Author Guideline

General Text & Manuscript Formatting

To ensure our copyediting and layout teams can process your submission quickly, all manuscripts must adhere to the following formatting standards before uploading to the system:

1. File Type & Setup

• Microsoft Word Only: Submit your main article file as an MS Word document (.doc or .docx). Please do not upload PDFs for the main text, as our editors need to be able to add comments and track changes.
• Page Size & Margins: Standard A4 page size with standard 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins on all sides.
• Page Numbering: Please insert page numbers at the bottom center or right corner of the document.

2. Font & Text Styling

• Font: Use a highly readable, standard font. Times New Roman (12pt) or Arial (11pt) is strongly preferred.
• Spacing: Use 1.5 line spacing throughout the entire document, including the abstract and references.
• Alignment: Left-align your text. Avoid using the spacebar or multiple tabs to manually indent paragraphs; use the MS Word paragraph settings or a single Tab keystroke instead.

3. Headings & Grammar

• Headings: Use a clear hierarchy for your sections. Please use Bold text for main headings and avoid using ALL CAPS.
• Language & Spelling: Manuscripts must be in English. You may use either US or UK spelling, provided it is used consistently throughout the article. We highly recommend running a standard MS Word spell-check before submission.

Detailed Article Structure

Because The Field & Formula focuses on translating academic research into practical farm management, we require a slightly different structure than a traditional academic journal. Please organize your manuscript using the following sections:

1. Title & Abstract

• Title: Keep it concise, engaging, and highly relevant to practical agriculture (e.g., "Engineering Stability in High-Value Orchards" rather than just "A Study on Orchards").
• Author Details: Include full names, affiliations, and a primary contact email.
• Abstract (150-250 words): Provide a brief summary of the agricultural problem, the scientific insight, and the practical takeaway for the farmer.
• Keywords: Provide 4-6 relevant keywords for proper indexing (e.g., Agronomy, Climate-Smart, Crop Yield).

2. The Main Text

• Introduction: Hook the reader by clearly stating the current challenge faced by commercial farmers or agribusinesses.
• The Science (The Formula): Explain the research, biology, or proven techniques. Keep the language accessible—avoid overly dense jargon while maintaining scientific accuracy.
• Practical Application (The Field): This is the most crucial section. Explain how a progressive farmer can actually apply this science. Include cost-benefit insights, required field conditions, and actionable steps.
• Conclusion: Briefly summarize the core message and the future outlook of this practice.

3. Visuals & References

• High-Quality Images: We highly encourage field photographs, simple charts, or infographics. Ensure you have copyright permission for all visual materials.
• References/Further Reading: Since these are popular articles, limit citations to the most essential scientific sources or government schemes. Format them consistently.