Common Ground Research Networks

We will evaluate your submission to determine if it meets the technical requirements and the journal's scope, concerns, and current needs.

Technical Requirements:

• Word Count: Manuscripts must be between 4,000 and 8,000 words. The title, abstract, and references are not counted toward the final word count.
• Author Names: All author names need to be on the original submission document. Our editorial team will take care of anonymizing the manuscript as necessary. Additional authors cannot be added once the manuscript has been approved to move into peer review.
• AI Acknowledgment: All submissions need to include an AI Acknowledgment regardless of whether AI tools were used or not. See the Journal Template for examples. (button below)
• CGScholar Profile: All submitting authors must have a completed CGScholar profile. The Micro-Bio, Affiliation, and Interests sections need to be filled out.
• Format: Manuscripts must be in .doc or .docx format. We do not accept PDF files.
• References: in languages other than English must include a translation in [square brackets] following the original. All reference entries should have a corresponding in-text citation, and vice versa.

Content Review:

• Scope and Concerns: To ensure your submission is a content fit, please review the scope and concerns of our Research Networks and Journals to make an appropriate choice. The CGRN Journal Publishing team will move your article for consideration in a different journal if it fits our needs.
• Fluency: Manuscripts must read fluently in English. They should be clear, concise, and accessible, and word choice should not reflect a conversational or relaxed dialogue.
• Scholarly Sources: References should contain an appropriate number of recent scholarly sources (see FAQs for definition).

Author Responsibilities:

• Publication Ethics: Authors should review all statements in the Publication Ethics Guide (see button below). Submissions must be original works that are not being considered for publication nor published elsewhere. No multiple, redundant, or concurrent submissions are allowed. Studies must comply with the Informed Consent for Human and Animal Rights statement.
• Use of AI/AI Authorship: Studies must comply with the Policy on the Use of Generative AI and AI-assisted Technologies.
• Eligibility: Authors must be currently enrolled in a graduate-level program (Master's degree or higher) or have equivalent academic or professional experience.
• Verify all references before submission: Ensure that every source in your reference list is accurate, up to date, and verifiable (e.g., correct author names, title, publication details, and active DOIs/URLs) to maintain the integrity and credibility of your manuscript. We strongly recommend that you exercise caution if using AI tools for references, as this can result in errors or fabricated details. It is the author's responsibility to cross-check references/citations against the original source material prior to submission.Manuscripts found to have unverifiable references at any stage in the publication process will be withdrawn from consideration.

Adding Co-Authors

All co-authors must have a completed CGScholar profile. There are two ways to add a co-author:

At Article Submission: Provide your co-author's names.

After Article Submission: Provide your co-author's names and email addresses to the CGRN Journal Publishing Team via the Task/Query tab on your article Works page. Please ensure each co-author has a completed CGScholar profile before requesting addition.

How long does it take for Phase 1 (Submission) to be completed?

We aim to complete the initial review within 14 days. Delays most often occur when submission requirements are not followed closely.

How long does it usually take for a manuscript to be published?

In 2025, we averaged approximately 230 days from initial submission to publication.

Can my manuscript be expedited?

We are unable to expedite manuscripts. All are evaluated in order of receipt. Timing may vary depending on journal scope, reviewer availability, and editing requirements.

Are your journals indexed in Scopus?

Most of our journals are indexed in Scopus. Please refer to each journal’s web page for detailed indexing information.

Is there a submission or publication fee?

There is no fee to submit or be peer-reviewed. Payment may be required later at the Rights Agreement phase, depending on your chosen publication model and available CGScholar Points.

Can I submit more than one manuscript to the same journal?

Yes, but only one article by the same author can be published per journal per year. Additional accepted papers may appear in future issues.

Can I submit my manuscript to multiple journals?

No. Duplicate submissions are not allowed. If your work is a better fit elsewhere within the CGRN family, the editorial team may transfer it.

If my conference proposal was accepted, will it be automatically published?

No. Conference acceptance does not guarantee journal publication. Manuscripts must be submitted separately and reviewed under journal criteria.

Why was my manuscript withdrawn or rejected?

It may not meet current editorial needs or journal requirements. All final decisions rest with the Editorial Team.

Who receives correspondence about my submission?

Only the Corresponding Author listed at submission receives communication and access to the manuscript record. This cannot be changed after submission.