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URJHS Guidelines for Authors

The Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences (URJHS) encourages undergraduate students to submit papers for consideration. Submissions are accepted for review on an ongoing basis (no specific deadline).

Papers may represent a full range of research design, including experiments, surveys, case studies, and documentary research. Themes of research may include, but are not limited to, integrative, cross specialization research, service-learning research, and traditional research in the specializations. See Accepted Research Formats.

Applications and submissions will be accepted until slots are filled.

Submission Criteria

  • The primary author of a submitted paper must be an undergraduate student. Papers from graduate students will be accepted only if the work was completed as an undergraduate student. Additional authors other than the primary author may include other undergraduate students and the faculty mentor or supervisor.
  • Only manuscripts, papers, and reports from completed research projects will be considered for the award. Manuscripts, papers, and reports may be submitted once.
  • Only original papers (not published or accepted for publication elsewhere) will be accepted. (Oral or poster presentations with printed abstracts do not count as published papers.)
  • Manuscripts may be 1000 - 3500 words or longer if approved by the Editor.
  • Plagiarism is strictly prohibited.
  • Use of section headings is strongly encouraged.
  • All papers must be prepared according to APA style. See here for more information.
  • If human subjects are used, a statement must be included to indicate institutional Internal Review Board (IRB) approval of the research.

Judging Criteria

The following seven criteria will be used in reviewing the papers for publication.

  1. Relevance to the human sciences
  2. Justification for the study
  3. Subject mastery & originality
  4. Technical mastery
  5. Logical organization
  6. Appropriate documentation
  7. Consistent use of style manual (APA, MLA, etc.)

Each submitted manuscript blinded, or the name is removed. Manuscripts are then evaluated by three referees who are knowledgeable in the subject. Independent of each other, the referees rate the manuscript on the basis of the following criteria:

  • Does it focus on a current issue related to the human sciences?
  • Significance to profession.
  • Subject mastery and originality. Manuscript demonstrates depth of knowledge and presents ideas in a new way.
  • Is it written in a clear, concise, and lively style?
  • Does it follow a logical organization.
  • Is there appropriate documentation.
  • Does it take a position and support it with sound argument and evidence?
  • Manuscripts in response to a specific Call for Papers are rated according to relevance to the theme.

What to Submit

  • See information about Format Style.
  • Cover page including name, mailing address, telephone, e-mail address, name of college/university, name of any facultry member who served as the writing adviser, student status (e.g., junior). No identification of the author or institution should appear on the pages of the application.
  • A short biographical sketch (including current professional title).
  • Keywords (5-8) on the cover page. The main purpose of keywords is to enable successful searching for the main message of your paper. When selecting keywords think about how a reader would search for your information.
  • Short abstract (2-4 sentences).

ATTACHMENTS

  • IRB statement (if applicable).
  • A sponsoring statement from the faculty supervisor who attests: (a) that the supervisor has read and critiqued the manuscript and (b) that the planning, execution, and writing of the manuscript represent primarily the work of the undergraduate student(s). 

Copyright

Submitted manuscripts will remain the property of the author until selected for publication. After selection, all rights are reserved by Kappa Omicron Nu. Written permission from KON must be obtained for copying or reprinting text.

Submission Procedure

Submit manuscripts electronically to [email protected]. Manuscripts will be acknowledged electronically upon receipt.