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International Journal of Humanities, Arts, Commerce and Social Sciences

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Author Guidelines

International Journal of Humanities, Arts, Commerce and Social Sciences (IJHACSS) — an international multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open-access journal.

Review manuscript preparation, ethical requirements, the submission process and the final checklist before uploading your paper.

Double-blind peer reviewWord manuscripts (.doc/.docx)APA 7th editionMultidisciplinary research

Submission essentials

File formatMicrosoft Word (.doc or .docx)
Manuscript text12 pt Times New Roman · 1.5 spacing
Abstract150–250 words
Keywords4–6 relevant keywords
ReferencesAPA 7th edition
Review copyRemove identifying author information

Detailed author instructions

01Instructions for Authors

The International Journal of Humanities, Arts, Commerce and Social Sciences (IJHACSS) welcomes original, innovative, and academically rigorous manuscripts from researchers, scholars, educators, practitioners, and professionals worldwide.

The journal provides an interdisciplinary platform for the dissemination of scholarly knowledge, critical interpretations, theoretical perspectives, empirical investigations, and contemporary debates concerning human experience, cultural expression, social institutions, economic development, and global transformations.

IJHACSS recognizes that scholarship across the humanities, arts, commerce, and social sciences employs diverse intellectual traditions and research methodologies. Accordingly, the journal encourages qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, historical, philosophical, theoretical, interpretative, comparative, ethnographic, and practice-based approaches.

Manuscripts are evaluated on originality, scholarly significance, methodological or analytical rigor, clarity of argument, appropriate engagement with existing literature, ethical integrity, and relevance to the journal's scope.

General Conditions of Submission

  • Manuscripts must contain original scholarly contributions.
  • Submitted work must not be simultaneously under consideration by another journal.
  • All authors must approve the submitted manuscript and agree to its publication if accepted.
  • Research involving human participants must comply with applicable ethical requirements.
  • Authors must acknowledge all borrowed ideas, quotations, data, images, archival materials, and intellectual contributions.
  • Manuscripts should demonstrate critical analysis rather than merely presenting descriptive summaries.
  • Authors must disclose relevant funding, conflicts of interest, and substantial artificial intelligence assistance.
  • Submission does not guarantee acceptance or publication.

The journal welcomes diverse scholarly interpretations, provided that arguments are supported by appropriate evidence, coherent reasoning, and responsible research practices.

02Aims and Scope

IJHACSS publishes interdisciplinary research across the broad domains of humanities, arts, commerce, and social sciences.

The journal welcomes contributions in the following subject areas, including but not limited to:

Humanities and Arts

  • Literature, language, and linguistics.
  • History, archaeology, and historiography.
  • Philosophy, ethics, and intellectual history.
  • Fine arts, visual culture, and art history.
  • Theatre, cinema, music, dance, and performing arts.
  • Cultural studies, heritage, and folklore.
  • Religion, comparative thought, and cultural traditions.
  • Media studies, communication, and digital humanities.

Social Sciences

  • Sociology and social anthropology.
  • Psychology and behavioural studies.
  • Political science and public administration.
  • Education, pedagogy, and educational policy.
  • Human geography and development studies.
  • Gender studies and social justice.
  • Law, governance, and public policy.
  • International relations, migration, and globalization.
  • Rural and urban development.
  • Social inequality, sustainability, and human rights.

Commerce and Management

  • Economics and economic development.
  • Commerce, accounting, and auditing.
  • Business administration and management.
  • Banking, finance, and financial inclusion.
  • Marketing and consumer behaviour.
  • Entrepreneurship and innovation.
  • Human resource management.
  • Corporate governance and business ethics.
  • International trade and economic policy.
  • Digital commerce, business technology, and sustainable business practices.

The journal particularly encourages interdisciplinary manuscripts that connect conceptual understanding with contemporary social, cultural, educational, or economic issues.

03Categories of Manuscripts

IJHACSS considers the following manuscript categories.

Article Type Recommended Word Limit
Original Research Article 3,500–7,000 words
Review Article 4,000–8,000 words
Theoretical or Conceptual Paper 3,000–7,000 words
Critical or Interpretative Essay 3,000–6,000 words
Historical or Archival Research Article 3,500–7,000 words
Case Study 2,500–5,000 words
Arts and Practice-Based Research 3,000–6,000 words
Short Communication / Research Note 1,500–3,000 words
Book Review 1,000–2,000 words
Commentary / Perspective 1,000–2,500 words
Letter to the Editor Up to 1,000 words

The word limits exclude the reference list, tables, figure captions, and supplementary material unless otherwise stated by the editorial office.

Submissions exceeding these limits may be considered when their length is justified by the nature of the research and approved by the editorial team.

3.1 Original Research Articles

Original research articles should present new findings or interpretations based on appropriately conducted research.

They may use qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, documentary, field-based, comparative, or interdisciplinary approaches.

The manuscript should clearly explain the research question, theoretical background, methods of inquiry, findings, and scholarly contribution.

3.2 Review Articles

Review articles should critically examine existing scholarship on a clearly defined topic.

Rather than presenting a simple collection of published studies, authors should identify conceptual developments, theoretical debates, patterns, contradictions, limitations, and future research directions.

Systematic and scoping reviews should describe their search, selection, and synthesis procedures transparently.

3.3 Theoretical and Conceptual Papers

These papers should develop, critically reassess, extend, or challenge existing theories, models, or conceptual frameworks.

Originality may arise through new arguments, reinterpretation of established theories, integration of multiple perspectives, or development of new conceptual relationships.

Such manuscripts need not contain primary empirical data, but their arguments must be carefully reasoned and grounded in relevant scholarship.

3.4 Critical and Interpretative Essays

Critical essays may examine literature, philosophy, cultural practices, artistic expression, political thought, social narratives, or historical developments.

Authors should present a clearly identifiable argument supported by close reading, contextual analysis, theoretical engagement, or relevant primary and secondary sources.

3.5 Historical and Archival Research

Historical research may draw upon archival records, manuscripts, government documents, newspapers, personal correspondence, oral histories, photographs, and other primary materials.

Authors should explain the origin, historical context, selection, and interpretation of the sources.

Where applicable, archival collections, catalogue identifiers, dates, and repository information should be provided to support the traceability of evidence.

3.6 Arts and Practice-Based Research

The journal welcomes scholarly investigations involving artistic production, creative processes, performance, design, visual interpretation, and cultural expression.

Submissions should demonstrate how the creative practice contributes to knowledge or advances an existing scholarly discussion.

Where relevant, manuscripts may be supported by photographs, illustrations, visual documentation, audio recordings, videos, or other supplementary materials.

Creative outputs should be accompanied by an appropriate research statement, critical analysis, or contextual explanation.

3.7 Case Studies

Case studies should provide detailed and analytically meaningful examinations of particular communities, institutions, policies, organizations, cultural practices, or social phenomena.

They should explain the case-selection rationale, analytical framework, sources of evidence, findings, and relevance beyond the immediate case.

3.8 Book Reviews

Book reviews should provide a balanced and critical evaluation of recently published or otherwise academically significant books.

A review should identify the book's central arguments, intellectual contribution, methodological approach, strengths, limitations, and relevance to its academic field.

Reviews should not be limited to chapter-by-chapter summaries.

04Manuscript Formatting Requirements

Authors should prepare manuscripts in clear, professional, and academically appropriate English.

Element Requirement
File format Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)
Paper size A4
Font Times New Roman
Main text 12 pt
Headings 12–14 pt, bold
Line spacing 1.5
Margins 2.54 cm (1 inch)
Text alignment Left aligned
Page numbering Consecutive
Layout Single column
Abstract 150–250 words
Keywords 4–6
Reference style APA 7th edition
Language English

Manuscripts should use consistent formatting throughout.

Headings and subheadings should reflect the logical organization of the argument.

Unnecessary formatting, decorative fonts, excessive capitalization, and complicated layouts should be avoided.

All pages should be numbered.

Footnotes should be used sparingly for necessary explanatory information rather than as substitutes for complete references.

05Language and Academic Writing

IJHACSS encourages clear, precise, accessible, and intellectually engaging academic writing.

Authors should present ideas logically and maintain continuity between paragraphs and sections.

Technical terminology should be explained when necessary, especially in interdisciplinary research.

Authors are encouraged to:

  • Use precise and inclusive language.
  • Distinguish factual claims from interpretations and opinions.
  • Avoid unsupported generalizations.
  • Explain important concepts, theories, and terminology.
  • Use appropriate transitions between ideas.
  • Maintain consistency in spelling and terminology.
  • Avoid unnecessary repetition and overly complicated sentences.
  • Support significant claims with relevant evidence or scholarly references.

Manuscripts containing regional, indigenous, historical, or non-English terminology should provide appropriate transliterations or translations when necessary.

Quotations in languages other than English should ordinarily be accompanied by accurate English translations. Authors should indicate whether translations are their own or taken from another source.

Original scripts may be included when necessary for accurate literary, linguistic, or cultural interpretation.

06Structure of the Manuscript

The organization of manuscripts may differ according to the research discipline and methodological approach.

Unlike laboratory-oriented research journals, IJHACSS does not require every article to follow a rigid Introduction–Methods–Results–Discussion format.

However, all submissions must communicate their research objectives, intellectual context, evidence or analytical basis, central arguments, and conclusions clearly.

6.1 Title Page

The title page must contain:

  1. Complete manuscript title.
  2. Full names of all authors.
  3. Institutional affiliations.
  4. Department, institution, city, and country.
  5. Email address of the corresponding author.
  6. ORCID identifiers, where available.
  7. Acknowledgments and relevant identifying information, where applicable.

The title should be concise, informative, and representative of the research.

6.2 Abstract

Every research manuscript must contain an abstract of 150–250 words.

The abstract should briefly describe:

  • The research background or problem.
  • The principal objective or research question.
  • The methodology or analytical approach.
  • The major findings or arguments.
  • The central conclusion and scholarly contribution.

For conceptual, philosophical, historical, and interpretative studies, the abstract may emphasize the research problem, theoretical framework, principal argument, and contribution rather than empirical procedures.

References, unexplained abbreviations, and unsupported claims should generally be avoided.

6.3 Keywords

Provide 4–6 keywords immediately after the abstract.

Keywords should represent the major subjects, theories, concepts, geographical contexts, or methodological approaches discussed in the manuscript.

6.4 Introduction

The Introduction should establish the background and significance of the subject.

It should identify the central research problem, summarize relevant scholarship, explain important research gaps, and state the objectives or questions guiding the study.

Authors should clearly explain why the research is necessary and how it contributes to existing knowledge.

6.5 Literature Review and Theoretical Framework

The literature review should critically examine relevant scholarly works rather than simply summarize previous publications.

Authors should identify important theories, concepts, debates, and research gaps.

Where appropriate, the manuscript should explain the theoretical or conceptual framework guiding the investigation.

The literature review may be integrated into the Introduction or presented as a separate section.

6.6 Research Methodology

Empirical research articles should explain their methodological approach in sufficient detail for readers to assess the validity, reliability, credibility, or trustworthiness of the work, as appropriate to the discipline.

Depending on the study, this may include:

  • Research design.
  • Study setting and context.
  • Sampling method and participant selection.
  • Data sources and collection procedures.
  • Interviews, surveys, observations, or documentary sources.
  • Research instruments and their development.
  • Analytical methods.
  • Ethical safeguards.
  • Methodological limitations.

Qualitative research may include thematic analysis, discourse analysis, ethnography, phenomenology, narrative inquiry, grounded theory, or other relevant approaches.

Quantitative research should provide appropriate information about variables, measurement, sample characteristics, statistical procedures, and analytical assumptions.

Mixed-methods studies should explain how qualitative and quantitative components are integrated.

For philosophical, literary, or other interpretative scholarship, authors should explain the theoretical lens, textual corpus, interpretative method, or principles of argumentation where relevant.

6.7 Findings, Analysis, or Interpretation

This section should present the principal findings or scholarly analysis in a coherent and well-organized manner.

For qualitative research, findings may be organized around themes, categories, narratives, participant experiences, or analytical patterns.

For quantitative research, results should include relevant numerical findings, statistical evidence, and properly presented tables or figures.

For humanities research, the section may contain close textual analysis, philosophical argumentation, historical interpretation, or critical discussion of cultural material.

Authors should ensure that interpretations are grounded in the evidence examined.

6.8 Discussion

The Discussion should explain the implications and significance of the findings or arguments.

Authors should relate their contributions to existing literature and theoretical debates.

Where appropriate, the Discussion should identify:

  • Major scholarly insights.
  • Relationships with earlier research.
  • Theoretical implications.
  • Social, cultural, educational, or economic relevance.
  • Practical or policy implications.
  • Limitations and alternative interpretations.
  • Future research opportunities.

Different scholarly interpretations should be considered fairly and critically.

6.9 Conclusion

The Conclusion should bring together the central findings or arguments and explain their contribution to the relevant field.

It should directly address the research objectives without merely repeating the abstract.

Authors should avoid introducing substantial new evidence or claims that have not been examined in the manuscript.

6.10 Acknowledgments

Authors may acknowledge individuals or organizations that provided academic assistance, field access, archival support, technical help, or other meaningful contributions without qualifying for authorship.

6.11 Funding Statement

All research funding and financial assistance should be disclosed.

Where no funding was received, authors may state:

This research received no external funding.

6.12 Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose relevant personal, financial, professional, or institutional interests that might influence, or reasonably appear to influence, their work.

Where none exist, authors may state:

The authors declare no competing interests.

6.13 Author Contributions

For multi-author submissions, a contribution statement should identify the principal intellectual and practical responsibilities of each author.

6.14 Data Availability

Empirical research should include a statement identifying the availability of supporting data, where applicable.

Sensitive interview transcripts, personal information, confidential institutional documents, and culturally restricted materials need not be publicly disclosed when doing so would violate ethical, legal, or confidentiality obligations.

Authors should explain any relevant restrictions.

07Alternative Manuscript Structures

IJHACSS accommodates diverse disciplinary conventions.

The following arrangements are recommended rather than compulsory.

For empirical social science, commerce, and management research:

Introduction → Literature Review → Research Objectives/Hypotheses → Methodology → Results → Discussion → Conclusion.

For qualitative and ethnographic research:

Introduction → Context and Theoretical Framework → Research Approach → Findings and Thematic Analysis → Discussion → Conclusion.

For historical and archival studies:

Introduction → Historical Context → Sources and Approach → Historical Analysis → Interpretation → Conclusion.

For literary, philosophical, or cultural studies:

Introduction → Conceptual Background → Theoretical Perspective → Critical Analysis → Discussion → Conclusion.

For arts and practice-based research:

Introduction → Artistic or Cultural Context → Research Questions → Creative Process and Documentation → Critical Reflection → Scholarly Contribution → Conclusion.

These structures may be adapted when an alternative organization better communicates the manuscript's scholarly contribution.

08References and Citation Style

IJHACSS follows the American Psychological Association (APA), 7th edition, referencing style.

The APA author–date system should be used for in-text citations and the reference list.

8.1 In-Text Citations

Single author

(Geertz, 1973)

Two authors

(Braun & Clarke, 2006)

Narrative citation

Braun and Clarke (2006) discussed thematic analysis as a flexible approach to qualitative research.

Direct quotation

For direct quotations, authors should provide the relevant page number or another suitable source locator when available.

Example format:

(Author, Year, p. 25)

Three or more authors

Use the first author's surname followed by et al. from the first citation, in accordance with APA guidelines.

8.2 Reference List

References should be arranged alphabetically by the surname of the first author.

All sources cited in the manuscript must appear in the reference list, except categories that APA treats differently, such as certain personal communications.

Every reference entry must be accurate and verifiable.

8.3 Examples of APA References

Book

Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures. Basic Books.

Journal article

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Chapter in an edited book

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In E. E. Editor (Ed.), Title of book (pp. xx–xx). Publisher.

Online report

Organization Name. (Year). Title of report. URL

The examples for edited chapters and online reports are formatting templates rather than references to particular publications.

8.4 Primary and Archival Sources

Authors conducting historical, literary, or archival research should identify primary materials clearly.

Where applicable, provide:

  • Creator or author.
  • Title or description of the document.
  • Date of creation.
  • Collection name.
  • File or catalogue identifier.
  • Repository or archive.
  • Relevant page or folio information.

Archival citations should be sufficiently detailed to allow readers to locate the original material when access is available.

8.5 Quotations

Direct quotations must reproduce the source accurately and include appropriate citations.

Long quotations of 40 words or more should generally be presented as block quotations in accordance with APA 7th edition.

Ellipses, additions, and emphasis should be indicated appropriately.

Authors must distinguish their own interpretations from the words and ideas of the original source.

Translations of quoted passages should be credited accurately.

8.6 Reference Quality

Authors must verify all references before submission.

Fabricated references, nonexistent publications, inaccurate DOIs, and citation manipulation are unacceptable.

Retracted scholarship must not be cited as reliable evidence without clearly explaining its retraction status.

09Tables, Figures, Images, and Illustrations

Tables, charts, maps, photographs, artworks, and other visual materials should be relevant, appropriately labelled, and integrated into the scholarly argument.

9.1 Tables

Tables should:

  • Be numbered consecutively.
  • Have informative titles.
  • Include clear headings and units where relevant.
  • Be referred to in the manuscript.
  • Contain necessary source information and explanatory notes.
  • Be supplied in editable format wherever possible.

Unnecessary duplication between tables and the main text should be avoided.

9.2 Figures and Graphs

Figures should be numbered according to their first appearance in the manuscript.

Each figure must contain an appropriate title or caption.

Photographic images should preferably have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi at their intended reproduction size.

Graphs, charts, and diagrams should contain legible labels.

9.3 Artistic and Cultural Images

Manuscripts in art history, cultural studies, archaeology, architecture, and visual studies may require photographs, paintings, sculptures, architectural drawings, maps, or historical images.

Authors must provide adequate attribution.

Where appropriate, captions should identify:

  • Artist or creator.
  • Title of the work.
  • Year or approximate period.
  • Medium or material.
  • Location, collection, or source.
  • Copyright holder or permission information.

Permission must be obtained where reproduction of copyrighted material requires authorization.

The fact that an image is accessible online does not automatically establish permission to republish it.

9.4 Audio, Video, and Multimedia

Submissions involving performance, film, music, interviews, or other multimedia may include supplementary files or stable links.

Authors must ensure that the use and distribution of recordings comply with copyright, consent, and privacy requirements.

The editorial office may request alternative formats for technical or publication purposes.

10Ethical Requirements for Social Research

Research involving individuals, communities, institutions, and social experiences may raise ethical considerations distinct from those encountered in laboratory-based scientific research.

IJHACSS expects authors to uphold respect, fairness, confidentiality, informed consent, and responsible representation.

10.1 Human Participants

Research involving human participants must comply with applicable institutional and national ethical requirements.

Where approval by a research ethics committee or institutional review board is required, authors should provide the relevant approval information.

Where formal review is not required, authors should explain the applicable ethical framework or exemption where appropriate.

10.2 Informed Consent

Researchers should obtain informed consent where required for interviews, questionnaires, observations, recordings, photographs, and other forms of participant involvement.

Participants should be informed about the research purpose, expected involvement, relevant risks, and intended use of their information.

Consent to participate in research should not automatically be treated as permission to publish identifiable quotations, photographs, recordings, or personal details.

10.3 Privacy and Confidentiality

Personal information must be protected appropriately.

Pseudonyms or anonymized identifiers should be used when necessary.

Authors should avoid disclosing identifying information that could expose participants to discrimination, reputational harm, legal risk, or other adverse consequences.

10.4 Research with Vulnerable Populations

Research involving children, marginalized communities, displaced individuals, or otherwise vulnerable participants requires particular attention to informed consent, power relations, and potential harm.

Researchers should adopt ethical safeguards suitable to the research setting.

10.5 Cultural Sensitivity and Community Representation

Research concerning indigenous knowledge, religious practices, cultural heritage, traditional art forms, or community histories must be conducted respectfully.

Authors should accurately represent the cultural and historical contexts being studied.

They should acknowledge relevant knowledge holders and community contributions, observe appropriate cultural permissions, and avoid presenting restricted or sensitive information without authorization.

Responsible scholarship does not prohibit critical examination of cultural, religious, political, or social institutions. However, such examination should rely on sound evidence, accurate representation, and reasoned argument rather than unsupported stereotypes or discriminatory assertions.

10.6 Oral Histories and Ethnographic Materials

Authors using oral testimonies, community narratives, ethnographic fieldnotes, or personal experiences should explain how materials were collected, documented, interpreted, and used.

Where applicable, informed consent and permission to attribute statements should be obtained.

The identity of speakers should be protected when confidentiality has been agreed upon or is ethically necessary.

11Research Integrity and Publication Ethics

IJHACSS is committed to maintaining the credibility and integrity of scholarly publication.

11.1 Plagiarism

All manuscripts must represent the authors' original scholarly contributions.

Plagiarism includes presenting another person's words, ideas, data, interpretations, creative work, or intellectual contributions as one's own without appropriate acknowledgment.

Improper paraphrasing, copying translated material without attribution, substantial unattributed textual reproduction, and misuse of artistic or visual material are also unacceptable.

Submitted manuscripts may undergo similarity screening.

Similarity percentages are screening indicators and must be assessed in context. A numerical similarity score alone does not establish plagiarism or determine editorial acceptance.

11.2 Duplicate Publication

Manuscripts must not have been published previously in substantially the same form without appropriate disclosure and permission.

Authors must disclose relevant preprints, working papers, conference publications, dissertation material, translations, or other overlapping publications.

Prior availability of a manuscript does not automatically make it ineligible, but the editorial office must be informed.

11.3 Fabrication and Falsification

Inventing interview responses, survey data, archival sources, historical records, field observations, artistic documentation, or research findings is prohibited.

Authors must not selectively alter or misrepresent evidence in ways that materially distort the scholarly conclusions.

11.4 Manipulation of Historical and Cultural Evidence

Historical documents, literary passages, interviews, artworks, and cultural records must be represented accurately.

Authors must clearly distinguish original material from interpretation, reconstruction, or speculation.

Translations, contextual descriptions, and reproduced materials must not mislead readers about the original meaning or provenance of the evidence.

11.5 Authorship Ethics

All listed authors must have made meaningful scholarly contributions.

Gift authorship, guest authorship, and ghost authorship are unacceptable.

Authorship disputes should be resolved before submission wherever possible.

Changes to the author list after submission require an explanation, agreement of affected authors, and editorial approval.

11.6 Conflicts of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose relationships that could influence, or reasonably appear to influence, the assessment or interpretation of the work.

11.7 Respectful Scholarly Debate

The journal supports academic freedom, constructive criticism, theoretical disagreement, and the responsible examination of contested issues.

Manuscripts must be evaluated on scholarly quality rather than an author's political, religious, cultural, or philosophical viewpoint.

Arguments should be grounded in evidence and reasoned analysis, and should avoid personal attacks, discriminatory language, and unsupported allegations.

12Use of Artificial Intelligence in Research and Writing

IJHACSS recognizes that artificial intelligence tools may assist certain stages of academic writing and research.

However, authors retain full responsibility for their manuscripts.

The following principles apply:

  1. AI systems must not be listed as authors.
  2. Substantial use of generative AI in manuscript preparation, translation, coding, analysis, or visual generation must be disclosed appropriately.
  3. Authors must independently verify the accuracy and authenticity of AI-assisted information.
  4. AI-generated references must never be included without verification against genuine sources.
  5. Fabricated interviews, field observations, archival records, quotations, or numerical datasets are prohibited.
  6. AI-generated images or recreated historical materials must not be represented as authentic original evidence.
  7. Confidential participant information and restricted archival materials must not be disclosed to external AI services without appropriate authorization.

The use of AI tools does not reduce the author's responsibility for originality, intellectual contribution, factual accuracy, research ethics, or copyright compliance.

13Peer Review Process

IJHACSS follows a double-blind peer-review process to promote impartial scholarly evaluation.

The identities of authors and reviewers are ordinarily concealed from one another.

Stage 1: Manuscript Submission

The author submits the manuscript and required documentation through the online submission system.

Stage 2: Preliminary Editorial Screening

The editorial office evaluates the manuscript for completeness, relevance, language quality, originality, formatting, and ethical compliance.

Submissions that are outside the journal's scope or do not meet minimum scholarly standards may be declined without external review.

Stage 3: Editorial Assignment

A subject editor assesses the scholarly content and identifies suitable reviewers with relevant disciplinary expertise.

Stage 4: External Review

Manuscripts proceeding to external review are normally assessed by at least two independent reviewers.

Reviewers may consider:

  • Originality and scholarly contribution.
  • Clarity of the research question.
  • Strength of the argument.
  • Engagement with relevant literature.
  • Appropriateness of theoretical and methodological approaches.
  • Quality and interpretation of evidence.
  • Ethical compliance.
  • Coherence, organization, and clarity of writing.

For interdisciplinary submissions, reviewers may be selected from different relevant fields.

Stage 5: Editorial Decision

Possible decisions include:

  • Accept.
  • Minor Revision.
  • Major Revision.
  • Reject.

A revision invitation does not guarantee eventual acceptance.

Stage 6: Manuscript Revision

Authors invited to revise should submit a revised manuscript and point-by-point responses to reviewer and editor comments.

The revision deadline will be specified in the decision letter.

Stage 7: Final Decision

The responsible editor makes the final decision after considering reviewers' evaluations, revisions, and the journal's editorial standards.

Acceptance decisions are independent of publication charges.

Stage 8: Copyediting and Proofreading

Accepted manuscripts undergo editorial preparation and publication formatting.

Authors should carefully review proofs for factual accuracy, quotations, references, author details, tables, and figures.

Substantial additions or changes after acceptance require editorial approval.

Stage 9: Online Publication

Following completion of all necessary requirements, articles are published online with appropriate bibliographic information.

14Article Processing Charges (APC)

IJHACSS is an open-access journal that makes published research freely available to readers.

The journal applies the following proposed Article Processing Charges:

Author Category Article Processing Charge
Indian Authors ₹2,000 (INR)
Non-Indian / International Authors US$70 (USD)

Important APC Conditions

  • There is no manuscript submission fee.
  • APCs are payable only after formal manuscript acceptance.
  • Submission and peer-review evaluation are independent of payment.
  • Payment does not guarantee acceptance.
  • Rejected manuscripts are not subject to an APC.
  • Payment instructions will be issued through authorized journal channels.
  • The applicable author category should be determined according to the journal's separately published APC policy.
  • Waivers or reductions, where available, must be governed by a published journal policy.

APCs support editorial administration, review coordination, copyediting, article production, DOI-related services, and online publication infrastructure.

Readers are not required to pay to access published articles.

15Copyright and Open Access

IJHACSS supports the wide dissemination and responsible reuse of scholarly knowledge.

Under the recommended journal copyright arrangement, authors retain copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication.

The proposed standard publication license is Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).

This license permits sharing and adaptation, including commercial reuse, provided that attribution and other license requirements are satisfied.

Third-party images, photographs, artistic works, maps, recordings, and reproduced archival materials may have separate rights or restrictions.

Authors must identify such materials and obtain necessary publication permissions.

The article's Creative Commons license does not automatically override separate rights in third-party content.

16Submission Procedure

Authors should submit their manuscripts through the official IJHACSS online author portal.

Journal Website: https://khaki-starling-459600.hostingersite.com/

Author Login: https://khaki-starling-459600.hostingersite.com/author/login

Submission Steps

  1. Register an author account or sign in to an existing account.
  2. Open the manuscript submission section.
  3. Select the appropriate article category.
  4. Enter the title, abstract, keywords, and required manuscript information.
  5. Provide the author and institutional details.
  6. Upload the required manuscript and supporting documents.
  7. Complete the authorship, originality, and ethical declarations.
  8. Review the submission information before final submission.
  9. Submit the manuscript for editorial screening.

Authors should retain the manuscript identification number supplied by the system and use it in subsequent correspondence.

Documents Required

A. Title Page

Contains complete author names, affiliations, contact details, and relevant declarations.

B. Anonymized Main Manuscript

Contains the article title, abstract, keywords, main text, references, tables, and figures, with author-identifying information removed as appropriate for double-blind review.

C. Cover Letter

Briefly explains the manuscript's originality, academic significance, scope relevance, and submission declarations.

D. Supporting Documents

May include ethical approval details, consent documentation, permissions for reproduced material, supplementary datasets, research instruments, or multimedia files, where applicable.

17Cover Letter Guidelines

Authors should submit a concise cover letter addressed to the Editor-in-Chief.

The letter should contain:

  • Manuscript title.
  • Article category.
  • A brief summary of the scholarly contribution.
  • Explanation of the manuscript's relevance to IJHACSS.
  • Confirmation of originality and exclusive submission.
  • Confirmation that all authors approve the manuscript.
  • Disclosure of relevant conflicts of interest.
  • Information about related preprints or previously disseminated versions.
  • Corresponding author's contact details.

The cover letter should not simply reproduce the abstract.

18Revision and Resubmission

Authors should address editorial and reviewer comments carefully.

A revised submission should normally include a clean manuscript and a point-by-point response letter. A marked-up version may also be requested.

Responses should explain the revisions made and identify the relevant manuscript sections.

Where authors disagree with reviewer recommendations, they should provide courteous, reasoned, and evidence-based explanations.

Changes to research findings, data, interpretation, references, or authorship must be transparent.

19Withdrawal, Appeals, and Complaints

Authors may request manuscript withdrawal by submitting a formal explanation to the editorial office.

Requests should include the manuscript title, identification number, and corresponding author details.

Withdrawal requests should be made with the agreement of all authors.

Authors may appeal editorial decisions where they believe that a significant factual error, procedural irregularity, or misunderstanding affected the outcome.

Appeals must provide specific grounds and supporting information.

The editorial office will assess appeals and complaints according to the journal's applicable policies.

20Corrections and Retractions

IJHACSS seeks to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record.

Where significant problems are discovered after publication, the journal may issue:

  • Corrections.
  • Expressions of concern.
  • Retractions.

Appropriate action will depend on the nature and seriousness of the issue.

Authors are expected to cooperate with reasonable investigations concerning their published work.

21Publication and Post-Publication Responsibilities

Following acceptance, authors must complete all required publication formalities.

These may include copyright documentation, payment of applicable charges, proof corrections, and confirmation of author information.

Published articles may include:

  • Article title.
  • Full author names and affiliations.
  • Abstract and keywords.
  • Journal title and bibliographic information.
  • Volume, issue, and page range or article identifier.
  • Publication date.
  • Digital Object Identifier (DOI), where registered.
  • Copyright and licensing statement.

Authors are encouraged to share their published research through institutional repositories, scholarly networks, academic websites, and appropriate professional platforms in accordance with the publication license.

The corresponding author should inform the editorial office promptly if a substantial error is discovered after publication.

22Final Manuscript Submission Checklist

Before submitting to IJHACSS, authors should verify the following:

  • [ ] The manuscript is relevant to the journal's aims and scope.
  • [ ] The manuscript presents original scholarly work.
  • [ ] All authors approve the submission.
  • [ ] The manuscript is not simultaneously submitted elsewhere.
  • [ ] The title page contains accurate author information.
  • [ ] The review manuscript is appropriately anonymized.
  • [ ] The abstract contains 150–250 words.
  • [ ] Four to six keywords are provided.
  • [ ] The manuscript follows the recommended formatting.
  • [ ] The research methodology or analytical approach is clearly explained.
  • [ ] The central argument is supported by appropriate evidence.
  • [ ] References follow APA 7th edition.
  • [ ] All quotations and sources have been accurately attributed.
  • [ ] Tables and figures are correctly numbered and cited.
  • [ ] Permission has been obtained for copyrighted material where necessary.
  • [ ] Appropriate ethical approvals and consent have been documented.
  • [ ] Funding and competing interests are disclosed.
  • [ ] Relevant AI assistance is disclosed.
  • [ ] The manuscript has been proofread for language, coherence, and accuracy.
  • [ ] The cover letter and other required documents are prepared.

Manuscripts that do not satisfy essential submission requirements may be returned to the authors for correction before editorial consideration.

23Contact and Editorial Assistance

Authors requiring assistance with manuscript preparation, article submission, revision, or publication procedures should contact the journal through its official website.

International Journal of Humanities, Arts, Commerce and Social Sciences (IJHACSS)

Website: https://khaki-starling-459600.hostingersite.com/

Author Portal: https://khaki-starling-459600.hostingersite.com/author/login

Submit Your Manuscript

IJHACSS invites researchers, scholars, educators, and practitioners worldwide to contribute original scholarship that advances critical understanding of human experience, cultural expression, commerce, and social development.

International Journal of Humanities, Arts, Commerce and Social Sciences — Advancing Knowledge, Encouraging Critical Inquiry, and Connecting Disciplines.

The requirements above reflect IJHACSS’s supplied Author Guidelines. APC rates and licensing arrangements described as proposed in those guidelines should be confirmed against the journal's officially approved policies before payment or publication.