Author Guidelines

• File format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx).
• Maximum file size: 2 MB (authors are advised to compress files if necessary).
• Font: 12-point Times New Roman.
• Text formatting: single-spaced, fully justified (including references).
• Page layout: 1-inch margins on all sides, A4 paper size (20.99 cm × 29.7 cm).
• Length: maximum of 25 pages, inclusive of title, abstract, keywords, main text, references, tables, figures, and footnotes.
• Language: manuscripts must be submitted in formal US English.
• Figures and tables: must be embedded within the text at the appropriate locations, not grouped at the end. Ensure high resolution (minimum 300 dpi).
• Citations: authors must use Mendeley, Zotero, or a compatible reference management tool (APA 7th edition).
• Quotations and Special Terms: All direct quotations, including Qur'anic verses, Hadith, interview transcripts, excerpts from authoritative classical literature, and untranslated Arabic terms, must be formatted in italics and enclosed in quotation marks to ensure academic rigor, source authenticity, and alignment with reputable (Scopus) publication standards.

1. Title Page

• Full title (concise, informative, reflecting the behavioral/analytical decision science focus).
• Author(s)’ full name(s), academic title(s), institutional affiliation(s), country, and email address(es).
• Indicate the corresponding author with an asterisk (*).

2. Abstract

• A concise summary limited to 150-250 words.
• Must include: purpose, methodology, key findings, originality/value, limitations, and practical implications.
• SDG Alignment: Explicitly state which UN SDG(s) the research contributes to (e.g., SDG 1, 8, 9, 12).
• Provide 4 to 7 keywords separated by commas.

3. Introduction

• Provide background context and rationale.
• Clearly state the research problem, questions, or hypotheses.
• Crucial: Articulate the gap in existing behavioral/analytical economic literature and explain how Islamic economic principles address this gap.

4. Research methodology

• Present a clear description of the research design (quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, experimental, computational, bibliometric, etc.).
• Specify data collection procedures, sampling techniques, instruments, or algorithms used, and ethical considerations.
• Describe data analysis methods with sufficient detail to allow replication (e.g., SEM-PLS parameters, machine learning model specifications, econometric models).

5. Results and discussion

• Present findings logically using tables, figures, or charts.
• Interpret results in relation to the research questions and existing literature.
• Economic-behavioral bridge: discuss how the empirical/analytical findings validate, refine, or challenge existing theories of Islamic economic behavior or institutional decision-making.
• Address limitations and implications for the UN SDGs.

6. Conclusion and recommendations

• Summarize key findings and theoretical/practical contributions.
• Provide well-justified recommendations for policymakers, Islamic financial institutions, fintech developers, or future research.

7. Acknowledgments (if applicable)

• Recognize individuals, institutions, or funding agencies. Disclose conflicts of interest.

8. References

• Follow APA 7th edition precisely.
• Interdisciplinary Requirement: References must include reputable international empirical journals in Decision Sciences, Economics, or Information Systems (e.g., Elsevier, Springer, Emerald, IEEE) AND authoritative Islamic economic literature. Prioritize recent research (last 5 years).

1. Operationalization of Islamic Constructs If introducing variables derived from Islamic economics (e.g., Maqasid-based utility, Shariah compliance perception, Zakat consciousness), clearly define them and explain how they were measured (e.g., adapted from validated scales with expert judgment, or pilot-tested for reliability).
2. Methodological justification Clearly justify the chosen analytical method. For quantitative studies, report validity/reliability and model fit indices (e.g., SEM-PLS). For computational/AI studies, detail the dataset, preprocessing steps, and model evaluation metrics (e.g., accuracy, F1-score). For experimental economics, detail the experimental design and control mechanisms.
3. Contextual relevance Ensure the findings are explicitly tied back to the unique ethical, social, or religious context of the Islamic economic system being studied, avoiding generic applications of Western models without critical adaptation.

• Maintain consistency in terminology throughout the manuscript.
• Write in formal, scientific US English, ensuring correct grammar, syntax, and academic tone. Avoid colloquial language and ambiguous expressions.
• Use precise and objective language appropriate for scholarly communication in decision and economic sciences.
• Quotations and Special Terms: All direct quotations, including Qur'anic verses, Hadith, interview transcripts, excerpts from authoritative classical literature, and untranslated Arabic terms, must be formatted in italics and enclosed in quotation marks to ensure academic rigor, source authenticity, and alignment with reputable publication standards.

• The manuscript reports original research not previously published and not under consideration elsewhere.
• The manuscript adheres to the formatting guidelines (Word doc, <2MB, APA 7th, US English).
• The main manuscript file is anonymized for double-anonymous peer review.
• The title page is provided as a separate document.
• The manuscript contains no plagiarism, data falsification, or fabrication.
• Methodological compliance: The manuscript explicitly details the behavioral/analytical framework and methodological rigor as per the Special Guidelines, avoiding purely normative discourse.
• SDG alignment: The abstract and introduction clearly identify the specific UN SDG(s) addressed by the research.
• AI disclosure: The authors have complied with the journal's AI Policy, and any use of AI tools has been appropriately disclosed.
• Copyright & Licensing: The authors understand that they retain the copyright of their work, and the manuscript will be published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0) upon acceptance.
• Publication Fees: The authors acknowledge that Rashad Journal does not charge any Article Processing Charges (APCs), submission fees, or any other publication fees.