Instructions for Authors

Writing rules & general requirements

• Length: 2,000 to 10,000 words, measured from the Introduction to the References (excluding tables, figures, and formulas).
• Language: Multilingual — manuscripts are accepted in multiple languages.
• File format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) with a clear hierarchy of headings. Ensure all elements in figures and tables are legible for editorial formatting.
• Authors are strongly encouraged to use the Viśvasaṃvid MS Word template (below) to help expedite the review process.

Manuscript types

Viśvasaṃvid publishes eight categories of scholarly contributions. The article-section requirements below (Title, Abstract, Keywords, etc.) apply to Original Research Articles by default; the other categories follow the same standards adapted to their form.

1. Original Research Articles

Manuscripts must present studies that are scientifically sound and offer significant new findings, incorporating current and pertinent references.

• Typical structure: Title, Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Theoretical Framework, Research Methodology, Research Results, Discussion, Conclusions, and References.
• Minimum suggested length: 2,000 words.

2. Review papers

Critical, synthesised surveys of the existing literature on a topic. Should identify trends, gaps, and unresolved questions rather than merely summarise prior work. 4,000–8,000 words recommended; APA 7 references throughout.

3. Case studies

In-depth examination of a specific instance, programme, intervention, or institution. Must clearly state the case selection rationale, methods, findings, and transferable lessons. Anonymise participants where research ethics requires it.

4. Book reviews

Critical evaluations of scholarly books relevant to the journal's scope. Include full bibliographic details (author, title, publisher, year, ISBN, pages), a summary of the argument, and the reviewer's assessment of contribution and limitations. 800–1,500 words. Reviewers must have no undisclosed relationship with the author.

5. Interdisciplinary studies

Works that draw on two or more disciplines to address a research question that neither could resolve alone. Make the interdisciplinary contribution explicit — which disciplines are being integrated, and what new understanding results.

6. Seminar papers

Papers first prepared for or presented at a seminar, revised for journal publication. Must be substantially expanded and updated relative to the seminar version. Include a note acknowledging the original seminar (name, host institution, date). Prior presentation at a non-published seminar does not constitute duplicate publication.

7. Conference papers

Papers first presented at a conference, revised for journal publication. Must exceed the conference version in scope, analysis, or evidence, and clearly note the original conference (name, host, date, and whether proceedings were published). Papers already published in indexed conference proceedings must obtain written permission from the proceedings publisher before submission.

8. Special issues

Themed collections curated by a Guest Editor around a specific topic, event, or research programme. Special issues are announced via a public call for papers; individual contributions still undergo the journal's standard double-blind peer review. Guest Editor proposals may be addressed to the editorial office at visvasamvidimrj@gmail.com.

Detailed article sections

Title

• Reflect the main idea of the article.
• Concise, informative, and free of unexplained abbreviations or formulas.
• Not exceeding 15 words.

Author information

• Full first and last names.
• Academic degree of each author.
• Current position, institutional affiliation, city, and country.
• Email address.
• Designate the corresponding author.
• ORCID iD is compulsory for every author (register free at orcid.org).

Abstract

• Not exceeding 250 words.
• Include the subject, topic, and aim of the paper.
• Methods or methodologies must be discussed.
• Highlight key findings and conclusions with recommendations or practical implications.
• Avoid references and footnotes.

Keywords

Provide up to five keywords that best describe the content.

Introduction

• Establish the research problem, aim, and questions.
• Discuss the relevance and justify the necessity of the study.
• Review prior studies to demonstrate the research gap.
• Avoid figures or tables.

Literature review / theoretical overview

• Provide a critical and synthesised discussion.
• Present trends, approaches, and theoretical frameworks relevant to the topic.
• Highlight international perspectives.
• Identify gaps, conflicts, or strengths in research.

Research methodology

• Provide enough detail for replication.
• Describe the sample, participants, or group.
• Instruments and procedures used.
• Data analysis methods.

Research results

• Present results clearly, separate from discussion.
• Highlight innovations and findings tied to objectives.
• Include 2–5 tables, graphs, or charts with descriptive titles.
• Avoid general statements and minimise references.

Discussion

• Interpret results and compare with prior studies.
• Highlight similarities, differences, and contradictions.
• Discuss scientific concepts underlying findings.
• Acknowledge limitations of the study.

Conclusions and implications

• Re-state the significance of the study and its objectives.
• Summarise findings and implications.
• Emphasise theoretical and practical contributions.

References

• Use APA 7th edition consistently.
• Ensure in-text citations match the reference list.
• Check formatting carefully after applying APA guidelines.
• Include DOIs where available; cite primary sources and avoid excessive self-citation.

Plagiarism and AI usage policy

This section summarises the rules that govern originality. See the full Plagiarism Policy for details.

Plagiarism check and acceptance criteria

• All manuscripts undergo Turnitin plagiarism screening.
• Similarity threshold: less than 10% (excluding references and quotations).
• Submissions exceeding the threshold are returned for revision.
• The editorial team may also evaluate overlaps independently.

Self-plagiarism

• Zero tolerance against self-plagiarism.
• Substantial reuse of prior work is not allowed without attribution.
• Redundant submissions or ‘salami-slicing’ are considered misconduct.

Use of AI tools

• AI may only assist with grammar, clarity, or formatting.
• Substantially AI-generated manuscripts will be rejected.
• An AI-detection report must accompany submission.
• Acceptable threshold: below 10% AI-generated content.
• AI cannot be listed as an author.

Author responsibility

• Authors are fully accountable for the authenticity and originality of the manuscript.
• All sources must be cited per APA 7th edition.
• Violations may lead to rejection, retraction, blacklisting, or institutional notification.

Peer review process

Viśvasaṃvid uses a rigorous double-blind peer review process. The full process is described in the Peer Review Policy.

1. Initial editorial review (≈ 2–5 days)

• Check alignment with journal scope.
• Plagiarism screening.
• Scientific novelty verification.
• Compliance with formatting and ethical policies.

2. Double-blind peer review (≈ 5–15 days)

• At least 2 independent PhD-level reviewers.
• Assess relevance, originality, methods, results, and referencing.
• Possible outcomes: Accept (minor / major revisions), Revise & resubmit, Reject.

3. Editor’s decision and revisions (≈ 10–15 days)

• Final decision based on reviewers and editor assessment.
• Detailed feedback shared with authors.
• Revised manuscripts may undergo further review.
• Accepted manuscripts move to production.

Common reasons for rejection

• Lack of originality or significance.
• Out of scope.
• Non-compliance with guidelines.
• Failure to address reviewer feedback.
• Misleading or offensive content.

Article Processing Charges (APC)

Article Processing Charges, waiver policy, and payment instructions will be published here once confirmed by the editorial board.

Submission

Use the online Submit Paperform. Uploads must be under 5 MB. You will need the corresponding author's details, the manuscript file, and a signed declaration / copyright form.

Ethics

All submissions are handled under the journal's Publication Ethics policy. Please also read our Copyright Policy before submitting.

Figures and tables

Submit figures in-line with the manuscript (embedded) and also as separate high-resolution files (300 dpi PNG or vector PDF). Tables should be editable text, not images.

Post-acceptance

Accepted papers receive editorial copy-editing, are typeset, and proofs are shared with the corresponding author within two weeks. Papers appear online within a scheduled issue.