Questions, answered.

Authors can expect an initial editorial assessment within five business days of submission. This preliminary review determines manuscript suitability for the peer review process.

Manuscripts must be submitted as Microsoft Word (.docx) documents, with a recommended length of 10–15 pages (A4 format). Formatting should use Times New Roman, 12-point font, with single-line spacing throughout. These specifications ensure consistency in the peer review and publication workflow.

Authors uncertain about manuscript scope are encouraged to contact the editorial board prior to formal submission. The editorial team can provide guidance on thematic alignment and advise whether the proposed research falls within the journal's strategic focus areas.

Figures should be numbered sequentially in the order they appear in the text, with legible lettering, numerals, and symbols that remain readable when figures are reduced. Figures are preferred in black and white and are accepted in the following formats: TIF, JPEG, GIF, CDR, BMP, EPS, DOC, RTF, and XLS. Tables must be numbered consecutively with descriptive titles, referenced in numerical order within the text, with clearly labeled column headings and minimal footnotes.

The journal employs a double-blind peer review process in which both reviewer and author identities are concealed throughout the evaluation. This approach minimizes potential bias and ensures objective assessment of manuscript merit.

The peer review process typically requires approximately one month. Following review completion, authors receive a formal editorial decision regarding acceptance, acceptance with minor revisions (without re-review), acceptance contingent upon substantial revision and re-review, or rejection.

While the review process maintains double-blind confidentiality, authors may suggest potential reviewers. Reviewer recommendations are noted by the editorial office but do not guarantee assignment, as the final selection remains at the editors' discretion.

Following reviewer assessment, authors will receive one of four possible decisions: (1) acceptance without revision, (2) acceptance following minor revisions without re-review, (3) acceptance conditional upon substantial revision with mandatory re-review, or (4) rejection with reviewer feedback.

Authors retain the right to respond substantively to reviewer comments and editorial feedback. Such responses should address each comment systematically and may be resubmitted for reconsideration.

Manuscripts may be withdrawn at any point in the submission and review process prior to the formal acceptance notice. Withdrawal requests should be directed to the editorial office.

The journal operates on a fully open access model, ensuring that all published content is freely accessible to readers worldwide without subscription barriers.

The journal currently does not charge article processing fees (APCs) or submission charges. Publication is provided at no cost to authors.

Upon acceptance, copyright for the published manuscript becomes joint property of Vytautas Magnus University and the authors. All published content is distributed under open access terms. Authors must execute the Licence to Publish agreement to formalize these arrangements.

The journal is currently indexed in DOAJ, EBSCO, ProQuest, Paradigm, RePEc, and Ulrich's. The editorial team is actively pursuing indexing applications with Scopus and Web of Science and is implementing measures to meet these databases' quality and governance standards.

All references should follow the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style. Consistency with APA formatting is maintained throughout the peer review and publication process.

The journal maintains comprehensive ethical standards outlined in its Ethical Policy. Authors are required to review and affirm compliance with these guidelines during submission.

Authors must explicitly declare any conflicts of interest at the time of manuscript submission. Declarations should address financial, professional, or personal relationships that could reasonably influence the work or its interpretation.

All individuals meeting authorship criteria must be designated as authors. Authorship status is presumed equal among all named authors unless the authors specify otherwise in an explicit contributorship statement. This ensures transparency regarding intellectual contribution.

Yes, authors may employ AI-assisted tools—including language refinement software, structural organization platforms, or idea development applications—provided that authors retain complete responsibility for manuscript content, originality, factual accuracy, and ethical integrity. The use of AI tools does not diminish author accountability for all aspects of the submitted work.

Disclosure of AI tool usage is not mandatory when such tools are employed exclusively for language polishing, style enhancement, or routine technical assistance. However, if AI tools substantially contribute to data analysis, content generation, or methodological decisions, authors are strongly encouraged to transparently describe their role in the manuscript methodology section.

Authors are authorized to correct typographical, formatting, or proofreading errors identified following formal acceptance. Such corrections should be communicated to the editorial office prior to final publication.