AUTHOR GUIDELINES

Download the Template Submit a Manuscript Letter of Originality

Contents

1. Scope and Manuscript Types	8. Submission Procedure
2. General Requirements	9. Submission Preparation Checklist
3. Manuscript Format	10. Peer Review and Publication
4. Title Page and Abstracts	11. Publication Charges
5. Structure of the Main Text	12. Ethics, Copyright, and License
6. Tables and Figures	13. Contact
7. Citations and References

Key Requirements at a Glance

Item	Requirement
Type of manuscript	Original research results in communication studies
Language	Indonesian or English
Length	6,000 to 9,000 words
Paper and margins	A4 (21 x 29.7 cm); top 2 cm, bottom 2 cm, left 3 cm, right 3 cm
Font	Times New Roman; 12 pt for the main text
Abstracts	One in English and one in Indonesian, each of 150 to 200 words
Citation style	APA Style 6th Edition, with a reference manager (Mendeley, Zotero, or EndNote)
Submission	Online, through the journal website (registration and login are required)
Review	Double blind peer review
Fees	No submission fee; see section 11 for the publication charge

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1. Scope and Manuscript Types

MUKASI is a periodical scientific journal that develops concepts, theories, perspectives, paradigms, and methodologies in communication studies. It provides a place for academics and practitioners to publish original work. The manuscripts that are submitted must report the results of research. The topics that the journal accepts are shown below, and the full statement is on the Focus and Scope page.

Area	Topics
Media and journalism	Media studies, mass media, media history, broadcasting, journalism, social media, media literacy, and information studies
Advertising and marketing communication	Advertising, public relations, and integrated marketing communication
Political economy and policy	Political economy of communication, political communication, and communication and policy
Cultural studies and theory	Cultural studies, semiotics and narrative studies, content analysis and framing, visual communication, and the ethics and philosophy of communication
Social and development communication	Development communication, participatory communication, social communication, cultural communication, and intercultural communication
Interpersonal and organizational communication	Interpersonal communication and organizational communication

2. General Requirements

Requirement	Details
Originality	The manuscript has not been published before and is not under consideration by another journal. If there is an explanation, for example an earlier version presented at a conference, please state it in the comments for the editor when you submit.
Language	The manuscript is written in good academic Indonesian or good academic English. An abstract in English and an abstract in Indonesian are both required, whichever language the main text uses.
Authorship	Only people who meet the criteria in the Authorship and Contributorship policy are listed as authors. Contributors who are not authors are named in the acknowledgments.
Research integrity	Authors must follow the Publication Ethics of the journal. Data must not be fabricated, falsified, or manipulated, and all sources must be cited correctly.
Similarity screening	Manuscripts are screened for similarity with other works, as described in the Plagiarism Policy.
Generative AI	Any use of generative AI tools must be verified by the authors and disclosed. An AI system cannot be listed as an author. Please read the Generative AI Policies before you submit.
Conflicts of interest	Any financial or personal relationship that could influence the work must be declared, as described in the Conflicts of Interest policy.

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3. Manuscript Format

Authors write directly in the official template. The template is the form of manuscript that the editors expect, and its layout should not be changed.

Item	Requirement
Template	Use the MUKASI manuscript template. Save the file with the option Save As, and rename it with your name and the title of the article.
File format	Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), OpenOffice, or RTF
Paper size	A4 (21 x 29.7 cm)
Margins	Top 2 cm, bottom 2 cm, left 3 cm, and right 3 cm
Font	Times New Roman throughout
Main text	12 pt regular, justified, single line spacing, with 0 pt spacing before and after each paragraph
Length	6,000 to 9,000 words
Numbering and bullets	Do not use numbering or bullets in the main text. Write the whole text in paragraphs.
Emphasis	Use italics instead of underlining, except for web addresses (URLs)
Header and footer	Keep the header and the footer of the template. The header shows the author names and the journal details, and the footer shows the license and the page number. The editorial office completes the volume, issue, year, and pages during production.

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4. Title Page and Abstracts

The first page of the manuscript contains the title, the author information, and the two abstracts, in the order shown in the example below.

Element	Format and content
Title	Times New Roman 15 pt, bold, centered. The first letter of each main word is a capital letter. The title has no more than 12 words, in Indonesian or English, and it should not claim more than the study supports.
Author names	Times New Roman 10 pt, bold, centered. Write the names without academic titles. A superscript number after each name refers to the affiliation, and an asterisk (*) marks the corresponding author.
Affiliations	Times New Roman 10 pt, regular, centered. Each affiliation is on its own line and gives the study program, faculty, institution, city, and country. Authors from the same institution share one superscript number, for example 1,3.
Email	Times New Roman 10 pt, centered. The line starts with the word Email, and each address carries the same superscript number as its author. The email address of the corresponding author is marked with an asterisk.
Abstract (English)	The heading Abstract is in Times New Roman 12 pt, bold, italic, and centered. The text is in Times New Roman 12 pt, italic, justified, with single line spacing. It states the purpose (the objectives of the research), the method (how the data were collected), and the results and impact (which refer to the collected data and answer the research question). Write it in good English, in one paragraph and in 150 to 200 words, without citations.
Keywords (English)	The label Keywords is bold and italic, followed by 3 to 6 keywords in italics, separated by commas.
Abstrak (Indonesian)	The heading Abstrak is in Times New Roman 12 pt, bold, and centered. The text is in Times New Roman 12 pt, regular, justified, with single line spacing. It states the purpose (the research question), the research method, and the results and impact (the answer to the research question), in 150 to 200 words.
Kata kunci (Indonesian)	The label Kata kunci is bold, followed by the same 3 to 6 keywords in Indonesian, separated by commas.

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5. Structure of the Main Text

The main text has the sections below, in this order. The template uses Indonesian headings. A manuscript written in English uses the English equivalents.

No.	Heading in Indonesian	Heading in English	Status
1	PENDAHULUAN	INTRODUCTION	Required
2	TINJAUAN PUSTAKA	LITERATURE REVIEW	Required
3	METODE	METHOD	Required
4	HASIL DAN PEMBAHASAN	RESULTS AND DISCUSSION	Required
5	PENUTUP	CONCLUSION	Required
6	UCAPAN TERIMA KASIH	ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	Optional
7	DAFTAR PUSTAKA	REFERENCES	Required

5.1 Introduction (Pendahuluan)

The introduction presents the following points, written as continuous paragraphs without numbering or bullets.

• The background of the problem.
• Related studies that already exist.
• The difference from those earlier studies, which shows the novelty of the research.
• The purpose of the article.
• The scientific benefits of the article.
• The research method that is used.

5.2 Literature Review (Tinjauan Pustaka)

The literature review discusses the theories or concepts that are related to the research. Adjust it to the research paradigm that you use. For positivist and post positivist research, make sure that a theory is used as a reference. Use at least 10 references in this section, and at least 70 percent of them should be journal articles.

Subheadings. If this section has subheadings, write them in bold italic.

Research questions. State the research questions clearly in this section. If there is more than one research question, use the format in the example below.

Concepts. In quantitative research, explain how every concept will be measured, by stating the variables, the dimensions, and examples of indicators.

5.3 Method (Metode)

The method must be consistent with the purpose of the research and with the theory that is used. Explain the approach (quantitative or qualitative) and the method (for example a survey, an experiment, a case study, ethnography, or netnography). The method section must also contain the elements below, according to the type of research.

Quantitative research	Qualitative research
The sampling method The unit of analysis The technique of data analysis The techniques used to test reliability and validity	The method that is used (case study, netnography, ethnography, phenomenology, or another method) The technique of data collection The technique of data analysis

5.4 Results and Discussion (Hasil dan Pembahasan)

This section reports the findings of the research. The findings may be presented under subheadings. They are based on field data that were obtained through questionnaires, surveys, documents, interviews, observations, and other techniques of data collection. The results are analyzed through interpretation and through synthesis with specific theories. Citations and quotations follow APA Style 6th Edition and are managed with a reference manager (Mendeley, Zotero, or EndNote). Tables and figures may be added to give a further explanation, and they must follow the rules in section 6.

5.5 Conclusion (Penutup)

The conclusion summarizes the answer to the purpose of the article. It also describes the possible application or further development of the research, and gives suggestions for future research.

5.6 Acknowledgments (Ucapan Terima Kasih)

This section can be used to thank the people who helped with the research and to state the sources of funding from other parties, if any. It is optional. If generative AI tools were used for language editing or translation, the disclosure may also be placed here, as explained in the Generative AI Policies.

5.7 References (Daftar Pustaka)

The reference list follows the rules in section 7.

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6. Tables and Figures

Tables and figures are placed in the text at the point where they are discussed, and not at the end of the manuscript. Both are numbered in the order in which they appear. In a manuscript written in Indonesian, the labels are Tabel and Gambar. In a manuscript written in English, the labels are Table and Figure.

6.1 Tables

• The table number and title are placed above the table, in Times New Roman 12 pt, regular, centered, with 6 pt spacing before and after.
• Use only a horizontal line at the top and a horizontal line at the bottom of the table. Remove the vertical lines and the horizontal lines in the middle of the table.
• The content of the table is in Times New Roman 12 pt, regular. The margins of the table are adjusted as needed.
• If the table comes from another source, write the source at the bottom left of the table.

Table 1. Title of the table (Times New Roman 12 pt)

Variable	Dimension	Example of an indicator
Media literacy	Access	Ability to find information from various media
Media literacy	Evaluation	Ability to check the accuracy of a news item

Source: Write the source here if the table comes from another work. This table is an illustration of the format only.

6.2 Figures

• Figures that are included in the manuscript must be an important part of the research results. The colors must be clear and the size must be suitable.
• The figure number and title are placed below the figure, in Times New Roman 12 pt, regular, centered, with 6 pt spacing before and after.
• If the figure comes from another source, write the source at the bottom left of the figure.

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7. Citations and References

7.1 General rules

• Use recent references, except for classic works. Most of the references should have been published within the last five years.
• Use at least 10 primary sources. At least 70 percent of the references should be journal articles.
• Follow APA Style 6th Edition and use a reference manager such as Mendeley, Zotero, or EndNote.
• Every source that is cited in the text must appear in the reference list, and every entry in the reference list must be cited in the text.
• Give a DOI link for each reference that has a DOI, in the form https://doi.org/xxxxx.
• Arrange the reference list alphabetically by the surname of the first author. The heading DAFTAR PUSTAKA (REFERENCES) is in Times New Roman 12 pt, bold, capital letters, with 6 pt spacing before and after, and the entries are in Times New Roman 12 pt.

7.2 Citations in the text

In the text, cite the source in the form (author, year). If you cite a specific page, put it after the year.

Case	Example
One author	(Boy, 2017)
Two authors	(Boy & Bili, 2017)
Three to five authors	First citation: (Boy, Bili, & Tora, 2016). Later citations: (Boy et al., 2016)
Six or more authors	(Boy et al., 2015), from the first citation
Specific page	(Bili, 2017, p. 50)
Several sources together	(Bili, 2017; Boy, 2015), in alphabetical order and separated by a semicolon
Author named in the sentence	Boy (2017) argues that media literacy reduces the spread of hoaxes.

7.3 Examples of reference entries

Source type	Format and example
Journal article	Format: Surname, A. A., & Surname, B. B. (Year). Title of the article. Name of the Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx McCombs, M. E., & Shaw, D. L. (1972). The agenda-setting function of mass media. Public Opinion Quarterly, 36(2), 176–187. https://doi.org/10.1086/267990 Entman, R. M. (1993). Framing: Toward clarification of a fractured paradigm. Journal of Communication, 43(4), 51–58. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.1993.tb01304.x
Book	Format: Surname, A. A. (Year). Title of the book (edition). City, Country: Publisher. McQuail, D. (2010). McQuail's mass communication theory (6th ed.). London, England: SAGE Publications.
Chapter in an edited book	Format: Surname, A. A. (Year). Title of the chapter. In E. E. Editor (Ed.), Title of the book (pp. xx–xx). City, Country: Publisher.
Thesis or dissertation	Format: Surname, A. A. (Year). Title of the thesis (Unpublished master's thesis). Name of University, City, Country.
Web page or online article	Format: Surname, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of the page. Name of the website. Retrieved from https://www.example.com

The surnames in the citation examples (Boy, Bili, Tora) are placeholders. The entries that show format only use generic names and are not real sources.

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8. Submission Procedure

Manuscripts are submitted online through this website. Authors must register and log in before they can submit.

Step	Action	What to do
1	Prepare	Write the manuscript in the official template, check it against the checklist in section 9, and save it as a Word file named with your name and the title of the article.
2	Register or log in	New authors register for an account. Registered authors log in. The name and email address that you enter are used only for the purposes of the journal.
3	Start a new submission	From your dashboard, begin a new submission and select the section Articles. Read and confirm the submission requirements.
4	Upload the files	Upload the manuscript file. Complete the Letter of Originality and submit it together with the manuscript.
5	Enter the metadata	Enter the title, the abstract, the keywords, and the references. Add every author with an affiliation and an email address, and mark the corresponding author as the primary contact.
6	Confirm	Use the comments for the editor to state the contribution of each author and any explanation about earlier publication. Then complete the submission. You will be notified by email, and you can follow the status of your manuscript in your dashboard.

9. Submission Preparation Checklist

Before you submit, check that your manuscript meets every item below. A manuscript that does not follow these guidelines may be returned to the author.

☐	The manuscript has not been published before and is not under consideration by another journal. Any explanation is given in the comments for the editor.
☐	The manuscript is written in the official MUKASI template, and the file is in Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, or RTF format.
☐	The page setup follows section 3: A4 paper, margins of 2 cm (top and bottom) and 3 cm (left and right), Times New Roman 12 pt, single line spacing.
☐	The title has no more than 12 words, and the author names are written without academic titles.
☐	The English abstract and the Indonesian abstract each have 150 to 200 words, and each is followed by keywords.
☐	The manuscript has 6,000 to 9,000 words and follows the structure in section 5, without numbering or bullets in the main text.
☐	Tables, figures, and illustrations are placed in the text at the point where they are discussed, and they follow section 6.
☐	Citations and references follow APA Style 6th Edition. There are at least 10 primary sources, and each reference that has a DOI includes a DOI link. Web addresses (URLs) are given where available.
☐	Italics are used instead of underlining, except for web addresses (URLs).
☐	Any use of generative AI tools is disclosed, and all references have been checked and exist.
☐	The Letter of Originality is completed and ready to be submitted with the manuscript.

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10. Peer Review and Publication

Every manuscript first receives an initial check by the editors. A manuscript that is not original, has serious scientific flaws, or is outside the scope of the journal can be rejected at this stage. The manuscripts that continue are evaluated by experts through double blind peer review, and the editors make a decision on the basis of the reports of the reviewers. Authors may be asked to revise their manuscript. After final editorial evaluation and production, an accepted manuscript is assigned to an upcoming issue.

The steps and the criteria of the review are explained in the Peer Review Process, and the schedule of the issues is explained on the Publication Frequency page.

11. Publication Charges

Item	Amount
Submission fee	IDR 0 (no fee)
Publication charge per article	IDR 750,000
Penalty for withdrawing or retracting a published article at the request of the author	IDR 2,500,000

The fees do not influence editorial decisions. The full information is on the Author Fees page, and any question about payment can be sent to the editorial office.

12. Ethics, Copyright, and License

Articles in MUKASI are published in open access under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC BY 4.0). The policies below apply to all authors.

Ethics and integrity	Publication Ethics, Plagiarism Policy, Allegations of Misconduct, Correction and Retraction
Authors and conflicts of interest	Authorship and Contributorship, Conflicts of Interest
Generative AI	Generative AI Policies
Rights and access	Copyright Notice, Licensing, Open Access Policy, Data Sharing Policy
Review and discussion	Peer Review Process, Post Publication Discussion

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13. Contact

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