Author Guidelines

Author Guidelines

1. Overview

Central Asia and the Caucasus welcomes original research, reviews, case studies, and commentaries on social sciences, political science, international relations, development, and ocean engineering. We adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity and ethical publishing practices. Authors are encouraged to read these guidelines carefully before submitting their manuscripts.

2. Manuscript Categories

We accept the following types of manuscripts:

  • Original Research Articles: Detailed studies reporting original research findings.
  • Review Articles: Comprehensive reviews of specific topics in our focus areas.
  • Case Studies: Detailed reports of individual cases that provide insights into practice and research.
  • Commentaries: Short articles providing expert opinions on current issues in our fields of focus.

3. Submission Process

All manuscripts must be submitted through our online submission system. Authors need to create an account, log in, and follow the instructions to submit their manuscript and associated files. If authors face any difficulties with online submission, they can email us at editor@ca-c.org.

4. Manuscript Preparation

Proper manuscript preparation is crucial for ensuring a smooth review and publication process. Authors are encouraged to adhere to the following guidelines when preparing their submissions.

a. General Format
  • Language and Writing: Manuscripts must be written in clear, concise English. If the article is in another language, include the title and abstract in English. Authors who are not fluent in English are encouraged to seek professional language editing services before submission.
  • Document Formatting: Use double-spacing throughout the manuscript, including references and tables. All pages should be numbered consecutively, starting with the title page.
  • Font and Margins: Use a standard, readable font such as Times New Roman, 10-point size. Margins should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) on all sides.
  • File Format: Manuscripts should be submitted in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format. Figures and tables may be submitted as separate files in high-resolution formats (e.g., .jpeg, .png, .tiff).
b. Structure
  • Title Page: The title page should include:
    • The title of the manuscript, which should be concise and informative.
    • Full names of all authors along with their institutional affiliations. Affiliations should include the department, institution, city, and country.
    • Contact information for the corresponding author, including email address and phone number.
    • Acknowledgments of any funding sources, contributors, or other support.
  • Abstract: The abstract should be a single paragraph, not exceeding 250 words, summarizing the objectives, methods, results, and conclusions of the study. The abstract should be structured into the following sections:
    • Background: Brief context and rationale for the study.
    • Objectives: The main aim or hypothesis.
    • Methods: A brief description of the study design, participants, and procedures.
    • Results: Key findings of the study.
    • Conclusions: Principal conclusions and their implications.
  • Keywords: Provide 3-5 keywords that accurately represent the content of the manuscript. Keywords should be listed in alphabetical order and separated by commas.
  • Main Text: Organize the manuscript into the following sections:
    • Introduction: Describe the background, significance, and objectives of the study. Clearly state the research question or hypothesis.
    • Methods: Provide detailed information on the study design, participants, interventions, data collection, and analysis methods. Ensure that enough detail is provided to allow replication of the study.
    • Results: Present the findings of the study in a clear and logical sequence. Use tables and figures to summarize complex data. Do not interpret the results in this section.
    • Discussion: Interpret the results in the context of existing research. Discuss the implications, strengths, and limitations of the study. Suggest directions for future research.
    • Conclusion: Summarize the main findings and their implications for practice, policy, or further research.
    • References: Use a consistent citation style (e.g., APA, Vancouver). Ensure that all references are complete and accurate. List all references cited in the text at the end of the manuscript.
    • Tables and Figures: Include tables and figures at the end of the manuscript or in separate files. Each table and figure should have a concise, descriptive caption. Ensure that tables and figures are numbered consecutively in the order they are cited in the text.
c. Ethical Considerations
  • Authorship: Only individuals who have made significant contributions to the research and manuscript should be listed as authors. Each author must meet the criteria for authorship as defined by the ICMJE.
  • Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could bias the research. Include a conflict of interest statement at the end of the manuscript.
  • Ethical Approval: For studies involving human participants or animals, include a statement confirming that the research was conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines and that approval was obtained from relevant ethics committees. Provide the name of the committee and the approval number.
  • Informed Consent: If applicable, confirm that informed consent was obtained from all participants. For studies involving vulnerable populations, describe additional safeguards implemented to protect participants.
d. Data Sharing
  • Data Availability Statement: Include a statement describing where the data supporting the findings of the study can be found. If data are publicly available, provide the name of the repository and any accession numbers or DOIs. If data are not publicly available, explain the reasons and how data may be accessed if applicable.
  • Supplementary Material: Authors are encouraged to provide supplementary material that supports the main findings. This could include additional datasets, detailed methodological descriptions, or multimedia files. Supplementary materials should be submitted as separate files and referenced in the manuscript.

5. Plagiarism and Originality

All submissions must be original work that has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration by another journal. Manuscripts will be screened for plagiarism using advanced detection tools like iThenticate. Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable and will result in rejection.

6. Peer Review Process

Central Asia and the Caucasus employs a double-blind peer review process. Manuscripts are reviewed by at least two independent experts. Authors may be asked to revise their manuscript based on reviewers' comments. Final decisions are made by the editorial board.

7. Manuscript Revisions

If revisions are required, authors will be provided with reviewers’ comments and requested to submit a revised manuscript within a specified timeframe. Authors should clearly highlight changes made to the manuscript and provide a detailed response to reviewers' comments.

8. Acceptance and Publication

Accepted manuscripts will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and proofing. Authors will receive proofs for final approval before publication. Articles are published online first, followed by inclusion in a subsequent issue.

9. Copyright and Licensing

Authors retain copyright of their work and grant Central Asia and the Caucasus first publication rights. All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), allowing for free use and distribution with proper attribution.

10. Retractions and Corrections

In cases of significant errors or ethical breaches, Central Asia and the Caucasus will issue retractions or corrections as necessary, in accordance with COPE guidelines.

11. Contact Information

For any questions or further information, please contact the editorial office at editor@ca-c.org.