Who can submit to the USC Upstate Student Research Journal?

Any current or recent USC Upstate graduate or undergraduate student who has concluded a research project or creative activity can submit to the USC Upstate Student Research Journal. Non-USC Upstate undergraduates who have completed a project under the mentorship of a USC Upstate faculty member are also eligible. The student should only submit their contribution after receiving approval from their faculty mentor.

What is the USC Upstate Student Research Journal submission deadline?

The submission deadline for papers is announced at the beginning of each fall semester. More details can be found within the Call for Papers above. In addition, you may refer to the SARS Calendar for yearly deadlines.

Can creative project manuscripts be submitted?

Yes. For creative projects, we invite an extended description of the project, illustrations or more appropriate materials instead of a full-length manuscript.

Can my submission be the result of a class research or creative project?

Yes. Outstanding research or creative manuscripts resulting from a class project are welcomed. In this case, your course instructor would be your faculty mentor.

Can I also submit my paper to the Annual SC Upstate Research Symposium?

Yes. You may submit a condensed version of your Journal submission to the SC Upstate Research Symposium. Further, if you previously presented your research at the SC Upstate Reseach Symposium you are encouraged to submit an extended version of a paper/poster that you presented to the USC Upstate Student Research Journal.

What is the review and selection process for the USC Upstate Student Research Journal?

The Faculty Editorial Board reviews submissions, makes the final selection of articles and coordinates the final publication of the USC Upstate Student Research Journal with the University Communications Department.

What are the selection criteria for the papers?

Papers are reviewed based on the following criteria:

• A well-written paper
• Significance and purpose of the research is well described for a multidisciplinary audience
• Well-developed research design and methodology
• Thoughtfully interpreted and analyzed results
• Excellent utilization of supporting materials or references
• A non-repetitive, efficiently organized, convincing and easy-to-follow paper

Can I have a co-author?

You can have USC Upstate undergraduates and your faculty project advisor as co-authors. Other research personnel should be recognized in the acknowledgements section of your paper.

Can I request an extension on the deadline to submit my paper?

Yes. If your project or paper will not be completed by the deadline, and you are still interested in submitting for the USC Upstate Student Research Journal, send an e-mail to Dr. Joshua Ruppel in the Sponsored Awards and Research Support office explaining your situation.

How will I know if my paper has been selected for the USC Upstate Student Research Journal?

You and your faculty mentor will receive an email about your status.

What subjects and how many papers do you publish each year in the USC Upstate Student Research Journal?

We welcome papers from all disciplines. The decision to publish a paper depends only on the quality of the paper. We do not have a quota as to how many to publish. Decisions are based on quality only. If all the papers submitted are excellent, we will publish them all; likewise, if all the papers are poor, no USC Upstate Student Research Journal will be published that year.

What kind of format is required for the USC Upstate Student Research Journal?

Paper submission guidelines can be found within the Call for Papers section above. Only papers that adhere to these guidelines will be considered for possible publication in the USC Upstate Student Research Journal.

My faculty mentor has not read my paper. Should I submit it anyway?

No. All papers that are submitted must be read by faculty mentors prior to submission. A faculty mentor's approval is extremely important and increases your chance of being published.

I don't know how to cite sources. Where can I go for help?

For citing sources, you must use the guidelines stated within the Call for Papers section above. The Paper Submission Guidelines on the Call for Papers also list how to cite common references, such as books, scholarly journals, magazine and newspaper articles and anthologies.

My project involves the use of human or animal subjects. What should I do?

If your project involves human or animal subjects, please make sure your study has obtained the appropriate IRB or IACUC approval prior to starting your project. You must provide the number approving this study. If you do not have this approval, your paper will not be considered for possible publication. See the website of the Office of Research Compliance for additional information.

Do I need to respond to the biographical questions and turn in a picture?

Yes. After your paper has been accepted, you be instructed on how to get your picture taken by a photographer on campus and you will need to answer a short questionnaire. Published papers will include a brief biographical section about the authors.

Can I make revisions to my paper after I submit it?

Yes, but only if the Faculty Editorial Board deems such changes are necessary and would greatly enhance how understandable your paper is. Revisions should be submitted only after you receive a request from the Editorial Board for such changes. Such papers are considered borderline cases and have a good chance of being published.

Can I also submit my paper to other journals?

Yes, but make sure the other publications do not object if your paper ends up being selected for publication in The USC Upstate Student Research Journal. This is assuming that you are submitting identical versions of the paper to both journals.

For any other questions, please contact Dr. Joshua Ruppel or at 864-503-5781.