Guide for Authors

All manuscripts must be submitted via the online journal submission system. Manuscripts submitted for publication must be prepared according to the guideline given below.  The guidelines are intended to assist authors in preparing their manuscripts. To prevent avoidable delays in the review and typesetting process, IJTACI encourages authors to read guidelines before submission. Authors can submit paper any format in the first version (Your Paper Your Way). If your paper is accepted, authors are supposed to format the paper in journal format along with copyright form. Template and copyright form is available from journal site.

Journal publishes review and research articles among others types. All papers must be written in English, with a clear and concise style. The language editors will check the language and grammar of any submitted manuscript, and will make editorial changes when deemed necessary using Grammarly premium as a free service. The journal will also check similarity using Turnitin plagiarism checking tool and will guide the authors wherever is required to improve the quality of work.

Guidelines on the Use of Generative AI in Scientific Writing

This policy pertains to the use of AI in the composition of scientific articles for publication in our journal. AI-assisted data analysis or research methodologies are not affected by this policy.

Only to enhance language and readability can one employ generative AI or AI-assisted technologies during manuscript preparation. In doing that, human oversight is essential, as AI-generated content may appear credible but could contain inaccuracies, omissions, or biases. Authors must carefully review and edit AI-assisted output, as they bear full responsibility for the final content.

Authors must disclose any use of AI or AI-assisted tools in their manuscript, and the published work will include a statement. This disclosure fosters trust among authors, readers, reviewers, and editors while ensuring adherence to the terms of use of the respective tools.

We must not list AI and AI-assisted technologies as authors or co-authors, nor should we cite them as such. Authorship entails responsibilities that only humans can fulfill, including verifying the accuracy and integrity of the work, approving the final version, and ensuring originality and compliance with ethical publishing standards. Authors should review the journal’s ethics before submission.

Restrictions on AI-Generated or AI-Altered Figures, Images, and Artwork

We prohibit the use of generative AI and AI-assisted tools for creating or modifying images, figures, or artwork in submitted manuscripts. This procedure includes but is not limited to adding, removing, enhancing, or obscuring elements within an image. Minor adjustments (e.g., brightness, contrast, or color balance) are permitted only if they do not distort or erase original data. Suspected image manipulation may be investigated using forensic tools.

An exception applies if AI-assisted imaging is integral to the research methodology (e.g., surrogate samples, biomedical imaging). In such cases, authors must provide a detailed, reproducible description in the methods section, specifying the AI tool’s name, version, manufacturer, and usage policies. Authors may also be required to submit unedited source images for editorial review.

It is not permissible to use generative AI for creating graphical abstracts. However, limited use in cover art may be allowed with prior approval from the journal editor and publisher, provided proper rights clearance and attribution are confirmed.

Editorial Process

All manuscripts submitted to IJTACI go through the following steps. The times given are targets. Actual times may vary with reviewer availability and how long authors take to revise.

  1. Submission
    Authors submit through the online OJS system. The corresponding author must provide an ORCID iD. The first version may be in any reasonable format ("Your Paper, Your Way").
  2. Technical check (target: within 7 days)
    The editorial office checks that the manuscript:
  • fits the journal's aims and scope;
  • is complete (declarations on funding, conflicts of interest, data availability, AI use, and ethics where applicable);
  • has a Turnitin similarity of less than 20%, excluding references.

Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements are returned to the authors or desk-rejected, with reasons.

  1. Editor assignment and initial assessment (target: within 7 days)
    The Editor-in-Chief assigns the manuscript to an Associate or Section Editor who has no conflict of interest with the authors. The handling editor may desk-reject a manuscript that is clearly not original enough, has serious flaws, or is outside the journal's scope.
  2. Peer review (target: 1–2 weeks)
    Every manuscript sent for review is evaluated by at least two independent reviewers under a single-blind process: reviewers know the authors' identities, but authors do not know the reviewers'. Reviewers:
  • must have no conflict of interest with the authors;
  • must have relevant expertise and recent publications in the field;
  • may not be from the same institution as any author.

Reviewers recommend: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject.

  1. Editorial decision (target: within 7 days of receiving the reviews)
    The handling editor considers the reviewers' reports and makes a decision, which the Editor-in-Chief confirms. Reviewers' recommendations are advisory. If an editor disagrees with them, the reasons are explained to the authors. If reviewers disagree strongly with each other, a third reviewer may be invited.
  2. Revision
  • Minor revision: authors have 1 weeks. The editor usually checks the revision without sending it back to reviewers.
  • Major revision: authors have 2 weeks. The revised manuscript, together with a point-by-point response letter, is usually sent back to the original reviewers, who have 1 weeks to re-review it.
  • A manuscript may go through at most two rounds of revisions.
  1. Acceptance and production (target: 1–2 weeks)
    Accepted manuscripts are formatted to the journal template, checked for language, and sent to the authors as proofs. Authors return corrections within 3 days. Each article is assigned a DOI through Crossref and published online straight away (continuous publication). The received, revised, accepted, and published dates are printed on each article.
  2. After publication
    Corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions are handled following COPE guidelines (see Publication Ethics).

9. Review Timeline

  • Initial editorial screening: 5–7 days
  • Peer review: 2–4 weeks
  • Revision by authors: 2–3 weeks
  • Final decision: 1 week

10. Appeal Procedure

Authors may appeal a decision within 30 days by emailing editor@ijtaci.com with a detailed justification. A senior editor who was not involved in the original decision handles the appeal and normally responds within 4 weeks. Decisions made on appeal are final.

11. Confidentiality

All manuscripts and review reports are treated as confidential documents. Reviewers must not share, disclose, or use any information from the manuscript for personal or professional advantage.

12. Ethical Standards

The journal adheres to the principles and guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Reviewers and editors are required to:

  • Declare any conflicts of interest
  • Conduct reviews objectively and constructively
  • Report suspected ethical misconduct, including plagiarism or data fabrication

13. Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions are made solely on academic merit and are not influenced by:

  • Authors’ institutional affiliation
  • Nationality
  • Gender
  • Funding sources

Desk Rejection Policy

All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial screening prior to peer review. During this stage, the Editor-in-Chief or assigned editor evaluates the submission to determine its suitability for the journal.

A manuscript may be desk rejected without external peer review if it meets one or more of the following criteria:

  • The manuscript is outside the aims and scope of the journal.
  • The work lacks sufficient originality, novelty, or scholarly contribution.
  • The manuscript does not meet minimum quality standards in terms of structure, clarity, similarity above 20% or academic writing.
  • The research methodology is inadequate, unclear, or not scientifically sound.
  • The submission fails to comply with the journal’s author guidelines or formatting requirements.
  • There is evidence of ethical concerns, including plagiarism, redundant publication, or inappropriate authorship practices.
  • The manuscript is deemed not ready for peer review in its current form.

Desk rejection decisions are made to ensure efficient editorial processing, maintain high academic standards, and respect the time of reviewers. Authors will be notified of the editorial decision promptly.

A desk rejection does not imply a judgment on the importance of the research topic, and authors are encouraged to consider revising the manuscript or submitting it to a more suitable journal.

Templates

Authors are required to submit manuscripts in an editable format, preferably using a single-column layout. Following final acceptance, the journal’s publishing team will format the manuscript according to the journal’s publication style and provide the authors with a proof for review and approval before publication.

A manuscript template is also available on the journal’s homepage for authors who wish to use the journal’s preferred formatting from the outset.

Support Team 

IJTACI team is available 24/7 to respond the author queries, please submit your query at support@ijtaci.com & editor@ijtaci.com