Guidelines for authors

Article Submission Process

In order to be received and, eventually, approved for submission to the peer-review system, proposals must comply, without exception, with the basic guidelines detailed below.

General Guidelines

The journal Arquitectura + does not charge any fees throughout the editorial management and publication process.

To submit an article for publication in Arquitectura +, manuscripts must be sent in Word document format (.docx), adjusted to the Manuscript Template.

Arquitectura + only accepts original (unpublished) articles derived from scientific and applied research of an academic and professional nature that have not been published elsewhere. For this purpose, authors must sign the Statement of Originality and Copyright Transfer Agreement.

All submissions undergo a double-blind peer review process. However, the Editorial Board is responsible for the final decision regarding acceptance. Only works aligned with the strategic areas established by the National University of Engineering of Nicaragua—Design, Construction, Urbanism, and Territory—are considered eligible for publication.

Articles may be submitted in Spanish or English.

Arquitectura + may publish special issues (extraordinary editions) in coordination with groups, networks, institutions, and organizations conducting research events such as congresses, forums, symposiums, and conferences. In such cases, submitted articles must strictly adhere to the editorial guidelines.

Submission Procedure

Articles must be submitted through the journal platform (registration on the portal is required) or via email at: revistarq.mas@uni.edu.ni.

ORCID Registration

Authors submitting manuscripts to Arquitectura + must create and provide their ORCID identifier (personal or institutional) within the contact information section of the Manuscript Template.

To register for the first time, please visit: https://orcid.org/signin

Zero Tolerance for Plagiarism

Arquitectura + enforces a strict anti-plagiarism policy with zero tolerance. Any manuscript found to involve plagiarism will be rejected.

Types of Contributions

Arquitectura + accepts the following types of articles, each with specific requirements regarding structure, content, and length:

Research Article (4,500–7,000 words)
Presents the results of original research aimed at answering a research question, supported by findings.
Structure: Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion.

Review Article (4,500–7,000 words)
Provides narrative summaries and critical evaluations of findings or theories within a field of study. Authors should define the problem, synthesize previous research, identify relationships, contradictions, gaps, and inconsistencies, and propose future research directions.
Structure: Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Recommendations.

Methodological Article (4,500–7,000 words)
Introduces new research or practice approaches, modifications to existing methods, or discussions on quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis. Sufficient detail must be provided to evaluate applicability and feasibility.
Structure: Introduction, Method Description, Application, Analysis.

Case Study (4,000–7,000 words)
Examines a problem in depth, presents solutions, and/or highlights areas requiring further research.
Structure: Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion.

Critical Essay (2,000–4,000 words)
Presents an argumentative reflection on a relevant topic, with a subjective and analytical perspective.
Structure: Introduction, Development, Conclusions.

Adapted from: Gallego, O. F. R., Ravelo, A. N. S., APA, & Zarco, G. M. (2021). APA Publication Manual.

General Manuscript Format

All manuscripts submitted to Arquitectura + must comply with established style guidelines to ensure coherence, clarity, and academic quality:

  • Manuscripts must be written in Spanish or English
  • Length depends on the type of contribution
  • Use Times New Roman, 11 pt font, line spacing of 1.15, and a 1.25 cm first-line paragraph indent

Use of Figures and Tables

The inclusion of figures and tables is mandatory.

  • Figures (maps, graphs, drawings, photographs, etc.) must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi or between 300 × 300 px and 900 × 700 px, ensuring clear visibility.
  • Figures must be submitted as separate files, properly labeled with name and source, to facilitate layout design.
  • Tables may include as many rows and columns as necessary, provided the content remains clear and legible. Each table must be numbered, titled, and include the source of information. Tables must be referenced in the text and presented in a logical order.

The journal follows APA Style guidelines.

References

The minimum number of references required depends on the type of contribution:

  • Research Article: Minimum 30 references
  • Review Article: Minimum 60 references
  • Methodological Article: Minimum 25 references
  • Case Study: Minimum 25 references
  • Critical Essay: Minimum 5 references

References must include recent studies (from the last 5 to 10 years). Authors are encouraged to cite relevant and high-quality sources such as books, scientific articles, regulations, and technical documents.

Refer to APA Style Guidelines – Reference List Format (2021), 4th Spanish edition of the 7th English edition.