Author Guidelines
1. Scope and Relevance
IJBS publishes peer‑reviewed contributions focused on, for, and in relation to BRICS countries. Submissions from authors worldwide are welcome, provided that manuscripts demonstrate clear relevance to BRICS statistical systems.
Relevance to BRICS constitutes an explicit criterion at the editorial pre‑screening (desk review) stage. Manuscripts that do not clearly establish their contribution to BRICS contexts may be returned without external review.
2. Manuscript Categories and Length
IJBS encourages clear, focused, and concise manuscripts that communicate their main arguments, methods, and findings efficiently. Authors should select the manuscript category that best fits the nature of their contribution.
Indicative word limits by manuscript category are outlined below. These limits are intended to guide authors and reviewers and to support an efficient editorial and peer‑review process.
Research Articles / Technical Papers
(up to 8,000–10,000 words)
Full‑length manuscripts presenting original research, methodological developments, applied analyses, or in‑depth technical contributions relevant to BRICS statistical systems. These articles should clearly articulate their contribution, methodology, results, and implications for official statistics.
Short / Technical Notes
(3,000–5,000 words)
Concise contributions focusing on specific methods, tools, data sources, pilot studies, innovations, or practical experiences. Short Notes should emphasize clarity, direct applicability, and focused discussion.
Reviews, Reports, and Perspectives
(1,500–3,000 words)
Includes reviews of books or data products, reports from statistical events or initiatives, and reflective or perspective pieces on emerging trends in official statistics relevant to BRICS contexts.
Word limits are indicative; well‑justified exceptions may be considered, particularly for applied or methodological contributions that require additional space to adequately describe data sources, institutional contexts, or technical procedures. Authors are encouraged to justify substantial deviations from the indicative limits at the time of submission.
3. Language Policy
English is the official and mandatory language for submission and publication. The English version of each article constitutes the authoritative reference text.
While IJBS values multilingual dissemination and accessibility, translations into other languages are not required and are not systematically provided. Additional language versions or abstracts may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis when feasible.
4. Manuscript Preparation
Manuscripts should be prepared in a clear and structured manner and should normally include:
- Title and abstract;
- Keywords;
- Introduction and background;
- Data, methods, and materials;
- Results and analysis;
- Discussion and implications for official statistics;
- Conclusions and limitations;
- References.
Authors should ensure that manuscripts are anonymized for double‑blind peer review.
5. Data, Code, and Open Science
IJBS encourages authors to share data, code, and methodological documentation whenever legally and ethically feasible. Manuscripts should include a Data and Code Availability Statement describing where and how materials can be accessed, or explaining restrictions due to confidentiality, legal frameworks, or NSO regulations.
6. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Authors must disclose the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or large language models at any stage of research, analysis, or manuscript preparation. AI tools may assist with data processing, analysis, or language refinement, but they do not replace human intellectual contribution, authorship responsibility, or critical interpretation.
7. Peer Review Process
All submissions undergo an initial editorial pre‑screening to assess scope, relevance to BRICS, clarity, and methodological adequacy. Manuscripts that pass pre‑screening are subject to double‑blind peer review by at least two independent referees.
Editorial decisions are based on reviewers’ recommendations, editorial standards, and alignment with the Journal’s scope and objectives.
8. Ethics and Integrity
IJBS adheres to internationally recognized standards of publication ethics, including the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Authors are expected to comply with ethical standards related to authorship, originality, data integrity, and appropriate citation of sources.
9. Submission Process
Manuscripts must be submitted through the IJBS Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform.
Authors are required to:
- Register on the OJS platform;
- Upload the anonymized manuscript;
- Provide metadata (title, abstract, keywords);
- Confirm compliance with ethical and editorial policies.
10. Final Remarks
These Author Guidelines aim to support authors in preparing high‑quality submissions and to ensure an efficient and transparent editorial process. Authors are encouraged to consult the Editorial Policy and Call for Papers for additional context regarding the Journal’s scope and governance.
