Overview

The Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences (MJAS) is a peer-reviewed research journal dedicated to the dissemination of new and original knowledge in all branches of analytical chemistry. This journal has been published by the Malaysian Analytical Sciences Society (ANALIS) as the sole scientific publication of the society since 1995. Since 2015, the journal has been published in six issues per year, appearing in February, April, June, August, October, and December.
In addition to our regular normal submission, MJAS also host an annual paper-based conference namely International Conference of Analytical Sciences (SKAM). Papers submitted to SKAM undergo the standard peer review process to ensure the highest quality and relevance before publication. This conference provides a platform for researchers to present and discuss their work in a rigorous academic setting, contributing to the advancement of knowledge within the field. 
Aims and Scope
MJAS publishes original research and review articles on all aspects of analytical principles, including but not limited to analytical instruments, biomedical analysis, biomolecular analysis, biosensors, chemical analysis, chemometrics, clinical chemistry, computational chemistry, drug discovery, environmental analysis, food analysis, forensic analysis, laboratory automation, materials analysis, metabolomics, pharmaceutical analysis, proteomics, surface science, and synthetic chemistry.
Indexing
  • SCOPUS (Q4 Analytical Chemistry)
  • MyCite
  • International Nuclear Information System (INIS Database)
  • Asean Citation Index
  • CAB Abstracts
  • EVISA database
  • ISC Journal Master List

Publication Timeline

Average 60 days from submission to first decision. The rejection rate is 30% (year 2023), includes without review based on formal criteria as they do not comply with the submission guidelines, aim and scope of the journal.

Submission from Conference Track

MJAS invites potential organizers to submit their applications for hosting a conference track. Please ensure your application is submitted at least nine months before the event date. Alongside your application, include all relevant supporting documents that demonstrate your capability and plans. The proposed conference track should align closely with the journal’s scope and focus areas. Please note that the journal does not offer special issues; submissions from the conference track will be combined with regular issues, with additional information provided on our website. We seek to ensure that all submissions contribute meaningfully to the field’s advancement. We look forward to receiving well-prepared applications and collaborating on impactful conference tracks.

Metrics
♥ Cite Score: 1.1 (2023)
♥ Cite Score Rank: 131/156 (Analytical Chemistry)
♥ H-Index: 25 (2023)
♥ Total Citation: 1098 (2023)
♥ Download/View: 22,900 (2023)
 
Open Access
MJAS operates under an open access policy, ensuring that all published articles are freely accessible to the public without any subscription fees. This policy enhances the visibility and accessibility of research, allowing anyone to read, download, and share articles. Authors are required to pay an article publication fee upon acceptance of their manuscript to cover the costs associated with open access publishing. This fee supports the journal’s commitment to making scientific knowledge widely available and fostering greater dissemination and impact of research findings.
Submission Declaration and Verification
Submission of an article implies that the work described has not been published previously (except in the form of an abstract, a published lecture, or an academic thesis), that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere, that its publication is approved by all authors and tacitly or explicitly by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out, and that, if accepted, it will not be published elsewhere in the same form, in English or any other language, including electronically, without the written consent of the copyright holder. To verify compliance, your article may be checked by originality or duplicate-checking software.
Ethical Approval
When documenting a study involving human or animal subjects, along with their data or biological samples, authors are required to provide a statement verifying approval (or exemption) from the relevant institutional and/or national research ethics committee (including the committee’s name). Additionally, authors must include a statement in the manuscript confirming that informed consent was obtained for experimentation involving human or animal subjects.
Declaration of Generative AI in Scientific Writing
When authors utilize generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies during the writing process, these technologies should solely be employed to enhance readability and language. The implementation of such technologies must be conducted with human oversight and control, requiring authors to thoroughly review and edit the resulting output, as AI can produce authoritative-sounding content that may be incorrect, incomplete, or biased. AI and AI-assisted technologies should not be recognized as authors or co-authors, nor should they be cited as authors. Authorship entails responsibilities and tasks that can only be attributed to and performed by humans.
Copyright
MJAS retains copyright of all published articles, granting authors the right to retain ownership of their work while allowing the journal to publish and disseminate the content. Authors must transfer the copyright to MJAS upon acceptance of their manuscript. To reuse or reproduce any part of the published work in other formats or publications, authors and others must obtain written permission from the journal. This policy ensures that the integrity of the published work is maintained and that proper credit is given to the authors and the journal. For permission requests, please contact the journal’s editorial office with specific details of the intended reuse.
Retraction and Withdrawal Policy
Retractions are issued to correct the literature and alert readers to publications that contain erroneous or fraudulent data. Withdrawals are used for articles accepted but not yet published or those with critical errors identified shortly after publication. Authors can request withdrawal, or the editorial team may identify issues (retraction). A retraction notice is published and linked to the original article, which remains accessible but marked as retracted. If published online, a notice explaining the reasons for withdrawal is posted. The article is removed if not formally published.
Peer Review Policy
Submissions to the MJAS are first checked and validated by the Executive Editor before being sent to an Editor who will decide whether they are suitable for peer review. If an Editor is on the author list or has a competing interest in a manuscript, another member of the Editorial Board is assigned to supervise the peer review process. When making a decision, Editors will consider the peer-reviewed reports, but they are not bound by the opinions or recommendations contained therein. A single peer reviewer’s or the Editor’s concern may result in the manuscript being rejected. The editorial decision on the manuscript is sent to the authors along with the peer review reports.
Peer Review Selection
The process of selecting peer reviewers is crucial to the publication of a manuscript. It is determined by several factors, including expertise, reputation, specific recommendations, conflicts of interest, and previous performance. Speed, thoroughness, logical reasoning, and collegiality are all highly desirable qualities.
  • For manuscripts reporting primary research or secondary analysis of primary research, the editor(s) are expected to obtain a minimum of two peer reviewers. It is acknowledged that in some exceptional circumstances, such as niche and emerging fields, obtaining two independent peer reviewers may be impossible. In such cases, the editor(s) may decide to publish based on a single peer review report. Editors are expected to make decisions based on a single report only if the peer review report meets the standards outlined below.
  • Peer review reports should be written in English and provide constructive critical feedback on the authors’ work, focusing on the appropriateness of the methodologies used, the accuracy of the results, and whether the conclusions are supported by the findings. Editorial decisions should be made based on peer reviewer comments that meet these criteria, rather than recommendations made by short, superficial peer review reports that lack a rationale for the recommendations.
  • The contact details of reviewers suggested by authors or other third parties are expected to be independently verified by the editor(s). Wherever possible, institutional email addresses should be used to invite peer reviewers. At least one reviewer who was not recommended by the author should review each manuscript.
  • If the topic of the manuscript is outside the editor(s)’ or Editorial Board member’s area of expertise, it should be reviewed by at least one independent expert reviewer or Editorial Board member.
  • When two independent peer reviewers are not possible to secure, the Editor may act as a second reviewer or make a decision based on only one report. Any single report should be comprehensive and detailed.
  • Before accepting an invitation to review a manuscript, potential peer reviewers should inform the Editor of any potential conflicts of interest. Editors’ and peer reviewers’ communications contain confidential information that should not be shared with third parties.
  • MJAS allow authors to suggest potential reviewers and request that some be excluded (usually no more than two people/research groups). These requests will be considered by editors, but they are not obligated to be fulfilled. The Editor’s decision on peer reviewer selection is final.
  • Recent collaborators or colleagues who work at the same institution as the author should not be recommended. In the cover letter, authors can suggest peer reviewers. Information that will assist the Editor in verifying the reviewer’s identity and expertise will be required.
Peer Reviewer Diversity
MJAS is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we work to ensure that peer reviewers originate from a variety of backgrounds. When inviting peer reviewers, editors should take into account geographical regions, gender identities, racial/ethnic groups, and other factors.
Peer Reviewer Misconduct
False or misleading information—for example, suggesting fake peer-reviewers—will result in the manuscript being rejected, as well as further investigation in accordance with publication misconduct policy and notification to the authors’ institutions/employers.
Peer Reviewer Model
MJAS blinded peer review: The identities of neither the authors nor the peer reviewers are revealed in double-blind peer review. Articles’ pre-publication history is not available on the internet.
Peer Reviewer Guidance
Peer review’s main goal is to give the Editor the information he or she needs to make a fair, evidence-based decision that follows the journal’s editorial guidelines. Authors should use review reports to help them revise their papers so that they can be published. Reports that include a recommendation to reject a paper should explain the major flaws in the research, as this will assist the authors in preparing their manuscript for submission to another journal.
Confidential comments to the Editor are encouraged, but they must not contradict the report’s main points. Peer reviewers should evaluate papers solely on the basis of the journal’s publication criteria.
The following guidelines should be followed:
  • Reviewers should review the peer review policy of the Journal before disclosing their reviewer role.
  • Reviews should be carried out with a level of objectivity.
  • Defamatory/libelous remarks, as well as personal criticism of the author, are inappropriate.
  • Reviewers should express their opinions clearly, with evidence and references to back them up.
  • Reviewers should decline to review manuscripts in which they have a competing interest due to competitive, collaborative, or other relationships or connections with any of the authors, companies, or institutions associated with the papers.
  • Reviewers should keep unpublished manuscripts confidential and not discuss them with colleagues or use the information in their own work.
  • Any reviewer who wishes to forward a peer review invitation to a colleague should first contact the journal.
Our policy is to remain neutral in published maps and institutional affiliations when it comes to jurisdictional claims, and authors are free to use whatever naming conventions they want. Peer reviewers should not ask authors to make any changes unless it is absolutely necessary for the academic content of the manuscript to be understood.
MJAS is dedicated to timely editorial decisions and publication, and we believe that a smooth editorial process benefits both our authors and the research community as a whole. As a result, we ask reviewers to respond within the agreed-upon timeframe. We ask reviewers to notify us if they expect a delay so that we can keep the authors informed and, if necessary, find alternatives.
If you have any questions or concerns about these points, or any other aspect of the review process, please contact the editorial team.
What is peer review?
Peer review is an essential component of scientific research, where it is designed to validate academic work, access the quality and the originality of articles for publication.
Types of peer review
This journal follows the double anonymized review model, where both the reviewers and the authors are anonymous. There are some advantages of this model as listed below:
  • Limits reviewer bias to author – author’s gender, author’s origin, academic status, or publication history
  • Articles written by prestigious or renowned authors – the content of the papers should be considered, rather than their reputation
What reviewers need to know
  • Identifying conflicts of interest: If you think the field and the authorship of a manuscript may prevent you from giving an objective review, it must be disclosed to the journal editors.
  • Being prepared: Get to know the journal you are reviewing for and the current state of the field, and give the manuscript an initial read before you dive into the review. MJAS provide additional guidance for reviewers. Be sure to read the journal-specific “Information for Reviewers” pages before you begin the review process.
  • Understand the impact: Does the manuscript provide novel contributions to the field? Is it a good fit for the journal? These are key factors to consider when writing a review.
  • Evaluating the manuscript: As a reviewer, it’s your job to gauge if the manuscript is scientifically sound, clearly written, contains strong graphics and data, and contains enough detail to be replicated.
  • Building your case: Compile your review in an organized manner, and be specific, professional, and accurate. It’s important to be as thorough as possible when completing the reviewer form.

Reviewers can access a complete manuscript and submit their reviews via https://mjas.analis.com.my/.

What authors need to know

The peer review process as illustrated in figure below:

Payment

Authors who publish open access in MJAS are required to pay an article publication fee. The publication fee is determined based on the date the article is accepted for publication. The current fee, subject to local taxes where applicable, is MYR 200 (local correspondence) or USD 100 (international correspondence). Payment of the publication fee can be made to the account below:
Account Name: Persatuan Sains Analisis Malaysia
Account No: 12070000525711
Bank: Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad
Types of Manuscripts
  • Research
  • Review (Full or Mini)
  • Short Communication
Language
Please write your text in good English (either American or British usage is accepted, but do not mix them). Authors who feel their English language manuscript may require editing to eliminate possible grammatical or spelling errors and to conform to correct scientific English may wish to use language editing services.
Layout
The manuscript should be prepared in a single column. Once accepted and ready for the final proof, the copy editor will convert it into a camera-ready file (two columns).
Authors and Co-authorship
For transparency, we require corresponding authors to provide co-author contributions to the manuscript using the relevant CRediT roles. The roles include Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Resources, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Roles/Writing – original draft, and Writing – review & editing. Note that not all roles may apply to every manuscript, and authors may have contributed through multiple roles.
Abstract and Keywords
The abstract should be a maximum of 200 words in English or Bahasa Malaysia. Use a 9-point font with text left and right justified. Leave one blank line after the original abstract. For keywords, use the full term (not abbreviation) with a maximum of 5 keywords.
Graphical Abstract
A graphical abstract is mandatory for this journal. It should summarize the contents of the article in a concise, pictorial form designed to capture the attention of a wide readership online. Authors must provide images that clearly represent the work described in the article. Graphical abstracts should be submitted as a separate file in the online submission system. Image size: please provide an image with a minimum of 531 × 1328 pixels (h × w) or proportionally more. The image should be readable at a size of 5 × 13 cm using a regular screen resolution of 96 dpi. Preferred file type: PNG. You can view example graphical abstracts on our information site.
Headings
The manuscript of a research article should include the following sections: Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion, Conclusion, Acknowledgement, and References. For review articles, subheadings should reflect the manuscript content. All first-order headings should use a 10-point font, be bold and centered. Second-order headings should be bold, in 10-point font, and indented.
Text of Manuscript
The manuscript should be prepared in a 10-point font size, unindented. The text should be left and right justified. Metric units should be used in their accepted abbreviated form, according to the International System of Units. Chemical symbols should be specified and spelled out the first time they are mentioned, with the symbol used thereafter.
Tables
Tables must be included in the body of the text. Table text and captions should be in a 10-point font, centered over the full page width. The table number and heading should be centered above the table.
Illustrations
Figures must be included in the body of the text and centered. The figure number and caption in a 10-point font should be centered below the figure using the full-page width. Only high-contrast, original line drawings are accepted. Poor-quality illustrations will be returned. If licensed software is used, include the version details.
Acknowledgement
This should be included whenever appropriate as a separate section before the References section. Use a 10-point font.
Identify who provided financial support for the conduct of the research and/or preparation of the article, and briefly describe the role of the sponsor(s), if any, in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication. If the funding source(s) had no such involvement, it is recommended to state this.
References Cited
Follow APA 7th Edition.
Citation in Text
Indicate references by number(s) in square brackets in line with the text before any punctuation, with a space before the first bracket.
Reference List
Number the references (numbers in square brackets) in the list in the order in which they appear in the text. Use sequential numerals in square brackets [1] for indicating references. References should be listed in numerical order in the References section and should be in 10-point font, including authors, years, title of the paper, abbreviated journal title, volume, issue number, and pages.
We encourage you to use the MJAS authoring template, the file can be downloaded as a WORD format. This template prioritizes content over formatting, aiming to uphold editorial policy best practices and facilitate a smooth transition through editorial and production stages.
DOWNLOAD
Supplementary materials such as raw data, images, software output, or other related files can be included with your article to enhance its content. Submitted supplementary items will be published in their original format (e.g., Word, Excel or PowerPoint files will be displayed as such online). When submitting your material alongside the article, please include a brief, descriptive caption for each supplementary file. If you need to modify supplementary material at any point during the process, please submit an updated file rather than annotating corrections on a previous version.
DOWNLOAD