Overview of Eligibility
Submission Deadline: Interested authors may submit their work to the URJ by 11:59 PM PST on March 6th.
The UC Merced Undergraduate Research Journal accepts submissions from all disciplines of academic study. We encourage UCM undergraduate students who have completed research or are currently engaged in research with either a faculty member/graduate student to submit their work.
To be eligible for publication in the URJ, student authors must have completed their projects while attending UCM as an undergraduate student and the primary author of the project must be a UCM student if there are multiple authors.
The URJ accepts work from single authors, co-authors, and multiple authors. Whether you are submitting on behalf of yourself or your co-author(s), please submit each project only once per review cycle.
The Submission Process includes a Google Form to certify all information is clear and concise for the Author(s) and the editors working on the manuscript. This is the first step of submission to the Undergraduate Research Journal.
Overall Process
Using the Google Form, fill out your information and submit your piece. Submissions will be accepted from January 31st – February 28th.
During the preliminary review process, all identifying materials are removed to ensure a blind, unbiased screening. Manuscripts are screened by our Review Board, and the student authors who are accepted will be contacted by one of our Section Editors. If the piece is not accepted for publication, authors will be politely notified that their manuscript is declined after the completion of our review period.
After acceptance, the manuscript begins a rigorous editing process to ensure the piece aligns with our journal’s style and standards. Once the editing process is complete, updates and changes will be reviewed by both the Editorial Board and author(s) to ensure both parties are in agreement.
After all the copy edits and changes are approved and finalized by the Editorial Board, the author will receive an email invitation to create an account on eScholarship to submit the final manuscript for official publication.
Step-by-Step Process
1. Understanding Submission Criteria and Format Specifications
2. Questions about You (Contact Information)
3. Questions about the Submission and Other Contributors (if applicable)
4. Abstract/Introduction Paragraph (Word Document OR PDF)
5. Agreement for Archiving the Work in EScholarship
6. The Submission (Submitting the Manuscript in BOTH Word Doc AND PDF)
Submission Criteria
The research project is well-designed, executed, and relevant to the field.
The research features an innovative, engaging, and/or creative voice.
The findings are thoughtfully interpreted and thoroughly analyzed, and the article is well-written and optimally organized around a central theme or thesis.
Conclusions are logically supported through results, evidence, and/or cited sources.
Supporting materials — including illustrations, graphs, and references — reinforce the descriptions and claims made in the text.
The URJ staff recognizes the usefulness of AI in brainstorming, developing, and augmenting writing. Publishable pieces, however, must be original and ethically document all sources.
Accepted work includes but is not limited to literature reviews, novel research projects, critical analysis papers, research-based proposals, and essays. For students in the public health discipline, contact the editors if the project does not adhere to the submission guidelines.
Formatting
2000 words minimum to 6000 words maximum. The conversion for that is 8 to 20 pages double-spaced not including the list of references.
Submissions should be double-spaced, set in 12 pt. Times New Roman, with a one-inch margin all around.
Citations should follow the style guidelines of the associated format chosen for the paper. For help in formatting your paper to URJ standards, visit the Purdue OWL Writing Site: APA or MLA.
See About Us for contact information if you have more questions.