Author Guidelines

Author Guidelines for the Karsaz Journal of Applied Innovation in Science & Engineering (KJAISE)

Qaiwan International University

Welcome to KJAISE, the scientific journal of Qaiwan International University. We aim to publish high-quality, original research across a wide range of disciplines. To ensure consistency, clarity, and fairness in the publication process, please adhere to the following guidelines.

1. Submission Requirements

1.1 Originality

  • Submissions must be original and unpublished.
  • Simultaneous submissions to other journals are not permitted.
  • Plagiarism and AI-generated content similarity must be less than 20% (checked via Turnitin or iThenticate).
  • Authors must confirm that the work is their own and that all sources are properly cited.

1.2 Ethical Considerations

  • Authors must adhere to the highest ethical standards in research and publication.
  • Any conflicts of interest must be disclosed in a separate section titled "Conflict of Interest" before the references.
  • Research involving human or animal subjects must include ethical approval from relevant institutional review boards (IRBs). A statement confirming ethical approval must be included in the manuscript.
  • Fabrication, falsification, or misrepresentation of data is strictly prohibited.
  • Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce any copyrighted material (e.g., figures, tables, or text excerpts) and must provide proof of permission upon submission.

1.3 Copyright

  • Upon acceptance, authors must sign a copyright transfer agreement granting QISJ the right to publish and distribute the work.
  • Authors retain the right to use their work for non-commercial purposes, such as teaching or sharing with colleagues.
  • The copyright agreement will be sent to the corresponding author upon acceptance of the manuscript.

 

2. Manuscript Preparation

2.1 Structure

Manuscripts should include the following sections:

  1. Title: Concise and descriptive, not exceeding 15 words.
  2. Abstract: 150–250 words, summarizing the purpose, methods, results, and conclusions. Avoid abbreviations and references.
  3. Keywords: 4–6 keywords for indexing. Choose terms that are specific to the field of study.
  4. Introduction: Background, objectives, and significance of the study. Clearly state the research problem and hypothesis.
  5. Methods: Detailed description of the research design, materials, and procedures. Include sufficient detail to allow replication.
  6. Results: Clear presentation of findings, supported by data. Use tables and figures where appropriate.
  7. Discussion: Interpretation of results, implications, and limitations. Compare findings with prior research.
  8. Conclusion: Summary of key findings and future research directions. Avoid repeating the abstract.
  9. Acknowledgments (if applicable): Recognition of funding sources, contributors, or institutions.
  10. References: Complete list of cited works. Ensure all references are cited in the text.

2.2 Style and Formatting

  • Language: English (US or UK, but consistent throughout).
  • Font: Times New Roman, 12-point for the main text. Use 10-point for footnotes and captions.
  • Line Spacing: Double-spaced throughout the manuscript, including references and captions.
  • Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides.
  • Page Numbers: Include page numbers in the bottom right corner.
  • File Format: Submit in Microsoft Word (.docx) or LaTeX (PDF for initial submission). LaTeX users must use the QISJ template available on the journal website.
  • Headings: Use a clear hierarchy of headings (e.g., bold for Level 1, italics for Level 2).
  • Equations: Number equations sequentially in parentheses (e.g., (1), (2)). Use an equation editor for clarity.

2.3 Figures, Tables, and Captions

  • Figures:
    • High-resolution (300 dpi minimum) in TIFF, PNG, or JPEG format.
    • Use clear, legible fonts for labels and axes (e.g., Arial, 10-point).
    • Color figures are encouraged but must be interpretable in grayscale.
    • Include a brief, descriptive caption below each figure.
  • Tables:
    • Use Word’s table tool or LaTeX. Avoid images of tables.
    • Number tables sequentially (e.g., Table 1, Table 2).
    • Include a brief, descriptive caption above each table.
    • Use horizontal lines only; avoid vertical lines.
  • Placement:
    • Indicate the approximate placement of figures and tables in the text (e.g., “Insert Figure 1 here”).
    • Ensure that figures and tables are referenced in the text.

3. Referencing and Citation Style

  • Use the IEEE referencing style.
  • In-text citations: Number citations sequentially in square brackets (e.g., [1], [2]). Place citations before punctuation (e.g., “as shown in [1].”).
  • Reference list: Number references in the order of citation and include full details:
    • Journal Article: [1] A. Author, “Title of the paper,” Journal Name, vol. xx, no. xx, pp. xxx–xxx, Year.
    • Book: [2] A. Author, Title of the Book, Edition. City, Country: Publisher, Year.
    • Conference Paper: [3] A. Author, “Title of the paper,” in Proc. Conference Name, City, Country, Year, pp. xxx–xxx.
    • Website: [4] A. Author, “Title of the webpage,” Website Name, Year. [Online]. Available: URL. [Accessed: Month Day, Year].
  • Ensure all references are complete and accurate.

4. Double-Blind Peer Review Process

  • QISJ employs a double-blind review process to ensure fairness and impartiality.
  • Author Responsibilities:
    • Remove all identifying information from the manuscript (e.g., names, affiliations, acknowledgments).
    • Use “Author” and year in place of names in citations (e.g., [Author, Year]).
    • Ensure that the manuscript file properties do not contain author information.
  • Reviewer Responsibilities:
    • Evaluate the manuscript based on originality, technical accuracy, clarity, and significance.
    • Provide constructive feedback to improve the manuscript.
    • Declare any conflicts of interest before reviewing.
  • The review process typically takes 4–6 weeks. Authors will be notified of the decision via email.

5. Plagiarism and Similarity Check

  • All submissions will be screened for plagiarism and AI-generated content using Turnitin or iThenticate.
  • The similarity index must be less than 20%.
  • Exceptions may be made for properly cited quotes or common phrases.
  • Authors will receive a similarity report and may be asked to revise their manuscript if the similarity index is too high.

 

6. AI Language Assistance Policy

Authors may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for language enhancement—such as improving grammar, clarity, and overall readability of the manuscript. However, any use of AI tools must be transparently disclosed. Authors are required to clearly identify the specific AI tool(s) used and include a brief statement within the manuscript (e.g., in the Acknowledgements or a dedicated “Use of AI Tools” section) describing how the tool contributed to the writing or editing process.

 

7. Ethical Guidelines

  • Originality and Prior Publications: Authors must submit only original and unpublished work that is not under review by any other journal. Any prior publications or concurrent submissions must be disclosed at the time of submission. Preliminary data or incomplete results should not be submitted.
  • Authorship and Responsibilities: The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all co-authors have approved the submission and that any necessary permissions from employers or sponsors have been obtained. KJAISE Journal discourages honorary or courtesy authorship; all listed authors must have made a significant contribution to the research. Authors must properly acknowledge and cite relevant prior work.
  • Conference Papers: KJAISE Journal does not publish conference proceedings. However, articles based on conference presentations may be considered for publication if they have undergone significant revision and expansion and meet the journal's peer review standards. All submissions undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process, with a minimum of two independent reviewers per article.

8. Submission Process

  1. Register and submit your manuscript via the KJAISE online submission system.
  2. Ensure all files (manuscript, figures, supplementary materials) are uploaded correctly.
  3. Include a cover letter summarizing the significance of the work and confirming that it has not been submitted elsewhere.
  4. Provide a list of suggested reviewers (optional) and any reviewers to exclude (if applicable).

9. Post-Acceptance

  • Authors will receive a proof of their manuscript for final review.
  • Minor corrections may be made at this stage, but major changes are not permitted.
  • Once published, the article will be available online and assigned a DOI.
  • Authors will receive a PDF copy of their published article.

10. Copyright Form

Authors are required to submit an electronic Copyright Transfer Agreement (CTA) upon submitting their final manuscript files. The CTA can be accessed through the QISJ Journal submission system or the author portal. It is the responsibility of the authors to obtain any necessary approvals, permissions, or security clearances before submission. For further details regarding intellectual property rights, please visit the QISJ Journal website or contact the editorial team for assistance.

11. Contact Information

For questions or assistance, please contact the KJAISE editorial team:

  • Email: kjaise@uniq.edu.iq
  • Phone: +964 XXX XXX XXXX
  • Address: Qaiwan International University, F1-56

We look forward to receiving your submissions and contributing to the advancement of science and technology through QISJ.

The KJAISE Editorial Team
Qaiwan International University