Characteristics of each article type

For QUALITATIVE studies, this journal recommends the COREQ checklist from Tong et al. (2007). See checklist HERE.

Introduction. The introduction should state the topic, historical background, state of the art and aim of the research, and propose a clear, empirically verifiable research question or hypothesis (or series of research questions or hypotheses).
Method: The method section should include a clear, detailed description of the research design (sample selection, instruments and procedures used to collect and analyze the data), and a declaration of compliance with ethical standards.
Please note that Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) must be carried out with a different sample (or sub-sample) than Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and must meet the criteria indicated in the specialised literature.
Results: Results should be reported clearly and precisely, with precise statistical analysis and sufficient interpretation.
Discussion: The article should include a clear, accurate discussion of the empirical findings and their relation to the research questions or hypotheses and state of the art outlined in the introduction, and of the implications of the findings for the field of study and society in general, the limitations of the study and recommendations for future research. The discussion should end with a clear, precise conclusion comprising a summary of the main findings and the study’s contribution to the field of study.

Authors are recommended to follow PRISMA reporting guidelines for all literature reviews (systematic and meta-analyses).

Clearly defined theme: The article should have a clearly defined theme that is specific to the field of study. The review should focus on a single research question or specific thematic area.
Appropriate selection of bibliographical references: The article should select sources that are current and relevant to the topic of the review. Sources should be of high quality and reflect a wide range of approaches and perspectives.
Critical analysis and summary: The article should include a critical analysis and summary of the existing literature in the field of study. It should assess the different theories, methodologies and research findings, and summarize the main conclusions and trends observed in the field.
Clear, coherent presentation of information: Information should be presented clearly and coherently. The structure should be logical and readable, with clearly organized topics and subtopics, and precisely relevant citations and references.
Conclusions and recommendations: The article should conclude with a summary of the main findings of the literature review and recommendations for future research. The conclusions should be based on the critical analysis and synthesis of the existing literature in the field.

Appropriate selection of studies: The article should carry out a careful selection of relevant studies dealing with the research question. The article should include a clear explanation of the inclusion and exclusion criteria used to determine the selection of studies.
Rigorous statistical analysis: The article should describe the statistical analysis used to combine the results of the studies selected for inclusion in the meta-analysis. This description should include a detailed explanation of the statistical techniques used to summarize the results and assess heterogeneity across the studies.
Clear, precise results: The results of the meta-analysis should be presented clearly and precisely, and interpreted accurately. A discussion of their implications for the field of study should also be included..
Assessment of the quality of the studies included: The article should assess the quality of the studies used, including a clear discussion of the limitations of each study and their impact on the results of the meta-analysis.
Conclusions and recommendations: The article should conclude with a summary of the main findings of the meta-analysis and recommendations for future research, including a clear discussion of the findings’ contribution to existing knowledge within the field of study.

Solid theoretical basis: The article should present an accurate, comprehensive review of the existing theories within the field of study, and reflect a clear understanding of the main theories and concepts related to the topic.
Theoretical problem or question: The article should propose a relevant theoretical problem or question with the aim of addressing some gap in knowledge or discussing a controversial topic.
Critical analysis and deep discussion: The article should present a critical analysis and deep discussion of the problem or question proposed. The analysis and discussion should examine the different theoretical perspectives and approaches to the topic, and assess their strengths and limitations.
Original theoretical proposal: The article should present an original theoretical proposal that contributes to our understanding of the problem or question proposed. The theoretical proposal should be clear, coherent and founded on existing theories within the field.
Conclusions and recommendations: The article should end with a summary of the main findings and recommendations for future research. The conclusions should be based on the critical analysis and deep discussion of the problem or question proposed.