Locke Science Publisher
1. Submission overview
Manuscripts are submitted electronically by email to the relevant journal editorial office. Only original work that is not previously published and not under review elsewhere will be considered. Before submission, authors should ensure their manuscript meets the journal’s requirements for structure, references, figures/tables, ethical statements (where relevant), and licensing.
2. Article types
Locke Science Publisher journals may accept some or all of the following (as defined on each journal’s website):
research articles
review articles
case studies / practice reports
design and planning project reports (where applicable)
short communications, commentaries, and letters (where applicable)
Authors should check the target journal’s aims and scope before submission.
3. Manuscript preparation
3.1 Length, file format, and layout
Recommended length for standard research papers: 2,000–6,000 words (unless the journal states otherwise).
Prepare manuscripts using a word processor (e.g., Microsoft Word).
Use A4 or 8.5″ × 11″ page size, double spacing, and a clear, readable font.
Submit files in .doc, .docx, or .rtf format.
Number all pages consecutively.
3.2 Title page (first page)
The first page must include:
a concise, descriptive title
full author names
author affiliations (department, institution, city, country)
email addresses for all authors (or at minimum the corresponding author)
full postal address for the corresponding author
a running title (maximum 45 characters, including spaces)
3.3 Abstract page (second page)
The second page must include:
the full title of the paper
an abstract of approximately 200 words (unless the journal states otherwise)
The abstract should clearly summarize:
the purpose and context
the key approach or methods
the main findings or outputs
the contribution to the field
practical implications (where relevant)
3.4 Positioning the paper in the literature
Authors are encouraged to review recent papers in the target journal and cite them where relevant. Your manuscript should clearly explain how it advances existing knowledge, practice, or theory and demonstrate awareness of current literature and ongoing debates in the field.
3.5 Structure and writing style
A typical research article should include (as appropriate):
introduction
background / literature context
methods / procedure
results
discussion
conclusions
implications for practice and/or future research
acknowledgements (optional)
references
author note or brief biographical sketch (if requested by the journal)
Writing style expectations:
write clearly for a broad academic and professional audience
avoid unnecessary jargon
define specialized terms on first use
except for letters or position papers, write in the third person where appropriate
3.6 Funding, competing interests, and acknowledgements
disclose all non-personal funding and institutional support
include a competing interests declaration (even if it is “the authors declare no competing interests”) when relevant or requested by the journal
acknowledge non-author contributions appropriately (with permission)
4. References and citations
4.1 In-text citations
use author–year citations in the text (e.g., Lynch 1960)
for two authors: Author and Author (Year)
for three or more authors: FirstAuthor et al. (Year)
for multiple works by the same author(s) in the same year: Year a, Year b, etc.
include page numbers for all direct quotations
4.2 Reference list
arrange references in alphabetical order by first author’s last name
include complete bibliographic details sufficient for readers to locate the source
ensure every in-text citation appears in the reference list and vice versa
Each entry should include, as applicable:
all authors (last name, first initial)
year
title of article/chapter
journal/book title
volume(issue) for journals
publisher and place for books
page range for articles/chapters
DOI or stable URL where available
Examples:
Journal article
Appleyard D (1970) Styles and methods of structuring a city. Environment and Behavior 2(3): 100–107.
Book
Lynch K (1960) The Image of the City. Cambridge: MIT Press.
Chapter in edited book
Redei A, Kelemen P (1969) The presence of platelets. In Bertelli A, Houck JC (eds.), Inflammation Biochemistry. Chicago: Locke, 161–165.
5. Figures and tables
5.1 General requirements
include only figures and tables that are necessary to support the manuscript
every figure and table must be cited in the text in numerical order
provide a short, descriptive caption for each figure/table
ensure all text within figures remains legible if reduced to page size
5.2 Figures (photos, charts, diagrams, maps, drawings)
submit figures as separate files whenever possible
acceptable formats typically include JPG, PNG, TIFF, or PDF (unless the journal specifies otherwise)
do not embed essential text inside low-resolution images
if figures include third-party content, authors must secure permissions when required and provide correct credit lines
Any non-table artwork (including maps, matrices, diagrams) should be labeled as Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.
5.3 Tables
include tables in the manuscript file or submit as separate editable files (Word format preferred)
avoid tables that require excessive formatting to remain readable
ensure tables can be reproduced clearly at the journal’s page size
6. Design and planning projects (where applicable)
For journals that accept design/planning project submissions, send project documentation to the relevant editorial office email.
Project submissions may include:
a written description of the project
a statement of contribution to theory and/or practice
objectives and evaluation criteria
a clear explanation of decision-making methods and evidence used
graphic and/or photographic material that communicates the project effectively
Projects are typically assessed on:
quality and coherence of the solution
contribution to the field
explicit and systematic use of evidence/information in decision-making
If the journal issues awards or certificates for accepted projects, details will be communicated upon acceptance.
7. Peer review, proofs, and publication
7.1 Peer review
The journal will evaluate submissions for fit, quality, and completeness before peer review. Peer review is conducted according to the journal’s stated review model and timelines.
7.2 Proofs
The corresponding author receives page proofs. Proofs should be checked and returned within 48 hours of receipt unless otherwise stated. Corrections should be limited to typographical or production errors. Substantial changes at proof stage may delay publication and may incur additional costs.
7.3 Reprints
If reprints are offered, ordering information is provided with the proof materials.
8. Copyright and licensing
Locke Science Publisher journals use the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.
authors retain copyright in their work
upon acceptance, authors grant Locke Science Publisher a non-exclusive license to publish, distribute, and archive the article and to identify the journal as the original place of publication
CC BY 4.0 allows others to copy, distribute, display, and perform the work; adapt and build upon it; and use it commercially or non-commercially, provided that proper credit is given, a link to the license is included, and changes are indicated
For the legal text of the license, see: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
9. Submission checklist (recommended)
Before submitting, confirm that:
the manuscript is original and not under review elsewhere
the title page contains full author details and corresponding author address
the abstract is included and within the recommended length
all figures and tables are cited and have captions
references are complete and formatted consistently
funding and competing interests are disclosed where applicable
permissions are secured for third-party material where required