Manuscript Submission Overview

Manuscript Preparation

• Manuscripts must be prepared using a recent version of Microsoft Word and saved in .docx format. The text should be presented in a single-column layout and formatted according to the journal template.
• Authors are encouraged to use the spelling and grammar checking tools available in their word-processing software before submission to minimize language and formatting errors.
• Manuscripts should be written in clear, concise, and grammatically correct language and prepared in accordance with the journal’s submission guidelines and formatting requirements.

Abstract

All manuscripts must include abstracts in both English and Arabic containing identical information. The abstract should be between 150 and 250 words and should be structured using the following subheadings:

• Objectives
  State clearly the main purpose of the study and the research problem being addressed. The objectives should explain why the study was conducted and what it seeks to achieve.
• Methods
  Briefly describe the research design, methodology, data collection methods, sample (where applicable), and analytical techniques used to achieve the study objectives.
• Results
  Summarize the principal findings of the study. Results should be presented clearly and accurately, highlighting the most significant outcomes without interpretation or exaggeration.
• Conclusions
  Present the main conclusions derived from the findings of the study and, where appropriate, include the practical, theoretical, or policy implications and key recommendations.

The abstract should accurately reflect the content of the manuscript and should not contain references, citations, footnotes, tables, figures, or unexplained abbreviations.

Keywords

• Immediately following the abstract, authors should provide between three and seven keywords that accurately reflect the content of the manuscript.
• Keywords should be specific, relevant, and suitable for indexing and retrieval purposes. Authors should avoid overly general terms, plural expressions, multiple concepts within a single keyword, and unnecessary abbreviations. Only abbreviations that are well established and widely recognized within the relevant field may be used.

Manuscript Length

Manuscripts should not exceed 7,000 words. Manuscripts exceeding this limit may be considered only with prior approval from the Editor-in-Chief. The word limit does not apply to revised manuscripts submitted in response to reviewers’ comments.

Formatting

• Manuscripts should be prepared in accordance with the journal template. Arabic manuscripts should use Simplified Arabic font, while manuscripts written in other languages should use Times New Roman.
• Authors should ensure consistency in formatting, headings, tables, figures, and references throughout the manuscript.

Structure and Numbering

• The manuscript should be divided into clearly defined and numbered sections. Main sections should be numbered consecutively (e.g., 1, 2, 3), and subsections should be numbered accordingly (e.g., 1.1, 1.2, 1.1.1).
• The abstract should not be included in the section numbering. Numbered headings should be used for internal cross-referencing where appropriate.

Tables and Figures

Tables and figures should be numbered consecutively according to their order of appearance in the manuscript.

• Table titles should appear above the table.
• Figure captions should appear below the figure.
• All tables and figures must be clearly presented, appropriately labeled, and cited within the text.

Introduction

The Introduction should clearly present the research problem, objectives, significance of the study, and relevant background. It should provide sufficient context for understanding the study while avoiding an extensive review of the literature or a summary of the study results.

Results

Results should be presented clearly, accurately, and concisely. Findings should be reported in a logical sequence and supported, where appropriate, by tables and figures.

Discussion

The Discussion should interpret and explain the significance of the findings in relation to the research objectives and existing literature. It should highlight the contribution of the study, discuss its implications, and acknowledge any relevant limitations. Repetition of results should be avoided.

Where appropriate, authors may combine the Results and Discussion sections.

Conclusions

The Conclusions section should summarize the principal findings of the study and their implications. Where appropriate, authors may also include recommendations for future research, policy, or practice. The Conclusions may be presented as a separate section or as part of the Discussion section.

Funding Statement

Authors must clearly disclose and acknowledge all sources of funding, sponsorship, or financial support related to the research. Where no funding has been received, authors should explicitly state that the research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Footnotes

This journal does not publish footnotes. Authors should incorporate essential information into the main text whenever possible and avoid the use of footnotes throughout the manuscript.

References and In-Text Citations (APA 7th Edition)

All in-text citations and references must conform to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), 7th Edition.

In-Text Citations

• Use the author–date citation format (Author, Year) throughout the manuscript.
• Page number(s) must be provided for all direct quotations.
• Page numbers are also recommended when referring to a specific page, section, paragraph, table, figure, or chapter of a source.

Reference List

• Arrange all references alphabetically by the surname of the first author.
• Arrange multiple works by the same author(s) chronologically according to the year of publication.
• Distinguish works published in the same year by the same author(s) using lowercase letters (e.g., 2023a, 2023b).
• Ensure that every source cited in the text appears in the reference list, and that every reference listed has been cited in the text.

Reference Accuracy

Authors are responsible for ensuring that all references are:

• Accurate.
• Complete.
• Authentic.
• Relevant to the manuscript.
• Retrievable by readers.
• Formatted in accordance with APA 7th Edition.

Where available, authors should include and verify Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs), URLs, and other persistent identifiers for all cited references. DOIs should be presented in URL format (e.g., https://doi.org/xxxxx).

Use of Artificial Intelligence in References

Content generated by artificial intelligence tools that cannot be retrieved by readers should not be included in the reference list. Where artificial intelligence tools have been used in the preparation of the manuscript, authors should comply with the journal's Artificial Intelligence Policy and the APA 7th Edition guidance regarding disclosure and citation.

Reference Examples

The following examples illustrate the reference style required by the journal in accordance with the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), 7th Edition. For additional reference types and detailed guidance, authors are encouraged to consult the official APA Style resources.

Official APA Resources

• APA Style
• APA Style Reference Examples
• APA 7th Edition Reference Examples (PDF)

Journal Article

Niepel, C., Hausen, J. E., Weber, A. M., & Möller, J. (2025). Understanding mean-level and intraindividual variability in state academic self-concept: The role of students’ trait expectancies and values. Journal of Educational Psychology, 117(5), 772–788. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000946

Book

Levenson, H., Jinich, S., Vaz, A., & Rousmaniere, T. (2025). Deliberate practice in emotionally focused couple therapy. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000436-000

Chapter in an Edited Book

Zeleke, W. A., Hughes, T. L., & Drozda, N. (2020). Home–school collaboration to promote mind–body health. In C. Maykel & M. A. Bray (Eds.), Promoting mind–body health in schools: Interventions for mental health professionals (pp. 11–26). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000157-002

Conference Session

Davidson, R. J. (2019, August 8–11). Well-being is a skill [Conference session]. APA 2019 Convention, Chicago, IL, United States.

Doctoral Dissertation

Horvath-Plyman, M. (2018). Social media and the college student journey: An examination of how social media use impacts social capital and affects college choice, access, and transition (Publication No. 10937367) [Doctoral dissertation, New York University]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.