Submissions

Author Guidelines

Last updated: 15 January 2024

Contents

1. General Format
2. Dual Language Policy for Titles, Abstracts and Keywords
3. Use of Images and Figure Submission Form
4. Ethical Standards, Corrections and Retractions
5. Spelling
6. Punctuation
7. Italicisation
8. Dates and Numerals
9. Dating
10. Referencing
11. Citation of Southeast Asian Names

1. General Format

The SPAFA Journal has no article processing charges (APCs) or any other charges. All submissions should be in Microsoft Word, Open Office or .RTF. If you are using Microsoft Word, you can download an article template here - (SPJ Template 2024 Edition). If your submission contains images or illustration, you must also submit a Figure Submission Form. They should contain the following information:

1. Author(s), institutional affiliation and email addresses
2. Title, Abstract and Keyword (in both English and a Southeast Asian language, see dual-language policy below)
3. Optional: Suggestions for peer reviewers (Up to three names)
4. Article text
   Maximum 2,000 words for shorter pieces, up to 10,000 words for peer-reviewed papers. (Longer papers may be considered with the approval of the editorial board)
   12-point font, single spaced
   We use the following fonts for non-Roman scripts: Thai (Sarabun); Lao (Saysettha - ລາວ); Burmese (Myanmar Text - မြန်မာ), Khmer (Khmer UI - កម្ពុជា); Chinese (Adobe Heiti - 中文); Korean (Adobe Myungjo - 한국어) and Sanskrit (Adobe Devanagari - संस्कृतम्).
5. Images, tables and figures to be inserted in text and not at the end of the paper. Images should be high-resolution (240 dpi or above). There is no limit to the number of images that can be included in each submission, but we reserve the right to limit the number of images that gets published in the print version. See also section on Use of Images below.
6. Acknowledgements
7. Supplementary files such as audio and video recordings are encouraged, especially in the contributions pertaining to performing and visual arts. Please ensure you are the copyright holder for such any submissions.
   Audio files: MP3 format
   Video files: .MP4 or .mov format. Video files can be sent to us directly; they will eventually be uploaded into the SPAFA YouTube Channel.
8. Style and referencing: See below.

2. Dual Language Policy for Titles, Abstracts and Keywords

• We expect that all listed authors in the submission would have conducted the research with the necessary permissions, licenses and ethics clearances from the appropriate authorities and custodian communities, which can be produced upon request.
• We will not accept papers discussing artefacts where an author was directly involved in purchasing or illegitimately procuring said artefacts.
• Plagiarism and copyright infringement are grounds for automatic rejection or retraction. Although plagiarism is already a familiar topic in the academic community, many scholars may not fully comprehend the various types of plagiarism and thus commit the offence unknowingly. SEAMEO SPAFA has found the Harvard Guide to Using Sources (https://usingsources.fas.harvard.edu/), developed by Harvard College, to be a very useful resource on this subject matter. Although the guide is written mainly for students and therefore does not contain all types of plagiarism – for example, self-plagiarism and translated plagiarism are not mentioned, it explains clearly what constitutes a particular kind of plagiarism and offers examples of acceptable versions of using sources.

5. Spelling

SEAMEO SPAFA prefers to use British spelling in its documents and publications, with the Concise Oxford English Dictionary being the authority for spelling. You may use American English in your submission but be consistent through the entire paper.

6. Punctuation

En/em rules

The SEAMEO SPAFA Style does not use an em rule (—). Use a hyphen in compound nouns and adjectives as well as elements that form a range (e.g. Marxist-Leninist theory, Monday-Friday, 2011-2016). An en rule (–) is used as a parenthetical dash to create a more distinct break than a comma.

Full points

Abbreviations that are all lower case or end with a lower case take full points (e.g. Ed., Prof., i.e., a.m.).  Abbreviations that are all upper case generally do not take full points (e.g. USA, EU, BBC, BE). However, for the abbreviations of Mom Chao, Mom Rajawongseand Mom Luang, write M.C., M.R. and M.L.

Contractions – abbreviations that include the first and last letter of a word – do not take full points (e.g. Mr, Dr, St, Jr, Ltd).

Quotation marks

Use double quotation marks for short quotations, with single quotation marks only for quotations within quotations. 

Punctuation follows the closing quotation mark, except an exclamation mark or question mark belonging to the quotation, or a full stop if the quotation is or ends with a grammatically complete sentence beginning with a capital.

Set long quotations apart in smaller type, without quotation marks. Quotations within long quotations are indicated by double quotation marks.

7. Italicization

Foreign words and phrases

Italicize when a word or phrase is still regarded as foreign or needs to be distinguished from an identical English form. For foreign languages using Latin script, including those of Southeast Asia, avoid the use of special characters as much as possible, particularly with names of persons and places. For words that have already become naturalized into English, simply use roman type like all other English words. Italic type is reserved for words and phrases still regarded as foreign or appearing identical to English words.

Titles of works

Use italics for titles of books, periodicals, plays, films, TV and radio series, music albums, long poems (book length) and titles of works of art. However, use quotation marks with roman type with the titles of short poems, songs, chapters in books, articles and individual episodes in broadcast series. 

Scientific names

The binomial system, which is a two-part name, is printed in italic, and usually consists of the capitalized name of a genus followed by the lower-case species name (e.g. Homo sapiens). Spell out genus and species names in full at first mention. Later references may be shortened by abbreviating the generic name to its initial capital, followed by a full point (e.g. H. sapiens).

8. Dates and Numerals

- 12 June 1993 (no comma)

- the twenties; the 1810s

- seven in the morning or 7:00 a.m. (note colon and abbreviation points)

- We prefer the use of CE (Common Era) and BCE (Before Common Era) instead of AD and BC following the year number

- Use words from one to nine, but numbers from 10 upwards. Exceptions are dimensions and measurements (in metric units).

- Numbers less than 10,000 should be expressed without a comma (e.g. 1000, 20,000).

- Spell out “per cent”. Use “%” for lists and tables.

9. Dating

Express radiocarbon dates in ¹⁴C years BP (before present) and include the standard error as well as the laboratory number (e.g. 41,675±278 BP (OxA - 15164)). When correcting the dates for atmospheric variations in radiocarbon, report the calibrated dates as calendar years (e.g. 500 BCE* or 2450 BP*) and specify the calibration table.

10. References

The SPAFA Journal uses a modified version of the Harvard referencing system. In-text citations use the name and year with no comma, and a colon to denote page, e. g. (Binford 1983: 6) and (Fazekas and Kosa 1978; Jeanty 1983; Schaefer et al. 2009). Please note the use of “and” when citing an item with two authors/editors and “et al.” (in roman type) when citing an item with at least three authors/editors. Works with the same author(s) and date are indicated by “a”, “b”, etc., which follows the date without intervening space. When citing multiple sources at a particular place, sort references in the text chronologically and then alphabetically within dates. All names of authors/editors should be provided in the Reference List.

Basic Principles:

• The underlying princicple for any referencing system is to tell the reader how to find the article/book/photograph that is cited.
• The name (usually the last name) followed by a comma and initials with no punctuations.
• The Gregorian Year should be used (2021, 1878, etc.). Other formats (e.g. the Buddhist Year) can be included in square brackets after the Gregorian year. E.g. (2016 [2559])
• Only titles of published works (usually books and journal names) are italicised. Titles of unpublished works, e.g. theses and websites do not have to be italicised.
• Foreign-language name and titles should be cited in their original language and script, with an English translation provided in brackets.  E.g.: พัฒนาการของบ้านเมืองในภาคใต้ของประเทศไทยในสมัยศรีวิชัย [The Development of Settlements in Southern Thailand in Srivijaya Period]; Di tích và danh thắng Quảng nam [Relics and Sites in Quang Nam province]; A transliteration of names and titles is also acceptable but less preferred: Karn Samruaj Lae Khudkhon Vatthanatham Yukhinmai Thi Phob Naitham Boriwen Ban Kao Changwat Kanchanaburi [The Archaeological Survey and Excavation on the Neolithic Culture Cave Sites at Ban Kao, Kanchanaburi Province].
• For references with no dates, please use (n.d.).
• For references with no authors, please cite by title, and move the title to where the author position would be.

• Please employ footnotes instead of endnotes and refer to them in the text with a superscript number. Notes are for providing further information or discussion. For citations, please use the author-date system. Numbers in the text indicating notes are superscript.

Book:

Author, A. (year) Book Title. City: Publisher.

Early, J. D. and Headland, T. N. (1998) Population Dynamics of a Philippine Rain Forest People: The San Ildefonso Agta. Gainesville, Florida: University Press of Florida.

Gosling, B. (1996) Old Luang Prabang. New York: Oxford University Press.

Edited Book:

Editor, A. (ed.) (year) Book Title. City: Publisher.

Barkataki, S. (ed.) (1969) Tribes of Assam. New Delhi: National Book Trust.

O’Connor, S., Brockwell, S. and Bryne, D. (eds.) (2013) Transcending the Culture-nature Divide in Cultural History: Views from the Asia-Pacific. Canberra: Australian National University.

Book with edition:

The edition should be added after the title of the work. i.e.:

Author, A. (year) Book Title, number of edition. City: Publisher

Cameron, N. and Bogin, B. (eds.) (2012) Human Growth and Development, 2nd edition. London: Elsevier Inc.

Translated book with author:

The translator of the text should be added after the title of the work, i.e.:

Author, A. (year) Book Title, A. Translator (trans.). City: Publisher.

Foucault, M (1991) Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison, A. Sheridan (trans.). London: Penguin.

Reprinted book:

Please ensure that the year in the in-text citations correspond to the first year in the reference.

Author, A. (Year) Book Title. City: Publisher. Reprint, Original City: Original Publisher, Original Year.

Gimlette, J. D. (1971) Malay Poisons and Charm Cures. Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press. Reprint, London: J & A Churchill, 1913.

Book chapter or Article in Conference proceedings:

Author, A. and Author, B. (year) Chapter title. In: A. Editor (ed.) Book Title. City: Publisher, 00-00.

Allard, F. (2014) Early complex societies in southern China. In: C. Renfrew and P. Bahn (eds.) The Cambridge World Prehistory: East Asia and the Americas. New York: Cambridge University Press, 807-823.

Journal Articles

Author, A., Author, B., Author, C. and Author, D. (year) Article title: Subtitle. Journal title vol(issue): 00-00. DOI

Lewis, H., Paz, V., Lara, M., Barton, H., Piper, P., Ochoa, J., Vitales, T., Carlos, J., Neri, L., Hernandez, V., Higham, T., Stevenson, J., Robles, E., Padilla, R., Ragragio, A., Solheim, W. and Ronquillo, W. (2013) Terminal Pleistocene to mid-Holocene occupation and an early cremation burial at Ille Cave, Palawan, Philippines. Antiquity 82(316): 318-335. http://www.doi.org/10.1017/S0003598X00096836

Pureepatpong, M., Sangiampongsa, A., Lerdpipatworakul, T. and Sangvichien, S. (2012) Stature estimation of modern Thais from long bones: A cadaveric study. Journal of Archaeological Science 64(1). http://www.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.04.025

Review Article

Author, A. (year) Review title, review of B. Author, Title. Place of Reviewed Work: Publisher of Reviewed Work, year. Journal title 00: 00-00.

Nicolas, A. (2008) Bamboo, bronze drums and gongs: A musical exchange in maritime Asia, review of J. Maceda, Gongs and bamboo: A panorama of Philippine music instruments. Quezon City: University of the Philippines, 1998. Musika Jornal 4: 198-215.

Unpublished paper presented at conference:

Author, A. (year) Paper Title, paper presented at Name of Conference, Date of Conference, City of Conference.

Rai S, I Wayan. (2012) Creative Development in Art in Asia, paper presented at the Geidai Arts Summit 2012 at Tokyo University of the Arts, in conjunction with the 125th Anniversary, Tokyo, Japan.

Newspaper and magazine article:

Author, A. (year) Article title. Publication name,day month: 00.

Crane, B. (2016) Digging for where the gods were constructed. The Phnom Penh Post, 5 March.

Thesis:

Author, A. (year) Thesis Title. Level of Thesis, University, City.

Glumac, P. D. (1991) The Advent of Metallurgy in Prehistoric Southeast Europe. PhD Thesis, University of California, Berkeley.

Ross, K. (2007) Sub-adult Identity: Attitudes towards Childhood Viewed from Mortuary Settings in Neolithic and Bronze Age Thailand. Bachelor’s Thesis, Australian National University, Canberra.

Tima, R. G. (1968) Reaction to Health Innovation: The Case of two Kalinga Villages. Master’s Thesis, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

Website article:

Website Name (year) Article Title. Available at: url [accessed day month year].

National Museum of the Philippines (n.d.) Angono Petroglyphs. Available at: http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nationalmuseumbeta/Collections/Archaeo/Petroglyphs.html [accessed 22 August 2016].

Please consult us if a type of source you want to cite is not included in this list.

11. Citation of Southeast Asian Names

Many cultures in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world do not follow the simple first name/last name nomenclature. Some cultures embed honorifics or birth orders into their formal names, while others prioritise family names over first names. Here is a guideline for common naming conventions in Southeast Asia and how to cite them in text.

Balinese names

Balinese names consist of a prefix indicating gender (I for male and Ni for female), a prefix indicating birth order (Wayan or Gede or Putu for the firstborn, Made or Kadek for the second-born, Nyoman or Komang for the third-born and Ketut for the fourth-born) and a personal name. They are referred to in text and notes by the personal names, but are written in full in Reference List and Bibliography. However, alphabetize the names by the Full Names.

Structure: Gender Prefix / Birth Order Prefix / Personal Name

Example: I Wayan Mertha Suteja

In text: Mertha Suteja

In Reference List/Bibliography: I Wayan Mertha Suteja.

Burmese names

Burmese names are written in full form at every occurrence. Where appropriate, add prefixes (e.g. U, Daw, Ko, Ma, Maung, Saya, etc.) to Burmese names; though they do not affect alphabetization.

Structure: No standardized structure (U and Daw are two common honorifics, meaning “Mr/Uncle” and “Ms/Aunt” respectively.)

Example: U Aung Kyaing

In text: Aung Kyaing

In Reference List/Bibliography: Aung Kyaing.

Cambodian, Vietnamese and Chinese names

Typical Cambodian, Vietnamese and Chinese names have their family names listed first and are referenced by their family names. Cambodian family names are usually monosyllabic. For Chinese names, it is becoming popular to have a middle name. The only exception is when the person has an Anglicised name, by which the normal first-(middle)-last name convention should be applied.

Cambodian names

Structure: Family Name / First Name

Example: Heng Phipal

In text: Heng

In Reference List/Bibliography: Heng, P.

Chinese names

Structure: Family Name / (Middle Name) / First Name

Example: Lim Chen Sian

In text: Lim

In Reference List/Bibliography: Lim, C. S.

Vietnamese names

Structure: Family Name / (one or more Middle Name[s]) / First Name

Example: Nguyen Dang Duy

In text: Nguyen Dang Duy

In Reference List/Bibliography: Nguyen, D. D.

Indian names

Structure: First Name / (Middle Name) / Family Name

Example: Saroja Devi Dorairajoo

In text: Dorairajoo

In Reference List/Bibliography: Dorairajoo, S. D.

Lao names

Structure: First Name / Family Name

Example: Thongsa Sayavongkhamdy

In text: Sayavongkhamdy

In Reference List/Bibliography: Sayavongkhamdy, T.

Malay-Muslim names
Malay Muslim names often look like western names following the first name/last name convention, however they are often abbreviated versions of a son of (bin)/ daughter of ('binte') naming convention. If the name contains a bin or binte, then you should reference by the first name. Otherwise, personal knowledge and discretion is advised, with the overriding principles that the name in text and in the reference list should correspond, which is the same name that can be found at the original source.

Structure: Personal Name / Father's Name

Example: Siti Zainon Ismail

In text: Siti Zainon

In Reference List/Bibliography: Siti Zainon Ismail

Thai names

Structure: First Name / Family Name (Occasionally, some authors [usually a married female] have two family names [one of which is usually a maiden name]. In this case, cite both family names.]

Example: Rasmi Shoocongdej

In text: Shoocongdej

In Reference List/Bibliography: Shoocongdej, R.

• Update to submission template
• Inclusion of Figure Submission Form

• Annual update of template
• Update of citation style

• Update to the guidance on citing Southeast Asian names

• 2022 Version of the article template uploaded
• Added clearer guidance on ethical clearances, image usage and references

• Updated citation information for Figures and Images (section 7)

• Updated citation format for Reprinted Books

• Updated Myanmar font ("Myanmar Text", from "Pyidaungsu Book")

• Added details of fonts used for non-Roman scripts under dual-language policy

• Updated instructions for the submission of images in (1. General Format)

• Updated instructions for times in (5. Dates and Numerals)

• Updated instructions for figures in text and captions.