Guide for Auhtors

Types of Paper

The SPAMAST Research Journal accepts:
Research Articles / Case Studies: Original, unpublished work. Max 6,000 words. Structure: Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgments, References.
Notes: Short reports on techniques or observations (max 3,000 words). Structure: Abstract, Keywords, Notes, Acknowledgments, References.
Review Papers: In-depth, relevant reviews (max 8,000 words). Structure: Abstract, Keywords, Introduction (with subtopics), Acknowledgments, References.

Manuscript Submission Process

Before submission, authors are advised to thoroughly review the journal’s policies and this guide. Submit manuscripts electronically through the SRJ portal. Filename format: PaperType_AuthorFamilyName_V1 (e.g., ResearchArticle_Santos_V1). Include: manuscript in Word, cover letter, copyright agreement, open access agreement, and author checklist.

Manuscript Preparation

General Formatting: Manuscripts should use Times New Roman, font size 10 or 12, double-spaced, single column, justified alignment on A4 with 2.54 cm margins. Pages are numbered bottom center. Line numbers run continuously. Carefully check grammar and spelling.

Title Page: Include full title, running title, all authors and affiliations (noted with superscripts), and contact information for the corresponding author. Title should be bold, centered, sentence case, with any scientific names italicized and with authority noted.

Abstract: Up to 250 words summarizing objectives, methods, findings, and implications. Avoid citations.

Keywords: Maximum six, arranged alphabetically, not repeated in the title.

Introduction: Provide background, current literature, and research purpose—without subheadings, figures, or tables.

Methods: Describe research design, locations, sampling, data collection, analysis, with necessary subheadings. Specify all equipment/chemical brands and countries. Use equation editor for equations.

Results: Present findings under relevant subheadings, in the order of stated objectives. Avoid repeating table/figure content in the text.

Discussion: Interpret results, compare with prior work, and highlight new insights or recommendations.

Acknowledgments: Indicate sources of support, contributors, and reviewers.

References: Use the 8th Edition Council of Science Editors (name-year) style. Only cite works actually referenced in the text, organized alphabetically and by year. Use reference management tools (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley) and ensure all fields are removed before submission.

References

In-text citations follow these examples:

  • Single author: (Garcia 2023) or Garcia (2023)
  • Two authors: (Reyes and Lim 2021) or Reyes and Lim (2021)
  • Three or more authors: (Villanueva et al. 2020) or Villanueva et al. (2020)

Use semicolons for multiple sources, commas for different works by the same author, and letters for same author/year (e.g., Santos 2022a, 2022b). Journal names must be written in full. For ten+ authors, list the first ten, then "and others." References must be alphabetically and chronologically arranged.

Sample Formats (fictional):
Journal Article: Cruz MT, David J. 2022. Innovations in rice farming techniques. SPAMAST Research Journal. 20(1):15-25. https://doi.org/10.1234/srj.2022.20.1.15
Book: Mendoza PJ, Florendo RC, editors. 2019. Philippine Agriculture: Pathways to Growth. 2nd ed. Davao: SPAMAST Press.
Book Chapter: Lopez JM. 2018. Fisheries enhancement strategies. In: Mendoza PJ, editor. Sustainable Farming in Mindanao. SPAMAST Press. p. 85-112.
Conference Paper: Chan BC. 2023. Water resource management for rural farms. In: Proceedings of the SRJ Conference. SPAMAST. p. 34-40.
Website: Rodriguez EL. 2024. Climate adaptation in agriculture. [accessed 2025 Jul 1]. www.spamastagriupdates.org
Thesis: Gatchalian RL. 2021. Organic farming in Mindanao [Master’s Thesis]. Davao Occidental: SPAMAST. [accessed 2025 Jun 25]. https://spamast.edu.ph/orgfarm2021.pdf
Report: Delos Santos AB. 2020. Annual report on fisheries extension, SPAMAST. Report No. 2020-10. [accessed 2025 Jul 1]. https://spamast.edu.ph/reports/2020-10.pdf
Article in Press: Ramos VS, Lopez LF. In press. Coastal vegetation restoration practices. SPAMAST Research Journal.
Online News: Pascual MR. 2024. Policy changes in rural farming. Mindanao Daily News. [accessed 2025 Jul 2]. https://mindanaodailynews.ph/farming-policy.html

Figures and Tables

Number figures and tables in sequence using Arabic numerals. Captions should be sentence case, double-spaced, and justified. Do not use text boxes. Large tables spanning pages require header rows repeated. All photos and illustrations must be original or have written permission, properly credited; photos from the internet need explicit permission. Graphs must have labeled axes, legends, and white backgrounds. All table borders must be visible.

Scientific, English, and Local Names

List the English, scientific (italicized, with authority), and local names for organisms, when possible, upon first mention. Local names are placed in double quotes (e.g., "bangus"). After first citation, use the genus initial except at the start of a sentence. Do not italicize higher taxon (family/order).

Punctuation, Equations, Symbols, and Units

All terms, abbreviations, symbols must be spelled out at first use. Equations are numbered sequentially and formatted for clarity. Use SI units, separated from the number with a space (e.g., 5 cm, 2 kg). Probabilities should be in italicized uppercase P (e.g., P > 0.05). Use day-month-year for dates (e.g., 15 June 2025) and a 24-hour format for time. Spell out numbers under ten unless followed by a unit. Use the degree symbol (°) via symbol insert. Acronyms are written in capital letters without periods. Latitude/longitude should use single capital letters.