Author Guidelines

Journal of Awareness welcomes high-quality manuscripts that contribute to awareness studies and related fields in the social sciences, humanities, education, health, culture, communication, management, economics, public policy, and interdisciplinary research. The journal applies a double-blind peer-review process and publishes open access articles.

Authors submitting manuscripts are expected to comply with the rules set out in this guide in order to ensure the quality, integrity, ethical compliance, and formatting consistency of their work. The journal uses the APA 7th Edition citation and reference style.

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Publication Fees: Journal of Awareness does not charge any submission fee, article processing charge (APC), acceptance fee, publication fee, page fee, colour fee, DOI fee, archiving fee, or any other publication-related fee.

Manuscripts that do not comply with these rules may be returned to the authors before peer review for technical correction.

1. Manuscript Types

Journal of Awareness publishes manuscripts in four categories. Authors must select the appropriate manuscript type upon submission and indicate it at the beginning of the blinded manuscript file in the format specified below. Manuscripts that do not conform to the scope or structural requirements of the declared type may be returned without peer review.

1.1. Original Research Article

Word limit	6,000 – 9,000 words	Review	Double-blind peer review
Abstract	150 – 250 words (structured)	Header format	[Original Research Article]

An original research article presents new empirical findings, theoretical contributions, or both, derived from systematic inquiry into a clearly defined research problem. This is the primary submission category of the journal. Submissions must demonstrate a substantive and original contribution to the literature; incremental extensions of existing work without clear conceptual or empirical novelty will not be considered.

Manuscripts must include: a clear statement of the research problem and objectives; a theoretically grounded literature review; an explicit and replicable methodology section; presentation of results; critical discussion of findings in relation to existing knowledge; and conclusions identifying the contribution and its limitations. Structured abstracts with the sub-headings Purpose, Design/Methodology/Approach, Findings, and Originality/Value are preferred.

1.2. Review Article

Word limit	5,000 – 12,000 words	Review	Double-blind peer review
Abstract	150 – 250 words	Header format	[Review Article]

The journal accepts review articles in the following methodologically distinct formats. Authors must explicitly identify the review sub-type in the manuscript and adhere to the reporting standards associated with it.

Sub-type	Reporting Standard	Quality Appraisal	Typical Length
Systematic Review	PRISMA 2020 (mandatory)	Required	8,000 – 12,000 words
Scoping Review	PRISMA-ScR (mandatory)	Not required	6,000 – 10,000 words
Literature Review	Explicit inclusion/exclusion criteria required	Not required	5,000 – 8,000 words
Bibliometric Analysis	Database, tool, and search strategy required	Not required	5,000 – 8,000 words

Systematic Review: A systematic review synthesises existing evidence on a precisely formulated research question using a pre-specified, reproducible protocol. Compliance with the PRISMA 2020 reporting guidelines is mandatory; a PRISMA flow diagram must be included. Prior registration in PROSPERO or an equivalent registry is strongly recommended and must be declared in the manuscript.

Scoping Review: A scoping review maps the extent, range, and nature of evidence on a broad research topic without undertaking formal quality appraisal of individual studies. This format is appropriate when the literature is heterogeneous, when the objective is to identify research gaps, or when a systematic review is premature. Reporting must conform to PRISMA-ScR.

Literature Review: A narrative or thematic literature review provides a scholarly synthesis of a defined body of literature without formal protocol requirements. Submissions must explicitly justify the scope of the review, define inclusion and exclusion criteria, and demonstrate analytical depth beyond descriptive summarisation. A clearly articulated conceptual framework or theoretical contribution substantially increases the likelihood of acceptance.

Bibliometric Analysis: Manuscripts employing quantitative bibliometric methods — including co-citation analysis, keyword co-occurrence mapping, or bibliographic coupling — may be submitted under the Review Article category. Such manuscripts must specify the databases searched, the time span covered, the analytical tools employed (e.g., VOSviewer, Bibliometrix/R), and present a substantive interpretive discussion of the patterns identified. A bibliometric analysis that does not proceed beyond visualisation of clusters will not be considered for publication.

1.3. Conceptual Article

Word limit	6,000 – 9,000 words	Review	Double-blind peer review
Abstract	150 – 250 words	Header format	[Conceptual Article]

A conceptual article advances scholarly understanding by developing, extending, integrating, or critically evaluating theoretical frameworks, conceptual models, or foundational propositions within a field of inquiry. Manuscripts in this category do not require primary empirical data; however, the absence of original data places a correspondingly higher demand on the rigour of logical argumentation, internal consistency, and critical engagement with the existing theoretical literature.

Acceptable contributions include: the development of a new theoretical framework or model; the critical synthesis and integration of previously disconnected theoretical perspectives; the formal specification of propositions or constructs not previously articulated in the literature; and the systematic critique of an established theoretical position with the advancement of an alternative. Manuscripts that amount to an annotated review of existing theories without introducing a distinct conceptual contribution will be declined at the editorial screening stage. Where applicable, a visual representation of the proposed framework is encouraged.

1.4. Short Communication

Word limit	2,000 – 4,000 words	Review	Peer review (expedited)
Abstract	Max. 150 words, unstructured	Header format	[Short Communication]

A short communication presents a focused, self-contained scholarly contribution that does not warrant, or has not yet developed to the stage of, a full-length article. This format is appropriate for the dissemination of preliminary empirical findings from an ongoing research programme, the report of a replication study, a methodological observation with applied significance, or a concise response to a theoretical or empirical issue of current relevance in the field.

Short communications must present a complete argument; a condensed structure does not exempt the manuscript from the requirements of clarity of purpose, methodological transparency, and scholarly rigour. Manuscripts that present multi-variable panel analyses, full systematic syntheses, or broad theoretical frameworks are not appropriate for this category and should be submitted as original research or review articles. References should be selective and limited to those directly cited in the text.

Editorial Note: Short communications undergo an expedited review process. Acceptance in this category does not preclude the subsequent submission of a full-length article developing the same research line, provided that the extended manuscript constitutes a substantially new and independent contribution.

2. Pre-Submission Ethics and Policy Checklist

Before submitting a manuscript, authors should confirm that:

The manuscript is consistent with the aims and scope of Journal of Awareness.
The manuscript is original, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration elsewhere.
All authors have approved the submitted version and agree to its submission.
The manuscript does not contain plagiarism, duplicate publication, false authorship, data manipulation, undisclosed conflicts of interest, or similar ethical violations.
Ethics committee approval and informed consent have been obtained where required.
Permission has been obtained for any copyrighted material, figures, tables, images, scales, questionnaires, or other third-party content reproduced or adapted in the manuscript.
All sources are cited and listed in accordance with APA 7th Edition.

3. Required Submission Files

Journal of Awareness uses a double-blind peer-review system. Authors must upload the following files during submission:

File 1: Blinded Manuscript File

The main manuscript file must be fully anonymised. It must not contain any information that may reveal the identity of the author(s), their institutions, funding sources, ethics committee details, project numbers, acknowledgements, or similar identifying information.

Must include:

Manuscript type and title
Abstract and keywords
Main text, references, tables, figures, and supplementary material where applicable

Must not include:

Author names, affiliations, ORCID iDs, or e-mail addresses
Acknowledgements, funding details, ethics committee names or approval numbers, or any other author-identifying information

File 2: Title Page / Cover Page

The Title Page / Cover Page must be uploaded as a separate file. This file is used by the editorial office and is not sent to reviewers. It must include:

Manuscript type and full title
Full names, affiliations, ORCID iDs, and e-mail addresses of all authors
Corresponding author's full name and e-mail address
Author contribution statement
Conflict of interest statement
Funding statement
Ethics committee approval statement (where applicable)
Informed consent statement (where applicable)
Data availability statement
Acknowledgements
Artificial intelligence use statement
Originality and duplicate submission statement
Permissions statement

File 3: Cover Letter

Authors must submit a cover letter addressed to the Editor confirming that the manuscript is original, has not been published previously, is not under consideration elsewhere, complies with the journal's ethical and publication policies, has been approved by all authors, and falls within the scope of Journal of Awareness.

Additional File: Ethics Committee Approval Document

For studies involving human participants, personal data, surveys, interviews, observations, experimental procedures, vulnerable groups, or sensitive information, authors must upload the ethics committee approval document as an additional file where required.

Important: Journal of Awareness does not require a separate copyright transfer form. Copyright remains with the authors, and published articles are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

4. Language and General Requirements

Manuscripts may be submitted in English or Turkish, unless otherwise specified by the journal's current publication policy.
All manuscripts must be written in clear, concise, and grammatically correct academic language.
Authors are responsible for language quality before submission. Manuscripts with language problems that prevent proper evaluation may be returned before peer review.
All manuscripts must be submitted through the journal's online manuscript submission system.
Manuscripts must be prepared in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx).
Authors are strongly encouraged to use the journal's article template.

5. Manuscript Format

File type: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)
Page size: A4
Margins: 2.5 cm on all sides
Font: Times New Roman
Main text: 11 or 12 pt
Abstract: 10 or 11 pt
Line spacing: 1.15 or 1.5
Page numbers: Required on all pages
Recommended length: Original research articles should preferably not exceed 9,000 words including references, tables, and figures, unless justified by the nature of the study.

6. Manuscript Structure

6.1. Original Research Articles

Should generally include: Title — Abstract — Keywords — Introduction — Literature Review (where applicable) — Method — Findings/Results — Discussion — Conclusion — References — Tables and Figures (where applicable).

6.2. Review Articles

Should include a clear statement of purpose, a transparent search and selection strategy (with PRISMA or PRISMA-ScR flow diagram where applicable), thematic or methodological synthesis, discussion, conclusion, and references.

6.3. Conceptual Articles

Should be organised around a clearly stated theoretical problem or gap, followed by rigorous engagement with antecedent theory, presentation of the conceptual contribution, and discussion of implications for future empirical research or practice.

6.4. Short Communications

Do not follow a rigid structure but must present a clear purpose, focused methodology or argumentation, key findings or propositions, and brief conclusions. The abstract must not exceed 150 words and should be unstructured.

7. Title, Abstract, and Keywords

7.1. Title

The title should reflect the content of the manuscript clearly and concisely. Unnecessarily long titles should be avoided.

7.2. Abstract

The abstract should normally be between 150 and 250 words and briefly present the purpose, method, findings, and conclusion/contribution of the study. For short communications, the abstract must not exceed 150 words. The abstract should not contain citations unless absolutely necessary.

7.3. Keywords

Authors should provide 3 to 6 keywords for indexing and information retrieval, separated by commas.

8. Heading Levels

Level 1: Bold, left-aligned, 12 pt — e.g., 1. Introduction
Level 2: Bold, left-aligned, 12 pt — e.g., 2.1. Data and Sample
Level 3: Bold italic, left-aligned, 12 pt — e.g., 2.1.1. Measurement Tools

9. Tables and Figures

Tables and figures should be numbered consecutively in the order cited: Table 1, Table 2, Figure 1, Figure 2.
Table titles appear above the table; figure captions appear below the figure (APA 7 style).
Tables and figures must be cited in the main text before they appear.
Abbreviations and statistical notes should be explained below the table or figure.
Figures should be prepared at 300 dpi or higher.
Authors are responsible for obtaining permission for any reproduced or adapted third-party material.

10. Citation and Reference Style: APA 7th Edition

Every source cited in the text must appear in the reference list, and every work listed in the reference list must be cited in the text.

10.1. In-Text Citations

Parenthetical: (Sahin, 2024)
Narrative: Sahin (2024) argues that...
Two authors: (Sahin & Karakoyun, 2024)
Three or more authors: (Bas et al., 2024)
Institutional author, first citation: (Turkish Statistical Institute [TurkStat], 2024)
Institutional author, subsequent citations: (TurkStat, 2024)

10.2. Reference List Examples

Journal article: Sahin, M., & Karakoyun, F. (2024). Life economics and happiness index. Journal of Life Economics, 11(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx
Book: Bas, I. M. (2023). New approaches in business management. Holistence Publications.
Edited book chapter: Elmaci, O. (2023). Digitalization in accounting auditing. In I. M. Bas (Ed.), Current issues in finance and accounting (pp. 75–92). Holistence Publications.
Thesis: Cetin, Z. (2022). Behavioral biases in financial markets [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Istanbul Nisantasi University.
Website / report: Turkish Statistical Institute. (2024, October 10). Household income and living conditions survey. https://data.tuik.gov.tr/

11. Peer Review Process

Journal of Awareness applies a double-blind peer-review process. All manuscripts are first subject to an editorial screening for scope, originality, methodological soundness, and compliance with submission requirements. Manuscripts that pass the editorial screening are assigned to a minimum of two independent reviewers with relevant expertise.

Authors will receive an initial editorial decision within 10–12 weeks of submission. The journal is committed to timely and rigorous peer review. Possible decisions following peer review are: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject. Authors invited to revise their manuscripts are expected to submit the revised version within the timeframe specified in the decision letter.

Note: Short Communications undergo an expedited review process and may receive an initial decision within a shorter timeframe.

12. Required Declarations

The following declarations must be included on the Title Page / Cover Page. If a declaration is not applicable, authors must state "Not applicable" rather than leaving the section blank.

12.1. Author Contributions

Author contributions should be reported clearly using CRediT roles where applicable: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Data Curation, Writing – Original Draft, Writing – Review & Editing, Visualization, Supervision, Project Administration, Funding Acquisition.

12.2. Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors must disclose all relationships that may be perceived to influence the submitted work.

Example: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

12.3. Funding Statement

Authors must disclose all sources of financial support.

Example: This research received no external funding.

12.4. Ethics Committee Approval Statement

For studies requiring ethics approval, provide the committee name, approval date, and decision number.

Example: This study was approved by [Ethics Committee Name] on [Date] with decision number [Number].

12.5. Informed Consent Statement

Required for studies involving human participants, surveys, interviews, or identifiable information.

Example: Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

12.6. Data Availability Statement

Authors must state whether data are publicly available, available upon request, or restricted.

Example: The data are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

12.7. Acknowledgements

Must appear only on the Title Page at the initial submission stage; must not be included in the blinded manuscript file.

12.8. Artificial Intelligence Use Statement

Authors must disclose any use of AI tools in manuscript preparation. AI tools cannot be listed as authors. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the manuscript.

Example: The authors used [tool name] for language editing. All AI-assisted outputs were reviewed and edited by the authors.

Example: No artificial intelligence tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript.

12.9. Originality and Duplicate Submission Statement

Authors must declare that the manuscript is original, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration elsewhere.

12.10. Permissions Statement

Authors are responsible for obtaining permission for any copyrighted material reproduced or adapted in the manuscript.

13. Research Ethics and Informed Consent

Studies involving human participants, personal data, surveys, interviews, observations, vulnerable groups, images, or sensitive information must comply with relevant ethical principles and have ethics committee or institutional review board approval where required.

If informed consent is waived by an ethics committee due to retrospective, anonymised, or minimal-risk study design, this must be clearly stated in the Title Page / Cover Page.

14. Copyright, Licensing, and Open Access

Journal of Awareness is an open access journal. Copyright remains with the authors. Published articles are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The journal does not require authors to transfer copyright to the journal or publisher.

15. Publication Fees

Journal of Awareness does not charge any fee at any stage of the publication process. There is no submission fee, article processing charge (APC), acceptance fee, publication fee, page fee, colour fee, DOI fee, archiving fee, or post-acceptance fee. Editorial and peer-review decisions are based solely on academic merit, originality, methodological quality, ethical compliance, reviewer reports, and relevance to the journal's aims and scope.

16. Post-Acceptance Process

After acceptance, the manuscript will be formatted by the publication team. Authors will review the proof copy before publication. At this stage, only spelling, typesetting, and formatting errors may be corrected. Major content changes — including new data, new references, new authors, or new paragraphs — are not permitted without editorial approval.

17. Final Submission Checklist

The manuscript fits the aims and scope of Journal of Awareness.
The manuscript has been prepared in accordance with the journal's template where possible.
The manuscript type has been selected and indicated correctly.
The blinded manuscript file contains no author-identifying information.
The Title Page / Cover Page includes all required author information and declarations.
The Cover Letter has been prepared and uploaded.
The ethics committee approval document has been uploaded where required.
All authors have approved the submitted version.
The manuscript is original and is not under consideration elsewhere.
All references are formatted according to APA 7th Edition.
Tables and figures are cited in the text and prepared properly.
Permissions for third-party material have been obtained where necessary.
The AI use statement has been provided where applicable.