Ideal Format for a Q1 Journal Manuscript

Recommended order

1. Manuscript title
2. Author names and affiliations
3. Corresponding-author details
4. Abstract and keywords
5. Main manuscript body
6. Acknowledgements, funding, conflicts and other declarations
7. References
8. Tables with titles and notes
9. Figures with captions

Times New Roman remains a reliable default for a free-format manuscript because it is familiar, compact and broadly compatible. Use the same font throughout the body, headings, captions and tables unless scientific symbols require a specialist font.

Use 11 or 12 pt for the body. Make main headings slightly larger and bold, while keeping table text readable. Avoid shrinking references or captions so much that reviewers must zoom in.

Double spacing is a practical choice for the main text because it reduces visual crowding and makes detailed review easier. Keep the same setting throughout unless compact table content requires a controlled exception.

Justified alignment can create a clean page with even left and right edges. Check for excessive word gaps, especially in narrow table cells or long technical terms. Where justified spacing becomes distracting, left alignment is preferable to forced visual uniformity.

Use continuous line numbering from the first page to the final page. Avoid restarting line numbers on every page unless the journal requests it. Continuous numbering makes responses to reviewers faster and less ambiguous.

Place page numbers in a simple footer position and keep the numbering continuous. Avoid decorative footer elements that may be mistaken for journal production material.

Use paragraph settings rather than pressing Enter repeatedly. A controlled 6 pt before-and-after spacing produces predictable layout and avoids hidden blank paragraphs that later disrupt tables or page breaks.

Leave a clear space before each main heading and subsection. Use paragraph spacing or Word styles rather than manual blank lines whenever possible, so the layout remains stable after editing.

Use a logical numbering pattern such as 1, 1.1 and 1.1.1. Keep the hierarchy shallow; excessive levels can make the paper difficult to follow. Apply the same system to review manuscripts when thematic organization is complex.

Use a landscape section only when a wide table or figure cannot be presented clearly in portrait orientation. Insert section breaks carefully so page numbering and headers remain consistent.

• Keep font, border weight, alignment, decimals and abbreviations consistent across all tables.
• Start each major table and figure on a new page in the combined submission file.
• Place a table title and explanatory notes with the table.
• Place each figure caption with or immediately after the corresponding figure.
• Ensure every object is cited in numerical order in the main text.
• Retain original high-resolution figure files for separate upload.

Insert citations through a reference manager rather than typing them manually. Before submission, check imported metadata—author names, title capitalization, journal, year, volume, pages and DOI. Automated formatting is only as accurate as the stored record.

Remove journal names, copyright statements, old manuscript IDs, confidential-review labels and template instructions. A simple page number is generally enough unless the submission system asks for something additional.

1. Accept or reject all tracked changes.
2. Delete every comment and reply thread.
3. Use Word's document inspection tools to check hidden text, properties and previous revision data.
4. Save, close and reopen the final file before uploading.

Write the complete term first, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. Use the abbreviation consistently afterward. Redefine it in a table or figure caption when the caption must stand alone.

• Every table cited in the text exists and is numbered in order.
• Every figure cited in the text exists, has a caption and is numbered in order.
• Every in-text citation appears in the reference list.
• Every reference-list item is cited at least once in the manuscript.
• Cross-references still point to the correct object after editing.
• The abstract, title, keywords and conclusions use consistent terminology.