Author Guidelines

Uswah: Journal of Sustainable Development Goals in Education welcomes original scholarly manuscripts that contribute to the advancement of knowledge concerning education and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Authors are expected to ensure that manuscripts demonstrate originality, academic rigor, methodological clarity, ethical integrity, and relevance to the journal's Focus and Scope.

1. Manuscript Types

Uswah accepts the following types of manuscripts:

Original Research Articles

Empirical studies presenting original findings based on qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, or other rigorous research approaches.

Review Articles

Critical and systematic examinations of existing scholarly literature, including systematic reviews, scoping reviews, integrative reviews, and other appropriate review methodologies.

Conceptual or Theoretical Articles

Scholarly manuscripts developing theoretical arguments, conceptual frameworks, models, or critical perspectives related to education and sustainable development.

2. Originality and Exclusivity

Submitted manuscripts must be original and unpublished and must not be simultaneously submitted to another journal.

By submitting a manuscript, authors confirm that:

  • The manuscript is original.
  • The manuscript has not been published previously.
  • The manuscript is not under consideration by another journal.
  • All authors have approved the submitted version.
  • All sources and ideas derived from other works are properly cited.
  • The manuscript does not contain plagiarism, fabricated data, or falsified information.

3. Language

Manuscripts should be written in clear, concise, and academically appropriate English.

Authors are responsible for ensuring appropriate grammar, spelling, terminology, sentence structure, and academic expression.

4. Manuscript Format

Manuscripts should be prepared using the journal's official template and submitted through the online submission system.

Recommended formatting:

  • File format: Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx)
  • Paper size: A4
  • Font: Times New Roman
  • Font size: 12 pt
  • Line spacing: 1.15–1.5
  • Text alignment: Justified
  • Margins: 2.5 cm
  • Citation style: APA 7th Edition
  • Page numbering: Continuous

Authors should follow the journal template for detailed formatting requirements.

5. Manuscript Structure

The manuscript structure may vary according to the article type and research methodology. A typical research article should contain:

  1. Title
  2. Author Names
  3. Author Affiliations
  4. Corresponding Author
  5. Abstract
  6. Keywords
  7. Introduction
  8. Literature Review and Theoretical Framework (if applicable)
  9. Methods
  10. Results
  11. Discussion
  12. Conclusion
  13. Acknowledgments (if applicable)
  14. Author Contributions (if applicable)
  15. Funding Statement (if applicable)
  16. Conflict of Interest
  17. AI and Generative AI Disclosure
  18. References

The structure may be modified when appropriate to accommodate the characteristics of review, conceptual, theoretical, or other manuscript types.

6. Title

The title should be concise, informative, specific, and relevant to the research.

Authors should avoid unnecessary abbreviations and overly general expressions. The title should clearly communicate the main research topic, problem, or contribution.

7. Author Information

The manuscript should include:

  • Full name of each author
  • Department or study program
  • Institutional affiliation
  • City and country
  • Email address
  • ORCID iD, where available

The corresponding author should be clearly identified and responsible for communication with the editorial office.

8. Abstract

The abstract should provide a concise overview of the manuscript, normally consisting of 150–250 words.

For original research articles, the abstract should generally include:

  • Background
  • Objective
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Conclusion

The abstract should be understandable independently of the main text and should not contain unnecessary citations, tables, or figures.

9. Keywords

Authors should provide 3–6 keywords representing the principal concepts of the manuscript.

Keywords should be specific, relevant, and preferably different from repetitive terms in the title.

10. Introduction

The Introduction should establish the academic context of the research and clearly present:

  • Research background
  • Research problem
  • Significance of the study
  • Relevant previous research
  • Research gap
  • Research objectives or questions
  • Expected contribution of the study

The research gap should be clearly supported by relevant scholarly literature.

11. Literature Review and Theoretical Framework (if applicable)

The Literature Review and Theoretical Framework section should present and critically examine relevant theories, concepts, previous studies, and scholarly discussions related to the research topic.

The literature review should:

  • Establish the academic foundation of the study
  • Synthesize relevant previous research
  • Identify important research gaps
  • Explain relevant theoretical perspectives
  • Establish connections between previous studies and the present research
  • Support the formulation of research objectives, questions, hypotheses, or conceptual frameworks where applicable

Authors should critically synthesize the literature rather than merely provide a descriptive list of previous studies. Recent, relevant, and authoritative scholarly sources should be prioritized.

Where applicable, authors may present a theoretical framework, conceptual framework, or research model explaining relationships among relevant concepts, variables, constructs, or theoretical perspectives.

A separate Literature Review and Theoretical Framework section is not mandatory for every manuscript. Authors may integrate relevant literature and theoretical perspectives into the Introduction or other appropriate sections when this better suits the manuscript type or research methodology.

12. Methods

The Methods section should provide sufficient information to allow readers to understand and evaluate how the research was conducted.

Depending on the research design, the section may include:

  • Research approach and design
  • Research setting and context
  • Population and participants
  • Sampling procedures
  • Data sources
  • Research instruments
  • Data collection procedures
  • Data analysis techniques
  • Validity and reliability procedures
  • Research ethics

Studies involving human participants should comply with applicable ethical standards and institutional requirements.

13. Results

The Results section should present the research findings clearly, systematically, and objectively.

Tables, figures, charts, and other visual materials may be used where appropriate. Each table and figure should have a clear title, numbering, and reference in the main text.

Authors should avoid unnecessary duplication between the narrative text and visual materials.

14. Discussion

The Discussion should interpret the findings in relation to:

  • Research objectives or questions
  • Relevant theories
  • Previous research
  • Identified research gaps
  • Implications for education and sustainable development

The Discussion should go beyond repeating the results by explaining their meaning, significance, contribution, and implications.

15. Conclusion

The Conclusion should provide a concise synthesis of the principal findings and their implications.

The conclusion should directly address the research objectives or questions and may include recommendations for educational practice, policy development, institutional management, community engagement, or future research.

New findings that have not been presented and discussed in the manuscript should not be introduced in the conclusion.

16. Tables and Figures

Tables and figures should:

  • Be numbered consecutively
  • Have descriptive titles
  • Be referred to in the main text
  • Be clear and readable
  • Use consistent terminology
  • Include source information where appropriate

Authors are responsible for obtaining permission for copyrighted material when required.

17. Citations and References

Uswah uses the APA 7th Edition style for citations and references.

Authors should ensure that:

  • Every in-text citation appears in the reference list
  • Every reference in the reference list is cited in the manuscript
  • Bibliographic information is complete and accurate
  • DOI information is provided where available
  • References are relevant to the manuscript

Authors are encouraged to use reference-management tools such as Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote.

18. Research Ethics

Research involving human participants must comply with applicable ethical principles and institutional regulations.

Where applicable, authors should provide information regarding:

  • Ethical approval
  • Informed consent
  • Confidentiality
  • Participant privacy
  • Data protection
  • Other relevant ethical considerations

19. Plagiarism and Academic Integrity

All submitted manuscripts may undergo plagiarism and similarity screening.

Uswah does not tolerate:

  • Plagiarism
  • Duplicate publication
  • Fabrication of data
  • Falsification of data
  • Manipulation of research findings
  • Fabricated references
  • Other forms of academic misconduct

Manuscripts involving serious academic misconduct may be rejected or, where applicable, retracted after publication.

20. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI

Authors may use artificial intelligence or generative AI tools for limited purposes such as language editing, grammar correction, translation, formatting, and improving readability.

AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors. Authors remain fully responsible for the originality, accuracy, integrity, interpretation, references, data, and conclusions of their manuscripts.

AI tools must not be used to fabricate data, generate false findings, fabricate references, manipulate evidence, or conceal academic misconduct.

AI Disclosure Statement

When AI or generative AI has been used substantially in preparing the manuscript, authors should provide:

AI and Generative AI Disclosure: During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [name of AI tool] for [specific purpose]. The authors reviewed and edited the generated content and take full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and final content of the manuscript.

If no AI tools were used:

AI and Generative AI Disclosure: The authors declare that no artificial intelligence or generative artificial intelligence tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript.

21. Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial, personal, institutional, or other relationships that could influence the research or its interpretation.

If no conflict exists:

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest related to this research or its publication.

22. Funding Statement

All sources of financial support should be disclosed.

If the research received no external funding:

Funding: This research received no external funding.

23. Author Contributions

For manuscripts with multiple authors, authors may be required to provide a statement describing individual contributions to the research and manuscript preparation.

Authorship should accurately reflect substantial contributions to the work.

24. Acknowledgments

Individuals, institutions, research assistants, funding organizations, or other parties who contributed to the research but do not qualify for authorship may be acknowledged in this section.

25. Peer Review Process

All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial assessment to determine their suitability for the journal.

Manuscripts considered suitable may proceed to peer review. Reviewers evaluate factors including:

  • Originality
  • Relevance
  • Methodological rigor
  • Theoretical contribution
  • Quality of analysis
  • Clarity of presentation
  • Contribution to education and sustainable development

Authors may be required to revise manuscripts based on reviewer and editorial recommendations.

26. Article Processing Charge

There is no fee for manuscript submission.

For manuscripts accepted for publication, an Article Processing Charge (APC) of IDR 150,000 per article applies.

The APC is charged only after formal acceptance of the manuscript and does not influence the editorial or peer-review decision.

27. Open Access

Uswah: Journal of Sustainable Development Goals in Education provides immediate open access to published articles.

All published articles are freely accessible to readers worldwide and are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

28. Submission Checklist

Before submitting a manuscript, authors should confirm:

☐ The manuscript fits the Focus and Scope of Uswah
☐ The manuscript is original and has not been published previously
☐ The manuscript is not under consideration by another journal
☐ All authors have approved the final manuscript
☐ Author information is complete
☐ The abstract meets the journal requirements
☐ 3–6 keywords are provided
☐ The research methodology is clearly described
☐ Literature and theoretical framework are included where applicable
☐ Tables and figures are properly numbered and cited
☐ Citations and references follow APA 7th Edition
☐ Ethical requirements have been addressed where applicable
☐ Conflict of interest has been disclosed
☐ Funding information has been provided where applicable
☐ AI use has been disclosed where applicable
☐ The manuscript has been carefully proofread
☐ The authors understand the APC applicable after acceptance