Article Processing Charges

The Multidisciplinary Academic Research and Advanced Methodologies (MARAM) maintains transparency with regards to publication charges. In case there are any Article Processing Charges (APC), the fee and any conditions relating to the same should be made known to the author prior to publication.

APCs can facilitate the process of facilitating the necessary operations needed in order for the processing, preparation, publication, and maintenance of scholarly articles. This will be reflected in the costs necessary for the development and provision of the necessary infrastructure.

An Applicable APC May Support:

  • The editing management and coordination of the manuscript during the publication process.
  • The peer review administration, which entails communication and the management of the review process.
  • The copy-editing and proofreading of the manuscript to enhance its clarity and consistency.
  • Typesetting and formatting to prepare articles for their final publication format.
  • Online publishing and delivery of published articles via the journal website.
  • Digital archiving and storage for the purpose of maintaining access to published material.
  • Infrastructure necessary for managing submissions, articles, and publication data.
  • Systems maintenance for the purpose of communication and access to published articles.

Transparency in Publication Charges

The main objective of MARAM is to ensure that the author is well informed about any possible publication fees prior to publication.

Where an APC applies, authors should be able to understand:

  • The applicable publication fee.
  • When payment is required.
  • Available payment methods.
  • Which article types are subject to the charge.
  • Any applicable waiver or discount provisions.
  • Other relevant payment conditions.

There should be a formal announcement about any changes in publication fees for authors to make informed decisions.

APC and Editorial Decisions

Payment of an APC does not guarantee acceptance or publication of a manuscript.

Editorial decisions depend on the academic value of the submitted manuscript. The following criteria are considered when evaluating manuscripts:

  • Academic quality
  • Originality
  • Relevance to the journal's scope
  • Methodological rigor
  • Clarity of presentation
  • Research contribution
  • Ethical standards

The process of peer review and editorial evaluation is independent of the payment of any relevant article processing charges.

It is the goal of MARAM to foster a fair and open publishing system where articles will be accepted for publication based on the quality and relevance of research being carried out, rather than on the ability to pay an APC.