Author Guidelines

Start Here: Submitting to OLJ

Online Learning (OLJ) publishes research on online and blended learning in higher education.

Before submitting:

These resources provide all requirements for preparing your manuscript.

Quick Overview

  • No fees: Submission and publication are free
  • Open access: Articles are freely available upon publication
  • Peer review: Double-blind review process
  • Word count: 6,000–10,000 words
  • Format: Microsoft Word with tables/figures placed in-text

Submission Requirements

All manuscripts must:

  • Be original and not under review elsewhere
  • Be fully blinded for peer review
  • Follow APA 7th edition (with OLJ formatting specifications)
  • Include all required sections and declaration statements
  • Meet accessibility standards (e.g., alt text for figures)

Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements may be returned or declined prior to peer review.

Editorial Integrity and Authorship

OLJ is committed to the highest standards of research integrity.

All submissions are screened for:

  • Plagiarism and text recycling
  • AI-generated or undisclosed AI-assisted content
  • Fabricated or falsified data
  • Ghostwriting or authorship irregularities

Violations may result in rejection or retraction.

The corresponding author must remain consistent throughout the review process unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Authorship Contributions

All listed authors must have made substantial contributions to the study, including:

  • Conceptualization or design
  • Data collection or analysis
  • Writing or critical revision

All authors must approve the final manuscript and agree to submission.

Use of Generative AI

Authors must disclose any use of generative AI tools in manuscript preparation.

  • AI may be used for editing or formatting
  • AI must not be used to generate, analyze, or interpret research data
  • All AI use must be clearly described in the manuscript

See the Use of Generative AI Policy for full details.

Undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI may result in rejection.

Preparing Your Manuscript

Authors should use the following resources:

These documents work together to ensure a complete and compliant submission.

Submission System Requirements

Authors must:

  • Enter all authors in the submission system at the time of submission
  • Ensure metadata (title, abstract, keywords) matches the manuscript
  • Upload all required files (blinded manuscript, supplementary files if applicable)

Incomplete submissions may be returned prior to review.

Manuscript Sections

Your manuscript should include:

  • Abstract and Keywords
  • Introduction
  • Literature Review
  • Research Questions or Hypotheses
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion and Implications
  • Conclusion
  • Declaration Statements (ethics, funding, AI use, conflicts of interest, etc.)
  • References
  • Appendices/Supplemental Materials (if applicable)

What to Expect After Submission

Initial Screening

The editorial team evaluates submissions for:

  • scope and relevance
  • formatting and completeness
  • ethical compliance

Manuscripts may be returned without external review if requirements are not met.

Peer Review

  • Double-blind review by expert reviewers
  • Focus on rigor, clarity, and contribution
  • The review process typically takes several months and may vary depending on reviewer availability and submission volume.

Editorial Decision

Possible outcomes:

  • Accept
  • Revisions Required
  • Resubmit for Review
  • Decline

Common Reasons for Desk Rejection

Manuscripts may be declined prior to peer review for the following reasons:

  • Out of scope (not focused on online/blended learning)
  • Insufficient methodological rigor or unclear research design
  • Missing required sections or declaration statements
  • Failure to anonymize the manuscript
  • Incomplete or inaccurate authorship information
  • Inaccurate or unverifiable references
  • Undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI tools

Revision Process

Authors submitting revisions must include:

  • A clean revised manuscript
  • A tracked changes version
  • A response to reviewer comments

Final Acceptance and Production

  • Manuscripts are unblinded after acceptance
  • Copyediting and proofing follow

After Publication

Publication and Access

  • Articles are published open access
  • DOIs are assigned for permanent linking

Sharing and Promotion

Authors are encouraged to:

  • Share their article link
  • Add to CVs and profiles
  • Deposit in repositories

See the Author Promotion Toolkit for guidance

Corrections and Retractions

  • Corrections issued as needed
  • COPE guidelines followed for retractions

Archiving

Articles are preserved for long-term access and citation.