Submissions

Author Guidelines

The digital journal Agora, published by the Venezuelan School of Planning Foundation, is published semi-annually, in May and November. In May, a dossier on a specific theme will be published, while in November, contributions on any topic will be published. This editorial space invites the academic, technical, and organized community to submit original and unpublished contributions in the field of planning, framed within one of the following lines of research of our institution:

 

• International geopolitics, governance, anti-imperialism, and Bolivarian thought for planning.

• Territory eco-socialism planning, energy, and urban systems.

• Planning, Marxist economics, drivers of development, and production chains.

• Knowledge production and critical epistemology for planning.

• Society, diversity, cultural identity, and planning in connection with territories from the perspectives of gender, ethnicity, and social class.

 

Guidelines for authors

1. Originality and Ethics

Submissions must be original and unpublished. They cannot be under review by other journals, nor can they be substantially derived from previous publications. Authors must guarantee the authenticity and originality of their work, which must not have a similarity index to a previous work exceeding 25%, according to anti-plagiarism tools. In the event of plagiarism or self-plagiarism, the submission will be rejected immediately for ethical and editorial reasons. The authors bear full responsibility for the content.

 

2. Language and Style

The journal's language of publication is Spanish. Texts must conform to the grammatical and spelling rules in force in the Spanish-speaking world, in accordance with the criteria established by the Association of Spanish Language Academies (ASALE) and the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE). To resolve usage doubts, it is recommended to consult “Diccionario panhispánico de dudas”, in the Wikilengua Spanish platform, as well as the resources and guidelines of the FundéuRAE (Urgent Spanish Foundation), especially regarding updated spelling criteria. Furthermore, all words or expressions in a language other than Spanish must be written in italics.

 

3. Acronyms, Initials and Abbreviations

When an acronym, initials, or abbreviation is used for the first time in the text, the full name should be given, followed by the acronym in parentheses, capitalizing the initial letter of each word. For example: National Planning Council (NPC). In subsequent mentions, only the acronym should be used. At the end of the document, after the bibliography, a list of all acronyms, initials, and, where applicable, abbreviations used will be included, ordered according to their appearance in the text.

 

4. About Titles

The main title must be clear and concise, with a maximum length of 15 words. It should be written in title case, bold, using Arial 12 point font, and justified. Authors must also provide a shortened title in Spanish with a maximum of 60 characters (including spaces), which will appear in the headers of the even-numbered pages of the article and on the cover of the journal issue. The title should not contain abbreviations or references to footnotes, and any references to the article's origin, its relationship to research projects or theses, acknowledgments, or other elements should be placed in a footnote.

The titles of the article's sections, such as "Introduction," "Methodology," "Results," and "Discussion," should be written in title case, bold, using 12-point Arial font, and left-aligned.

 

5. Manuscript Structure and Format

The document should be submitted in letter format, portrait orientation, with dimensions of 21.59 cm x 27.94 cm. The main text should use 12-point Arial font, with 1.5 line spacing and 2.5 cm margins on all sides. The length will vary depending on the publication format, which is explained later in this document.

The document must be submitted in letter format, portrait orientation, with dimensions of 21.59 cm x 27.94 cm. The main text should use Arial 12 point font, with 1.5 line spacing and 2.5 cm margins on all sides. The length will vary depending on the publication format, which is explained later in this document.

The first page must include: the title (maximum 15 words), the author's full name(s), institutional affiliation, email address, and ORCID (maximum 50 words combined). This is followed by the abstract in Spanish (up to 250 words), three to five keywords (simple or compound), and the FEVP research area to which the contribution belongs.

 

6. Body of the text and notes

The body of the text will be justified without first-line indentation. It is recommended to follow the IMRAD model (Introduction, Methodology, Results, and Discussion/Conclusions), numbering the sections in Arabic numerals (1., 1.1, 1.1.1.) and using footnotes in 8 point Arial only for comments or clarifications, never for references.

 

7. Citations and references

In-text citations and endnote references must conform to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), seventh edition (2020).

APA style uses the Author-Date citation method. This means that each citation must include the author's last name and the year of publication.

IMPORTANT! All sources cited in the text must appear in the reference list at the end of the document.

APA citation types format direct quotation: less than 40 words (within the text), block quotation (longer than 40 words, outside the text), and paraphrased quotation.

Examples of a direct quotation within the text:

Example 1. According to Sánchez (1994), “the planet is blue” (p. 147).

Example 2. In 1994, Sánchez concluded, “the planet is blue” (p. 147).

Example 3. In fact, “the planet is blue” (Sánchez, 1994, p. 147).

Example 4. “The planet is blue” according to Sánchez (1994, p. 147) and the entire universe…

Example 5. The results of Sánchez (1994), indicates, “the planet is blue” (p. 147).

Quotations longer than 40 words

Quotations longer than 40 words are set off from the text, indented, without quotation marks, and without italics. A period is placed before the citation information at the end of the quotation. Begin this type of quotation on a new line and indent the paragraph half an inch (1.27 cm) from the left margin (in the same position as a new paragraph). If there are additional paragraphs within the quotation, indent the first line of each paragraph an additional half inch (1.27 cm).

Carefully review the citation formats and examples in the complete official APA 7th edition guidelines. Visit the official APA style website:

 

https://www.apastyle.org/manual/

https://uc3m.libguides.com/guias_tematicas/citas_bibliograficas/APA

The reference list is organized alphabetically by author's last name and year, uses a hanging indent of 1/2 inch (1.27 cm), and includes only the cited works.

 

8. Numbers and Numbering

Numbers of four digits or fewer should be written without periods, commas, or spaces, for example, 2025 (not 2 025 or 2.025). Numbers with more than four digits will be grouped in threes, separated by a non-breaking space (o), which is inserted by pressing Control + Shift + Spacebar, for example: 8 327 451 (not 8.327.451 or 8,327,451). To separate the whole number part from the decimal part, a comma will be used, for example: 3,1416.

 

9. Figures, Tables, and Illustrations

(1) All images, plans, graphs, tables, charts, and photographs shall be uniformly identified as Figures, using the abbreviation in their titles (FIG. XX). Each figure must include, below the image, its title and the corresponding source or authorship.

(2) In the text, each figure shall be referenced using the abbreviation (FIG. XX), ensuring that its mention is relevant to the content being explained. Figures should be placed in the approximate location the author deems appropriate; however, the final edition may adjust their position.

(3) Figures shall be numbered consecutively according to their order of appearance.

(4) When using graphics, images, or materials not authored by the author, the author must have the corresponding authorization from the copyright holder or publisher.

(5) In addition to being inserted into the body of the text (even if at reduced quality), submissions must include separate high-resolution files for each figure and table. Each file should have the same name followed by the number that appears in the text (for example: Figure 1.jpg, Figure 2.png, Table 1.xlsx, etc.).

(6) Tables must also be submitted as separate files in editable formats (Excel, Word, etc.).

 

10. Maximum number and format for submitting figures

Every article should include at least one illustrative figure. There should be a maximum of 10 figures, including tables, images, diagrams, etc. Text-only tables may be inserted as text tables within the document itself, but they must also be submitted as separate files to facilitate formatting. Numerical tables must be submitted in an Excel, Open Office or similar file, as well as graphs created with these programs, in order to be formatted.

Photographs, plans, and images must each be submitted as a separate file; their quality must be at least 300 dpi (dots per inch), in image formats (JPEG, TIFF, etc.). Line drawings or graphics should be submitted as vector files (EPS or vector PDF). Due to technical limitations, the publisher reserves the right to select the quality, quantity, and format of the illustrations to be published.

 

11. Reviews and Peer Review Process

Manuscripts are evaluated through a double-blind peer review process by at least two ad hoc national or international experts. The preliminary decision—acceptance, acceptance with minor or major modifications, or rejection—will be communicated within 20 working days of receiving the peer review reports.

The author must return the manuscript with the peer review comments within 10 working days.

 

12. Rights and Responsibilities

Authors retain the copyright to their work, and once accepted, it will be licensed under Creative Commons, such as CC BY. Authors are also responsible for the content of their articles and must have the necessary permissions to reproduce third-party materials. Furthermore, authors must use inclusive language, in accordance with the journal's Code of Ethics.

 

Publication Options

1. Scientific Article

This type of academic document must present original results from rigorous research, with the purpose of generating new and verifiable knowledge in the scientific field. It must be based on empirical and/or documentary research, offering replicable and verifiable findings that serve as a basis for future studies in the discipline. This type of document is characterized by its analytical depth, methodological rigor, and substantive contribution to the academic debate. Its structure must include an abstract, introduction, theoretical framework, methodology, results, discussion, conclusions, and bibliographic references. The length should be from 25 to 30 pages. Review: double blind peer review.

 

2. Academic Essay

This type of document is a reflective and argumentative text in which the author develops a critical stance, supported by theory and specialized references. Its purpose is to propose interpretations, open debates, and generate new perspectives in the field of study. Through theoretical reflections, interpretations, and critical proposals, the academic essay enriches the discipline. Although it does not necessarily produce new empirical knowledge, it raises hypotheses and lines of thought that can inspire further research, strengthening conceptual frameworks and contributing to intellectual discussion. This type of document is characterized by conceptual depth, creative approach, and a freer critical-analytical tone than that of a scientific article. Its structure should include an introduction that formulates the thesis or guiding question, a solid argumentative development, and a conclusion with findings or open questions. The length should be from 20 to 24 pages. Review: double blind peer review.

 

3. Case Study

This type of contribution analyses in depth a specific experience—such as a project, community process, or territorial initiative—with the purpose of identifying transferable lessons, providing methodological tools, and generating relevant theoretical reflections for practice and research. Its objective is to show how the experience unfolds, what its results are, and which elements can be replicated or discussed in other contexts. Case studies are generally structured as follows: presentation of the context and the problem, detailed description of the experience, critical analysis, and conclusions geared toward application or disciplinary reflection. The length is from 15 to 20 pages. Review: double blind peer review.

 

4. Technical Note

This type of academic document presents methods, procedures, or practical applications of interest to the discipline, with the purpose of transferring technical knowledge to researchers, professionals, or communities. These contributions present preliminary findings from on going research, innovative methodologies, or solutions applied to specific problems, prioritizing practical utility over theoretical elaboration. Technical notes allow for the dissemination and validation, on a small scale, of tools, procedures, or solutions applicable to both research and professional practice, and can serve as a preliminary step toward more extensive developments in future scientific articles. The structure should include: presentation of the problem or context, description of the methodology, practical application, and conclusions. The length is from 10 to 14 pages. They are characterized by direct, practice-oriented language, with less conceptual content than a scientific article or academic essay. Review: double blind peer review.

 

5. Letter to the Editor

This type of document consists of brief comments on published articles, as well as, critical observations, clarifications, or well-founded opinions of interest to the reading community. Maximum length 3 pages. This type of document is characterized by its brevity, clarity of argumentation, and ability to enrich academic debate through specific contributions, clarifications, or constructive questions. Review: internal editorial review (non-peer-reviewed).

 

6. Academic Debate or Controversy

This refers to written dialogues between authors with differing positions on the same topic, organized through invitation or direct proposal. The objective of this type of document is to foster academic debate; therefore, contributions must maintain a respectful tone and be based on reasoned arguments. Maximum length of each contribution 8 pages. Review: editorial review with supervision by the Academic Committee (moderation, no blind peer review).

 

7. Book Review or Critique

This is understood as a critical evaluation of books published in the last three years that are relevant to the thematic areas of the Agora digital journal. The text should analyse the content, approach, and contribution of the book and not be limited to a simple description. Maximum length 8 pages, only one review for each issue of the journal. This type of document is characterized by its ability to synthesize and critically evaluate recent works, offering a reflection that contributes to academic debate and the understanding of the discipline. Review: the evaluation is carried out through editorial review, without external peer review.

These guidelines will be updated annually. Issue date: July 2025.