Instructions for Authors

Authors should submit all manuscripts electronically through the Journal’s online submission system.  Manuscripts must be formatted using the most current Journal template.

Please follow the instructions below strictly. Manuscripts that fail to comply with the Journal's guidelines will be desk rejected.

1. Submissions should represent original scholarly work that falls within the scope of the Journal and demonstrate a clear analytical or interpretive contribution to music research. Manuscripts submitted to MJM must not have been published previously, in whole or in part, nor be under consideration elsewhere. Where a submission draws on data, fieldwork, or materials closely related to other published or submitted work, authors are expected to ensure that the manuscript presents a clearly distinct scholarly contribution in terms of its research focus, theoretical framing, analytical emphasis, and interpretation.
2. Authors should prepare a complete manuscript of between 5,000 and 8,000 words (excluding references, notes, and author biographies), together with an abstract of 150–250 words and exactly six (6) keywords listed in alphabetical order. A brief author biography of no more than 150 words per author should also be provided. Manuscripts must be submitted as Microsoft Word files (.doc or .docx). PDF submissions are not accepted.
3. All manuscripts must be written in English and use British spelling and conventions consistently. Submissions should follow APA 7 guidelines in all matters of language, style, punctuation, citation, and referencing, unless otherwise specified by the Journal. Manuscripts should be formatted on A4 page size, using Times New Roman 11-point font, and should be single-spaced throughout, in accordance with the most current MJM template.
4. Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy, authenticity, and verifiability of all data, sources, quotations, images, musical examples, and other materials included in the manuscript. Research involving human participants must comply with recognised ethical standards, including the obtaining of informed consent where required. Authors must obtain written permission for the publication of any material under copyright prior to submission, and responsibility for copyright compliance rests entirely with the author(s).
5. The use of artificial intelligence tools is permitted only for limited support functions, such as language refinement. AI tools must not be used to fabricate data, invent sources, generate analysis, or replace scholarly judgement. Any use of AI tools must be transparently declared by name and purpose in the Acknowledgements. Authors retain full responsibility for the originality, accuracy, interpretation, and ethical integrity of their work.
6. Tables, figures, images, and musical examples should be clearly labelled, numbered consecutively, and referred to in the text. All visual materials must be of sufficient quality for publication and fully credited. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of all information presented in tables, figures, and captions, and for securing any necessary permissions or consents.
7. In-text citations and the reference list must correspond exactly and conform to APA 7 conventions throughout. All cited sources should be personally checked by the author(s) for accuracy and authenticity. DOIs should be included where available and must resolve correctly.

All submissions undergo an initial editorial assessment to determine their suitability for further consideration. Manuscripts that fall substantially outside the Journal’s scope or do not meet basic readiness expectations will be returned to authors without being sent for peer review. MJM operates a double-blind peer review process, and authors are responsible for ensuring that manuscripts are anonymised and do not contain identifying information. Completion of submission requirements does not guarantee that a manuscript will be sent for peer review or accepted for publication. Final editorial decisions rest with the Chief Editor.