Manuscript Guidelines
IJNGP strictly upholds rigorous ethical standards and does not accept AI-generated content. We utilise advanced software to detect plagiarism, and any submission found to be plagiarised will be rejected and barred from future consideration. Our commitment is to ensure the integrity and originality of all published work.
The following guidelines should be followed to ensure compliance with IJNGP standards
Title Page
Titles should be brief, accurate, and balanced in presenting the results. Readers are often drawn to the full text of an article because of an intriguing title, which directs attention to the paper. To captivate interest, choose a title that clearly and straightforwardly describes the paper's content and findings. The most effective titles are simple, readable, and brief. According to the latest APA guideline, the title should not exceed 12 words.
Abstract
Provide an abstract between 150 to 250 words. Avoid using undefined abbreviations or unspecified references.
Keywords
Keywords are essential for helping indexers to locate relevant papers. In order to make your research more accessible to readers, increase the likelihood of more people reading and citing your work then include relevant keywords. Provide 4 to 6 keywords for indexing purposes. For keywords to be effective, they should:
- Accurately reflect the content of your manuscript.
- Be specific to your field or subfield.
Sections
The Manuscript should be structured with appropriate headings and subheadings for your topic and research. It is advisable to organise your manuscript into the following sections or their equivalents for your field:
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Introduction
Provide a concise introduction without subheadings.
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Materials and Methods
This section can be divided by subheadings and should contain enough details to allow all procedures to be repeated when read in conjunction with cited references. For studies involving animal or human subjects, an ethics approval statement must be included.
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Results
This section can be divided by subheadings. Footnotes should be avoided and integrated into the main text.
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Discussion
This section can also be divided by subheadings. Discuss the key findings of the study, including prior research to contextualise the discovery's novelty. Address potential shortcomings and limitations, discuss how the findings integrate into the current understanding of the problem, speculate on future research directions, and propose theories that could be tested in future studies.
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Conclusions
Conclusions should articulate the significance of the findings for advancing future research or practice in the field of futures studies.
Word Limit
Manuscripts should ideally be around 8,000 words, with a permissible range of 4,000 to 8,000 words, including references. This range ensures a thorough exploration of the topic without unnecessary content. Authors should include a word count in their cover letter.
Citations and Referencing
Good citation practices are essential for both proper attribution and credibility. IJNGP adheres to the latest APA format to ensure clarity in research papers. APA style makes papers easier to read and understand by providing a uniform format for citing sources, enhancing the paper's flow and keeping the focus on the content. Ensuring accurate citations involves paying attention to details such as correct page numbers, the accurate spelling of author names, and the factual accuracy of the information you present in your research article or research journal.
Careful citation practices build your credibility as a scholar. A well-cited article not only showcases scholarship but also establishes credibility. Proper citation also enables better verification of your work. Academic writing undergoes multiple reviews before publication. Whether it's a peer reviewer or an editorial assistant checking sources, accurate citations simplify their work. Your paper is more likely to receive positive feedback and minimal criticism if you meticulously cite all your sources.
Citation helps authors avoid plagiarism and its serious consequences. Using others' ideas, research, or findings without proper citation is essentially taking credit for their work, which would be violating the ethics code. Citing is a professional courtesy that acknowledges others' contributions and strengthens the credibility of your work, demonstrating comprehensive research and making your arguments more convincing.
Graphics, Tables
Tables and figures in documents aim to enhance reader comprehension by efficiently conveying large amounts of information. Tables and Graphs should be submitted in the manuscript. Tables and figures should be used to effectively present substantial information and not merely to occupy space or obscure less significant results. Since tables and figures complement the text, always refer to them within the text and explain what readers should focus on.
Copyright Permissions
Authors who want to include figures, tables, or text passages that have been previously published must obtain permission from the copyright owners for both print and online formats. They should include evidence of this permission when submitting their papers. Any material submitted without such evidence will be assumed to originate from the authors.
Source Files
Ensure that you provide all relevant editable source files at every submission and revision. If a complete set of editable source files is not submitted, the article will not be considered for review. Manuscript text should be submitted in only .docx format.
Originality
The submitted manuscript should primarily focus on original contributions, presenting empirical data and findings. It should clearly outline the research questions within the context of existing knowledge, discuss relevant theories, justify the research design decisions, and provide detailed descriptions of the research methods to allow for evaluation. The interpretation of results must be grounded in the data collected.
* First Page Requirements
First page should include Title, authors' names, affiliations, postal addresses, email addresses (identifying the contact author)
* IJNGP strictly adheres to APA guidelines. This ensures the document is typed and double-spaced on standard-sized paper (8.5" x 11") with 1" margins on all sides. Use a consistent font throughout; APA suggests either a sans serif font such as 11-point Calibri or Arial, or a serif font like 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Georgia. Include a page header, known as the "running head," at the top of each page with the page number flush right.