Author Guidelines

Full-length research article

JSSH considers submitted Full Length Research Articles of around 8,000 words in length. This includes all main elements (i.e. title, abstract, keywords, references, illustrations and captions), but excludes appendices (to be uploaded as a separate file under the "Supplementary Material" file option). We understand that manuscripts can grow during the peer review process, but we expect manuscripts to be no longer than 10,000 words at the point of submission to the journal.

Full Length Research Articles should use the basic structure below as a guide:

Introduction
Literature Review/Research Context/Background
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Do not include any statements or declarations in your manuscript file.

Where primary data are collected (empirical studies, e.g. surveys, interviews or focus groups), authors should explicitly describe the data collection timeline in the Methods section.

Review articles

A Review Article is a comprehensive summary of the current understanding of a specific research topic based on previously published research. We expect Review Articles to be between 6,000 and 8,000 words in length at the point of submission to the journal. This includes all main elements (i.e. title, abstract, keywords, references, illustrations and captions), but excludes appendices (to be uploaded as a separate file under the "Supplementary Material" file option). Unlike a Full Length Research Article, a Review Article does not present original empirical research or new datasets but may draw new conclusions or insights through the critical synthesis of previously published research.

Review Articles are typically one of two types:

Literature Review: A critical overview of the current and previous literature on a specific research topic.
Systematic Review: A structured review that addresses a focused research question using predefined search, screening, and synthesis methods.

Regardless of the type, Review Articles should have clearly defined aims (and, where appropriate, a research question), use a wide range of relevant and credible sources, include a clear introduction outlining the aims and methods, provide a critical and balanced discussion of the literature, and end with clear conclusions.

The structure should broadly follow that of a Full Length Research Article.
Do not include any statements or declarations in your manuscript file.

Short communications

Short Communications are intended for the presentation of brief observations that do not warrant a Full Length Research Article. The content should be original and significant. Submissions must be no more than 4,000 words in length. This includes all main elements (i.e. title, abstract, keywords, references, illustrations and captions). As a short paper intended for rapid dissemination, the main text of a Short Communication should not be subdivided. The 4,000-word limit will be strictly monitored throughout the peer review and revision process.

The manuscript should include:

Title
Abstract (maximum 100 words)
Keywords
Main text (no subdivisions)
References

For manuscripts reporting original research (empirical studies), authors should clearly state the location of the study in the Abstract. We also recommend including the study location in the manuscript title. Where primary data are collected (empirical studies, e.g. surveys, interviews or focus groups), authors should explicitly describe the data collection timeline in the Methods section.

Appendices are not accepted for Short Communications. A maximum of three figures and/or tables is permitted.
Do not include any statements or declarations in your manuscript file.