Author Guidelines

• Submissions must be in English.
• There is no article processing charge (APC) or publication fee.
• Use the structure provided to prepare your manuscript.
• Length of the article should be 3,000 to 6,000 words, excluding the Reference List.
• An abstract of 200-250 words should be provided with the article.
• Include 3-5 keywords that best describe the article in order to facilitate access by search engines.
• Paper size is A5 and margins are 2 cm (0.75”) for top, bottom and right, and 3cm for left.
• A Title Page including the following should be submitted:
• A concise and informative title
• The name(s) of the author(s) with affiliations and addresses of each author
• Papers with multiple authors should name a corresponding author with contact information such as e-mail address, mail address, telephone/fax numbers
• The corresponding author must make sure that all names of the co-authors given are in order.
• Formatting Requirements:

Text: 

• For the body of the document, use Times New Roman font, 12-point type size, double-spaced.
• The whole document should be fully justified (not only left-justified).
• No headers and footers are allowed.
• The text should be divided under headings/sub-headings.
• For the title, 16-point, upper – and lower – case bold
• For Headings, 14-point, upper- and lower-case, bold.
• For Subheadings, 12-point upper- and lower-case, italic.
• Use single quotation marks, except where ‘a quotation is “within” a quotation’.
• Please note that long quotations should be indented without quotation marks.

Tables, Graphs and Figures:

• Minimum 10-point type size, all captions should be upper- and lower-case, bold, and centered.
• Tables/Graphs/Figures must be placed in the correct location within the article.

Illustrations and Photographs

• Halftones, minimum of 9-point type size.
• Captions should be in upper- and lower-case, bold, and centered.
• Images must be computer-designed and submitted as embedded images in your document.

References

• Please use the APA Style (7^th Edition)

i.e. Within the body of the text (Surname, Year).

List of References (Eg.)

Format for Books:

Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Place of publication: Publisher.

Format for Journal Papers, Print version:

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, Volume number (Issue number), page range.

 Format for Journal Papers, Online version:

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, Volume number (Issue number), page range. http://dx.doi.org/xx.xxxxxxxxxx or Retrieved from http://xxxxxx

• Authors are responsible for the accuracy of all references.
• Where available, URLs and DOIs for the references should be provided.

• Suggested Structure of the Article:

Abstract

A maximum of 250 words clearly outlining the contribution of your paper.

Key Words

Maximum of 5 key words.

Introduction

Clearly explain the nature and scope of the study, purpose, and contribution of the national/international development.

Use headings and subheadings as needed.

Literature review

Provide a well organized review of literature with relevant theoretical and practical backgrounds

Materials and Methods/Research Methodology

Clearly state materials and methodologies applied in the research.

Data Analysis and Findings

Analysis of data with specific and major findings.

Discussion

Critical and interpretive discussion of the findings.

Conclusion

Clearly indicate the conclusions and implications.

References

References should be cited according to guidelines of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA style) (6^th edition).

• Ensuring a Blind Review:

• All articles submitted to OUSL Journal will undergo a double-blind peer reviewing procedure by experts in the area(s) represented by an article, selected by the Editorial Board.
• Authors are therefore requested to submit a blinded manuscript without any author names and affiliations in the text, references, or on the title page.
• Please make sure to delete your name and those of co-authors from the text and from the reference list, and replace them with “Author”.
• The decision of the Editorial Board on the publication is final.

• Other Requirements:
• Save your file in .doc, .docx, or .rtf format.
• Documents in PDF format will not be accepted
• Completed articles must be emailed to:

punchi@sse.cmb.ac.lk

Dr Lakshman Wedikkarage

Department of Social Science Education

Faculty of Education.

University of Colombo