Structure Your Manuscript Submission

Most research articles follow a standard structure, with slight variations depending on the journal. By adhering to this format, you increase the clarity, coherence, and impact of your work—enhancing your chances of publication. Below is a guide to the key components of a well-structured manuscript:

1. Introduction
Begin with a clear purpose statement that outlines the aim of your paper. The introduction should:
• Explain why the topic is important
• Define the scope and objectives of your study
• Offer a brief background and context for your research
• Describe the structure of the paper
• Justify your motivation for undertaking the study
Ideal Length: This depends on your discipline, paper length, and UJBATM guidelines. Aim to be concise but informative—enough to capture the reader’s interest without overshadowing the main body of the paper.

2. Research Methodology
Describe how the research was conducted and why specific approaches were chosen. A strong methodology section should:
• Outline the research design and main stages of the study
• Explain your choice of methods, samples, and instruments
• Include details that allow other researchers to replicate your work
• Refer to appendices for additional procedures or background, if needed
For empirical research, include equipment, materials (with sources, if relevant), and ethical considerations. For computational or theoretical studies, provide details of analytical or coding methods used.

3. Findings
Focus on presenting the key outcomes of your research—those that hold significance or novelty in your field. Avoid overloading the reader with excessive statistics. Instead, aim to:
• Highlight patterns, trends, and anomalies
• Discuss findings that support or challenge existing literature
• Emphasise surprising or impactful results
• Use tables, graphs, and visuals where appropriate (follow UJBATM formatting guidelines)
This section may also touch on the implications of the results, bridging into the discussion.

4. Conclusion
Wrap up your article with a thoughtful and forward-looking conclusion. It should:
• Summarise your main arguments and findings
• Highlight how your framework or insights can be applied in practice
• Identify implications for policy, research, or industry
• Clarify how your original questions have been addressed
• Acknowledge limitations and propose future research directions

Avoid:
✘ Introducing new material
✘ Repeating your introduction
✘ Making generic or unsupported claims
✘ Contradicting earlier content

Tip: Most editors and reviewers expect to see a section on practical implications and research contributions. Be sure to include them where applicable.