Manuscript Types

INCOME prioritizes original research addressing a substantive question within its scope. Authors should identify the manuscript type in their submission and explain its contribution in the cover letter.

Original research articles

These articles report completed research using quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, or other appropriate research designs. They must present a clear research question, an adequate methodological explanation, evidence-based findings, and a critical discussion of implications and limitations.

Research-based case studies

Case studies are considered as original research when they explain case selection, sources of evidence, analytical procedures, and the relationship between findings and existing knowledge. Descriptions of an organization or its activities without a research question and analysis are insufficient.

Review articles

Systematic reviews, scoping reviews, meta-analyses, and critical integrative reviews must explain how literature was located, selected, assessed, and synthesized. Reviews should develop a meaningful synthesis rather than present a sequence of summaries.

Conceptual articles

This category requires a coherent theoretical argument, critical engagement with relevant literature, and a clearly articulated conceptual contribution. Unsupported opinion pieces are not eligible.

Editorial and post-publication content

Editorials, scholarly comments, author replies, corrections, and retraction notices are distinct from research articles. Scholarly comments and replies are evaluated for relevance and accuracy and may be referred for expert review. Editorials and formal notices are assessed by the editors and are not represented as externally peer-reviewed research.