Author Guidelines

Authors’ Guidelines

1. Introduction

The Multidisciplinary Engineering Science Open (MESO) welcomes high-quality original research, review articles, technical notes, and case studies from all areas of engineering and applied sciences. The journal operates under a double-blind peer-review system with two or three expert reviewers per submission, ensuring fairness, academic rigor, and confidentiality.

Authors are encouraged to follow these comprehensive guidelines carefully before submitting their manuscripts. Non-compliance may result in delays, rejection, or requests for technical revisions prior to review.

---

2. Types of Manuscripts Accepted

The journal accepts the following types of papers:

1. Original Research Articles – Full-length studies presenting novel experimental, theoretical, or computational findings.

2. Review Articles – Comprehensive analyses summarizing and critically evaluating existing literature on a specific topic.

3. Short Communications – Concise but complete studies presenting preliminary or novel results of immediate relevance.

4. Case Studies / Technical Notes – Reports on innovative engineering applications, prototypes, or industrial experiences.

5. Editorials or Perspective Papers – Invited articles discussing emerging trends or future research directions.

All submissions must contribute meaningfully to engineering science and practice, demonstrating methodological soundness and scholarly relevance.

---

3. Manuscript Preparation

3.1 Language and Formatting

• Manuscripts must be written in clear, academic English (British or American, but not mixed).

• Use Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format.

• Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing, and justified alignment.

• Page margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides.

• Include page numbers at the bottom right corner.

• Use APA Style (7th edition) for in-text citations and references.

• Manuscript length should generally not exceed 8,000 words (including references, tables, and figures).

---

3.2 Manuscript Structure

A standard research article should include the following sections, each clearly labeled and formatted as described:

(1) Title Page

• Full article title (concise, informative, and specific; maximum 20 words).

• Author(s) full name(s) and institutional affiliation(s).

• Corresponding author’s name, postal address, email, and ORCID ID.

• Acknowledgment of funding sources (if applicable).

• Conflict of interest statement (if any).

Note: In the double-blind submission, authors must remove all identifying information from the main manuscript file.

---

(2) Abstract

• A single paragraph, 150–250 words, summarizing the study’s background, objectives, methods, key findings, and main conclusions.

• Avoid citations and abbreviations in the abstract.

---

(3) Keywords

Provide 4–7 keywords that accurately describe the research topic and methods, separated by semicolons (;).

---

(4) Introduction

Explain the research background, rationale, and theoretical foundation; summarize existing literature; define the research gap; and clearly state the aim and objectives of the study. Include relevant citations following APA 7th edition style, e.g., {Smith, 2023}.

---

(5) Methods and Materials

Describe the study design, participants or materials, procedures, instruments, analytical methods, and statistical tools used. Ensure sufficient detail for replication. For experimental work, specify equipment models, parameters, and standards used (e.g., ASTM, ISO).

If human or animal subjects were involved, include an ethics approval statement and consent information.

---

(6) Results

Present the findings in a clear, logical sequence using text, tables, and figures. Avoid repeating data between text and tables. Include appropriate statistical analyses and significance levels.

Tables and figures must be cited in the text (e.g., see Table 2; see Figure 3).

---

(7) Discussion

Interpret the results in the context of existing literature, explaining theoretical implications, limitations, and potential applications. Compare findings with similar studies and provide reasoned explanations for observed trends.

---

(8) Conclusion

Summarize key findings, their significance, and possible future research directions. Avoid repeating numerical data already presented.

---

(9) Acknowledgments (optional)

Recognize individuals, institutions, or organizations that contributed to the research but are not listed as authors (e.g., technical assistants, funding agencies).

---

(10) References

All citations must follow APA (7th edition) referencing format. Examples are given below (see Section 7).

---

(11) Appendices (if any)

Provide supplementary materials, data, or extended methods that support the main text. Label as Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.

---

4. Tables and Figures

• Tables and figures must be numbered consecutively in the order they appear (Table 1, Table 2, Figure 1, etc.).

• Each must include a clear descriptive title and a brief explanatory caption.

• Figures should be in high-resolution (minimum 300 dpi) and submitted as separate files (JPEG, PNG, or TIFF).

• Avoid vertical lines in tables; use horizontal lines for separation.

• Ensure that all symbols, abbreviations, and measurement units are consistent with the text.

Example:
Table 1. Comparison of Mechanical Properties of Composite Samples.

---

5. Units, Symbols, and Abbreviations

• Use SI (International System of Units) consistently.

• Define all abbreviations at first use in the text.

• Avoid unnecessary abbreviations; only standard engineering abbreviations are allowed.

---

6. Ethical and Legal Considerations

• Manuscripts must comply with the Publication Ethics Policy of MESO and international standards established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

• Authors must disclose all conflicts of interest, funding sources, and any use of AI or automated tools during manuscript preparation.

• All human or animal research must include ethical approval statements.

• Plagiarism, data fabrication, or manipulation are strictly prohibited. Submissions are screened with iThenticate for similarity and originality.

• Authors are fully responsible for the integrity and authenticity of their data and results.

---

7. Reference and Citation Style (APA 7th Edition)

All manuscripts must strictly adhere to APA 7th edition citation and reference formatting. Below are examples for each type of source:

In-text Citation Examples:

• Single author: {Jones, 2021}

• Two authors: {Lee & Kim, 2022}

• Three or more authors: {Johnson et al., 2023}

• Multiple works: {Anderson, 2021; Miller, 2022; Zhang, 2023}

Reference List Examples:

Journal Article

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of the article. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxx

Example:
Chen, L., & Patel, R. (2023). Smart grid optimization using AI-driven predictive control. Energy Engineering Advances, 45(2), 123–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/eea.2023.05.002

Book

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the book. Publisher.

Example:
Brown, J. (2020). Mechanical Vibrations: Theory and Practice. Springer.

Book Chapter

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the chapter. In B. B. Editor (Ed.), Book Title (pp. xx–xx). Publisher.

Example:
Lin, P. (2022). AI modeling in transportation systems. In J. Smith (Ed.), Advances in Intelligent Infrastructure (pp. 45–68). Elsevier.

Conference Proceedings

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of the paper. In Proceedings of the Conference Name (pp. xx–xx). Publisher.

Example:
Al-Saidi, K., & Rahman, T. (2024). Design of sustainable desalination systems using nanomaterials. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Water Engineering (pp. 88–96). IEEE.

Website

Organization/Author. (Year). Title of the page. Website Name. URL

Example:
World Health Organization. (2023). Engineering and climate resilience. WHO. https://www.who.int/engineering-resilience

Thesis/Dissertation

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of thesis [Doctoral dissertation, Institution Name]. Repository Name.

Example:
Lopez, M. (2022). Finite Element Modeling for Offshore Wind Structures [Doctoral dissertation, University of Manchester]. ProQuest Dissertations.

---

8. Submission Process

8.1 Online Submission

Manuscripts must be submitted via the journal’s Online Submission System available on the MESO website. Each submission must include:

• Main manuscript (anonymous, in Word format).

• Title page (with authors’ details).

• Figures (high-resolution files).

• Cover letter.

• Supplementary files (if any).

8.2 Cover Letter

The cover letter should briefly describe:

• The article’s originality and significance.

• Confirmation that the work has not been published or submitted elsewhere.

• Declarations of funding and conflicts of interest.

• Contact details of the corresponding author.

---

9. Peer-Review and Editorial Decision

All manuscripts undergo a double-blind peer-review with two or three expert reviewers. The review process typically takes 2–4 weeks.

Possible editorial decisions:

1. Accept without changes

2. Accept with minor revisions

3. Major revisions required

4. Reject

Authors must address reviewer comments carefully and resubmit within the specified deadline. Revised versions must include a response letter detailing changes made.

---

10. After Acceptance

10.1 Proofreading and Publication

Accepted manuscripts are copyedited, typeset, and proofread before online publication. Authors must carefully review proofs within 5 days.

10.2 Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

All published articles receive a unique DOI for permanent citation and indexing.

10.3 Open Access License

All works are published under Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0), allowing sharing and adaptation for non-commercial purposes with proper citation.

10.4 Article Processing Charges (APC)

An APC of 10 Omani Rials (OMR) applies only after acceptance. No submission or color figure fees are charged.

---

11. Author Responsibilities

• Ensure all listed authors meet authorship criteria.

• Guarantee data accuracy and reproducibility.

• Cooperate during peer review and respond to queries.

• Report any discovered errors post-publication.

• Avoid misconduct such as plagiarism, falsification, or inappropriate self-citation.

Failure to comply with ethical and technical standards may result in rejection or retraction.