Publication guidelines for the Journal of Architecture and Planning (JAP)

The Journal of Architecture and Planning aims to provide researchers with an opportunity to publish their scholarly work. It publishes the following types of articles:

1. Full Research Article: This article presents the author's work in their field of specialization and must contribute to the existing body of knowledge.
2. Review Article: This article offers a critical review of previously published work in a specific research area.
3. Book Review: This article provides a critical review and summary of a book.
4. Short Paper: This short research paper presents findings or applies a methodology.

First: Submission Procedure

• The original research paper should be submitted in its final format, including tables and figures in their respective places within the text. It should be formatted on numbered pages using MS Word and submitted digitally along with the research submission form via the journal's online system. Any submission that does not adhere to these instructions will not be accepted.

• The research information should be written in both Arabic and English and should include: the title of the research, the name(s) of the researcher(s), a brief introduction, and their contact information. 

• The full research paper or review article should be between 5,000 and 8,000 words, equivalent to 25 A4 pages, including the Arabic and English abstracts, tables, figures, images, and references. A short article should be between 2,000 and 4,000 words.

• The total number of tables and figures in the research paper should not exceed six.

• The abstract should not exceed 200 words and should include the following elements: the research topic, objectives, methodology, key findings, and main recommendations. It should be written accurately and in a single column with a width of 13 cm.

• Each abstract (in Arabic and English) should be followed by a list of keywords that accurately reflect the research topic and the main issues addressed, not exceeding ten keywords.

• The total number of keywords should not exceed ten. • Page margins should be 2.5 cm at the top, bottom, right, and left, with single line spacing.

• Use Simplified Arabic font for the Arabic text: size 16 for the body text, bold for headings, size 12 for footnotes and abstracts, size 10 for tables and figures, and size 12 in bold for headers and annotations.

• Use Times New Roman font for the English text: size 12 for the body text, bold for headings, size 9 for footnotes and abstracts, size 8 for tables and figures, and bold for headers and annotations. Tables and illustrations must fit the magazine's page size (16 x 23 cm including margins, in two columns, each 7.65 cm wide). Each table must have a title, and each figure and image must have a caption. The source of any quoted material must be cited. Original images and figures must be submitted at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi for black and white images and figures, and 600 dpi for color images and figures, as separate image files (JPG, TIFF, etc.). All information must be clear and legible, and properly placed within the text.

• Please ensure that all information is clear and legible. 

• Abbreviations: Scientific journal titles should be abbreviated as listed in: The World List of Scientific Periodicals. Internationally standardized abbreviations such as cm, mm, m, km, mL, mg, kg should be used.

• References: References within the text should be cited using the APA style (name and date). All references should be listed in the bibliography at the end of the article, arranged alphabetically and following the following bibliographic format:

1. Journals in the text should be cited using the name and date in parentheses at line level. In the bibliography, the reference should begin with the author's last name (family name), followed by their first name, then other names or their abbreviations in bold. The full title of the article should be in brackets ("), followed by the abbreviated name of the journal in italics, then the volume number, then the issue number in parentheses, and finally the year of publication in parentheses.

2. Books in the text should be cited in parentheses with the title and date. In the bibliography, the author's last name (family name) is written, followed by their first name, and then any other names or abbreviations in black font. The book title is then written in italics, followed by the edition. The place of publication is then listed, followed by the publisher, and finally the year of publication.

3. The Arabic bibliography should be translated into English and added to the research after the Arabic bibliography and before the English bibliography (titled "Arabic References").

• Footnotes: These are used to provide the reader with explanatory information and are indicated in the text with superscript numbers. Comments are numbered sequentially within the text. If necessary, a reference can be cited within a footnote by using parentheses for the name and date, following the same format as in the text. Footnotes should be placed below the page on which they appear and separated from the two columns of the main text. Footnotes should be on a single line or in a single column, not two columns.

• Proofs: No changes, whether modifications, deletions, or additions, will be accepted in the research during the proofs review stage. • Ensure the research is free of linguistic, grammatical, and spelling errors before submitting it for review.

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• Submit the research along with a declaration from the researcher(s) stating that the research has not been previously published, is not currently under consideration for publication, and will not be submitted for publication elsewhere.

• If the research is accepted for publication, the researcher will receive a notification of acceptance. If the research is rejected, the researcher will receive a letter of apology.

• Research papers that do not adhere to the journal's standards and guidelines will be returned to the researcher by the editor-in-chief for revision before proceeding to the initial review stage.

• If the research is accepted for publication, all publishing rights belong to the journal. It may not be published in any other print or electronic publication without the written permission of the editor-in-chief.

• The opinions expressed in the published research papers reflect the views of the researchers only and do not necessarily represent the views of the journal.  In the event of (publishing the research), the researcher is given (two free copies) of the volume in which his research was published.

 Second: Integrity Policy, Publication Ethics, and Anti-Plagiarism

The author(s) pledge that the submitted research is original and unpublished, not submitted for publication in any other journal, and will not be submitted for publication elsewhere. They are responsible for the integrity of the submitted manuscript in accordance with the regulations governing research ethics at King Saud University, and for ensuring it is free from plagiarism before submission. The researcher must also indicate the absence of any conflict of interest when submitting the manuscript. The editorial board will review the research for integrity and plagiarism (similarity check). If plagiarism is detected before publication, an immediate rejection notice will be sent to the authors. If plagiarism is detected after publication, the research paper will be withdrawn.

Third: Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Submitted Research

If the author uses artificial intelligence tools, they must adhere to strict scientific transparency and not compromise the originality or credibility of the research and its results, in accordance with the following guidelines:

• The researcher may use the tool to improve linguistic expression and proofreading.

• Assistance in summarizing texts and organizing ideas.

• Programming or technical analysis without data generation or drawing conclusions.

The use of artificial intelligence tools is not permitted in the following cases:

• Generating or analyzing research data on behalf of the researcher.

• Formulating research results or making research decisions without scientific verification.

In all cases, the author must disclose the use of artificial intelligence tools in accordance with the Guidelines for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education for Students and Faculty Members at King Saud University, version (1.0), issued on March 11, 2025, in the Research Methodology section or as a separate heading within the research methodology. This disclosure must specify the name of the tool, its version number, the nature of its use, and guarantee that the tool will not affect the results. The journal reserves the right to reject research if the use of artificial intelligence is not disclosed and to take the necessary measures in the event of proven misuse of the tools, in accordance with the Research Ethics Regulations at King Saud University.

Example (1) of Formulating a Disclosure Using Artificial Intelligence:

"The researcher acknowledges the limited and supportive use of generative AI tools (............) in linguistic and editorial aspects, adhering to academic integrity guidelines and in accordance with the King Saud University Guidelines for the Use of Generative AI in Education for Students and Faculty Members, Version No. (1.0), issued on March 11, 2025, and without any impact on the research data, results, or conclusions."

Example (2) of Formulating a Disclosure Using Artificial Intelligence:

"A generative AI tool (............) was used to support the technical aspects of the research, specifically in proposing initial programming formulas, which the researcher then implemented and scientifically validated. The tool was not used to generate data or make analytical decisions that would affect the study's results, in accordance with the King Saud University Guidelines for the Use of Generative AI in Education for Students and Faculty Members, Version No. (1.0), issued on March 11, 2025. All interpretations and conclusions remain the responsibility of the researcher." Fourth: Funding Disclosure Policy

The journal adheres to standards of transparency and scientific integrity and requires all researchers to fully and accurately disclose the funding sources related to their submitted research, in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Researchers must disclose all funding sources that supported their research, whether governmental institutions, universities, research centers, or research grants.

• Funding information should be indicated at the end of the research paper, before the references, and should include the name of the funding entity, the project number, and the nature of the support.

• Funding disclosure must be consistent with the conflict of interest statement.

Example (1) for drafting a funding disclosure:

"This research was funded by [Name of Funding Entity], under project number (XXXX). The funding entity had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation of results, or the decision to publish." 

Example (2) of Drafting Funding Disclosure:

"This research received partial support from [Name of Entity] in the form of [Data/Tools/Technical Consultations]. This support did not affect the study's results or interpretation."

Fifth: Acknowledgments Policy

The journal is committed to promoting transparency and academic integrity. Researchers are permitted to acknowledge individuals or entities that contributed to supporting the research, even if their contribution did not constitute scholarly authorship, according to the following guidelines:

• Acknowledgments should be given by the researcher to those who contributed technical or consultative support, administrative or logistical assistance, or facilitated access to data, whether they are individuals or institutions.

• The acknowledgment should be objective, concise (not exceeding 40 words), free of emotional expressions, and without any promotional connotations.

• The acknowledgment should be placed at the end of the research paper, before the references, and should include the name of the entity or individuals. 

Example (1) of an acknowledgment:

"The researcher thanks [Name of Institution] for facilitating access to the data/site/tools necessary for conducting this research."

Example (2) of an acknowledgment:

"The researcher thanks [Name/Institution] for the technical support and scientific consultations they provided, which contributed to improving the quality of the research."

For questions and inquiries:

Journal of Architecture and Planning, King Saud University, College of Architecture and Planning

P.O. Box 57448 Riyadh 11574

Tel/Fax: +966 11 469 6844

Email: jap@ksu.edu.sa