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Almaaqal Journal of Sustainability and Emerging Technology

Information for Authors

Contents

About the Journal

AJSET is an open-access, international, peer-reviewed journal that publishes high-quality, original research. For details on the journal's focus and peer-review policy, please refer to the Aims & Scope section. As an open-access journal, your research will be freely accessible online immediately upon publication, allowing anyone to read and cite your work. Please note that AJSET only publishes manuscripts in English. The journal accepts the following types of articles: original studies, reviews, letters to the editor, special issues, and annual meeting abstracts.

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Language

Manuscripts must be written in clear and concise English. Authors who are not fluent in idiomatic English should seek help with manuscript preparation before submission. Reviewers are not expected to correct grammatical errors, and deficiencies in this area may detract from the scientific content, potentially leading to delays in acceptance or rejection.

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Types of Articles

The journal seeks to publish four types of contributions in the form of original articles, reviews, letters to the editor, special issue, special issue articles, and annual meeting abstracts.

  • Original Study: Articles that present new, primary research conducted by the authors.
  • Review Articles: Scholarly papers that synthesize and evaluate existing research on a particular topic. Instead of presenting new experimental data, a review article summarizes, analyzes, and critiques previously published studies to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge. Typically, such articles should not be more than 8000 words including references.
  • Special Issue: A collection of articles focused on a specific topic or theme, curated and published together within a single volume or issue of the journal. It often features contributions from various authors and aims to provide comprehensive coverage of a particular area of research.
  • Special Issue Articles: Individual papers or articles that make up the special issue. Each article within the special issue addresses different aspects of the theme or topic defined by the special issue and contributes to the overall focus of the issue.
  • Letter to the Editor: Brief correspondence published in a journal that addresses specific issues related to the content of the journal.
  • Annual Meeting Abstracts: Summaries of research findings presented at an annual scientific or professional conference. These abstracts are typically published in conference proceedings or as part of a special issue in a relevant journal.

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Before Submission

Manuscripts must be submitted on the understanding that they have not been published elsewhere and are only being considered by this journal. The submitting author is responsible for ensuring that the article’s publication has been approved by all the other coauthors. It is also the submitting author’s responsibility to ensure that the article has all necessary institutional approvals. Only an acknowledgment from the editorial office officially establishes the date of receipt. Further correspondence and proofs will be sent to the author(s) before publication unless otherwise indicated. It is a condition of submission that the authors permit editing of the manuscript for readability. All inquiries concerning the publication of accepted manuscripts should be addressed to AJSET.

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Preparation of Manuscripts

Authors should submit their manuscripts as Word files (Word 2007 or later) via the online Manuscript Tracking System. For manuscripts containing mathematical content, submissions in LaTeX are also accepted. The original manuscript should be formatted with double-spaced lines and using Times New Roman fonts (12 pt). The text must be in a single-column format with justified margins ( 1 inch right and left, top and bottom). Use bold, italics, subscripts, and superscripts where suitable. Also, use headings where appropriate.

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Online submission

One of the authors must submit the manuscript through the online Manuscript Tracking System (MTS) by following the on-screen instructions. Only Word (.doc, .docx, .rtf) files are accepted through the MTS, and there is no page limit. Submissions from anyone other than the authors will not be accepted. The submitting author is responsible for the manuscript throughout the submission and peer review process. If technical issues prevent submission via the MTS, the author can contact AJSET for assistance.

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Initial evaluation

All submitted manuscripts will be reviewed by the Editorial Office to ensure they are properly prepared and comply with the journal's ethical guidelines. Each manuscript will be screened for potential plagiarism using iThenticate software. Manuscripts that do not adhere to the journal's ethics policy or fail to meet its standards will be rejected before the peer review process begins. Incomplete or improperly formatted manuscripts will be returned to the authors without undergoing scientific review. Following these checks, the Editorial Office will consult with the Editor-in-Chief to assess whether the manuscript aligns with the journal's scope and is scientifically sound. Manuscripts that do not meet the publication priority will be promptly rejected. Please ensure your text is written in good English (American usage is acceptable). The Editor has the authority to reject a manuscript due to insufficient language quality, with reject decisions at this stage being confirmed by the Editor-in-Chief.

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Submission Declaration and Verification

Submitting an article confirms that the work has not been previously published (except as an abstract, lecture, or thesis), is not under consideration elsewhere, and is approved by all authors and relevant authorities. If accepted, it will not be published elsewhere in the same form without written consent from the copyright holder. All manuscripts are screened for plagiarism using Crossref Similarity Check powered by iThenticate.

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Article structure

The authors are advised to comply with the following structure:

  1. Title page
  2. Abstract
  3. Keywords
  4. Introduction
  5. Material and methods (Experimental or Methodology or Patients and methods)
  6. Results and Discussion
  7. Conclusion
  8. Acknowledgment(s)
  9. Conflicts of Interest
  10. References
  11. Tables
  12. Figures

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Title page

The title page should include the following:

  1. Title of the Study: Centered at the top of the page, and should be a clear and descriptive title. Avoid abbreviations or jargon. Use 14-point bold Times New Roman font.
  2. Author's Names and Affiliations: List all authors' full names below the title. Each author's affiliation should be included, typically with a number corresponding to the author's name. Include the department, institution, city, and country for each author. Mark the corresponding author with an asterisk and include their contact details (telephone, fax, email) in a footnote. If available, include the corresponding author’s 16-digit ORCID.

Abstract

The abstract should be concise, self-contained, and free of citations, with a maximum length of 250 words. It should succinctly outline the study's purpose, the methodology used, key results, and the main conclusions drawn. Any nonstandard or uncommon abbreviations must be defined upon their first mention. The abstract should be typed in Times New Roman, 10-point font, without italics or boldface.

Keywords

Authors are requested to provide 5 to 8 keywords, separated by semicolons, using Times New Roman font, 10-point size, and without italics or bold formatting.

Introduction

This section should be concise and free of subheadings. The author(s) should aim to highlight the significance of the work and justify its publication. Any background discussion should be brief and limited to relevant material. The authors may add a literature review section after the introduction if necessary.

Material and methods (Experimental or Methodology or Patients and methods)

The "Materials and Methods" section of a journal article is critical for ensuring that the research can be replicated by others. This section typically contains the following elements:

  1. Materials: List all materials, components, or resources used in the project, such as metals, composites, electronic components, software, or other specific materials. Include details like grades, specifications, or standards (e.g., ASTM, ISO).
  2. Methods or Testing Procedure: Describe the approach taken for the design process, including any models, theories, or frameworks applied. Explain the rationale behind design choices. Also, explain the procedures used to test the design, such as mechanical testing, simulations, field tests, or stress analysis. Describe the conditions under which tests were conducted and the criteria for evaluating success.

Results and Discussion

The "Results and Discussion" section is where you present your findings and interpret their significance. This section often combines the presentation of data (results) with the analysis and implications of these findings (discussion). Here’s what it should typically contain: Quantitative Data: Provide the raw data obtained from experiments, simulations, or calculations. This might include measurements, performance metrics, or other relevant outputs. Tables and Figures: Use tables, graphs, charts, and other visual aids to present data clearly and effectively. Ensure that each figure and table is well-labeled and accompanied by a descriptive caption. Comparisons: If applicable, compare your results with those from previous studies or benchmarks. This could involve comparing your design's performance against industry standards or alternative methods. Statistical Analysis: Include any relevant statistical analyses that support the reliability of your results. Mention confidence intervals, p-values, error bars, or other statistical indicators. Unexpected Results: Present any results that were not anticipated. Discuss these in the subsequent discussion section. Interpretation of Results:Significance: Discuss the significance of your findings. Explain how they contribute to the field of study or solve the problem at hand. Correlation with Theory: Relate your results to the theoretical background or models you discussed in the introduction or literature review. Explain whether the results support or challenge the existing theories. Explanation of Trends: Discuss any trends or patterns observed in the data. Explain why these trends might occur based on your understanding of the system or process. Engineering Implications: Discuss the practical implications of your findings. This might involve potential applications, scalability, or the impact on design choices. Comparison with Previous Work: Literature Comparison: Compare your results with those reported in the literature. Highlight any similarities or differences and provide explanations for these. Benchmarking: If applicable, compare your results with industry benchmarks or standards. Discuss how your findings measure up to these standards. Limitations: Limitations of the Study: Acknowledge any limitations in your study, such as assumptions made, constraints in experimental design, or limitations in data. Discuss how these might affect the interpretation of the results. Impact of Limitations: Explain how these limitations influence the overall findings and their applicability.

Conclusion(s)

The primary conclusions of the study should be summarized in a brief statement that emphasizes the study's objectives and significance. If applicable, propose new hypotheses and offer recommendations where relevant.

Acknowledgment(s)

Acknowledgments, if any, should be placed at the end of the manuscript, just before the references. Recognize anyone who contributed to the research or manuscript but is not listed as an author, ensuring you have their permission to do so.

Conflicts of Interest

Authors are required to disclose any relevant interests that could be seen as conflicts of interest. They should clarify why each interest could be considered a conflict. If there are no conflicts, this should be explicitly stated. The submitting authors are responsible for ensuring that all co-authors declare their interests.

References

I. Within text

Any references mentioned in your article must also be included in the reference list, and all items in the reference list should be cited in the article. Here are some guidelines:

  • References cited in your abstract should be provided in full.
  • It is advisable not to include unpublished results and personal communications in your reference list, though they can be mentioned within the text of your article.
  • If you do include unpublished results and personal communications in your reference list, they must adhere to the journal's standard reference format. Instead of the publication date, use "unpublished results" or "personal communication."
  • References cited as "in press" indicate that the item has been accepted for publication.
  • We recommend using Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) as reference links, as they offer a permanent link to the electronic article cited. Please refer to the example below, but ensure that the citation format aligns with the style of other references in your paper.
  • DOI link example:
    Alsalman A., Dang, C.N., Hale, W.M. (2017). Development of ultra-high performance concrete with locally available materials. Construction and Building Materials, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.12.040.
II. Style:

References should be indicated by Arabic numerals in brackets, following the order of their appearance in the text, in accordance with the SAGE – Vancouver (brackets). For example, use [4] or [7-10, 13, 15]. While you may refer to the actual authors, the corresponding reference number(s) must always be provided. Example:

[1] Alsalman A, Dang CN, Micah Hale W. Development of ultra-high performance concrete with locally available materials. Construction and Building Materials 2017; 133: 135–145.

Figures

Figures, images, artwork, diagrams, and other graphical media must be submitted as separate files along with the manuscript. We recommend reviewing our detailed instructions for artwork and media. Here are some key points:

  • Cite all images within the manuscript text.
  • Number images in the order they appear in your article.
  • Submit each image as a separate file, using a logical naming convention (e.g., Figure 1, Figure 2).
  • Include captions with the artwork.
  • Text graphics can be embedded directly within the text at the appropriate location. If using LaTeX, text graphics may also be embedded in the file.

Tables

Tables should be submitted as editable text, not as images. Here are some guidelines:

  • Position tables near the relevant text or on separate page(s) at the end of your article.
  • Cite all tables within the manuscript text.
  • Number tables consecutively based on their order of appearance in the text.
  • Include captions with the tables.
  • Place any table notes below the table body.
  • Avoid using vertical lines and shading within table cells.

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Funding Statement

Authors must disclose how their research and the publication of their article were funded, specifying the full name(s) of the funding body/bodies, followed by the relevant grant number(s) in square brackets (if applicable). For example: "This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [grant numbers xxxx, yyyy]; the National Science Foundation [grant number zzzz]; and a Leverhulme Trust Research Project Grant." If the research did not receive specific funding and was conducted as part of the authors' employment, please name the employer. Additionally, if the funder was involved in the writing, editing, approval, or decision to publish the manuscript, this must be declared.

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Nomenclature and Units

All measurements and data should be provided in SI units where possible, or in other internationally accepted units in parentheses throughout the text. Illustrations and tables should use conventional units, with conversion factors provided in the legends or footnotes.

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Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any personal circumstances or interests that could be perceived as affecting the representation or interpretation of the research results. If there are no conflicts of interest, please state, "The authors declare no conflict of interest." This section must also detail any involvement of funding sponsors in the research project choice, study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, manuscript writing, or decision to publish. Studies funded partially or fully by the tobacco industry are not published. Projects funded by industry must provide a thorough declaration of the funder's involvement. If there was no involvement, please state, “The sponsors had no role in the design, execution, interpretation, or writing of the study.” For further details, see the Conflict of Interest section.

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Author Contributions

Authors are encouraged to include a clear statement outlining each author's contributions to the research and manuscript preparation. Example statement: “All authors were involved in the study's conception and design. [Full name], [full name], and [full name] conducted the material preparation, data collection, and analysis. [Full name] drafted the initial version of the manuscript, and all authors reviewed and provided input on earlier versions. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.”

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Data Availability

This journal encourages authors to include an optional data availability statement in their articles. These statements should provide details on where the data supporting the findings of the article can be accessed, including hyperlinks to publicly archived datasets that were generated or analyzed during the study, where applicable. The data availability statement can also specify if data are available upon request from the authors or note if no data are available, where relevant. Example statements:

  • "The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available in the [NAME] repository, [PERSISTENT LINK TO DATASETS]."
  • "The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request."

For more details on completing this section, please refer to the “Research Data Policy and Data Availability” section below. Additionally, manuscripts reporting studies involving humans and/or animals should include the following declarations.

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Ethics Approval

Researchers conducting studies involving human or animal subjects must provide a statement confirming that the study received approval (or was exempted) from the relevant institutional or national research ethics committee. This should include the name of the ethics committee and reference number, if available. For research involving animals, their data, or biological materials, authors must provide comprehensive details on the ethical treatment of the animals in their submission. If the study was exempt from or did not require ethics approval, this should also be clearly stated in the manuscript.

Example statement:

  • "This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of University B (Date.../No....)."
  • "This is an observational study, and the XYZ Research Ethics Committee has confirmed that no ethical approval is required."

For further details on applicable ethical standards and criteria, please refer to the sections on "Research involving human participants, their data or biological material" and "Research involving animals, their data or biological material."

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Consent to Participate

For all research involving human subjects, participants must provide freely-given, informed consent to participate in the study. In the case of minors under 16, consent must be obtained from a parent or legal guardian. A statement confirming this should be included in the manuscript.

Example statements:

  • "Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study."
  • "Written informed consent was obtained from the parents."

For further guidance, please refer to the “Informed Consent” section for additional details on how to complete this information.

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Consent to Publish

Individuals may agree to participate in a study but decline permission for their data to be published in a journal article. If your manuscript includes any personal data (such as individual details, images, or videos), consent for publication must be obtained from the individual, or from a parent or legal guardian in the case of minors. This is particularly relevant for case studies. A statement confirming that consent for publication has been obtained from all participants should be included in the manuscript.

Example statement:

  • "The authors affirm that human research participants provided informed consent for publication of the images in Figure(s) 1a, 1b, and 1c."

For further assistance, please refer to the “Informed Consent” section for additional guidance on completing this information.

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Proofs

A single set of page proofs (in PDF format) will be emailed to the corresponding author. Please use this proof exclusively to verify the typesetting, editing, completeness, and accuracy of the text, tables, and figures. We strive to publish your article promptly and accurately, so it is crucial to send all corrections back in one communication within 48 hours. Proofreading is entirely your responsibility. Please be aware that the publisher may move forward with publication if no response is received.

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Revised manuscripts

Authors must submit the revised version of their manuscript within one month of receiving the editorial decision. Revision does not guarantee acceptance, as the revised manuscript may be sent for reevaluation. Authors should address each reviewer comment with their revision and/or response. If an author disagrees with a reviewer's comment or suggestion, they must provide a justification. Any changes made to the manuscript should be highlighted in the revised version to aid the re-evaluation process.

  • Revised Manuscript: Please clarify the changes you have made since the original submission by utilizing the "Track Changes" feature in Microsoft Word. Upload this document as a "Revised Article with Changes Highlighted" file.
  • Response to Reviewers: Please summarize the specific points raised by each reviewer. Include your responses to all comments from the reviewers and editors, as well as a list of changes made to the manuscript. Upload this document as a "Response to Reviewers" file.
  • Revised Manuscript (Clean Copy): Please provide a clean version of your revised manuscript that has all tracked changes and comments removed. This document should not display any changes and will be uploaded as your "Manuscript" file. Ensure that all authors’ names and affiliations are included as required.

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After acceptance

Once your article is accepted, it will be transferred to the production phase for typesetting. After the typesetting is finished, you will receive the proofs for your review and approval.

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Peer Review

All manuscripts are subject to peer review and must adhere to high standards of academic excellence. Once a submission is approved by the editor, it will be reviewed by peer reviewers whose identities remain anonymous to the authors, and the authors' identities will also remain confidential to the reviewers, ensuring a double-blind review process. The editorial board is responsible for making the final decision regarding the acceptance or rejection of a manuscript, based on the reviewers' recommendations.In certain cases, our Research Integrity team may seek advice beyond the typical peer review process, particularly for submissions that involve significant ethical, security, biosecurity, or societal issues. We may consult with specialists and the academic editor to determine the appropriate actions, which could include engaging reviewers with relevant expertise, involving additional editors for assessment, or opting not to consider the submission further.

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Ethical Guidelines

In any research involving human or animal subjects, it is essential to adhere to the following ethical guidelines. For studies conducted on human participants, all research must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki (1964). Manuscripts that describe experimental procedures that may pose risks to human subjects must include a statement indicating that the experiments were conducted with the participants’ informed understanding and consent, as well as a confirmation that the responsible Ethical Committee approved the research. For studies involving animals, authors are required to provide a detailed account of any anesthetic or surgical procedures utilized. Additionally, they must present evidence that all possible measures were implemented to minimize animal suffering throughout the course of the experiment.

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Complying with Ethics of Experimentation

Please ensure that all research detailed in submitted papers has been carried out ethically and responsibly, in full accordance with relevant codes of experimentation and legal requirements. Original research involving humans, animals, plants, biological materials, protected or non-public datasets, collections, or sites must include an "Ethics Approval" section with the following information:

  • The name(s) of the ethics committee(s) or institutional review board(s) overseeing the research.
  • The reference number or ID of the ethics approval(s).
  • A statement confirming that informed consent was obtained from all human participants before they took part in the research.

For animal research, compliance with ethical standards for animal welfare is mandatory. Original research papers involving animals must:

  • Follow international, national, and institutional guidelines for the humane treatment of animals.
  • Obtain approval from the ethics review committee of the institution or practice conducting the research, including details on the approval process, committee names, and ethics approval ID(s) in the "Ethics Approval" section.
  • Justify the use of animals and the choice of species.
  • Provide details about the animals' housing, feeding, environmental enrichment, and the steps taken to reduce suffering.
  • Specify the methods of anesthesia and euthanasia used.

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Studies in humans and animals

If the research involves human subjects, authors must ensure that the work complies with the Code of Ethics of the World Medical Association (Declaration of Helsinki) (The Code of Ethics of the World Medical Association) for human experimentation. The manuscript should adhere to the Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals, striving for the inclusion of representative human populations in terms of sex, age, and ethnicity, as recommended (Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals) . It is crucial to use the terms "sex" and "gender" accurately. Authors should also provide a statement in the manuscript confirming that informed consent was obtained from all human subjects involved in the research. The privacy rights of these individuals must always be respected.For animal experiments, compliance with the ARRIVE guidelines (ARRIVE guidelines) is required, along with adherence to the U.K. Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act of 1986 and associated guidelines, the EU Directive 2010/63/EU for animal research (EU Directive 2010/63/EU for animal experiments), or the National Research Council's Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals). Authors should clearly state in the manuscript that these guidelines have been followed. Additionally, the sex of the animals used in the study must be indicated, and, where relevant, the influence of sex on the study results should be discussed.

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Supplementary materials

Authors are permitted to publish online supplementary files alongside their articles or book chapters. Each supplementary file must contain the article title, journal name, authors' names, their affiliations, and the email address of the corresponding author. These supplementary files will be published exactly as received from the authors, without any modifications, editing, or formatting changes.

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Article Publishing Charge

There are no Article Processing Charges (APC) for publication of the journal on all submissions at this time.

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