Submission Checklist

SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

  • ORIGINALITY & EXCLUSIVITY: I confirm this is my original work, not previously published or under consideration elsewhere. I warrant it is free of plagiarism, libel, and copyright infringement, and I have the full authority to grant publishing rights to the journal.

  • ETHICS & DISCLOSURE: I declare all conflicts of interest and confirm that any research involving human or animal subjects adheres to international ethical laws (e.g., Declaration of Helsinki). I have included this declaration in the ‘Comments for the Editor’ and on the Title Page. (Note: If no conflict exists, please state ‘None to declare’).

  • TWO-FILE UPLOAD: I upload the Title Page (author names, affiliations, contact details, and acknowledgments/grants) and the Anonymized Manuscript (abstract, keywords, full text, and references) as two separate files. (Note: One combined file is acceptable for Book Reviews/Editor’s Corner; two separate files are REQUIRED for Articles, Letters, Reviews, Reports, and Replications).

  • ANONYMIZATION: I have ensured the Anonymized Manuscript (see above) is fully anonymized by: 1. Using the third person for self-references. 2. Ensuring citations to my own publications do not reveal my identity in the text. 3. Removing author names and institutional affiliations from the text and file name and clearing all document properties (metadata). 4. Removing all references to funding sources, grants, and personal acknowledgments from the Anonymized Manuscript.

  • FORMATTING: I have used 1.5-spacing and a 12-point Times New Roman font with margins of 2.5 cm (top/bottom) and 3 cm (left/right). All pages are numbered at the bottom, and tables and figures are integrated within the text.

  • LANGUAGE & FORMULAE: I confirm the manuscript is in high-quality English. All mathematical formulae are numbered consecutively against the right-hand margin, and I have provided derivations for referees on a separate sheet if necessary.

  • DATA & METADATA: I confirm that I maintain accurate records of data and have included a Data Availability Statement immediately before the reference list. I have also prepared the relevant JEL classification codes and keywords to be entered into the online submission fields in the next step.

  • REFERENCES: I have provided in the manuscript DOI links (as full URLs) where available, ensured journal titles are written in full, and confirmed a strict one-to-one correspondence between in-text citations and the reference list.

  • PERMISSIONS: I have obtained all necessary permissions for 3rd-party material (figures, maps, tables, etc.) and understand that any associated fees shall be borne by the author.

  • CO-AUTHOR METADATA: I have gathered the institutional affiliations and email addresses for all co-authors to be entered into the submission fields. (Note: ORCID iDs are optional but strongly encouraged for all contributors.)

  • SUGGESTED REVIEWERS: I provide in the ‘Comments for the Editor’ 3–5 suggested reviewers (names, affiliations, and emails) who have no conflict of interest with the authors.

  • REVIEWER EXCLUSIONS: I understand I may suggest up to two individuals to exclude from peer review. I can do this by providing names and justifications in the ‘Comments for the Editor’ field.

  • COPYRIGHT ASSIGNMENT: I understand that the work will not be published until a copyright assignment or license has been accepted. If I am unable to assign copyright to ASECU, I will contact the Editor immediately to discuss an alternative license form.

  • COMMENTS FOR THE EDITOR: I provide any necessary clarifications in the field below (e.g., reviewer suggestions/exclusions, conference history, notes on overlapping content).

  • AI DISCLOSURE: I confirm that I have read and complied with the journal’s Policy on Generative AI. I declare that AI was not used to draft the text or generate core scientific content, and any permitted language editing has been fully disclosed on the Title Page and in the ‘Comments for the Editor’.