Types of Manuscripts

1. Original Research Articles

Empirical studies presenting novel findings in biology education. Word count: 4,500 – 8,000 words (excluding abstract, tables, and references). Methodological approaches include:

  • Quantitative: Submissions require rigorous statistical analyses. The validity and reliability of all research instruments should be explicitly reported, alongside evidence of prerequisite assumption testing (e.g., normality, homogeneity) prior to hypothesis testing.
  • Qualitative: Accepted studies provide in-depth thematic or structural interpretation, a transparent analytical framework, and explicit presentation of empirical evidence (e.g., raw transcript excerpts, field notes) critically discussed within the context of biology learning.
  • Mixed Methods: The specific integration design (e.g., explanatory, exploratory, or embedded) needs to be explicitly detailed. The study should present distinct, robust analyses for both quantitative and qualitative strands, articulating how their integration yields a deeper pedagogical understanding than either approach separately.
  • Research and Development (R&D): Submissions are expected to progress significantly beyond initial prototype development and expert validation. The journal prioritizes R&D articles that include empirical data from actual field implementations, practical trials, or classroom testing, convincingly demonstrating the product's effectiveness or/and impact on biology education.

2.     Review Articles

Comprehensive syntheses and evaluations of existing literature. Word count: 5,000 – 8,000 words (excluding abstract, tables, and references). Acceptable types include:

  • Systematic Literature Review (SLR): Standardized and reproducible frameworks (e.g., PRISMA) are required. Submissions should detail the search protocols and inclusion/exclusion criteria, while the discussion is expected to synthesize novel pedagogical implications rather than merely summarizing previously published works.
  • Meta-Analysis: Manuscripts should provide statistical syntheses of effect sizes regarding specific biology educational interventions. Rigorous assessments of data heterogeneity and publication bias are required.
  • Meta-Synthesis: Submissions are expected to interpretively integrate findings from multiple qualitative studies to construct novel, overarching pedagogical theories or themes regarding biology education phenomena.
  • Bibliometric Analysis: Studies should move beyond simple frequency counts of publications. Robust visualization tools are expected to be utilized to critically interpret network clusters, identifying underlying research gaps, methodological shifts, and clear future trajectories in biology education research.

3. Technical Notes

Short articles describing a specific development, modification, or application of a novel technique, technology, or equipment. In biology education, this includes laboratory apparatus modifications, instructional software, or innovative practical protocols. Word count: 1,500 – 2,500 words (excluding abstract, tables, and references).

4. Research Notes

Brief reports of preliminary findings, small-scale empirical studies, or early observations that offer significant value to the field but do not warrant a full-length original research article. In biology education, this includes pilot studies of new teaching models, initial data from ongoing longitudinal research, or concise classroom observations. Word count: 2,000 – 3,000 words (excluding abstract, tables, and references).