Manuscript Type
Types of Manuscript · Jurnal Civics
What the journal accepts.
Article types, their structure, and what applies to every manuscript.
Policy update · effective from 2027
From Volume 24, No. 1 (March 2027), each issue publishes up to 15 articles: up to 10 original research articles, with the remaining places for systematic literature reviews and book reviews. Articles published up to Volume 23 (2026) followed the previous manuscript types.
01Original research article▾
Reports original empirical research, qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods, that clearly contributes to citizenship studies and civic education.
| Length | 5,000–8,000 words. |
| Review | Double-anonymous. Two files: the anonymised manuscript and a title page. |
| Structure | Introduction, with a required subheading for the theoretical or conceptual framework; Method; Results and Discussion; Conclusion. |
| Abstract | 200–250 words: purpose, design and method, findings, and originality or value. |
| References | More than 25, at least 80% from peer-reviewed journals published in the last 10 years. |
| Ethics | Research with human participants requires ethics approval and informed consent. |
02Systematic literature review▾
Synthesises existing research on a clearly defined question, using a transparent and replicable method. Narrative overviews without a systematic method are not accepted.
| Length | 5,000–8,000 words. |
| Method | Follows PRISMA 2020. |
| Review | Double-anonymous. Two files plus the PRISMA checklist. |
| Title | Identifies the article as a systematic literature review. |
| Structure | Introduction, with the theoretical or conceptual framework; Method (protocol and registration, eligibility criteria, search strategy, selection, quality appraisal, synthesis); Results; Discussion; Conclusion. |
| Abstract | 200–250 words, following the PRISMA 2020 abstract guidance. |
| Required elements | A PRISMA flow diagram in the text, and the completed PRISMA 2020 checklist as a supplementary file. |
03Book review▾
A critical assessment of a recent scholarly book relevant to citizenship, civic education, democracy, or related fields.
| Length | 1,000–1,500 words. |
| Review | Editorial review. One file. |
| Book | Published within the last three years. Contact the Book Review Editor before writing. |
| Structure | Full bibliographic details, then continuous prose covering context and aims, overview, critical evaluation, contribution, and a concluding assessment. No abstract, keywords, or headings. |
| Closing sections | Reviewer details, a Disclosure Statement, and a Declaration of Generative AI Use. |
04Requirements for all manuscripts▾
| Language | English, in British spelling. |
| Referencing | APA 7th edition. See Reference Style & Manager. |
| Similarity | Maximum 20% overall, with no single match above 1%. See the Plagiarism Policy. |
| Generative AI | Any use must be declared. AI cannot be listed as an author. |
| Declarations | Complete the Author Declaration Form. For research with people, see the Ethical Clearance Statement. |
05Not accepted▾
— Manuscripts outside the journal’s scope.
— Purely descriptive reports without theoretical framing or analysis.
— Narrative literature reviews without a systematic method.
— Opinion pieces.
— Work already published or under review elsewhere.
