Submission Guidelines

We welcome original contributions that advance knowledge and understanding in the fields of Sociology and Political Sciences. Authors are encouraged to submit articles, reviews, and research papers that address current social and political issues, theoretical advancements, empirical research, or policy analysis.

Please read our submission guidelines carefully to ensure a smooth and successful submission process.

1. General Submission Requirements

  • Originality: The manuscript must be an original work and not previously published or under consideration elsewhere. Submissions must not have been published in any other journal or be in the process of being reviewed for publication in other venues.

  • Language: Submissions must be in English. Authors whose first language is not English should ensure that the manuscript is carefully edited for clarity, coherence, and readability.

  • Article Types: We accept a variety of article types, including:

    • Research Articles: Empirical studies, theoretical papers, or methodological contributions.
    • Review Articles: Systematic reviews or critical literature reviews in the fields of sociology and political sciences.
    • Short Communications: Brief reports on recent research or policy developments.
    • Commentaries and Perspectives: Opinion pieces, discussions, and reflections on emerging trends or critical issues.

  • Word Limit:

    • Research articles should typically be 3,000 - 7,000 words (including references, tables, and figures).
    • Short communications should not exceed 2,000 words.
    • Book reviews and commentaries should be 1,000 - 2,000 words.

2. Formatting Guidelines

All submissions should be prepared in accordance with the following formatting guidelines:

  • File Format: Manuscripts must be submitted in Word (.doc or .docx) or LaTeX format. Figures, tables, and images should be embedded within the text or provided in separate files, depending on the type of submission.

  • Font: Use 12-point Times New Roman for the main text, with 1.5 line spacing. Use 1-inch margins on all sides.

  • Headings: The manuscript should be organized into the following sections (as appropriate):

    • Title: A concise and descriptive title.

      • Example

        • Title of Article: The Impact of Political Economy on Social Change

          Author(s): John Doe (University of Sociology, johndoe@univ.edu)
          Corresponding Author: Jane Smith (Department of Political Science, janesmith@univ.edu)

          Running Head: Political Economy and Social Change

    • Abstract: A 200-300 word summary of the article, including the main argument, methodology, findings, and implications.
    • Keywords: Provide 3-6 keywords that best represent the article’s content.
    • Introduction: An introduction to the research question, context, and objectives.
    • Literature Review (optional): A review of relevant studies or theories related to the topic.
    • Methodology (for empirical papers): A description of the research methods, data collection, and analysis techniques used.
    • Results/Findings: Present the main findings of the research.
    • Discussion: Interpret the findings and discuss their implications, limitations, and potential avenues for future research.
    • Conclusion: Summarize the main points, implications, and contributions of the paper.
    • References: List all references in the appropriate citation style (see citation style guidelines below).

  • Tables and Figures: These should be numbered sequentially (e.g., Table 1, Figure 1) and should be referred to within the text. Tables and figures must be placed at the end of the manuscript or in separate files.

3. Citation Style

We use the American Sociological Association (ASA) citation style for all submissions. Please ensure that your references are formatted accordingly.

  • In-Text Citations: Use author-date citation style, e.g., (Smith 2020).
  • Reference List: Provide a full reference list at the end of the manuscript, organized alphabetically by author’s last name.

Examples:

  • Book:
    Smith, John. Sociology and Politics: An Introduction. New York: Sociology Press, 2020.

  • Journal Article:
    Jones, Sarah. 2018. “Political Movements in the Digital Age.” Journal of Political Science 45(2): 233-256.

  • Website:
    Global Policy Institute. 2021. “Global Economic Trends.” Retrieved from www.globalpolicy.org.

4. Ethical Guidelines

  • Research Ethics: Authors must ensure that their research complies with ethical standards, particularly with respect to human and animal subjects. All studies involving human participants must have approval from an institutional ethics review board (IRB) or an equivalent body.

  • Authorship: All authors listed on the manuscript must have made significant contributions to the research and manuscript preparation. Ghost authorship or honorary authorship is strictly prohibited.

  • Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to the research or publication process. This includes financial, personal, or professional relationships that could influence the manuscript.

  • Data Availability: Authors are encouraged to make research data available through repositories or supplementary materials. If data cannot be made publicly available, authors should provide a statement explaining why.

5. Submission Process

  • Online Submission: All manuscripts must be submitted through our online submission system. You can access the submission portal [here]. Follow the step-by-step instructions to upload your manuscript and any supplementary materials.

  • Submission Checklist: Before submitting your manuscript, ensure the following:

    • The manuscript is properly formatted according to our guidelines.
    • All tables, figures, and references are included and correctly formatted.
    • The abstract is included and concise.
    • The manuscript is anonymized for peer review (i.e., remove author names and institutional details).
    • A cover letter is included (optional but recommended) that briefly introduces the manuscript and outlines its significance.

  • Cover Letter: A cover letter is not mandatory but can help the editorial team understand the importance of the manuscript and any key points you wish to highlight. You may include:

    • A brief description of the research.
    • The manuscript’s contribution to the field.
    • An explanation of why your article is a good fit for Forefront in Sociology & Political Sciences.

6. Peer Review Process

  • Double-Blind Review: All submitted manuscripts will undergo a double-blind peer review process. This means that both the authors and reviewers are anonymized to ensure an unbiased review process.

  • Review Timeline: After submission, the review process typically takes between 1-2 weeks, depending on the availability of reviewers. Authors will be notified of the decision (acceptance, revisions, or rejection) after this period.

  • Revisions: Authors may be asked to make revisions to their manuscript based on reviewer feedback. Revised manuscripts should be submitted within 2-3 weeks of receiving the decision. Failure to do so may result in the manuscript being withdrawn.

7. Publication Ethics

  • Plagiarism: All manuscripts are screened for plagiarism. Submissions found to contain plagiarized content will be rejected.

  • Duplicate Publication: Submissions must not be under review or published elsewhere. If duplicate publication is discovered, the manuscript will be rejected, and the author(s) may be banned from submitting to the journal.

  • Withdrawal of Manuscripts: Authors may request to withdraw a manuscript before acceptance, but this must be done in writing. Once the manuscript is accepted for publication, withdrawal is not permitted without compelling reasons.

8. Contact Information

For any questions regarding the submission process or if you need assistance, please contact our editorial office:

  • Email: prithivraj@scientificforefront.org
  • Address: Scientific Forefront
                      No. 15, Malleswarar Kovil Street,
                      Nandhivaram, Guduvancheri, Chennai 603202, India