Submission Guidelines

1. Paper Requirements

• Original research not published elsewhere
• Clear abstract (150-300 words)
• Proper citations and references
• Adherence to ethical research standards
• PDF or DOCX file upload (optional, content can be written in the editor)

2. Content Guidelines

Title

Clear, concise, and descriptive. Avoid jargon and abbreviations.

Abstract

Summarize your research question, methodology, key findings, and conclusions in 150-300 words.

Keywords

Provide 5-10 relevant keywords separated by commas to help others discover your work.

Full Content

Include introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion sections. Use the rich text editor (Quill) for formatting — supports headings, bold, italic, lists, links, images, tables, and code blocks.

AFN-ID / DOI

Leave blank if you don't have one. An AFN-ID is automatically assigned upon publication. You may optionally provide a DOI if your paper already has one.

Categories

Select one or more relevant research categories during submission to improve discoverability.

3. Review Process

1. 1. Initial submission (saved as draft)
2. 2. Submit for review
3. 3. Peer review by moderators and researchers
4. 4. Review decision: approved / revisions required / rejected
5. 5. If revisions required: make changes and resubmit
6. 6. Publication (if approved)

Review typically takes 2-4 weeks. Papers needing revisions are returned with reviewer comments.

4. Ethical Standards

• No plagiarism or self-plagiarism
• Proper attribution of all sources
• Disclosure of conflicts of interest
• Compliance with research ethics
• No fabrication or falsification of data
• AI-generated content must be disclosed

5. Dataset Submission Guidelines

When depositing research data to the Research Data Repository, follow these requirements:

• Include a README file describing the dataset structure, variables, and methodology
• Use open, non-proprietary formats where possible (CSV, JSON, XML over Excel binary formats)
• Provide complete metadata: title, description, methodology, collection dates, geographic coverage
• Remove all personally identifiable information (PII) before upload
• Include a data dictionary or codebook for variable definitions
• Link to the associated published paper via AFN-ID or DOI crosswalk
• Max file size: 2GB per dataset (contact support for larger datasets)
• Choose an appropriate access level: Public, Restricted (requires request), or Embargoed

6. Preprint Posting Guidelines

When cross-posting preprints to external repositories, observe these rules:

• Ensure your preprint does not contain sensitive or proprietary information
• Verify that the target repository accepts your paper's subject area and format
• Each repository has its own moderation policy — approval times may vary
• Include your AFN-ID in the preprint metadata for cross-platform tracking
• Update all repositories when you post a revised version (version sync)
• Do not post to repositories that require exclusive submission unless you are certain no other repository has the preprint
• Respect embargo periods: do not cross-post papers under journal embargo

7. Open Access Compliance Requirements

To ensure your papers meet funder and institutional OA mandates:

• Register all applicable funders and institutions in your OA Compliance Dashboard
• Ensure your paper is openly accessible on the platform (published status)
• Deposit a copy in a recognized OA repository if required by your funder
• Include funder acknowledgement and grant numbers in your paper metadata
• Use the AFN-ID ⇄ DOI Crosswalk to ensure your paper is discoverable through both systems
• Review compliance status at least quarterly via the OA Compliance Dashboard
• For Plan S compliance: ensure your paper is published under a CC-BY license

8. Podcast Submission Guidelines

When generating research podcasts from your published papers:

• Only generate podcasts from papers you have authored or co-authored
• The AI narration is derived from your published content — verify accuracy before sharing
• Choose the appropriate audio length: Summary (2-3 min) or Full paper (10-30 min)
• Select a voice and language appropriate for your target audience
• Share the podcast URL responsibly — ensure attribution to the original paper
• Generated podcasts are automatically linked to the original paper on your profile