Q：Is there a word count requirement for articles?

A：There is no strict limit to the number of words submitted to the journal, and the length depends mainly on the need for content expression, but generally 10,000 characters or more is appropriate, and long articles with research depth are welcome.

Q：What are the requirements for article formatting?

A：Please refer to the "Thesis Template" in the "Download Center" section of the "Author Services" section.

Q：How long does it take to review a manuscript?

A：Generally give review comments within 15 working days, if you are in a hurry, please contact the editorial office for your expedited review. Preliminary review returns are generally replied within 3 working days.

Q：How to pay the fee after the manuscript has been accepted?

A：The specific payment method is detailed in the manuscript acceptance notification email. Bank remittance account is public account and can be made through bank counters, online banking or mobile banking. Please be sure to include your manuscript number when making the remittance.

Q：Do I need to notify the editorial team after remitting the money?

A：No need, remittance with manuscript number is sufficient. The editorial office will inform you by email when the unit finance notice arrives, and the submission system payment status will be updated simultaneously, which usually takes 3 to 5 working days.

Q：How do I check the issue date?

A：The editorial office will inform the author by email upon receipt of the remittance, and will notify the author of the proposed publication date in the email and publish the issue on schedule.

Q：How long does it usually take for the manuscript to publish on the journal after payment?

A：Publication is arranged according to the order of arrival of payment, It usually takes about 8 months from payment to paper publication (subject to payment notification email), and about 4 months for "priority publication" on the journal's website. If you need it urgently, please contact the editorial office and we can expedite the process for you. Feature/column/special issue articles will be given priority.

Q：How is the invoice issued?

A：Please see "Invoicing Matters" in the "Author Services" section.

Q：How do I get notification of manuscript acceptance?

A：Notification of electronic acceptance is sent to the author's email address by default along with the electronic invoice. If you need to send the acceptance notice in advance, you can inform the editorial office by phone, email, or QQ (1152393015) message.

Q：What should I do if I need to revise or improve the content after the manuscript is accepted?

A：After the manuscript is accepted, the author cannot replace the article through the submission system. Please revise the manuscript carefully make sure it is final version before uploading it. If the content of the manuscript really needs further revision and improvement, the author should send the "Manuscript Content Revision Request" to the editorial department email softwareguide@163.com, with the manuscript number and the reason and content of the revision in the subject of the email. After receiving the email, the editorial team will return the review process to the status of "Retraction" and re-review the manuscript after the author has uploaded the new version. The editorial team will not upload a replacement manuscript for the author.

Q：What should I do if I need to adjust my author's byline or grant project or soft file information after submission?

A：You can use the email address registered in the submission system to send the adjusted author's signature, author's profile or grant project, Software works information to softwareguide@163.com. The manuscript number should be noted in the email subject and the specific adjustment should be written in the email (a separate note is sufficient, no need to submit the manuscript), and the modification of the author's signature should be accompanied by author signature modification application signed by all authors . The editorial office will correct the original manuscript information in the submission system for you upon the receipt of the email, and will inform you by email that you can log in to the submission system to confirm. If you delete information such as fund projects, you will need to review the manuscript again. If the current issue of the journal has already been published, it cannot be revised.

Q：What are the requirements for manuscript revision?

A：The journal is committed to standardizing the publication of your papers and enhancing the value of your papers, and will return manuscripts for revision at the review and editing stages as needed. Please refer to the revision comments and return them in a timely manner to avoid missing the issue. If a manuscript is returned during the review process, the corrections must be marked in red and a description of the corrections must be provided in the form of an attachment. 

Q：Do I need to confirm the final proof?

A：All manuscripts are returned to the author for proofreading before publication, usually one to two weeks before publication, so please pay attention closely and reply in time when you receive the relevant email to avoid missing the issue.

Q：What happens when a manuscript is withdrawn for personal reasons?

A：It is the responsibility of academic journals to resist academic misconduct such as "multiple submissions", to regulate the order of publication, and to create a good academic ecological environment.

1.   If a manuscript is retracted after expert review and acceptance for personal reasons, the first author must send a retraction request to the editorial office and pay the corresponding review fee; if the article is submitted to another journal without formal retraction, it is a typical academic misconduct, and the editorial office reserves the right to defend rights and pursue responsibilities.

2.   If a manuscript that has been accepted and paid for is withdrawn for personal reasons by the author, a refund will be processed in the following three cases: a.if the manuscript has not entered the editorial process, the author can submit a withdrawal request (with all author signatures) and a refund is made minus 50% (including review fees, taxes, handling fees, etc.); b.If an author submits a withdrawal request (with all author signatures) after the editorial process, no refund will be made in principle; c.for published articles (including online publication) withdrawn for justifiable reasons, the author should submit a withdrawal request (signed by all authors and stamped with the official seal of the unit) and no refund will be made.

      The specific process is as follows: submit the withdrawal application, personal/unit remittance account name, account number, account bank, bank number, telephone number to softwareguide@163.com, and call 027-87891823 to inform. If the invoice has been issued and mailed, the invoice needs to be returned first before the refund procedure can be processed. Due to the complicated financial procedures, it usually takes about 2 weeks to process refunds.

Q：How do get the sample of current issue mailed?

A：The journal will be published on the 15th of each month. After the publication, 2 copies will be delivered to you by courier (ZTO Express, courier fee paid) according to the communication information you filled in when you registered in the submission system. 

Q：When will the article be available on the CNKI after it is published?

A：The current issue of the paper journal will be available for search and download on CNKI about 1 week after publication, and the official website will be updated simultaneously. A new version of the journal's website will be launched in January 2021, gradually realizing online priority publication of single articles (about 4 months ahead of the paper journal).