The Legume Research Journal is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes original research articles, reviews, and short communications related to all aspects of legume research. Legumes are an important group of plants that have significant implications for food and nutrition security, agricultural sustainability, and environmental health. The Legume Research Journal aims to promote scientific knowledge and understanding of legumes and their importance to global agriculture.

Submitting an article to the Legume Research Journal can be a challenging process for first-time authors. This guide provides comprehensive guidelines for authors who are interested in submitting their research work to the journal. The guidelines cover important aspects of manuscript preparation, submission, and review, and are designed to help authors maximize their chances of success.

LR accepts the following types of manuscripts:

•    Original Research Articles
•    Review Articles
•    Short Communications

•    Manuscripts should be submitted in Microsoft Word format.
•    The font should be 12-point, Times New Roman.
•    Text should be double-spaced, with 1-inch margins on all sides.
•    Pages should be numbered consecutively, starting with the title page.

The title page should include:
•    The title of the manuscript (concise and informative)
•    The full names, affiliations, and email addresses of all authors
•    A corresponding author's contact details, including email and postal addresses
•    A running title of no more than 50 characters (including spaces)

•    The Abstract needs to be introduced in three parts (Background/Methods/Results)
•    It should provide a clear and concise summary of the study's objectives, methods, results, and conclusions.
•    No literature should be cited.
•    Keywords (4-6 words or phrases)

The main text should be divided into the following sections:
•    Introduction: Briefly outline the background, rationale, and objectives of the study.
•    Materials and Methods: Describe the experimental design, animals, procedures, and statistical analyses in sufficient detail to allow replication.
•    Results: Present the data clearly and concisely, using tables and figures as necessary.
•    Discussion: Interpret the results in the context of the study objectives, comparing them to previous research and highlighting the study's implications and limitations.
•    Conclusion: Summarize the main findings and their significance, suggesting directions for future research.

Authors should acknowledge any financial support, technical assistance, or other contributions to the work.

•    References should be formatted using the LR reference style.
•    Citations should be numbered consecutively in the order they appear in the text.
•    The reference list should be placed at the end of the manuscript.

Editorial Insights: When you decide to cite a dissertation or thesis, you'll need to look for the following information to use in your citation:

You should ensure that your research is conducted ethically and in compliance with relevant guidelines and regulations. You should obtain informed consent from research participants, maintain confidentiality, and avoid any form of coercion or deception. This includes obtaining ethical approval for the study and disclosing any financial or personal relationships that may have influenced the research. If your research involves human subjects or animals, be sure to follow all relevant ethical guidelines. You should also ensure that the research does.

•    Tables and figures should be numbered consecutively and have descriptive captions.
•    They should be placed within the text at appropriate points or provided as separate files during submission.
•    Authors should ensure that tables and figures are of high quality and resolution, and that any symbols, abbreviations, or units are clearly explained.

•    Additional materials, such as large datasets, videos, or detailed protocols, may be submitted as supplementary materials.
•    Supplementary materials should be clearly labeled and referenced in the main text.

•    Manuscripts should be written in clear, concise, and grammatically correct English.
•    Authors may consider using professional language editing services if necessary.

Online Submission

Once the manuscript has been prepared according to the journal's guidelines, authors can submit their manuscript online through the journal's submission portal. The following guidelines should be followed when submitting a manuscript:

•    Cover Letter: A cover letter should be included with the submission, which should address the significance of the research, the novelty of the findings, and the relevance of the study to the journal's scope.
•    Manuscript Format: The manuscript should be submitted in Microsoft Word format, with double spacing and 12-point font size.
•    Figures and Tables: Figures and tables should be submitted in separate files, with high-quality resolution and in a format compatible with the journal's guidelines.
•    Supporting Information: Any supporting information or supplementary data should be included as separate files, with clear and concise descriptions of their content.
•    Authorship: All authors should be listed in the manuscript, with their affiliations and email addresses. The corresponding author should be identified.
•    Ethics and Permissions: Any ethical considerations, permissions, or approvals required for the study should be clearly stated in the manuscript.

Peer Review Process

•    All submitted manuscripts will undergo a double-blind peer review process, in which both the authors and reviewers remain anonymous.
•    Reviewers will evaluate the manuscript based on its originality, methodology, results, and overall quality.

Revision and Resubmission

•    Authors may be asked to revise their manuscript based on reviewer feedback.
•    Revised manuscripts should be submitted with a point-by-point response to the reviewers' comments.

Resubmission

Once the manuscript has been revised, it should be resubmitted through email. Authors should ensure that all revisions have been made and that the manuscript meets the journal's guidelines.

Accepted Manuscripts

•    Upon acceptance, manuscripts will undergo final editing and formatting by the LR editorial team.

Proofreading and Corrections

•    Authors will receive a proof of their manuscript for final review and approval before publication.
•    Any corrections should be communicated to the editorial team promptly.

Copyright and Licensing

•    Authors will be asked to sign a copyright transfer agreement or open access license, depending on the publication model chosen.  

Writing Assistance

•    LR may offer resources, tips, and guidelines on scientific writing to help authors improve their manuscripts.
•    Authors can also find external resources or seek professional writing assistance if needed.

Statistical Analysis

•    Authors are encouraged to consult relevant guidelines and resources on appropriate statistical methods for their research.
•    If needed, authors may seek assistance from a statistician or refer to external resources to ensure the correct application of statistical analyses.

Language Editing

•    Authors whose first language is not English may consider using professional language editing services to ensure the clarity and accuracy of their manuscripts.

Graphics and Illustration Support

•    LR may provide guidance on the preparation of high-quality figures, tables, and illustrations.
•    Authors can also seek assistance from professional graphics and illustration services, if needed.

LR aims to foster a dynamic and engaged research community by facilitating communication and collaboration among researchers:

Conferences and Workshops

•    LR may sponsor or participate in relevant conferences and workshops, providing a platform for authors to present and discuss their research.

Special Issues and Thematic Collections

LR may publish special issues or thematic collections, highlighting emerging research trends or areas of particular interest to the agricultural research community.

Online Forums and Social Media

•    LR may host online forums, webinars, or discussion groups, allowing researchers to connect, share ideas, and collaborate.
•    The journal may also maintain a social media presence to promote published articles, share updates, and engage with the research community.

Encouraging Interdisciplinary Research

LR recognizes that many of the most pressing challenges in agriculture require interdisciplinary approaches, drawing on expertise from multiple fields. The journal supports and encourages interdisciplinary research by:

Broadening the Scope

•    LR maintains a broad scope, encompassing research from various disciplines within the field of agriculture, as well as related fields such as environmental science, economics, and social sciences.

Cross-Disciplinary Review

•    LR ensures that interdisciplinary research is reviewed by experts from relevant fields, facilitating a comprehensive assessment of the work's significance and impact.

Promoting Collaboration

•    LR promotes collaboration among researchers from different disciplines by highlighting interdisciplinary research, facilitating networking opportunities, and encouraging the exchange of ideas and perspectives.
By fostering interdisciplinary research, LR aims to contribute to the development of innovative and integrated solutions for the challenges facing agriculture and the broader global community.

•    Read the journal's scope and aim carefully before starting to write the manuscript. Ensure that the research topic aligns with the journal's aims and scope.
•    Use clear and concise language in the manuscript. Avoid jargon and technical terms that are not commonly used in the field.
•    Use appropriate statistical methods to analyze the data. Ensure that the statistical analyses are appropriate for the research question and that the results are interpreted correctly.
•    Provide clear and concise descriptions for all methods, materials, and experimental procedures. This will help readers understand the research process and replicate the study if needed.
•    Use high-quality figures and tables to present the data. Ensure that the figures and tables are easy to read and understand and that the data are presented clearly.
•    Follow the journal's guidelines for formatting, referencing, and style. This will ensure that the manuscript meets the journal's requirements and is easy to read and understand.
•    Ensure that the manuscript is free of errors, including spelling and grammatical errors. This will improve the readability of the manuscript and help to communicate the research findings more effectively.

Submitting an article to the Legume Research Journal requires careful preparation and attention to detail. By following the guidelines outlined in this document, authors can maximize their chances of success and ensure that their research is presented in the best possible way. Legumes are an important group of plants, and research on these plants has significant implications for global agriculture and food security. The Legume Research Journal is committed to promoting scientific knowledge and understanding of legumes, and welcomes high-quality research articles, reviews, and short communications in this field.

Publishing in the Legume Research Journal can be a rewarding experience for authors who have conducted high-quality research on legumes. By following the guidelines provided in this document, authors can maximize their chances of success and ensure that their research is presented in the best possible way. Legume research is an important area of study, and the Legume Research Journal is committed to promoting scientific knowledge and understanding of this important group of plants.