Article Title

First Author1, Second Author1*, Third Author2

1University, University Address, City, Postal Code, Country

2University, University Address, City, Postal Code, Country

*Corresponding author, email:

doi: 10.17977/um065.v6.ix.2026.xx

Article history Submitted: 22 November 2026 Revised: 22 November 2026 Accepted: 22 November 2026 Published: 22 November 2026 Keywords 3-5 words or phrases, alphabetic First keyword Second keyword Third keyword	Abstract (single paragraph, not more than 250 words, standalone; no citation) Background of study: Aims and scope of paper: Methods: Result: Conclusion:

Introduction

A well-crafted introduction should guide the reader toward understanding the significance and novelty of the research without discussing the results or presenting an exhaustive literature review. The introduction is a critical component of a research article, as it clearly establishes the research question, scope, rationale, aims, and objectives, provides the contextual foundation for interpreting the study’s findings, and guides readers in understanding the significance and contribution of the research (Tavakol & O’Brien, 2023). Specifically, the introduction must include the following key elements:

Background of the study: This part introduces the broader context or real-world problem that motivates the research. It briefly outlines the current issue or phenomenon and emphasizes why it deserves scholarly attention. The background should be concise, ideally limited to one paragraph.

Rationale for the study: This section explains the scientific and practical reasons for conducting the research. It may highlight unresolved problems, inadequacies in existing solutions, or the need for a new approach. The rationale should logically lead to the research focus and signal the value the study adds to the field.

Literature review: Provide a brief review of relevant previous studies. Rather than discussing each study individually (author by author), group the literature thematically, by method, topic, or findings. Highlight key trends, identify dominant approaches, and note their limitations. Avoid detailed discussion; focus only on key points that position your study in the existing body of knowledge.

Gap analysis: This section identifies limitations, underexplored areas, and methodological weaknesses in previous research that the current study seeks to address. A typical sentence might be: “While numerous studies have examined X, few have addressed Y in the context of Z. Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap by…” The gap analysis justifies the study’s novelty and establishes its contribution to the field.

Purpose of the study: Clearly state the research objective(s) at the end of the introduction. Use direct and declarative language such as: “The objective of this study is to…” or “This study aims to investigate…” This statement should align with the research gap and guide the structure of the subsequent sections.

Method

This section describes how the study was conducted, providing sufficient detail to ensure replicability and to demonstrate methodological rigor. Each part should be written clearly and concisely, focusing on transparency and coherence. The method section must include the following key elements:

Study Design: Explain the overall design of the study (e.g., experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational, survey, case study). Include the type of approach (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods) and justify the choice based on the research objectives.

Participants: Provide details about the individuals involved in the study, including the number of participants, their demographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, educational background), and relevant inclusion or exclusion criteria. This helps clarify the scope and representativeness of the sample.

Target Population and Sampling Techniques: Describe the broader population from which the sample was drawn. Explain the sampling method (e.g., random sampling, stratified sampling, purposive sampling) and provide a rationale for its appropriateness in relation to the study’s goals.

Instruments (including sample items, scoring procedures, and psychometric details such as validity and reliability): List all instruments or tools used for data collection. Include sample items, scoring procedures, and any scales employed. Report psychometric properties such as validity (e.g., content, construct) and reliability (e.g., Cronbach’s alpha, inter-rater reliability), with references to prior studies or the current study's validation process.

Measurement Tools: Describe any measurement or assessment tools that are distinct from survey instruments, such as observation protocols, performance tests, rubrics, or standardized instruments. Specify what each tool measured and how data were recorded or scored.

Research Procedures and Timeline (if applicable): Detail the sequence of research activities, including data collection phases, interventions (if any), and other key procedural steps. If relevant, include a timeline or duration of each phase, especially in longitudinal or multi-stage studies.

Data Analysis Strategy (include statistical tests used and types of comparisons; standard methods need no justification, while advanced techniques should be supported with citations): Outline the statistical or qualitative analysis methods used to answer the research questions. For quantitative studies, specify the statistical tests conducted (e.g., t-test, ANOVA, regression analysis), the software used, and any assumptions tested. For advanced or uncommon methods, provide citations. For qualitative studies, describe the coding procedures, analytical frameworks, or software tools used.

Results and Discussion

This section presents the study's findings and interprets them in relation to the research questions, the relevant literature, and broader educational implications. It should demonstrate both analytical depth and scholarly engagement. The results and discussion section must include the following key elements:

Results (Mandatory)

Present the key findings of the study in a clear, logical, and concise manner. Use tables, figures, or charts where appropriate to support the data presentation. Focus on answering the research questions or testing the hypotheses without interpreting the results, interpretation belongs in the Discussion section. Only include findings that are relevant to the study’s objectives.

Discussion (Mandatory)

Interpret and explain the significance of the results in the context of previous research and theoretical frameworks. Highlight consistencies or discrepancies with prior studies and provide possible explanations for the observed outcomes. Discuss how the findings contribute to the field, address the research gap, or offer new insights. Avoid simply restating results; instead, engage in critical analysis and scholarly reflection.

Implications (Mandatory)

Authors should clearly describe the practical, theoretical, and/or policy implications of their findings, explaining how the results contribute to the field and can be applied or interpreted beyond the specific context of the study. The implications should demonstrate the significance of the findings for research, practice, or decision-making and highlight their potential relevance for broader educational contexts.

Limitations (Mandatory)

Acknowledge any limitations in the study design, methodology, or scope that may affect the generalizability or validity of the findings. Be honest yet constructive; discussing limitations strengthens the credibility of the study and signals areas for improvement.

Section Headings

Authors are allowed to use headings up to Level 4 only. Please structure your manuscript clearly and consistently using hierarchical headings to enhance readability and logical flow. The use of more than three levels of subheadings is not permitted (Akinnusi & Olatunde, 2025).

Tables

Tables are sequentially numbered with the table title and number above the table. Tables should be centered in the column OR on the page. Tables are referred in the text by the table number. eg: Table 1. Do not show vertical line in the table. There is only horizontal line should be shown within the table. A manuscript may contain a maximum of 10 tables. If a manuscript includes more than 10 tables, authors are encouraged to prioritize the ten most essential tables. Any additional tables (Table 11 and onwards) should be placed in the Appendix.

Only include data in tables that are: (1) Essential for understanding the results, (2) Summarized and comparable (e.g., statistical values, experimental findings, coded responses), (3) Better interpreted visually in a structured format rather than text. Avoid placing in tables: (1) Raw data or overly detailed figures that could overwhelm the reader, (2) Descriptive content better presented as narrative, (3) Redundant information already discussed fully in the text.

Tables should be clear, concise, and self-explanatory without needing to refer excessively to the main text.

Table 1. Table Title

No	Information	Total

Figures

Figures are sequentially numbered commencing at 1 with the figure title and number below the figure as shown in Figure 1. Detailed recommendations for figures are as follows: (1) Ensure that figures are clear and legible with typed letterings, (2) Black & white or colored figures are allowed, (3) Hard copy illustrations should, preferably, be scanned and included in the electronic version of the submission in an appropriate format as follows: BMP; WMF; EPS; Microsoft Graph; Microsoft Draw. A manuscript may contain a maximum of 5 figures. If a manuscript includes more than 5 figure, authors are encouraged to prioritize the ten most essential figures. Any additional figure (Figure 6 and onwards) should be placed in the Appendix.

Figure 1. Figure Title

Bullets

Bulleted and numbered lists should be avoided within the body text. Authors are encouraged to present information in the form of descriptive paragraphs to ensure better narrative flow and coherence throughout the manuscript.

Equations

Equations should be numbered serially within parentheses as shown in Equation (1). Equation should be prepared using MS Equation Editor (not in image format). The equation number should be placed at the extreme right.

(1)

Units, Abbreviations and Symbols

Metric units are preferred. Define abbreviations and symbols at the first time as they are introduced in the text. Definition of symbols should be presented in paragraph form, not as list bulleted.

Conclusion

The main conclusion(s) of the study should be presented in a short conclusion statement highlighting the goals of the study and its importance. State new hypotheses when warranted. Include recommendations when appropriate. Conclusion shall be written in a paragraph. Do not repeat the Abstract, or just list experimental results.

Author Contributions

To promote transparency, we encourage authors to provide an author statement file detailing their specific contributions to the paper using the relevant CRediT roles: Conceptualization; Data curation; Formal analysis; Funding acquisition; Investigation; Methodology; Project administration; Resources; Software; Supervision; Validation; Visualization; Roles/Writing - original draft; Writing - review & editing. Authorship statements should list authors' names first, followed by their respective CRediT role(s). For example: Nur Hudha: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software. John Smith: Data curation, Writing - Original draft preparation. Jane White: Visualization, Investigation. Bruce Buck: Supervision. Matt Jr.: Software, Validation. Peter Long: Writing - Reviewing and Editing.

All authors have equal contributions to the paper. All the authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

You are requested to identify who provided financial support for the conduct of the research and/or preparation of the article and to briefly describe the role of the sponsor(s), if any, in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication. If the funding source(s) had no such involvement, it is recommended to state this.

No funding support was received.

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence (bias) their work. Examples of potential competing interests include employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid expert testimony, patent applications/ registrations, and grants or other funding. Authors must disclose any interests in two places: 1. A summary declaration of interest statement in the title page file (if double anonymized) or the manuscript file (if single anonymized). If there are no interests to declare then please state this: 'Declarations of interest: none'. 2. Detailed disclosures as part of a separate Declaration of Interest form, which forms part of the journal's official records. It is important for potential interests to be declared in both places and for the information to match.

The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/ or publication of this article.

Data Availability

Explain where and how the data supporting the findings of this study can be accessed, including any repository links, digital object identifiers (DOIs), or specific access instructions. Indicate whether the data are openly available, available upon reasonable request, or subject to restrictions (e.g., due to privacy, ethical, or legal considerations). If the data are not publicly available, please provide a clear justification. Additionally, specify the type of data shared (e.g., raw data, processed data, analysis scripts), and ensure that all shared datasets are properly anonymized if they involve human participants.

The datasets generated during and/ or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Declaration on AI Use

Authors should declare any use of AI or AI-assisted technologies in their manuscripts, specifying the purpose, ensuring such use is limited to readability and language enhancement under human oversight, and confirming that AI did not generate scientific insights, conclusions, or recommendations and is not credited as an author.

The authors declare that no artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript. AI were used only to improve readability and language under strict human oversight; no content, ideas, analyses, or conclusions were generated by AI.

Acknowledgement (Optional)

Recognize those who helped in the research, especially funding supporter of your research. Include individuals who have assisted you in your study: Advisors, Financial supporters, or may another supporter, i.e. Proofreaders, Typists, and Suppliers, who may have given materials. Do not acknowledge one of the authors names.

References

All references cited in the manuscript must be listed in the reference section and formatted consistently according to the journal’s citation style (APA 6th edition).

The references should reflect the main scientific foundations of the research and consist only of sources the authors have read.

Each manuscript must include a minimum of 20 references, with at least 80% drawn from peer-reviewed scientific journals published within the last ten years. While the use of textbooks should be minimized, citations from general websites must be avoided, unless they originate from credible scientific institutions or official data sources.

Authors are required to provide DOIs or stable URLs for all references whenever available. To ensure scholarly integrity, excessive self-citation should be avoided, as well as excessive citations of publications from the same region, in order to maintain a balanced and globally relevant perspective.

Although the use of reference management tools such as Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote is encouraged, authors must manually verify all metadata. Including author names, article titles, journal names, volume, issue, page numbers, and DOIs to ensure completeness and accuracy. Unnecessary inflation of references should be avoided.

Akinnusi, A. E., & Olatunde, O. T. (2025). Existentialist education, good governance and democratic culture in Nigeria. Jurnal Pembelajaran, Bimbingan, Dan Pengelolaan Pendidikan, 6(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.17977/um065.v6.i1.2026.5

Tavakol, M., & O’Brien, D. (2023, June). The importance of crafting a good introduction to scholarly research: strategies for creating an effective and impactful opening statement. International Journal of Medical Education, Vol. 14, pp. 84–87. England. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.6499.82af