Author Guidelines

Instruction Guidelines for Authors: Journal of Consumer Sciences

The Journal of Consumer Sciences (JCS) maintains rigorous standards for scholarship and professional communication. To ensure a seamless review and publication process, all authors must adhere strictly to the following guidelines. Manuscripts that do not conform to these technical and ethical requirements will be returned without review.

1. General Requirements and Submission Ethics

Originality and Exclusivity

Submissions must represent original research that has not been previously published in any scientific journal. By submitting to JCS, authors mandate that the manuscript is not currently under consideration by any other publication or media outlet. Authors may not submit the work elsewhere during the JCS review process unless the manuscript has been officially withdrawn.

English Proficiency and Proofreading

Manuscripts must be written in standard scientific English. Authors, particularly those whose first language is not English, are required to utilize a professional proofreading service prior to submission. A certificate from the service must be uploaded as a supplementary document.  Submissions requiring this certificate that are submitted without it will be desk-rejected.

Generative AI Policy

Authors using Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) must disclose this in a "Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Statement" placed immediately before the References section.

  • Permitted Uses: Assistance with language editing, improving readability, and enhancing manuscript presentation.
  • Prohibited Uses: Generating, modifying, or manipulating research data; replacing scientific analysis or interpretation of results; and creating unverified citations.
  • Authorship: AI tools cannot be listed as authors. Human authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy and integrity of the content.

Ethical Clearance

The submission of either an Ethical Clearance Certificate (issued by an institutional review board) or a Self-Declaration of Ethics is a mandatory prerequisite for manuscript consideration.

2. Technical Formatting Specifications

Document Setup

  • File Format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx).
  • Paper Size:
  • Line Spacing: 15 throughout the entire document.

Visual Elements (Tables and Figures)

  • Quantity: A maximum of 6 tables is permitted.
  • Image File Formats: High-resolution files must be provided. Preferred formats include EPS, PS, JPEG, or TIFF. Images drawn within Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) are also acceptable.
  • Resolution Standards:
  • Line Art: 1200 dpi.
  • Grayscale: 600 dpi.
  • Color: 300 dpi.
  • Narrative Integration: Every table and figure must be mentioned and narrated within the text before its physical placement.
  • Data Presentation: Figures and tables must be able to stand alone. Authors are instructed to narrate trends and essential findings; do not discuss every individual number within a table.

3. Front Matter and Abstract

Title and Authorship

  • Title: Maximum of 14 words in Title Case. It must be clear, specific, and informative.
  • Author Naming: Use the convention:  First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name. Academic titles and degrees must be excluded.
  • Affiliation: List the institution/department, the specific road or building, city, zip code, country, and correspondence email.

Abstract and Keywords

The abstract must be a single paragraph of no more than 250 words, structured with the following bolded headers:

  • Background
  • Purpose
  • Methods
  • Findings
  • Conclusions
  • Research Implications
  • Keywords: Provide 5–7 alphabetical words (ensure these are individual keywords or short keyword phrases).

4. Manuscript Structure: The Eight-Chapter Model

Chapter 1: Introduction

State the background of the research supported by relevant references. This section must explicitly address the research problem, literature gaps, the study’s novelty, theoretical foundations, and clear objectives.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

This chapter must be organized into subchapters covering:

  • The theoretical framework.
  • Description of research variables.
  • Hypothesis formulation, demonstrating relationships supported by previous studies.

Chapter 3: Conceptual Framework

Provide a general review based on empirical studies. Authors must include a high-quality conceptual framework image illustrating the analyzed variables and their corresponding hypotheses.

Chapter 4: Methods

This section must be broken down into five mandatory sub-chapters:

  1. Research Design:  Explain the design and specific location of the study.
  2. Sampling:  Detail the technique used and the basis for its determination (e.g., specific formula or power analysis). Authors must disclose the number of respondents planned, collected, and analyzed. Report the response rate using the formula: (Number Collected / Number Planned) x 100%.
  3. Measurement:  Detail instruments, indicators (with sources), and scales. Include an Operational Definition table and report Cronbach’s Alpha for reliability.
  4. Data Collection:  Describe the process in detail, including timing and medium, to ensure replicability.
  5. Data Analysis:  Explicitly map the specific analysis methods used to address each research objective.

Chapter 5: Findings

Present the empirical results organized by variables and analysis.

  • No Citations: This section must be entirely free of external citations. The Findings section is intended to be purely empirical to separate raw data from the interpretation found in the Discussion.
  • Visual Elaboration: Focus on narrating results rather than repeating data visible in tables.

Chapter 6: Discussion

Interpret the results in the context of the field and existing literature. If Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is used, explain the hypothesis findings and their significance. Discussion Structure:

  • 6.1, 6.2, etc.: Use sub-headers for each specific variable effect or hypothesis relationship being discussed.
  • 6.4 Managerial Implications: Significant recommendations for business or government based on significant results.
  • 6.5 Theoretical Contributions: Describe how the study fills gaps or shifts existing theoretical understanding.
  • 6.6 Limitations: Address methodological constraints (sampling, area coverage) and constraints related to the research object.

Chapter 7: Conclusion

Conclusions must be in accordance with the objectives made brief, clear, and concise.

Chapter 8: Recommendations

Recommendation for improvement for limitations and future research

5. Reference Style and Bibliography

Style and Tools

  • Style: APA 7th Edition.
  • Reference Managers: Use of Mendeley or Zotero is compulsory.

Source Composition

  • Journal Articles: 80% of references must be from journals published within the last 5 years.
  • Internal Citations: Authors must cite at least three (3) relevant articles from the Journal of Consumer Sciences.
  • Book Citations: These are strongly discouraged.
  • Links: Provide DOIs or direct Journal URLs.  The use of Research Gate links is strictly prohibited.

Authors are required to upload three documents upon submission: the manuscript file, the AI ​​Usage Statement, and the Author Profile Form.
About the Authors. In this section, all authors write where they work or graduate from which university. The scientific field being taught. each author's email address. (each author is made one paragraph each).
Corresponding Author Photo. The author hopes to use a formal photo with a blue background
Public Interest Statement. Contains the challenges faced in your research.

 

Detail information, please download the form below:

1. Instruction for Author

2. Statement Originality

3. Author's Profile

4. Paper Template

5. APA Style Guidelines