Submissions

Author Guidelines

Author Guidelines

Journal of Integrated Sciences and Agriculture (JISA) · The AgEcon Frontiers (TAEF)

1. About the Journal

The Journal of Integrated Sciences and Agriculture (JISA) is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes scholarly work across agriculture, natural and environmental sciences, engineering and technology, computational and data sciences, health and One Health, social and economic sciences, sustainability, and integrated systems research.

The journal welcomes contributions that connect rigorous academic research with scientific, technological, policy, and practical applications. It encourages interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research addressing complex challenges related to agriculture, food systems, environmental sustainability, climate change, natural resources, health, technological transformation, and sustainable development.

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

2. Manuscript Categories

JISA considers submissions in the following categories:

Manuscript category	Description	Word limit
Original Research Articles	Comprehensive studies presenting original research and novel findings.	3,500–7,000 words
Review Articles	Systematic, scoping, narrative, or critical assessments of existing research.	Up to 8,000 words
Policy and Systems Briefs	Concise, evidence-based analyses addressing scientific, technological, environmental, agricultural, health, socioeconomic, or policy issues.	3,000–6,500 words
Short Communications	Brief reports presenting new research findings, methods, datasets, or relevant scientific 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	Contributions presenting a clear central argument and engaging with relevant evidence, literature, scientific, policy, or practical discussions.	800–1,000 words

Word limits should be understood as the limits specified for each category. Authors should ensure that their submissions are focused, clearly written, 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, consistent headings and subheadings.

3.2 Separate Submission Files

To maintain the integrity of the double-blind 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.

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 and any other file metadata 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, and accurately reflect the subject, focus, and contribution of the study.

4.2 Abstract

For original research articles, the abstract should 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 scientific, 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, and subject areas. Avoid unnecessarily broad or repetitive 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.
3. Methodology: Explain the research design, data sources, sampling procedures, analytical methods, 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 and relevant literature.
6. Conclusion and Implications: Summarise the principal findings, draw conclusions supported by the evidence, and identify relevant scientific, policy, technological, or practical implications.
7. References: Provide complete bibliographic details for all cited sources.

The structure of review articles, policy and systems briefs, commentaries, and short communications may differ according to their purpose and format. Authors should ensure that the organisation of the manuscript supports its objectives and category.

5. Tables, Figures and Units

All tables and figures must be clear, accurate, and appropriately presented.

• 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, and abbreviations are clearly explained.
• Submit high-resolution figures as separate files, with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
• Ensure that figures and tables are legible and suitable for online publication.
• Use International System of Units (SI) measurements consistently, where applicable.
• Obtain permission to reproduce any copyrighted table, figure, photograph, or other material where permission is required.

Tables and figures should support the text rather than repeat information already presented in full.

6. References and Citations

JISA 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, and other bibliographic details are accurate and complete.
• Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) are included where available, preferably in the form of a DOI URL.
• Direct quotations are appropriately identified and referenced.
• All sources, including datasets and other relevant materials, are acknowledged appropriately.

Authors are responsible for checking the accuracy and completeness of all references before submission.

7. Research Ethics, Originality and Permissions

All submissions must comply with applicable ethical standards and responsible research practices.

7.1 Originality and Exclusive Submission

By submitting a manuscript to JISA, authors confirm that:

• The manuscript is original and has not been published previously, except where prior dissemination has been explicitly permitted by the journal.
• The manuscript is not under consideration for publication by another journal.
• All sources and contributions from others have been properly acknowledged.
• The submission complies with the journal's publication ethics requirements.

7.2 Research Involving Human Participants, Animals or Sensitive Data

Research involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data must comply with the relevant ethical requirements.

Where applicable, manuscripts should provide information about ethical approval, informed consent, confidentiality, and the protection of participants or research subjects.

Authors must obtain any necessary institutional approvals and permissions 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, substantial text extracts, or other material. Appropriate acknowledgement of the original source must be provided.

7.4 Funding and Conflicts of Interest

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

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

8. Peer-Review Process

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

The process 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 and suitability.
2. External Peer Review: Manuscripts that pass the initial assessment are sent to at least two independent reviewers.
3. Editorial Decision: The editor considers the reviewers' reports, the manuscript's originality, methodological rigor, relevance, and overall scholarly contribution when reaching a 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 decision to the corresponding author.

Authors should submit an anonymised manuscript and ensure that their files do not disclose their identities during review.

9. How to Submit

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

Submission portal: JISA 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 or supplementary files.
6. Provide the requested declarations and confirm compliance with the submission requirements.
7. Complete and confirm 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 JISA's aims and scope.
• Confirmation that the manuscript is original and is not under consideration elsewhere.

The cover letter should be addressed to the Editor-in-Chief of JISA.

10. Copyright and Open Access

JISA is a fully open-access journal. Authors retain copyright of their published work and grant the journal a non-exclusive licence to publish, distribute, and archive the article.

All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0). This licence permits sharing and adaptation, including commercial use, provided appropriate credit is given to the original authors and source, a link to the licence is supplied, and any changes are indicated.

Authors may deposit and share their published articles in institutional repositories, on personal websites, and through other appropriate platforms, subject to the applicable licence terms.

Further details are available in JISA's Copyright Notice and Open Access Policy.

11. Editorial Decisions and Correspondence

All editorial decisions and requests for revisions 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 correspondence with the editorial office.

For enquiries concerning manuscript preparation or submission, please contact the JISA editorial office at jisa@ageconfrontiers.com.

12. Privacy Statement

The Journal of Integrated Sciences and Agriculture (JISA) is committed to protecting the privacy of its users. The names, email addresses, and any other personal information entered on this journal site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of the journal, including editorial communication, manuscript processing, peer review, and publication-related updates.

This information will not be shared with third parties or used for any other purpose without the explicit consent of the individual, except as required by law.

By submitting their details, users acknowledge and consent to the collection and use of their information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.