Submissions

Author Guidelines

Author Guidelines

1. About the Journal

The Journal of Agribusiness and Social Sciences (JASS) is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes scholarly work on agribusiness, agricultural economics, rural development, agricultural policy, food and agri-food systems, socioeconomic transformation, sustainability, innovation, and related social sciences.

The journal welcomes contributions that connect rigorous academic research with policy and practice. It encourages comparative, interdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary research addressing agricultural, rural, economic, social, and development challenges across developed and developing regions.

JASS employs a double-blind peer-review process to evaluate the originality, methodological rigour, relevance, integrity, and scholarly contribution of submitted manuscripts.

2. Manuscript Categories

JASS considers submissions in the following categories:

Manuscript Category	Description	Word Limit
Original Research Articles	Comprehensive studies presenting original research, rigorous analysis, and novel findings.	3,500–7,000 words
Review Articles	Systematic, critical, or comprehensive assessments of existing research and emerging developments.	Up to 8,000 words
Policy Briefs	Concise, evidence-based analyses intended to inform policy, practice, and decision-making.	3,000–6,500 words
Short Communications	Brief reports presenting new research findings, methods, empirical evidence, or relevant developments.	1,000–2,000 words
Special Issue Contributions	Manuscripts submitted for an approved thematic collection coordinated by guest editors.	According to the applicable article category
Commentaries	Scholarly contributions presenting a clear central argument, engaging with relevant evidence or literature, and contributing constructively to academic, policy, or professional discussion.	800–1,000 words

Word limits should be understood as the limits specified for each manuscript category. Authors should ensure that submissions are focused, clearly written, appropriately structured, and proportionate to the contribution being made.

3. General Manuscript Preparation

Manuscripts must be prepared carefully and should meet the following requirements.

3.1 File Format and Presentation

• Submit manuscripts in Microsoft Word or LaTeX format.
• Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, with double-spaced text.
• Set page margins to one inch on all sides.
• Include continuous line numbering throughout the manuscript.
• Number all pages consecutively.
• Use clear and consistent headings and subheadings.
• Ensure that the manuscript is carefully proofread before submission.

3.2 Separate Submission Files

To maintain the integrity of the double-blind peer-review process, authors must submit the manuscript as two separate files.

File 1: Title Page

The title page must include:

• Full title of the manuscript.
• Full names of all authors.
• Institutional affiliations of all authors.
• Email address of the corresponding author.
• Acknowledgements, where applicable.
• Funding information, where applicable.
• Conflict-of-interest declaration, where applicable.

File 2: Anonymised Main Manuscript

The main manuscript must not contain author names, institutional affiliations, acknowledgements, or other information that directly identifies the authors.

It should include:

• Manuscript title.
• Abstract.
• Keywords.
• Main text.
• References.
• Tables and figures, with appropriate captions and numbering.

Authors should also ensure that identifying information is removed from document properties, file metadata, self-identifying acknowledgements, and other elements that may compromise the anonymity of the review.

4. Manuscript Structure

Original Research Articles should normally follow a clear and logical structure appropriate to the research design and subject matter.

4.1 Title

The title should be concise, informative, specific, and accurate, and should clearly reflect the subject, focus, geographical context where relevant, and principal contribution of the study.

4.2 Abstract

For Original Research Articles, the abstract should normally be 250–300 words and provide a concise account of the study, including:

• Research background or problem.
• Objective or research question.
• Data and methods.
• Principal findings.
• Main conclusions and policy or practical implications, where relevant.

The abstract should be understandable independently of the main text and should not contain unnecessary references or unexplained abbreviations.

4.3 Keywords

Provide 5–7 keywords that accurately represent the manuscript's principal topics, methods, geographical context, and subject areas. Avoid unnecessarily broad, repetitive, or generic terms.

4.4 Main Text

Original Research Articles should normally contain the following sections, adapted as appropriate to the study:

1. Introduction: Establish the research problem, its significance, relevant context, and the study's objectives or research questions.
2. Literature Review / Background: Review relevant literature, establish the conceptual or theoretical foundation, and identify the research gap addressed by the study.
3. Methodology: Explain the research design, study area where relevant, data sources, sampling procedures, analytical methods, variables or measures, and relevant ethical considerations.
4. Results: Present the principal empirical or analytical findings clearly, using tables and figures where appropriate.
5. Discussion: Interpret the findings in relation to the research objectives, relevant literature, theory, and the broader scholarly or policy context.
6. Conclusion and Policy Implications: Summarise the principal findings, draw conclusions supported by the evidence, identify limitations where appropriate, and present relevant policy, managerial, development, or practical implications.
7. References: Provide complete bibliographic details for all cited sources.

The structure of Review Articles, Policy Briefs, Short Communications, Commentaries, and Special Issue Contributions may differ according to their purpose and format. Authors should ensure that the organisation of each manuscript appropriately supports its objectives and manuscript category.

5. Tables, Figures, and Units

All tables and figures must be clear, accurate, appropriately presented, and directly relevant to the manuscript.

• Number tables and figures consecutively in the order in which they are first mentioned in the text.
• Cite every table and figure in the main text.
• Provide a descriptive title or caption for each table and figure.
• Ensure that table headings, figure labels, notes, symbols, abbreviations, and statistical notation are clearly explained.
• Submit high-resolution figures as separate files, with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi where applicable.
• Ensure that tables and figures are legible and suitable for online publication.
• Use the International System of Units (SI) consistently where applicable.
• Clearly identify data sources in tables and figures where relevant.
• Obtain permission to reproduce any copyrighted table, figure, photograph, map, illustration, or other third-party material where permission is required.

Tables and figures should complement the text and should not unnecessarily duplicate information already presented in full.

6. References and Citations

JASS requires references to follow the American Psychological Association (APA), 7th edition style.

Authors must ensure that:

• Every source cited in the text appears in the reference list.
• Every entry in the reference list is cited in the manuscript.
• Author names, publication years, titles, journal names, volume and issue numbers, page ranges, publishers, and other bibliographic details are accurate and complete.
• Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) are included where available, preferably in DOI URL format.
• Direct quotations are appropriately identified, cited, and referenced.
• All sources, including datasets, reports, policy documents, websites, and other relevant materials, are appropriately acknowledged.
• References are checked carefully for accuracy, consistency, and completeness before submission.

Authors are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all references and citations.

7. Research Ethics, Originality, and Permissions

All submissions must comply with applicable ethical standards, responsible research practices, and the publication ethics requirements of JASS.

7.1 Originality and Exclusive Submission

By submitting a manuscript to JASS, authors confirm that:

• The manuscript is original and has not been published previously, except where prior dissemination is explicitly permitted under applicable scholarly and publishing practices.
• The manuscript is not simultaneously under consideration for publication by another journal.
• All sources, ideas, data, and contributions from others have been properly acknowledged and cited.
• Any substantial reuse of the authors' previously published material has been appropriately disclosed and referenced.
• The submission complies with JASS publication ethics and research integrity requirements.

7.2 Research Involving Human Participants, Animals, or Sensitive Data

Research involving human participants, animals, personal information, or sensitive data must comply with applicable ethical, legal, institutional, and national requirements.

Where applicable, manuscripts should provide information concerning:

• Ethical approval or institutional review;
• Informed consent;
• Confidentiality and privacy;
• Protection of participants or research subjects; and
• Responsible management and use of sensitive or personally identifiable data.

Authors must obtain all necessary institutional approvals, permissions, and consents before submitting their work.

7.3 Copyrighted and Third-Party Material

Authors are responsible for ensuring that all third-party material included in their manuscripts is used lawfully.

Written permission must be obtained where required for the reproduction of copyrighted figures, tables, photographs, maps, substantial text extracts, or other protected material. Appropriate acknowledgement of the original source must be provided.

7.4 Funding and Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose all relevant funding sources and any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.

A funding statement and conflict-of-interest declaration should be included in the manuscript, where applicable. Where no funding or competing interests exist, authors should state this explicitly.

8. Peer-Review Process

JASS uses a double-blind peer-review process, in which the identities of authors and reviewers are concealed from one another during the review process.

The process normally comprises the following stages:

1. Initial Editorial Assessment: The editorial team assesses whether the submission falls within the journal's scope and meets the basic requirements for scholarly quality, originality, ethical compliance, and suitability.
2. External Peer Review: Manuscripts that pass the initial assessment are normally sent to at least two independent reviewers with appropriate subject and methodological expertise.
3. Editorial Decision: The editor considers the reviewers' reports, the manuscript's originality, methodological rigour, relevance, integrity, and overall scholarly contribution when reaching an editorial decision.
4. Revision, Where Required: Authors may be invited to revise their manuscripts in response to editorial and reviewer comments.
5. Final Decision: The editorial team communicates the final decision to the corresponding author through the journal's submission system or registered email.

Authors must submit an anonymised manuscript and ensure that submitted files do not disclose their identities during the review process.

9. How to Submit

All manuscripts must be submitted through the JASS online submission system.

Authors should:

1. Register for an account or log in to an existing account.
2. Start a new submission and select the appropriate manuscript section or category.
3. Complete all required submission metadata accurately.
4. Upload the title page and anonymised main manuscript as separate files.
5. Upload any required figures, datasets, appendices, or supplementary files.
6. Provide all required declarations and confirm compliance with the journal's submission requirements.
7. Review the submitted information carefully and complete the submission through the online system.

Cover Letter

A cover letter must accompany the submission. It should briefly explain:

• The manuscript's title and category.
• The research problem and principal contribution.
• The manuscript's relevance to the aims and scope of JASS.
• The principal originality or scholarly contribution of the study.
• Confirmation that the manuscript is original and is not under consideration elsewhere.

The cover letter should be addressed to the Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Agribusiness and Social Sciences (JASS).

10. Editorial Decisions and Correspondence

All editorial decisions, requests for revisions, and other formal communications are communicated through the journal's submission system or the corresponding author's registered email address.

Authors should ensure that their contact details remain current and should refer to the manuscript identification number in all correspondence with the editorial office.

For enquiries concerning manuscript preparation or submission, authors may contact the JASS Editorial Office.

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