Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of research/disciplines can be submitted to the URJ?
The URJ accepts research papers from all undergraduate disciplines & schools (e.g. Humanities, Social Science, and STEM) We accept critical analysis papers, novel research projects, literature reviews, and essays.
Does the research have to be something from the current semester?
Absolutely not, your submitted research paper may be from any semester that you were an undergraduate student at UC Merced.
Who’s eligible to submit a paper to the URJ?
One who wrote their own manuscript and conducted their own research, while an undergraduate at UC Merced is eligible for submission. Further, one can still submit up to one year after their graduation date. For example, if one graduated in Spring 2025, you can still submit for the Fall 2025 issue, and the Spring 2026 issue.
Who owns the rights to my paper? My idea?
All ownership rights align with escholarship’s listed author rights. “Authors do not transfer copyright to eScholarship for works that are published or deposited here. If you need permission for republication or other use of a work found on eScholarship, we cannot give it to you.”
How many references are needed?
There is no minimum or maximum.
Does my paper need to include an abstract?
Absolutely not. We are fully aware that many research papers and essays do not include an abstract. If an abstract is not already incorporated in your paper, please submit your “introduction” as a substitute, within the submission process.
Can group work be submitted?
Yes, with permission from every author.
Can I resubmit the same work that was previously rejected?
Absolutely, we encourage students to revise their work and resubmit.
Can I submit multiple papers for consideration?
Only one paper per semester is eligible.
Can I submit my paper simultaneously to other publications?
You will be able to submit your paper to other publications, but your paper cannot be published multiple times through eScholarship.
For further questions, email us at urj@ucmerced.edu or contact us on our Instagram.