
Full names of all authors
Institutional affiliations
Corresponding author’s contact information (email, phone, ORCID)
Abstract
Maximum 250 words
Structured format: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion
Keywords
4–6 relevant keywords for indexing and searchability
Main Text
Introduction: Background and objectives
Materials and Methods: Detailed methodology for reproducibility
Results: Clear presentation of findings with tables/figures
Discussion: Interpretation of results, limitations, and implications
Conclusion: Summary of key findings and future directions
Acknowledgments
Recognition of contributors who do not meet authorship criteria
Conflict of Interest Statement
Disclosure of any financial or personal relationships
References
Use APA style (confirm journal preference)
Include DOIs where available
Figures and Tables
Figures: Submit as separate high-resolution files (JPEG, PNG, TIFF; 300 dpi minimum)
Tables: Include within the manuscript or as separate editable files
Legends: Provide detailed captions for all figures and tables
Supplementary Materials
Authors may submit additional files such as datasets, videos, protocols, or extended methods. These should be clearly labeled and referenced in the main text.
Ethical Compliance
Include statements of ethical approval for studies involving humans or animals
Confirm informed consent where applicable
Submission Format
All manuscripts must be submitted via the journal’s online submission system. Authors should ensure that all required files are uploaded and metadata fields are accurately completed.
