Submission Preparation Checklist

Before submitting the manuscript, the author(s) should check the following list:
• The submission has not been previously published anywhere or previously submitted to this journal, nor is it being considered by any other journal.
• The submission file is prepared in Microsoft Word file docs (or .doc).
• Two separate files must be prepared: 1. Manuscript including abstract, introduction, results along with table and figures, discussion, and references; 2. Title page with title, header, authors’ names and affiliations including ORCID ID, declarations, and acknowledgements.
• The text is single-spaced; uses a 12-point font; and all illustrations, figures, and tables are placed within the text at the appropriate points, rather than at the end.
• One author must be designated as the corresponding author of the manuscript with full details including email address, affiliation, phone number and postal address.
• The manuscript must follow the writing and referencing style of APA (7th edition). The reference list should match within text/in-text citations. The manuscript Provides titles for the tables and captions for the figures. Check grammar and spelling before submission. The reference list should match within the text/in-text citations.
• Research involving living things (humans/animals) has received ethical approval from the relevant ethical committees of the institution and the country where the research was carried out. Ethics statement with research ethics and integrity details must appear at the end of the method section in all manuscripts.
• Permission should have been obtained for the use of copyrighted material (in-print or internet sources).
• The author(s) must not mention their name and affiliation in the main text.
• A conflict-of-interest statement should be submitted by the author(s).
• A plagiarism report generated through Turnitin (less than 19%) should be submitted along with the manuscript. The plagiarism should be less than 19% (less than 5% in individual sources) as per the HEC plagiarism policy
• The contribution statement of each author should be submitted by the corresponding author in a separate Word file.
• An authorship certificate signed by all authors or by the corresponding author on behalf of all other co-authors should be submitted at the time of submission.
• Submit the data along with the manuscript. If the authors are unable to submit the data with the manuscript, they must provide a valid reason for it.
• The author(s) must submit the manuscript according to the guidelines of the journal.