Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University - Journal Submission Guidelines

Welcome to the submission guidelines for the Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University Journal. We are committed to publishing high-quality research in the fields of veterinary medicine, animal sciences, and related disciplines. These guidelines are designed to ensure clarity in the submission process and maintain the standards of academic publishing.

About the Journal

The Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University Journal is a peer-reviewed publication dedicated to advancing knowledge in veterinary medicine, animal husbandry, fisheries, and related sciences. Our journal aims to provide a platform for researchers, academicians, and practitioners to share their findings and contribute to the scientific community.

Types of Articles Accepted

We accept various types of submissions to accommodate different research outputs:

• Original Research Articles: Full reports of original research, typically 3000-5000 words including abstract, tables, references, and figures.
• Review Articles: Comprehensive reviews of specific topics, up to 6000 words, providing critical analysis and synthesis of existing literature.
• Short Communications: Preliminary results of significant findings, limited to 1500 words.
• Case Studies: Detailed reports of clinical cases with educational value, limited to 2000 words.
• Perspectives/Opinions: Balanced discussions of current controversies or emerging topics, up to 2500 words.

Submission Process

All manuscripts should be submitted through our online submission system at kvasujournal.edu.in/submit. Ensure you have the following prepared before beginning the submission process:

• Manuscript file in Word format (.docx)
• Cover letter stating the originality of the work, authors' contributions, and confirmation of not being under consideration elsewhere
• Title page with author details, affiliations, and corresponding author information
• Blinded manuscript for peer review (without author information)
• High-resolution figures and tables saved as separate files
• List of suggested reviewers with contact information (optional)

Formatting Requirements

Manuscript Structure

Manuscripts should be organized in the following order:

1. Title page (separate file)
2. Abstract and keywords
3. Introduction
4. Materials and Methods
5. Results
6. Discussion
7. Conclusion
8. Acknowledgments (optional)
9. References
10. Tables and Figures

Title Page

The title page should contain:

• Title of the manuscript (concise and informative)
• Full names of all authors
• Affiliations of all authors (department, institution, city, country)
• Corresponding author's name, mailing address, email, and telephone number
• Funding information, if applicable

Abstract and Keywords

An abstract of not more than 250 words should be provided for all article types except book reviews. The abstract should be structured with the following headings for original research articles: Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. For other article types, an unstructured abstract is acceptable.

Include 4-6 keywords that can be used for indexing purposes. MeSH terms are recommended where applicable.

Text Formatting

Use standard academic formatting:

• Font: Times New Roman, 12-point
• Line spacing: Double-spaced
• Margins: 1-inch on all sides
• Page numbers: Include on all pages
• Headings: Clearly identify section headings with appropriate numbering
• Units: Use SI units throughout

Tables and Figures

Tables and figures should be numbered consecutively as they appear in the text and have clear, concise captions. All tables and figures must be cited in the text. Submit tables as editable text (not images) and figures in high resolution (minimum 300 dpi).

References

References should be cited in the text by author and year (e.g., Smith, 2020). The reference list should be arranged alphabetically by the first author's surname. Follow the APA style for reference formatting.

Review Process

Our peer-review process ensures the quality and integrity of published work:

1. Initial Screening: The editorial office checks submissions for appropriateness for the journal and compliance with formatting requirements.
2. Peer Review: Manuscripts passing initial screening are sent to at least two independent experts in the relevant field for double-blind review.
3. Decision: Based on reviewer comments, the editor will decide to accept, accept with minor revisions, accept with major revisions, or reject the manuscript.
4. Revision: Authors are given 30 days to submit revised manuscripts with a point-by-point response to reviewer comments.
5. Final Decision: After considering revisions, the editor makes a final publication decision.
6. Production: Accepted manuscripts undergo copyediting and typesetting before publication.

The average time from submission to first decision is 4-6 weeks, and the average time from acceptance to online publication is 2-3 weeks.

Publication Ethics

We adhere to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines and expect all authors to follow ethical standards:

Authorship

Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, interpretation, or drafting of the manuscript. All authors must approve the final version and agree to its submission. Changes to authorship after submission must be approved by all authors and the editor.

Originality and Plagiarism

Submitted manuscripts must be original and must not have been published elsewhere, in whole or in part, except as an abstract. All manuscripts are screened for plagiarism using iThenticate software. Plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism, is unacceptable.

Data Transparency

Authors must ensure accuracy of their data and provide sufficient detail to allow others to reproduce the study. Fraudulent or knowingly inaccurate statements constitute unethical behavior.

Animal and Human Research

For studies involving animals, authors must confirm that appropriate institutional approval was obtained and that animal welfare guidelines were followed. For studies involving human subjects, confirmation of ethical approval and informed consent must be provided.

Conflict of Interest

All authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could be viewed as influencing the research. This information will be published with the article.

Funding Sources

All sources of funding for the research should be declared, including grant numbers where applicable.

Open Access Policy

Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University Journal is an open access journal, meaning all articles are available free of charge to readers immediately upon publication. This supports our mission to disseminate research findings broadly. Authors retain copyright of their work and can distribute it as they wish, with proper attribution to the journal.

There are no publication charges for authors. The costs of publication are covered by the university.

Copyright and Licensing

Upon acceptance, authors will be asked to sign a copyright transfer agreement, transferring copyright of the manuscript to Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University. The journal is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License, which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.

Post-Publication Policies

Corrections and Retractions

Errors discovered after publication may be corrected by issuing errata, corrigenda, or retractions as appropriate. Retractions are considered in cases of research misconduct, plagiarism, or when significant errors undermine the validity of the findings.

Complaints and Appeals

Authors may appeal editorial decisions by providing a detailed explanation of their concerns. Appeals will be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief. Readers may submit concerns about published papers for investigation following COPE guidelines.

Contact Information

For inquiries related to manuscript submission:

Editorial Office
Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University Journal
Pookode, Wayanad
Kerala, India 673576

Email: editor@kvasujournal.edu.in
Phone: +91-4936-282000
Website: www.kvasujournal.edu.in

For technical assistance with the online submission system:
Email: support@kvasujournal.edu.in