Submissions
The Bermuda Journal of Academic Research welcomes submissions from academics, students, and practitioners across disciplines. We are particularly interested in work that contributes to knowledge about Bermuda, its people, environment, history, economy, and culture.
Please email us if you are interested in publishing but require a more flexible deadline!
Important: Email Submissions Not Accepted
Please note that we do not accept manuscript submissions via email. All submissions must be made through our official Google Form below. Email submissions will not be processed or reviewed.
Author Guidelines
Your manuscript can be written for any discipline (e.g., Psychology, Sociology, History, etc.).
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The manuscript must be your original work. All sources must be credited. The first author must have played a significant role in the design, execution, analysis and writing for this paper. Our Editor-in-Chief will enter your submission to an anti-plagiarism software to verify the originality of your work.
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All key collaborators, supervisors, and/or principal investigators must give permission (form attached here) for the manuscript to be submitted. Please include this permission form with your submission if applicable.
- For theses, permission is required from your thesis supervisor and any co-authors.
- For all other articles, permission is required from any co-authors.
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Manuscripts must be a maximum word count of 8,000 words (not including figure legends, references and appendices). Exceptions to these general guidelines should be discussed with the editors.
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We can accept longer works if you are willing to collaborate with our editors on reducing length; please mention this in your submission form.
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Manuscripts must be in a known and discipline-relevant citation style.
- Manuscripts can abide by any writing style/format for academic documents (e.g. APA, MLA, Chicago), but the style must be used consistently throughout the document.
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Graphs or figures are acceptable in colour.
Ethical guidelines for peer-reviewed submissions:
If the research is conducted in Bermuda, please ensure that the submission meets the ethical principles laid out by the Department of Health. Click here to see document.
Duplicate Submission
The author must not submit the same paper to more than one journal at the same time. If you do so and the paper is accepted by multiple journals, you must choose which journal your paper will be published in.
Previous Publication
The author should not submit a paper that has been published previously in another journal, except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture or academic thesis or as an electronic preprint.
Conflicts of Interest
The author must declare conflicts of interest related to the study.
Funding Statements
The author must include necessary funding statements.
Data Reporting
Follow guidelines for accurate and complete reporting of research. Omitted data should be noted and explained.
Reproducibility
The submission must contain references and enough detail that would allow the work to be replicated.
Labeling Opinion or Proposed Research
The authority must identify opinion works and proposed research as such.
Originality and Plagiarism
Submitted work should be original, and the work of others must be cited. Plagiarism in all forms is unacceptable.
Use of AI Tools
If authors use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process, these technologies should only be used to improve the readability and language of the work. Authors must disclose in their manuscript the use of AI and AI-assisted technologies (but do not cite AI as an author).
Discipline-Specific Ethics
The manuscript can be written for any discipline, but the authority must ensure that the work meets the ethical guidelines for the discipline in consideration.
Authorship
Author order and significance of first authorship are left to the discretion of the manuscript author. Any/all collaborators on a work (if applicable) must give permission for the manuscript to be submitted to our journal.
Data Sharing and Transparency
Authors are encouraged to make their data, code, and other materials openly accessible to promote transparency and reproducibility in research. If sharing data is not feasible due to privacy, confidentiality, or intellectual property constraints, authors should provide a clear explanation. Any shared materials must comply with relevant legal and ethical standards, and the journal will ensure participant confidentiality is preserved.
Retraction and Correction Policy
In cases where ethical breaches, errors, or inaccuracies are identified, the journal reserves the right to retract or correct published articles. Retractions will be issued for research found to be fraudulent, plagiarized, or unethical, while corrections may be issued for honest errors. Authors are responsible for notifying the journal of significant errors discovered post-publication.
Human and Animal Research
For studies involving human participants, authors must confirm compliance with ethical guidelines, such as the Declaration of Helsinki or equivalent standards, and provide evidence of approval by a recognized ethics review board. For animal research, authors must follow internationally recognized standards, such as the ARRIVE guidelines, and ensure humane treatment of animals. Manuscripts should include statements on ethical compliance in the methods section.
Inclusivity Statement
The journal is committed to inclusivity and fairness in the publication process. Decisions on submissions, reviews, and editorial considerations will not discriminate based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics. We actively encourage submissions from underrepresented groups to promote diverse perspectives in academia.
Proof of Ethics Review Board Approval
All research involving human participants must be reviewed and approved by an institutional ethics review board or equivalent body. Authors must include a statement in their manuscript confirming this approval and describing how ethical considerations, including informed consent, were addressed. Submissions that do not meet this requirement may be rejected.
Ethical Guidelines for Reviewers
Reviewers are expected to adhere to the following ethical responsibilities:
- Maintain the confidentiality of manuscripts and related materials.
- Provide constructive and unbiased feedback within the agreed-upon timeline.
- Disclose any conflicts of interest that may compromise their ability to provide an impartial review.
- Avoid using information obtained during the review process for personal or professional advantage.
For Aspiring Researchers
Less established authors have the ability to submit papers categorised as an Aspiring Researcher. These manuscripts will not undergo the same peer-review process as those by seasoned researchers. This would be suitable for any individual without a PhD or a full-time role in or limited experience with academic research. This category includes Undergraduates, AP Capstone research projects, or members of the community who have embarked on their own research projects.
Click here to fill out our submission form ✍️
Need Help?
If you experience any issues with the submission form or have questions about the submission process, please contact our editorial team at:
1. Mission and Scope of the Journal
The Bermuda Journal of Academic Research (BJAR) is a peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary
journal dedicated to advancing scholarly dialogue in Bermuda. Our mission is to promote high
standards of research, uphold academic freedom, and contribute to knowledge dissemination
across disciplines.
2. Content Submission Policies
2.1 Authorship and Originality
All submitted manuscripts must be original works. Authors must confirm that the work has not been previously published or is under consideration elsewhere. Exceptions may be considered if submissions take place in the form of an abstract, academic thesis, lecture, or preprint. Authors must significantly contribute to the conception, execution, or interpretation of the study. Author order and first authorship are determined at the discretion of the submitting team and all collaborators must consent to submission.
2.2 Plagiarism and Ethical Standards
BJAR maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism. All submissions are screened using plagiarism detection software. Submissions must comply with ethical standards, including guidelines on human and animal research (e.g., informed consent, institutional ethics review).
2.3 Peer Review Process
BJAR operates a double-blind peer review system. Reviewers and authors remain anonymous to one another. Reviews must be professional, constructive, and timely. Editorial decisions are based on merit and integrity of research.
2.4 Conflicts of Interest
All parties (authors, editors, reviewers) must disclose potential conflicts of interest—financial, institutional, or personal. Funding sources and affiliations must be included in the manuscript at the time of submission.
2.5 Retractions and Corrections
The journal reserves the right to retract articles found to be unethical, plagiarized, or fraudulent. Retractions will be publicly noted and fully documented. Honest errors will be corrected through formal amendments. Authors are responsible for informing the journal of significant post-publication errors.
2.6 Use of AI and Technological Tools
Authors may use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies only to enhance language clarity and grammar. The use of these tools must be disclosed within the manuscript. AI tools must not be listed as authors.
2.7 Human and Animal Research Compliance
For research involving human participants, authors must demonstrate compliance with ethical standards such as the Declaration of Helsinki. Evidence of approval by a recognized ethics board must be included. Animal studies must align with standards like the ARRIVE guidelines and include humane treatment declarations.
2.8 Proof of Ethics Approval
All human subject research must include a statement confirming ethics review board approval and detail how informed consent and participant protections were ensured. Manuscripts without this may be rejected.
2.9 Data Sharing and Transparency
Authors are encouraged to share data, code, and materials to promote transparency. Where sharing is restricted by legal, privacy, or IP issues, a clear explanation is required. Shared data must preserve confidentiality and adhere to ethical/legal standards.
3. Behavioral Expectations for Contributors
3.1 Academic Integrity
All contributors must uphold academic honesty. Data falsification, plagiarism, or misattribution are serious violations. Such behavior may lead to rejection, withdrawal, or permanent bans.
3.2 Communication and Collaboration
Respectful and professional communication is expected during all journal processes.
Harassment, discrimination, or intellectual sabotage will not be tolerated.
3.3 Timeliness and Accountability
Authors and reviewers are expected to meet deadlines. If delays occur, justification must be provided to maintain the publication timeline.
4. Privacy and Data Protection Policies (PIPA-Aligned)
4.1 Personal Information Handling
Only data necessary for academic, editorial, or archival purposes will be collected and used strictly in accordance with consent given.
4.2 Data Minimization and Consent
Data collected is limited to essential use, and consent must be explicit, informed, and revocable.
4.3 Rights of Access and Correction
Individuals may request access to or correction of their personal data. These requests will be addressed within 30 days.
4.4 Data Retention and Disposal
Personal data will be retained only as necessary and securely deleted once it is no longer required.
4.5 Third-Party Access and Cross-Border Transfers
Any third-party data handling (e.g., for technical services) will comply with PIPA standards and contractual safeguards.
4.6 Data Security and Confidentiality
Data is encrypted, and access is restricted to trained personnel only. All staff are required to complete confidentiality training.
5. Copyright, Ownership, and Licensing
5.1 Author Rights
Authors retain copyright of their work but grant BJAR a non-exclusive license to publish, archive, and distribute it.
5.2 Journal Rights
BJAR retains rights to the final format, editorial design, and metadata associated with each publication.
5.3 Use of Open Access and Creative Commons Licenses
BJAR encourages open access under CC BY or CC BY-NC licenses to broaden accessibility while protecting author rights.
6. Privacy Officer Role & Responsibilities
The appointed Privacy Officer will:
● Monitor compliance with PIPA and BJAR’s data policy
● Handle access/correction requests
● Report on data practices to the editorial board
● Conduct privacy audits and maintain logs
7. Training, Compliance & Auditing
All staff and long-term contributors must complete annual training on privacy and research ethics. Compliance is reviewed biannually.
8. Data Breach and Incident Response Protocol
In the event of a data breach:
● Notify the Privacy Officer immediately
● Assess and contain the breach
● Notify affected individuals and the Privacy Commissioner (if applicable)
● Review and strengthen policies to prevent recurrence
9. Ethical Guidelines for Reviewers
Reviewers must:
● Maintain manuscript confidentiality
● Provide impartial, constructive, and timely feedback
● Disclose any conflicts of interest
● Refrain from using reviewed content for personal or professional gain
10. Acknowledgements and References
● Bermuda Personal Information Protection Act (2016)
● COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) Guidelines
● ICMJE Recommendations
● Government of Bermuda: Research Governance Framework (2008)
● Declaration of Helsinki
● ARRIVE Animal Research Guidelines
● Lexology 2025 PIPA Update Summaries