General Publication Requirements
Opinion Articles
Situation Assessments
Policy Papers
Research Papers
Books, Theses, and Dissertations
Translations
Footnote Style and Reference Presentation
Publication Ethics
General Publication Requirements
Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning welcomes the publication of practical and research contributions from all academics, university professors, and specialized researchers in the political, economic, legal, social, and security fields, in addition to international and global affairs. Materials are published on the Center’s website, and printed versions may also be produced when necessary. Research may be submitted in Arabic or English; in both cases, translation will be undertaken after the work has been accepted for publication. The research or study must meet the following conditions:
- The study must demonstrate scientific originality, objectivity, and neutrality.
- The study must not have been published previously, in whole or in part, whether in print or electronically, and must not be under consideration for publication elsewhere.
- The study must fall within the Center’s areas of interest and present a rigorous scientific contribution.
- The study must be submitted as a Word file, using the “Times New Roman” font, size 16 for main and subheadings, and size 14 for the body text (bold), with line spacing set to 1.15.
- Footnotes, endnotes, and sources must appear electronically at the bottom of each page in a separated format, with footnote numbering restarted on each page, and in font size 12.
- Studies must be submitted electronically via email. They will be forwarded to the relevant departments within the Center for review and evaluation. The researcher will be informed if any amendments or comments are required. The researcher has the freedom to make revisions, in agreement with the Center and in accordance with its policies.
- If the researcher or author wishes to republish their study elsewhere, they must indicate the Center as the primary source of the publication.
- When contacting the Center to request publication of a study, research paper, or specific article, the full title must be placed at the top center of the first page, followed on the next line—in parentheses—by the type of paper (opinion article, policy paper, research paper, etc.). On the line below that, aligned to the right, the researcher’s name must be included along with the professional designation they wish to have noted.
- Not all materials submitted to the Center are eligible for publication. If no response is received within five days, the study is considered declined for publication.
Researchers and writers must comply with the following requirements before submitting their materials:
Opinion Articles
These papers are opinion articles published on the Center’s website. They focus on aspects that fall within the scope of the Center’s work and interests, and they express the researcher’s or writer’s viewpoint on the subject within specific points and a defined theme. The following conditions must be met for this type of paper:
- The article must consist of 750–1500 words.
- Sentences must be objective, clear, concise, and expressive.
- Subheadings should be presented in the form of thematic sections, if applicable.
- The article title must be placed at the beginning of the article, clear, expressive, and in the form of a declarative sentence.
- The article should present a distinct and well-supported opinion, backed by evidence and documentation, with footnotes and references included where applicable.
- The researcher’s or writer’s name, workplace, and academic qualification (if any) must be placed at the beginning of the article.
- The language used must be clear and accessible to a broad and diverse audience, avoiding abstract academic formulations.
Situation Assessments
These papers address assessments of emerging situations and rapid developments occurring across the political, economic, social, and security spheres, as well as other changes that significantly and urgently concern decision-makers and society. Situation assessments provide, as much as possible, comprehensive insight into an event for formal and informal decision-makers, and for state and societal institutions, presenting all dimensions of the situation using rigorous scientific and research methods based on evidence, documentation, and straightforward language. They avoid verbosity and speculation, and they present possible scenarios along with the researcher’s or writer’s preferred scenario. These papers must adhere to the following formal and substantive standards:
- The paper must consist of 1000–2000 words.
- The paper must include an executive summary titled “The Situation in Points”, written as a series of concise sequential bullet points not exceeding 250 words, clarifying the dimensions, themes, and outcomes of the situation.
- The paper must be written in a clear and direct style, with coherent and expressive sentences. The writer must avoid flattery, favoritism, bias, or extremism when presenting the situation.
- The paper must be supported by sources relevant to the topic, with preference given to rigorous and highly reliable references.
- Maps, tables, figures, and diagrams should be included when available to reinforce the analysis.
- Maps, tables, figures, and diagrams must be inserted in the form in which they were created in Word or Excel, and images must be of high resolution. Scientific methodology must be followed in numbering tables and figures using distinct formats, and titles and references for these visuals must be provided.
- Footnotes and references must be placed at the bottom of each page, with numbering restarted on each page, if applicable.
Policy Papers
These papers cover all political, economic, social, cultural, and security fields, and everything that can provide Iraqi decision-makers with practical solutions to specific problems. Such papers must be based on original and rigorous research efforts, as well as precise and accurate information. They must constitute a meaningful contribution to public policymaking in the state. Writers and authors must support their views with objectivity and methodological rigor. The studies must be meticulously prepared and thoroughly documented with references. They should address current and timely issues that warrant questioning, examination, and analysis, and present practical, applicable solutions. Policy papers must avoid theoretical abstraction and unnecessary elaboration; they should be concise, direct, organized, and logical, and well supported through clear argumentation. A policy paper must include the following:
- The policy paper must consist of 1500–5000 words.
- The title of the study, the name of the researcher or writer, workplace, and academic qualification.
- The executive summary must be written as concise bullet points that outline the key arguments of the study, with clear, brief, and objective sentences. The summary must be written efficiently, enabling the reader (the public) to grasp the full picture of the topic from the first page, while avoiding abstract formulations that may hinder comprehension by non-experts.
- The introduction serves as the entry point to the study, consisting of 250–500 words. It includes a preparatory overview of the topic, an outline of the problem addressed in the study, and a highlight of the key questions and hypotheses that the study will examine, presented as a continuous text section.
- Background, body, and thematic sections: These present an overall view of the data and analyze the study’s problem, addressing the questions raised according to the proposed hypotheses. They also include an analysis of alternative options, as well as logical idea development and data analysis. If statistical data exist, numerical analysis must be included in the body. The paper must also construct a theory of change, linking logical discussions to recommendations and proposals that form the basis of this theory.
- Subheadings must be presented as thematic sections and written as brief, expressive phrases.
- Recommendations related to the study must be precise, objective, actionable, and debatable, offering a new contribution to addressing the study’s problem. Recommendations should clearly indicate who, what, and how the issue discussed can be resolved.
- The conclusion: a final summary of the study consisting of 100–250 words.
- Sources, footnotes, and endnotes must be placed at the bottom of each page.
- Visuals—figures, tables, charts, and illustrative maps—must be included within the study when relevant.
- The study must rely on rigorous, objective, and up-to-date sources, and use accurate figures, documents, and officially recognized local and international data.
- The paper must be written in a smooth, sequential, and logical format, presenting arguments convincingly so that the recommendations align with the evidence discussed in the body. The ultimate objective of the paper is its ability to persuade the target audience.
Research Papers
These papers are typically associated with periodic academic fields, and it is essential that they be based on original and rigorous research efforts, constituting a new and unique contribution to the body of knowledge. Their purpose is to provide academic institutions and society at large with sound insights and accurate information. Research papers should be formatted in a manner consistent with the principles of scientific research. They must be supported by methodological objectivity, and researchers should employ scientific research methods to substantiate their viewpoints. Studies must be prepared with utmost precision and thoroughly documented with sources. A submitted research paper must include the following:
- The research title, formulated in accordance with scientific research methodologies.
- The author’s or researcher’s name, place of employment, academic qualifications, and email address.
- An abstract of 150–250 words, provided in both Arabic and English.
- An introduction no less than one page in length, which must include the research problem, questions, and the main hypotheses upon which the researcher or author relies in addressing the research problem.
- The body of the research, consisting of 2,500–10,000 words.
- Adoption of a rigorous scientific style, consistent with established research methodologies.
- Commitment to objectivity, scientific rigor, neutrality, and academic standards throughout the study.
- Inclusion of images, diagrams, maps, figures, and charts, where relevant, and presented clearly.
- Findings and recommendations.
- Conclusion.
- Sources, footnotes, and endnotes must be placed at the bottom of each page of the paper.
Books, Theses, and Dissertations
In support of strengthening the practical research environment through academic works that offer new and modern perspectives, action plans, and frameworks valuable to decision-makers and other researchers, the Center accepts draft manuscripts of books, master’s theses, and doctoral dissertations prepared for publication, provided they fall within the Center’s research areas. These submissions undergo academic evaluation and review by a specialized scholarly committee in the relevant field. If approved for publication, proposed comments are sent to the author to implement the required revisions before submitting the final version to the Center.
Translations
Out of commitment to enriching the practical research environment with academic output produced by regional and international research and academic institutions—whether in Arabic or English—that offer new and contemporary perspectives beneficial to decision-makers and other researchers, the Center accepts draft studies, research papers, articles, and policy papers translated from Arabic to English and vice versa, provided they fall within the Center’s research fields. These submissions are subject to evaluation and review by a specialized scholarly committee focusing on both substantive and formal aspects of the submitted work. If approved for publication, and if comments are identified, revision notes will be sent to the translator for implementation before submitting the final version. The author, researcher, or translator must adhere to the general publication and writing guidelines adopted by Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning, taking into account the following requirements:
- The study must be recently published and its translation must not have been previously published on any website or in any other venue.
- Professional, personal translation standards must be followed; reliance on artificial intelligence for translation is not permitted.
- The Center guarantees the intellectual property rights of the researcher, author, or translator, including clearly stating the name in the published file and acknowledging the author’s effort.
- If a translator wishes to translate any of the Center’s publications from Arabic into English, a translation request must be submitted through the request portal on the Center’s official website.
Footnote Style and Reference Formatting
Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning follows the requirements below for documenting footnotes, references, and primary sources in research papers.
First: Books
- Author’s name, book title, name of translator or editor (if applicable), publisher, place of publication, edition (if more than one exists), publication year, page number.
Example:
(Ruben Mills, The Future of Iraqi Oil, translated by Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning, Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning, Baghdad, 2018, p. 23). - When citing the same book in the immediately following footnote: “The same source, p. 118.” In English: , p. 118.
- When citing the same book in a non-consecutive footnote: For example: “Maurice Duverger, source previously cited, p. 117.” In English: cit., p. 117.
- When the author has more than one reference, a shortened title is used:
“Ruben Mills, The Future of Iraqi Oil, source previously cited, p. 117.” - For books authored by more than three authors: the name of the principal author/editor/compiling supervisor is written followed by “and others.”
Example:
(Haydar Talib Al-Imara and others, Introduction to Integrity and Anti-Corruption in Iraqi Legislation and International Conventions, Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning, Baghdad, 2021, p. 40). In English, the last name of the first author is used, followed by et al., e.g.: Toledo et al. - When citing the source in footnotes after point 5, follow the rules mentioned in points (2, 3).
- For books with two authors: both names are written, followed by the translator (if applicable), publishing house, place of publication, year, edition (if applicable), and page number. Example: (Ali Tahir Al-Hammoud and Ali Abdulhadi Al-Maamouri, Strategy of Dialogue and Participation in Iraq, Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning, Baghdad, 2023, p. 11).
- When citing a source mentioned in point 7, subsequent footnotes follow the rules outlined in points (2, 3).
Second: Journals and Newspapers
- Author’s name, “title of the study or article,” journal name, publisher, volume number, issue number, place of publication, year of publication, page number.
Example:
(Ayman Abdulkarim Hussein, “Omani Policy and Its Regional Neutral Stances,” Dirasat Al-Bayan Journal, Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning, Issue 3, Baghdad, 2018, p. 124). - Newspaper articles are cited as follows: (Author’s name, title, newspaper name, place if available, issue, date).
Third: Electronic Publications
Author’s name (if available), or the institution, title, website name, publication date, link, and access date.
Example:
(Imad Al-Sheikh Dawood, “Turkey’s Pivot to the West (NATO Vilnius Summit 2023),” Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning, 26/7/2023, available at: [https://www.bayancenter.org/2023/07/9995/], accessed on 3/9/2023).
Publication Ethics at Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning
- The Center adheres to rules of confidentiality and objectivity in the peer-review process. Every research paper eligible for review is referred to the Expert Committee, composed of specialists with precise expertise in the subject matter, to evaluate it according to specific criteria.
- The Center follows a clear and rigorous internal structure that organizes duties and responsibilities within the editorial team and its functional hierarchy.
- Members of the Expert Committee, language editors, and translators at the Center—except for the individual directly responsible for the editing process (the Executive Director or their delegate)—may not discuss the paper with any other person, including the author. The Center is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of any information or opinions obtained during the review process, and none of this material may be used for personal benefit.
- Based on the reviewers’ reports, the Center provides methodological, technical, and informational support to researchers when necessary, with the aim of improving the quality of the research.
- The Center is committed to informing the researcher whether the paper has been accepted for publication without modification, accepted with specific revisions based on the review reports, or declined—with the reasons for the decision clearly stated.
- The Center is committed to delivering high-quality services in proofreading, editing, typesetting, and electronic processing for all research materials submitted.
- The Center upholds the principle of non-discrimination in the evaluation, review, and editing of research materials based on their intellectual content, while maintaining the principle of non-discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religious belief, political philosophy, or any other form of discrimination. The only binding standard is adherence to the principles, methodology, and language of scientific thinking in presenting, discussing, and analyzing ideas, perspectives, and topics.
- The Center respects the rule of avoiding conflicts of interest between editors and researchers, whether arising from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships, or from ties to any of the authors, companies, or institutions related to the research.
- The Center strictly prohibits members of the Expert Committee, editors, translators, or specialized department heads from using any unpublished material contained in manuscripts sent to them for their own research.
Intellectual Property Rights
- The Center holds the intellectual property rights for all articles, studies, research papers, and other scholarly works published on its website or in print.
- Articles, studies, research papers, and other scholarly works may be republished in whole or in part, whether in Arabic or translated into foreign languages, provided that explicit attribution to Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning is made.
- Articles, studies, research papers, and other scholarly works may not be republished in whole or in part, whether in Arabic or translated into foreign languages, if such republication results in financial profit, unless prior explicit written permission is obtained from the Center.
- The Center reserves the right to republish articles, studies, research papers, and other scholarly works in whole or in part, whether in Arabic or translated into foreign languages, within any project it undertakes or with partner research institutions, when deemed necessary.
- The Center is committed to free publication, exempting researchers and authors from all publication fees.
