The Arsenal

The Process of Publishing with The Arsenal

The Arsenal utilizes a double-blind, peer-review system for each issue of the journal. We have outlined the process for students from manuscript to publication below. Click here to view a schematic of the process.   
  1. Faculty Approval: All student research published in The Arsenal must be sponsored and approved by an Augusta University faculty member.
  2. Writing: Student authors are strongly encouraged to work on writing their manuscript under the direct mentorship of their faculty mentor. Please see Manuscript Guidelines for journal specifications.
  3. Review from CWE: All manuscripts must be reviewed by the Center for Writing Excellence (CWE) prior to submission to The Arsenal.
  • Make an  appointment with the CWE for online written feedback.
  • For the course write "CURS."
  • When asked Do you want a report emailed to your professor?, click YES and ask for a copy of the report to be sent to ARSENAL@AUGUSTA.edu. 
  • When asked for the assignment, type "manuscript for The Arsenal journal."
  • When asked What would you like to work on today? choose "Other" and in the text box, type "full review for journal submission".
  1. Submission to The Arsenal: The primary student author will submit the manuscript for review. The following are required for submission: All student author and faculty biographies, headshots, and ORCID iDs; title page; abstract, manuscript; faculty mentor consent form, CWE documentation.
  2. Peer Review and Decision: Each manuscript undergoes a double-blind peer review from members of The Arsenal Editorial Board and CURS Ambassadors. Reviewers will determine if the manuscript best fits the aim and scope of the journal, deciding to accept with revisions or reject.
  3. Revisions: Manuscripts accepted with revisions will be returned to the primary student author with recommendations from the peer review process. Authors can then choose to resubmit their manuscript.
  4. Peer Review and Decision: Each manuscript undergoes a double-blind peer review from members of The Arsenal Editorial Board and CURS Ambassadors. Reviewers will determine to accept or decline revisions of the manuscript. The peer review process is cyclic, until the manuscript is ready for publication.
  5. Invitation to Publish: The primary author of accepted manuscripts will receive an official invitation to publish in The Arsenal. The student author will work with the Editorial Board to prepare for publication.
  6. Publication: The Arsenal aims to publish one full-issue each academic semester (Fall and Spring) and two special-issues for the Undergraduate Research and Fine Arts (URFA) and Summer Scholars (SSP) Symposium.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Student FAQs

Who can publish in The Arsenal?

Students of any Augusta University undergraduate program may submit to The Arsenal. This includes students whose research was completed as an undergraduate but have since graduated, as long as the student is not more than one year past graduation.

I am a graduate student. May I publish in The Arsenal?

The Arsenal is an undergraduate journal only. We strongly recommend you speak with your advisor to look for professional journals that could highlight your work.

Can I republish data elsewhere that I have published in The Arsenal?

Glad you asked. Publication ethics is super important. The answer is – it depends. If you are publishing a subset of data or new findings from a set of data, often journals will accept this. Please check with the other journal you intend to submit to for their guidelines.

What is the timeline for publication?

Submissions are generally reviewed between September and November and between January and April. The timeline from submission to publication usually takes about 12 months. Fall and Spring issues are published once each semester. 

What is considered research? Is my manuscript appropriate for The Arsenal?

Our definition of research is broad and inclusive of all disciplines. Discovery is the cornerstone of research and scholarship no matter the discipline. We focus on manuscripts that describe a topic of discovery and a scholarly/ research question, the methods used to answer the question, and the outcome of the process whether the product is a new play or a new medication. This looks different in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

I’ve written a short story or poem. Can I submit this for publication in The Arsenal?

Awesome! But we need to send you over to our friends at Sandhills Magazine and Phoenix Magazine for creative work – they have you covered.

How can I become involved in The Arsenal? This publication is largely produced by students who are Ambassadors for the Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship. Check out our Ambassador page to apply.

 

Faculty FAQs:

Since The Arsenal is a student publication, should I be listed as an author?

We ask that faculty mentors advise their students and provide substantial feedback, but do not write the manuscript or significant portions of the manuscript.  The student(s) should be the author(s), but they may (and should) receive plenty guidance and mentorship from you.  Beginning in FY24, faculty will be acknowledged for their contribution at the beginning of each student manuscript.

Does this student publication prevent me from publishing my research elsewhere?

Not necessarily. Even though a student may have been working on a piece of a project that is largely your research program, an article for The Arsenal should not compete with an article appropriate for a professional journal. The depth and level of research for The Arsenal is appropriate for undergraduates. If you have additional data and writing is appropriate for a professional journal, we strongly encourage you to include students as authors IF they have significantly contributed to the paper. For ethical distribution of data, please check with the editors of the other journal.

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