This document provides the mandatory types setting, layout, and digital accessibility requirements for final manuscript submission to PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal. To comply with ADA Title II (WCAG 2.1 Level AA), all submissions must follow these structural standards.

I. Mandatory Submission Format

• Submission File Type: All manuscripts must be submitted as a single Microsoft Word document (.docx).
• No PDF Submissions: To ensure compliance, editors must verify the underlying accessibility tags (Styles, Alt Text, and Table Headers) within the source Word file. PDFs will be returned for technical revision.
• Accessibility Checker: Before uploading, authors must run the Word Accessibility Checker (Review > Check Accessibility) and resolve all "Errors."
• Please Note: the final file published in PDXScholar will be an accessible PDF, not a Word document.

II. Formatting & Layout Requirements

• No Title Page/Abstract: These will be added by the editors.
• No Page Numbers/Headers/Footers: These will be added by the editors.
• Language: Articles must be written in English. Except for common foreign words and phrases, the use of foreign words and phrases should be avoided.
• Page Size & Margins: 8.5 x 11-inches. All margins (top, bottom, left, right) must be 1.5 inches (3.8 cm).
• Article Length: Authors should exercise discretion with respect to length. Please use 5,000 words as a point of reference.
• Spacing: Single-space the text. Use a single-column layout.
• Justification: Text should be justified. If this creates awkward spacing, left-justified is preferred.
• Font:
  • Main Body: 12 pt. Times New Roman (or closest comparable).
  • Footnotes:10 pt. Times New Roman.
  • Headings: Sans serif font (e.g., Arial) is permitted for headings to distinguish hierarchy.

III. Digital Accessibility Standards (WCAG 2.1 AA)

1. Headings (Navigation)

Do not rely on bold or enlarged text to indicate sections. Assistive technology requires semantic tags to navigate the paper.

• Requirement: Use the Styles menu in Microsoft Word to apply Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, etc.
• Hierarchy: Maintain a logical order (e.g., do not jump from Heading 1 to Heading 3).
• Resource: Using Microsoft Word Heading Styles

2. Alternative Text (Alt Text) for Visuals

Every image, photo, map, and chart must have a brief description for readers who cannot see the screen.

• Requirement: Right-click the image, select "View Alt Text", and enter a brief description.
• Complex Statistical Graphics: For charts or scatter plots, provide a high-level summary in the Alt Text and ensure the specific data findings are fully described in the surrounding body text.
• Resources: Authoring Meaningful Alternative Text (W3C) and Complex Image Descriptions

3. Accessible Tables

• Structure: Use tables for data only, never for page layout. Avoid merging or splitting cells.
• Headers: You must designate a Header Row (Table Design > Header Row) so screen readers can associate data with its category.
• Captions: Add a descriptive table caption/title above every table.
• Resource: Creating Accessible Tables in Microsoft Word

4. Color and Contrast

• Main Text: Must be black.
• Color as Meaning: Do not use color as the only way to convey information. Ensure that figures remain legible if printed in black and white (use patterns or labels in addition to color).
• Resource: WebAIM Contrast Checker

IV. Detailed Style Guidelines

• Paragraphs:
  • Indent all paragraphs except those following a section heading (at least 2 em-spaces).
  • Do not insert extra space between paragraphs of text with the exception of long quotations, theorems, propositions, special remarks, etc. These should be set off from the surrounding text by additional space above and below.
  • Don't "widow" or "orphan" text (i.e., ending a page with the first line of a paragraph or beginning a page with the last line of a paragraph).
• Emphasized Text: Use italics for emphasis, foreign terms, and titles of books/movies. Avoid underlining or using colored text for emphasis.
• Mathematics:
  • Italicize Roman letters used as variables.
  • Use Display Math (centered on its own line) for long expressions or multi-level fractions.
  • Number equations sequentially.
  • Short mathematical expressions should be typed inline. Longer expressions should appear as display math. Also expressions using many different levels (e.g., such as the fractions) should be set as display math. Important definitions or concepts can also be set off as display math.
  • Equations should be numbered sequentially. Whether equation numbers are on the right or left is the choice of the author(s). However, you are expected to be consistent in this.
  • Symbols and notation in unusual fonts should be avoided. This will not only enhance the clarity of the manuscript, but it will also help ensure that it displays correctly on the reader's screen and prints correctly on her printer.
• Footnotes: Place at the bottom of the page where referenced. Use 10 pt. Times New Roman, single-spaced, with a separator rule. Footnote numbers must follow punctuation.
• References: Use Chicago Notes and Bibliography Style. Include a DOI number or meaningful hyperlink for every reference available.
• Privacy: Remove hidden data and personal information before final submission to ensure a clean file for publication.