Author Guidelines

The Journal of Robotic Systems and Design (JRSD) publishes high-quality research on robotics, with a focus on the design, development, and application of robotic systems. Authors submitting manuscripts to JRSD must adhere to the following guidelines to ensure the timely and efficient processing of their submissions.

Manuscript Submission

All manuscripts must be submitted through the journal’s online submission system. To begin the submission process, authors must create an account and upload their manuscript, figures, tables, and supplementary materials. Manuscripts should be prepared according to the specifications outlined below to facilitate the peer review and publication process.

Manuscript Formatting

Manuscripts should be prepared in Microsoft Word or LaTeX format. The general formatting requirements are as follows:

• Font: Use Times New Roman, 12-point font for the body text, and 10-point font for figure captions, footnotes, and references.
• Margins: Set all margins to 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides.
• Line Spacing: Use 1.5-line spacing for the entire document.
• Page Numbers: Page numbers must be included in the footer, starting from the first page.
• Headings: Use boldface for all headings. The main sections should be numbered (e.g., 1. Introduction, 2. Methodology).
• References: References must be formatted according to IEEE citation style (see Section 6 for detailed reference guidelines).
• Tables and Figures: Tables and figures should be embedded in the manuscript, with proper captions and labels. Ensure that all tables and figures are clearly readable when printed in black and white.

Structure of the Manuscript

Manuscripts should be organized as follows:

1. Title: The title should be concise, informative, and accurately reflect the content of the manuscript. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms in the title.
2. Abstract: Provide a brief, self-contained abstract of no more than 250 words. The abstract should summarize the problem, methodology, results, and key conclusions of the research. Avoid references to figures, tables, and equations in the abstract.
3. Keywords: Include 3 to 5 relevant keywords that describe the focus of the paper. These will assist in indexing and searching for the article.
4. Introduction: The introduction should provide the background of the problem, the motivation for the research, and the objectives of the study. Briefly review existing work in the field, and clearly state the novel contributions of the manuscript.
5. Methodology: This section should describe the methods, materials, and procedures used in the study. Include sufficient detail so that others can replicate your work. For experimental research, include information on equipment, software, and experimental setups.
6. Results: Present the results of the research clearly and concisely. Use tables, figures, and graphs to support the presentation of results. Provide appropriate statistical analyses where necessary.
7. Discussion: Analyze and interpret the results in the context of the problem and the existing literature. Highlight the significance of your findings and any limitations of the study. Discuss potential applications, implications, and directions for future research.
8. Conclusion: Summarize the key findings and their potential impact on the field of robotics. Reiterate the significance of the research and propose future avenues for investigation.
9. Acknowledgments: Acknowledge any individuals, organizations, or funding bodies that contributed to the research but are not listed as authors.
10. References: List all references in IEEE format, ensuring that each citation is accurate and complete. The references section should appear at the end of the manuscript.

A Microsoft Word template for manuscript preparation can be accessed here:

[Download Template]

Manuscript Length

Manuscripts should typically be between 6,000 and 8,000 words in length, including figures, tables, and references. Shorter manuscripts (e.g., technical notes or brief reports) may be submitted with a length of up to 3,000 words. Authors should aim to present their findings concisely while ensuring clarity and thoroughness in describing their methodology and results.

Figures and Tables

• Figures: Figures should be high quality and legible in black and white. Ensure that all graphical elements (e.g., lines, symbols, and text) are clear and distinct. All figures must be accompanied by a descriptive caption. Figures should be placed close to their first mention in the text.
• Tables: Tables should be used to present detailed data that is too complex for simple textual description. Each table must have a title and should be numbered sequentially (e.g., Table 1, Table 2). Tables should be inserted into the document and placed immediately after the text reference.
• Captions: All figures and tables should have clear and descriptive captions. These should be placed below figures and above tables.
• Color Figures: Color figures are accepted, but it is important to note that they will be published in color online and in black and white in the print edition. Authors should ensure that the content of the figures is still interpretable in grayscale.

References

The references section must include only those sources cited in the manuscript. All references must be formatted according to IEEE citation style. Key points for proper formatting are:

• In-text citations: References should be cited in the text using square brackets, e.g., [1], [2]-[4].
• Reference list: At the end of the manuscript, the full list of references should be formatted according to IEEE style. For example:
  • Journal article:
    [1] A. Author and B. Author, "Title of the article," Journal Name, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 123-134, 2023.
  • Book:
    [2] C. Author, Title of the Book, 3rd ed. City, Country: Publisher, 2020.
• URLs and DOIs: Authors are encouraged to include DOI (Digital Object Identifier) links for journal articles and relevant sources, particularly when available. URLs should be cited for online references, but avoid citing general websites without a specific reference.

Ethical Considerations

• Authorship: All authors listed on the manuscript must have made significant contributions to the research and writing process. The corresponding author must ensure that all authors have reviewed and approved the final manuscript.
• Plagiarism: The journal uses plagiarism detection software to ensure the originality of the submitted work. Authors must ensure that their work is free from plagiarism and that all sources are properly cited.
• Data Availability: Authors should provide access to the data, code, and supplementary materials used in the research wherever possible. This enhances the reproducibility and transparency of the research.
• Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could be seen as influencing the research process. This includes financial interests, personal relationships, or professional affiliations.
• Human and Animal Rights: Research involving human or animal subjects must comply with ethical standards. Authors must ensure that all studies have been approved by the appropriate ethics committee and that informed consent has been obtained where applicable.

Peer Review and Decision Process

All submitted manuscripts will undergo a rigorous peer review process. The journal uses a double-blind review process, where both the identities of the authors and reviewers are kept confidential. Authors are encouraged to suggest potential reviewers, although the final decision lies with the editor. Based on the reviewers’ feedback, the manuscript will either be accepted, rejected, or returned to the authors for revisions.

Copyright and Licensing

Upon acceptance, authors must sign a copyright transfer agreement. The journal operates under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license, which allows others to share and adapt the work, provided proper attribution is given. The author retains copyright but grants the journal the right to publish and distribute the article.