Manuscripts submitted to the Pertanika Journal of Quality of Life Studies (JQoLS) must be prepared in Microsoft Word (.docx) format and submitted as two separate files:
(1) a Title Page, and
(2) an anonymised Main Manuscript for double-blind peer review.
 

Title Page

The Title Page must include the following information:

• Full manuscript title

• Full names of all authors

• Institutional affiliations (Department, Institution, Country)

• Identification of the corresponding author, including institutional email address and full postal address

• Funding information (if none, state “No funding”)

• Conflict of interest statement (if none, state “None declared”)

Acknowledgements and author contribution statements may be included on the Title Page only and must not appear in the main manuscript.
 

Main Manuscript and Anonymity

The main manuscript must be fully anonymised and must not contain:

• author names or affiliations;

• funding or conflict of interest statements;

• acknowledgements; or

• self-identifying statements.

Manuscripts that do not meet anonymisation requirements may be returned for correction prior to peer review.
 

Formatting and Layout

Manuscripts should be formatted as follows:

• Page size: A4, portrait orientation

• Font: Times New Roman, 12-point

• Text: justified

• Page numbers included

• No footnotes or endnotes

Manuscript Structure

Manuscripts must follow the structure below:

• Title

• Abstract

• Keywords

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Introduction / Study Background

• Methods

• Results

• Discussion

• Conclusion

• Declarations

• References

Any deviation from this structure requires prior written approval from the Editor-in-Chief.
 

Abstract, Keywords, and SDGs

• Abstracts must be written as a single continuous paragraph without subheadings

• Abstract length:
  o    200–250 words (Full-Length Research Articles)
  o    100–150 words (Scientific Brief Reports)

• Up to five (5) keywords should be provided

• At least one (1) and no more than two (2) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) must be specified

Tables and Figures

• All tables and figures must be cited in the text and placed immediately after their first mention

• Tables should be numbered sequentially, with titles placed above each table

• Figures should be numbered sequentially, with captions placed below each figure

• Tables must be editable and not submitted as images

• Figures must be clear, legible, and of sufficient quality
   

References

References must follow APA Style (7th edition). All in-text citations must appear in the reference list, and all references listed must be cited in the text. DOIs should be included where available.
 

Declarations and Ethical Statements

Where applicable, manuscripts must include a Declarations section immediately before the reference list. This section may include:

• ethical approval and informed consent, or a clear explanation of exemption;

• competing interests / conflicts of interest;

• funding statement;

• use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), if applicable.

The information provided in the Declarations section must be consistent with that stated on the Title Page.
 

Survey Research without Formal Ethical Approval

For questionnaire-based or survey research involving non-clinical adult participants and minimal risk, formal ethical approval may not be required by the authors’ institution. In such cases, authors must explain the basis for exemption and describe how informed consent, anonymity, and confidentiality were ensured.

The Editor-in-Chief reserves the right to request further clarification.
 

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)

If generative AI tools were used during manuscript preparation (for example, for language editing or content organisation), authors must include a disclosure statement in the Declarations section. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the manuscript.