Author Guidelines

AUTHOR GUIDELINES

Al-Mumtaz: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam publishes original research articles that contribute to the development of knowledge, theory, policy, and practice in Islamic education and Islamic educational management. The journal welcomes rigorous empirical research on educational leadership, institutional governance, curriculum development, teaching and learning, teacher professional development, educational innovation, quality assurance, educational policy, and other topics relevant to Islamic educational institutions.

Submitted manuscripts must demonstrate a clearly defined research problem, a sound theoretical foundation, an appropriate methodology, transparent reporting of findings, and a meaningful scholarly contribution. Manuscripts must be original, must not have been published previously in a manner constituting prior publication, and must not be under consideration by another journal. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their submissions comply with the journal's scope, author guidelines, and publication ethics.

1. SCOPE AND ARTICLE TYPES

The journal primarily publishes original research articles in Islamic education and Islamic educational management. Eligible studies may employ qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, experimental, action research, research and development (R&D), or other appropriate research approaches. All submissions must be relevant to the journal's scope and supported by systematic data collection, appropriate analysis, and a clear explanation of their scholarly significance.

Authors should demonstrate how their findings advance existing knowledge rather than merely describe educational activities. The manuscript should explain its contribution to theory, educational policy, institutional management, or professional practice. Submissions outside the journal's scope or lacking sufficient methodological rigor may be declined during the initial editorial assessment.

2. ORIGINALITY AND PUBLICATION ETHICS

Authors must submit original work and appropriately acknowledge all sources, ideas, data, and materials obtained from other researchers. Plagiarism, inappropriate text recycling, duplicate publication, simultaneous submission, data fabrication, data falsification, citation manipulation, and other forms of research misconduct are unacceptable.

A manuscript must not be submitted to another journal while it is under consideration by Al-Mumtaz: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam. If the manuscript is derived from a thesis, dissertation, conference paper, research report, or other publicly available material, authors must disclose the relevant information and explain any substantial overlap.

All listed authors must have made substantial scholarly contributions to the research or manuscript, participated in drafting or critically revising the work, approved the final version, and accepted accountability for its integrity. All authors must agree to the submission and to the order in which their names appear. Individuals who do not meet the applicable authorship criteria should be acknowledged appropriately.

Research involving human participants, including students, teachers, school administrators, and other identifiable individuals, must comply with applicable ethical standards and institutional requirements. Where required, authors must obtain approval from an appropriate ethics committee or institutional review board and secure informed consent from participants or their authorized representatives. Manuscripts should explain how confidentiality, privacy, anonymity, and participant welfare were protected.

Authors must disclose relevant funding sources, conflicts of interest, and other information that could affect the interpretation of their findings. Any use of generative artificial intelligence or automated tools must be disclosed when required by the journal's applicable policy. Such tools must not be listed as authors. Authors remain responsible for the accuracy, originality, references, analysis, and integrity of the submitted manuscript.

3. ONLINE SUBMISSION PROCEDURE

All manuscripts must be submitted through the journal's official Open Journal Systems (OJS) 3 website. Authors should follow the steps below to complete the submission process.

Step 1. Registration. Visit the journal website and select "Register." Complete the registration form using accurate information and select the "Author" role. Authors who already have an account may log in using their registered username and password.

Step 2. New Submission. After logging in, select "New Submission." The standard OJS submission workflow consists of five stages: (1) Start, (2) Upload Submission, (3) Enter Metadata, (4) Upload Supplementary Files, and (5) Confirmation. The exact labels may vary according to the journal's OJS configuration.

Step 3. Start. Select the appropriate journal section, such as "Article," as configured in the submission system. Read the submission checklist and copyright notice carefully. Confirm that the manuscript satisfies the applicable requirements and complete the required declarations before proceeding.

Step 4. Upload Submission. Upload the manuscript in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or Rich Text Format (.rtf), as supported by the journal's submission system. Ensure that the file is complete, readable, and formatted according to the official manuscript template. If the journal requires anonymized peer review, remove identifying information from the review manuscript as instructed.

Step 5. Enter Metadata. Enter the complete manuscript title, abstract, keywords, and reference information in the appropriate fields. Add every author using the "Add Author" function. Provide each author's full name, institutional affiliation, country, and email address, together with any additional information requested by the system. The metadata must match the manuscript. Identify the corresponding author and ensure that all authors appear in the correct order.

Step 6. Upload Supplementary Files. Upload any required or relevant supporting documents, including ethics approval documentation, research instruments, supplementary tables, datasets, reporting checklists, permissions for reproduced materials, or other materials requested by the editorial team. Confidential participant information must not be uploaded unless its inclusion is necessary, ethically authorized, and appropriately protected.

Step 7. Confirmation. Review the manuscript details, metadata, and uploaded files. When all information is accurate and complete, select "Finish Submission" or the equivalent confirmation command displayed by OJS. Authors should receive an automated submission acknowledgment at their registered email address. If no acknowledgment is received, check the submission dashboard and spam folder before contacting the editorial office.

For technical assistance with the online submission system, please contact the editorial office at mumtaz@iainsorong.ac.id.

4. MANUSCRIPT FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS

Manuscripts must be prepared using Microsoft Word or a compatible word-processing application and must follow the official journal template. Unless the template specifies otherwise, authors should observe the following requirements:

  • Paper size: A4 (210 × 297 mm).
  • Font: Georgia, 10 pt, for the manuscript body.
  • Line spacing: single spacing (1.0).
  • Margins: 2.5 cm on all sides.
  • Page numbers: positioned in the bottom-right corner.
  • File format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or RTF, as supported by OJS.
  • Organization: follow the heading hierarchy, tables, figures, citations, and reference formatting specified in the official template.

Authors should use the official manuscript template to ensure consistency and facilitate editorial assessment. Where a specific formatting requirement differs between these guidelines and the template, authors should follow the latest instructions published by the journal or seek clarification from the editorial office.

Official Journal Template: Download the Manuscript Template.

5. MANUSCRIPT STRUCTURE

Research articles should follow a logical and coherent structure. The following sections describe the expected content of each part of the manuscript.

5.1. Title

The title must be concise, informative, specific, and relevant to the research problem and principal findings. It must contain no more than 15 words. Avoid unnecessary abbreviations, vague expressions, overly broad claims, and wording that does not accurately represent the study. The title should help readers identify the main topic and context of the research.

5.2. Abstract

The abstract must provide a self-contained summary of the study, including the research problem or background, objective, methodology, principal findings, and main conclusion or contribution. Emphasize the most important results and their significance. Avoid unsupported claims, unnecessary abbreviations, and citations unless explicitly permitted by the journal. Authors must follow the abstract length and language requirements specified in the official template.

5.3. Keywords

Provide three to five keywords representing the central concepts, research variables, population, or context of the study. Keywords should complement the title and use recognized scholarly terminology wherever appropriate. Carefully selected keywords improve the discoverability of the article in academic databases and search engines.

5.4. Introduction

The introduction should establish the research context, explain the significance of the problem, and provide a critical overview of relevant and up-to-date literature. Authors must identify the research gap, explain how the study addresses that gap, and clarify the originality and contribution of the research in relation to existing scholarship. The introduction should conclude with clearly stated research objectives or questions and, where appropriate, hypotheses or propositions.

A strong introduction demonstrates the state of the art in the field rather than merely listing previous studies. Authors should discuss relevant theoretical perspectives, areas of agreement and disagreement, unresolved questions, and the reasons the research is necessary. Claims regarding novelty must be supported by an adequate review of relevant literature.

5.5. Method

The method section must provide sufficient detail for readers to evaluate the validity, reliability, credibility, and reproducibility of the research. Authors should identify the research design, setting, participants or population, sampling strategy, data sources, instruments, data collection procedures, and analytical techniques, as appropriate to the chosen approach.

Qualitative studies should describe participant selection, data collection, coding or interpretive procedures, and strategies for establishing trustworthiness. Quantitative studies should explain variables, measurement instruments, sample size, sampling procedures, statistical tests, and relevant assumptions. Mixed-methods studies should describe how the qualitative and quantitative components are integrated. Research and development studies should explain the development process, validation procedures, and evaluation of the resulting product or model.

Authors should identify relevant analytical software and explain ethical approval or informed consent procedures where applicable. Methodological choices must be justified by the research objectives, and the procedures must be described transparently enough to permit critical assessment.

5.6. Results

The results section should present findings clearly, accurately, and systematically in relation to the research questions or objectives. Tables, figures, charts, diagrams, and other appropriate visual presentations may be used to communicate evidence efficiently. Every table and figure must be numbered consecutively, given a descriptive title, referenced in the text, and accompanied by a source note where necessary.

Quantitative studies should report appropriate descriptive or inferential statistics, relevant estimates, and measures of uncertainty where applicable. Qualitative studies should support interpretations with appropriate evidence, such as participant quotations or documented observations, while protecting confidentiality. Authors must distinguish findings from interpretation and avoid unnecessary duplication between the text, tables, and figures.

5.7. Discussion

The discussion should interpret the principal findings in relation to the research objectives, theoretical framework, and relevant previous studies. Authors should explain whether their findings support, extend, challenge, or refine existing knowledge and discuss plausible explanations for similarities or differences in the results.

The discussion should identify the theoretical, methodological, institutional, or practical contributions of the research, particularly in Islamic education and educational management. Implications for educational leadership, institutional governance, policy, teaching and learning, and future research should be proportionate to the evidence. Authors should avoid simply repeating the results or making claims that exceed the study's findings.

5.8. Conclusion

The conclusion must directly address the research objectives or questions and summarize the most important findings and contributions. It should synthesize the relationship between the research problem, methodology, and results without introducing new data or unsupported claims. Authors should acknowledge important limitations and provide specific recommendations for educational practice or future research where appropriate.

5.9. References

All references must follow the American Psychological Association (APA), 7th edition. Every in-text citation must correspond to an entry in the reference list, and each reference-list entry must be cited in the manuscript. Bibliographic information must be accurate, complete, and verifiable. DOI links should be presented in URL format whenever available.

Authors should prioritize relevant, credible, peer-reviewed scholarly literature, particularly research published within the five years preceding submission where appropriate to the topic. Seminal works, authoritative books, and foundational methodological sources may be included when necessary to support the theoretical, historical, or methodological framework.

The journal's reference-composition guideline is to include at least 90% scholarly journal articles or recent research publications, with books constituting approximately 10% of the references where applicable. These proportions should be applied consistently with the availability and relevance of appropriate sources and any more specific requirements in the official template. Authors must never include irrelevant references solely to meet a numerical target.

Authors are encouraged to use reference management software such as Mendeley, Zotero, or EndNote to improve citation consistency and reduce formatting errors. Authors remain responsible for verifying all citations, author names, publication years, article titles, journal details, page numbers, and DOI information.

6. TABLES, FIGURES, AND SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS

Tables and figures must be relevant to the research objectives, clearly labeled, and adequately explained in the manuscript. Use consistent numbering, descriptive captions, readable text, and appropriate units of measurement. All numerical information must be consistent with the findings reported in the main text. Avoid decorative graphics and unnecessary duplication of information.

Authors must identify the source of reproduced or adapted materials and obtain permission from the relevant rights holder when required. Supplementary files must be clearly named and referenced in the manuscript. Research datasets, instruments, and supporting materials should be made available where ethically, legally, and institutionally permissible. Restrictions on access to data should be explained transparently.

7. PEER REVIEW AND EDITORIAL EVALUATION

Every submission undergoes an initial editorial assessment to determine its relevance to the journal's scope, originality, completeness, methodological adequacy, ethical compliance, and conformity with the author guidelines. Manuscripts that do not meet the journal's basic requirements may be returned for correction or declined before external review.

Manuscripts that pass the initial assessment may be evaluated by independent reviewers with relevant subject expertise in accordance with the journal's published peer-review policy. Reviewers assess the manuscript's scholarly contribution, theoretical grounding, methodological rigor, interpretation of findings, and clarity of presentation. Editorial decisions may include acceptance, minor revision, major revision, or rejection.

Authors receiving revision requests must submit a revised manuscript within the deadline specified by the editorial office, together with a point-by-point response explaining how each editorial and reviewer comment has been addressed. If a recommendation is not adopted, authors should provide a clear scholarly justification. Revised manuscripts may undergo further evaluation before a final decision is made.

Submission does not guarantee acceptance or publication. Final decisions depend on scholarly quality, relevance, ethical compliance, reviewer assessments, and the editorial evaluation. Authors should communicate with the editorial office rather than contact reviewers directly about the review process.

8. COPYRIGHT, LICENSING, AND AUTHOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Authors must read and comply with the journal's copyright, licensing, and publication policies before submitting a manuscript. By submitting an article, authors confirm that they have the authority to submit the work, that all listed authors have approved the submission, and that the necessary permissions for third-party content have been obtained.

The applicable copyright and licensing terms are those stated in the journal's official policies. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of their manuscript, the integrity of the underlying research, appropriate acknowledgment of sources, and compliance with applicable ethical and legal obligations. Any significant error identified after submission or publication should be reported promptly to the editorial office.

9. FINAL SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

Before completing an online submission, authors should confirm that all the following requirements have been met:

  • The manuscript falls within the scope of the journal and presents original research.
  • The manuscript has not been published previously in a manner constituting prior publication and is not under consideration by another journal.
  • The manuscript follows the official journal template and formatting requirements.
  • The title contains no more than 15 words, and the abstract and three to five keywords meet the journal's requirements.
  • All authors are listed accurately in the manuscript and OJS metadata, with the correct order and affiliations.
  • The research design, data collection, analytical procedures, findings, and conclusions are reported transparently.
  • Ethics approval, informed consent, and other applicable ethical requirements have been addressed where necessary.
  • All citations and references follow APA 7th edition, and DOI information is included where available.
  • Tables, figures, supplementary files, and third-party materials are properly labeled, cited, and authorized where required.
  • Funding information, conflicts of interest, author contributions, and applicable AI-use disclosures have been provided as required.
  • All required declarations have been completed and the submission has been confirmed in OJS.

10. EDITORIAL CONTACT

For questions concerning manuscript preparation, submission procedures, or editorial requirements, authors may contact the editorial office of Al-Mumtaz: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam.

Email: mumtaz@iainsorong.ac.id

Authors are encouraged to review the journal's official website and the latest published policies before submitting a manuscript to ensure that they are using the most current requirements.