Author Guidelines
1. Introduction to Author Guidelines
These Author Guidelines provide essential information for preparing and submitting manuscripts to Wichcha Journal Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University (Wichcha J NSTRU). Authors are encouraged to prepare their manuscripts using the journal's official Research Article Template and to ensure compliance with the journal's formatting requirements, publication ethics, and submission policies.
For detailed instructions, please refer to the following documents available on the journal website:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Download Author Guidelines-Wichcha J NSTRU (Version July 2026)
Download Article Submission Form-Wichcha J NSTRU (Version July 2026)
Download Research Article Template-Wichcha J NSTRU (Version July 2026)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Editorial Assessment and Peer Review
All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial assessment to ensure that they comply with the journal's aims and scope, manuscript preparation requirements, publication ethics, and submission policies. Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements may be returned for revision before peer review or rejected without external review.
Manuscripts that pass the initial assessment are evaluated by at least two independent reviewers using a double-blind peer review process. Editorial decisions are based on the reviewers' recommendations and the scientific quality of the manuscript. The final publication decision rests with the Editor-in-Chief.
For more information, please refer to the journal's Peer Review Process.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Manuscript Preparation
Manuscripts must be prepared using the latest version of the journal's official Research Article Template and submitted as a Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) file. All manuscripts must be written in clear, concise, and grammatically correct English.
Authors should follow the formatting requirements provided in the journal template and are encouraged to have their manuscripts professionally edited or reviewed for English language quality before submission, where appropriate.
For detailed formatting instructions, please refer to the Research Article Template.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Manuscript Components
Research articles must be prepared using the journal's official Research Article Template and organized in the following order:
- Title
- Authors and Affiliations
- Abstract
- Keywords
- Introduction
- Materials and Methods
- Results and Discussion
- Conclusions
- Acknowledgements
- CRediT Authorship Contribution Statement
- Funding
- Conflicts of Interest
- Declaration of Generative AI Use
- Ethical Approval
- References
Graphical Abstract and Highlights are required at the time of initial submission and must be uploaded as separate files. Figures, tables, and equations should be placed as close as possible to their first citation in the manuscript.
4.1 Title
Provide a concise, specific, and informative title that accurately reflects the content of the study. The title should be written in Title Case and avoid abbreviations, acronyms, symbols, and mathematical expressions whenever possible.
4.2 Authors and Affiliations
Provide complete and accurate information for all authors, including their names, affiliations, and contact details, in accordance with the journal's Research Article Template. Authors are encouraged to provide their ORCID iDs, where available.
The corresponding author should be identified with an asterisk (*) and is responsible for ensuring that all author information is correct at the time of submission. Any changes to authorship after submission will be considered only in accordance with the journal's Authorship Policy.
4.3 Abstract
Provide a concise, accurate, and self-contained summary of the study, including its objectives, methods, principal findings, and conclusions. The abstract must be written in English as a single paragraph and should not exceed 300 words.
Do not include references, tables, figures, citations, or footnotes. Where appropriate, include key quantitative findings to improve the scientific value of the abstract.
4.4 Keywords
Provide 3–5 keywords in English immediately below the abstract. Keywords should accurately reflect the main topics of the manuscript, be separated by semicolons (;), and avoid abbreviations unless they are widely recognized within the discipline.
4.5 Introduction
Provide sufficient background to establish the context of the study, identify the research gap, and explain the significance of the research. The Introduction should conclude with a clear statement of the study objectives or research questions.
4.6 Materials and Methods
Describe the study design, materials, methods, and data analysis in sufficient detail to allow the study to be understood and, where appropriate, replicated. Established methods should be appropriately referenced, while new or modified methods should be described in sufficient detail.
For studies involving humans, animals, or other research requiring ethical approval, authors must provide an Ethical Approval Statement, including the name of the approving ethics committee and the approval number, where applicable.
4.7 Results and Discussion
Present the research findings clearly and logically, supported by appropriate tables or figures where necessary. Interpret the results by discussing their significance, comparing them with relevant literature, and highlighting the implications and limitations of the study where appropriate.
4.8 Conclusions
Summarize the principal findings of the study and address the research objectives or questions. Do not introduce new data, interpretations, or references. Where appropriate, highlight the significance of the findings and recommendations for future research.
4.9 Acknowledgements
Use this section to acknowledge individuals, institutions, or organizations that contributed to the study but do not meet the journal's authorship criteria. Funding information should be reported separately in the Funding section.
4.10 CRediT Authorship Contribution Statement
For manuscripts with more than one author, a CRediT Authorship Contribution Statement is required. Authors should describe each author's contribution using the standardized CRediT Taxonomy, and all authors must agree on their stated contributions before manuscript submission.
For detailed role definitions, please refer to the official CRediT Taxonomy.
4.11 Funding
Authors must disclose all sources of financial support for the research. If no external funding was received, please state: "This research received no external funding." If the study was externally funded, provide the funding agency name and grant number, where applicable.
4.12 Conflicts of Interest
Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest that could influence the research or its publication. If no conflicts of interest exist, please state: "The authors declare no conflict of interest."
Authors should also disclose the role of the funding organization in the research, where applicable.
4.13 Declaration of Generative AI Use
Authors must disclose the use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies in the preparation of the manuscript. Authors remain fully responsible for the submitted work, and AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors.
If AI was used
During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used [name of AI tool] to improve the language and readability of the manuscript. The authors reviewed and edited all AI-generated content and take full responsibility for the final version of the manuscript.
If AI was not used
The authors declare that no generative AI or AI-assisted technologies were used in the preparation of this manuscript.
4.14 Ethical Approval
For research involving human participants, human data, human biological materials, or animals, authors must provide an Ethical Approval Statement, including the name of the approving ethics committee (or Institutional Review Board, IRB) and the approval number, where applicable. For studies involving human participants, authors should also confirm that informed consent was obtained.
If ethical approval was not required, please state: "Not applicable."
4.15 References
Prepare references in accordance with the journal's APA Style (7th edition). Include only references cited in the manuscript. For detailed formatting instructions and examples, please refer to the References and Citation Style section.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Additional Submission Materials
In addition to the manuscript and the Article Submission Form, authors are required to submit the following materials at the time of submission.
5.1 Graphical Abstract
A Graphical Abstract is required for all submissions. It should provide a concise visual summary of the study and accurately represent its main objective, methodology, or principal findings.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Required | Yes |
| File format | TIFF, EPS, PNG, JPEG |
| Minimum resolution | 300 dpi |
| Minimum image size | 1024 × 1024 pixels |
| Submission | Separate file |
The Graphical Abstract should provide a concise visual summary of the study and accurately represent the research findings. It must comply with the journal's Publication Ethics and Declaration of Generative AI Use policies.
5.2 Highlights
Highlights are required for all submissions and should summarize the most important and original contributions of the study. They are displayed with the online article to improve its visibility and help readers quickly understand the key findings.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Required | Yes |
| Number of bullet points | 3–5 |
| Maximum length | 85 characters per bullet (including spaces) |
| Content | Novelty, principal findings, methodological innovations, or scientific significance |
Highlights should be concise, factual, and accurately reflect the manuscript. For detailed instructions and examples, please refer to the Author Guidelines.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Formatting Requirements
Prepare all tables, figures, equations, abbreviations, and units in accordance with the journal's Research Article Template. Ensure that all elements are clearly presented, consistently formatted, and appropriately cited within the manuscript.
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Tables | Number consecutively, provide a descriptive title, and prepare using the Microsoft Word table function. |
| Figures | Number consecutively, provide a descriptive caption, and submit high-quality images (minimum 300 dpi). |
| Mathematical Equations | Prepare equations in an editable format, number them consecutively, and define all symbols at first use. |
| Abbreviations | Define non-standard abbreviations at first use and use them consistently throughout the manuscript. |
| Units, Symbols, and Measurements | Use SI units wherever applicable and follow internationally accepted conventions consistently. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. References and Citation Style
Wichcha J NSTRU follows the APA Style (7th edition) with journal-specific requirements. Authors are encouraged to cite primary, recent, and relevant literature and ensure that all references cited in the text are included in the reference list, and vice versa.
Where available, include DOIs in URL format (e.g., https://doi.org/xxxxx). For detailed reference formatting and citation examples, please refer to the Reference Style Guide.
7.1 In-text Citations
Wichcha J NSTRU uses the author–date citation system based on APA Style (7th edition).
Every source cited in the text must appear in the reference list, and every reference listed must be cited in the text.
Two citation formats are used throughout the manuscript:
7.1.1 Narrative Citation
The author's surname forms part of the sentence, followed by the publication year in parentheses.
Example:
Nuengmatcha (2026) reported that ...
7.1.2 Parenthetical Citation
The author's surname and publication year are enclosed in parentheses.
Example:
... (Nuengmatcha, 2026).
7.1.3 Multiple Citations
Arrange multiple citations alphabetically by the first author's surname and separate them with semicolons.
Example:
(Nuengmatcha & Ninwong, 2026; Thawaro, 2025; Yuennan et al., 2024)
7.1.4 Citation by Number of Authors
| Number of Authors | Narrative Citation | Parenthetical Citation |
|---|---|---|
| One author | Nuengmatcha (2026) | (Nuengmatcha, 2026) |
| Two authors | Nuengmatcha and Nuwong (2026) | (Nuengmatcha & Nuwong, 2026) |
| Three or more authors | Nuengmatcha et al. (2026) | (Nuengmatcha et al., 2026) |
7.1.5 Group Authors
Introduce the abbreviation in the first citation and use it thereafter.
| Citation | Example |
|---|---|
| First citation | National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, 2020) |
| Subsequent citations | NIMH (2020) |
7.1.6 Same Author
-
Different years: Arrange publications chronologically.
Example: (Nuengmatcha, 2020, 2022, 2024)
-
Same year: Distinguish publications using lowercase letters.
Example:(Nuengmatcha, 2026a, 2026b)
7.1.7 No Date
Use n.d. when the publication date is unavailable.
Example:
(Nuengmatcha, n.d.)
7.1.8 Quick Reference Table
|
Situation |
Narrative citation |
Parenthetical citation |
|
One author |
Nuengmatcha (2026) |
(Nuengmatcha, 2026) |
|
Two authors |
Nuengmatcha and Ninwong (2026) |
(Nuengmatcha & Ninwong, 2026) |
|
Three or more authors |
Nuengmatcha et al. (2026) |
(Nuengmatcha et al., 2026) |
|
Group author |
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, 2020) |
(National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2020) |
|
Group author (subsequent citations) |
NIMH (2020) |
(NIMH, 2020) |
|
No date |
Nuengmatcha (n.d.) |
(Nuengmatcha, n.d.) |
|
Same author, |
Nuengmatcha (2026a, 2026b) |
(Nuengmatcha, 2026a, 2026b) |
|
Multiple citations |
— |
(Nuengmatcha & Ninwong, 2026; Thawaro, 2025; Yuennan et al., 2024) |
Notes
- Every in-text citation must have a corresponding reference list entry.
- Every reference in the reference list must be cited in the text.
- Ensure that author names and publication years are consistent between in-text citations and the reference list.
7.2 Reference List
Prepare the reference list in accordance with the journal's APA Style (7th edition) with journal-specific requirements.
The reference list should:
- Be arranged alphabetically by the surname of the first author.
- Use a hanging indent throughout.
- Include all authors for works with up to 20 authors. For works with 21 or more authors, list the first 19 authors, followed by an ellipsis (...) and the final author's name.
- Use sentence case for article and book titles, and title case for journal titles.
- Italicize journal titles and volume numbers.
- Present DOIs in URL format (e.g., https://doi.org/...).
- Omit "Retrieved from" before URLs unless a retrieval date is required.
- For references originally published in Thai, use the official English title where available. Otherwise, provide an English translation followed by (in Thai).
- Verify all bibliographic information before manuscript submission.
7.3 Reference Examples
The following examples illustrate the reference style required by Wichcha J NSTRU, which is based on APA Style (7th edition) with journal-specific requirements. Authors should follow these examples when preparing their reference list.
7.3.1 Journal Article
Format
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the article. Full Journal Title, Volume(Issue), page range and/or article number. DOI or URL
Examples:
Jiamsakul, O., & Septham, C. (2024). The kinetic and thermodynamic studies of dyeing extracted dye from cocoa husk onto cotton fabric. Wichcha Journal Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University, 43(2), 26–38. https://doi.org/10.65217/wichchajnstru.2024.v43i2.258275
Porrawatkul, P., Nuengmatcha, P., Pimsen, R., Thongsom, M., Kuyyogsuy, A., Ninwong, B., & Rattanakomon, N. (2026). Bio-Coating from Chitosan-Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite for Storage Life Extension of Monthong Durians. Trends in Sciences, 23(10), 13258. https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.13258
7.3.2 Book/Ebook
Format
Author, A.A. & Author, B.B. (Year). Title of the book (Edition, if not the first). Publisher name. DOI or URL
Examples:
Jackson, L.M. (2019). The psychology of prejudice: From attitudes to social action (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association.
Levenson, H., Jinich, S., Vaz, A., & Rousmaniere, T. (2025). Deliberate practice in emotionally focused couple therapy. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000436-000
7.3.3 Chapter in an Edited Book/Ebook
Format
Author, A.A., Author, B.B., & Author, C.C. (Year). Title of the chapter. In E.E. Editor (Ed.), Title of the book (pp. xx-xx). Publisher name. DOI or URL
Examples:
Aron, L., Botella, M., & Lubart, T. (2019). Culinary arts: Talent and their development. In R.F. Subotnik, P. Olszewski-Kubilius, & F.C. Worrell (Eds.), The psychology of high performance: Developing human potential into domain-specific talent (pp. 345–359). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000120-016
Dillard, J.P. (2020). Currents in the study of persuasion. In M. B. Oliver, A. A. Raney, & J. Bryant (Eds.), Media effects: Advances in theory and research (4th ed., pp. 115–129). Routledge.
7.3.4 Conference Paper
Format
Author, A.A. (Year, Month, Day). Title of contribution. Conference name, Location. DOI or URL
Examples:
Davidson, R.J. (2019, August 8–11). Well-being is a skill [Conference session]. APA 2019 Convention, Chicago, IL, United States. https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/a5ea5d51/files/uploaded/APA2019_ Program_190708.pdf
Duckworth, A.L., Quirk, A., Gallop, R., Hoyle, R.H., Kelly, D.R., & Matthews, M.D. (2019). Cognitive and noncognitive predictors of success. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 116(47), 23499–23504. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1910510116
7.3.5 Report
Format
Author, A.A., Author, B.B., & Author, C.C. (Year). Title of report. Publisher name. DOI or URL
Examples:
National Cancer Institute. (2019). Taking time: Support for people with cancer (NIH Publication No. 18-2059). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/takingtime.pdf
World Health Organization. (2025). Global report on neglected tropical diseases. https://iris.who.int/ server/api/core/bitstreams/9c4655d8-3671-4503-ae51-4a80bb44d5e0/content
7.3.6 Dissertations and Theses
Format
Author, A.A. (Year). Title of Dissertations or Theses [Unpublished doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis]. Name of institution awarding the degree.
Author, A.A. (Year). Title of Dissertations or Theses [Doctoral dissertation or Master’s thesis, Name of institution awarding the degree]. Database name or Archive name. URL
Examples:
Harris, L. (2014). Instructional leadership perceptions and practices of elementary school leaders [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Virginia.
Zambrano-Vazquez, L. (2016). The interaction of state and trait worry on response monitoring in those with worry and obsessive-compulsive symptoms [Doctoral dissertation, University of Arizona]. UA Campus Repository. https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/620615
7.3.7 Website
Format
Author, A.A., & Author, B.B. or Name of Group. (Year, Month Day). Title of the work: Subtitle. Website name. URL or Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
Examples:
Fagan, J. (2024, February 7). Nursing clinical brain. OER Commons. Retrieved April 8, 2025, from https://www.oercommons.org/authoring/53029-nursing-clinical-brain/view
National Institute of Mental Health. (2018, July). Anxiety disorders. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml
7.3.8 Data Sets
Format
Author, A.A. (Year). Title of data set (Version number) [Data set]. Publisher name. DOI or URL
Example:
Ministry for the Environment. (2016). Vulnerable catchments (Version 17) [Data set]. https://data.mfe.govt.nz/layer/53523-vulnerable-catchments/
7.3.9 Standards
Format
Organisation Name. (Year). Title of the standard (Standard number). Publisher. URL
Example:
Standards Australia. (2009). Risk management: Principles and guidelines (AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009). http://standards.org.au
7.3.10 Software
Format
Author, A.A. or Name of Group. (Year). Software name (Version) [Computer software]. Publisher. URL
Example:
R Core Team. (2025). R: A language and environment for statistical computing (Version 4.5.0) [Computer software]. R Foundation for Statistical Computing. https://www.r-project.org/
7.3.11 Preprint
Format
Author, A.A. (Year). Title of manuscript. Repository. DOI or URL
Example:
Hetland, B., McAndrew, N., Perazzo, J., & Hickman, R. (2018). A qualitative study of factors that influence active family involvement with patient care in the ICU: Survey of critical care nurses. PubMed Central. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5736422/?report=classic
7.3.12 Patent
Format
Inventor, A.A., & Inventor, B.B. (Year patent issued). Title of patent (Patent number). Source Name. URL
Example:
Brisebois, A.R., Mikau, J. & Huber, K. (2019). Collection of crowd-sourced access point data for 5G or other next generation network (U.S. Patent 20190200254 A1). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. http://patft.uspto.gov
7.3.13 Thai-language References
References originally published in Thai should be translated into English. The original language should be indicated at the end of the reference.
Example:
Wachiraprakarn, S. (2008). Revealing the lives of angels: Solving the mysteries of heaven. Smart Book. (in Thai)
Note: If authors are uncertain about the correct citation or reference format for a source type not covered in these guidelines, they should follow the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), 7th edition, or contact the Editorial Office before manuscript submission.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Submission
Manuscripts must be submitted through the journal's online submission system. The submission package should include all required files and documents to facilitate editorial assessment and peer review.
Required Submission Files
Authors should submit the following files:
- Manuscript in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format
- Manuscript in PDF format
- Graphical Abstract
- Highlights
- Completed Article Submission Form
Submit your manuscript via the journal's online submission system:
https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/wichcha/submission/wizard
For questions regarding manuscript submission, authors may contact the Editorial Office through the journal website.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Editorial Assessment and Publication Decision
All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial assessment to verify compliance with the journal's aims and scope, formatting requirements, submission policies, and publication ethics. Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements may be returned to the authors for revision or rejected before peer review.
Manuscripts that successfully pass the initial assessment are evaluated through a double-blind peer review process by at least two independent reviewers. Editorial decisions are based on the reviewers' recommendations together with the scientific quality, originality, and significance of the manuscript. The final publication decision rests with the Editor-in-Chief.
Authors will be notified of all editorial decisions through the journal's online submission system. Following publication, the corresponding author will receive an email notification confirming publication of the article.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact Information
For enquiries regarding manuscript preparation, submission, or the editorial process, please contact the Editorial Office through the journal website.
Journal Website:
