About the Journal

Focus and Scope

The Journal of Sustainable Science and Educational Innovation (JSSEI) is a scholarly journal dedicated to advancing research and academic discussion in science education, educational innovation, and sustainability. JSSEI welcomes scholarly contributions from local, national, regional, and international contexts, provided that they offer meaningful academic insights and contribute to the development of science education and innovative educational practices. The journal particularly encourages research connecting scientific knowledge, educational approaches, technological developments, environmental challenges, and local contexts with broader perspectives on educational improvement and sustainability.

The scope of JSSEI includes, but is not limited to:

• STEM and Science Learning Innovation. Research on STEM education, innovative science learning models, project-based learning, problem-based learning, inquiry-based learning, interdisciplinary approaches, curriculum development, instructional strategies, learning material development, science process skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, and other innovations aimed at improving the quality of science teaching and learning.
• Science Education for the Environment and Sustainability. Research on environmental education, environmental literacy, climate change education, sustainability education, ecological awareness, environmental problem-solving, education for sustainable development, local environmental challenges, and science learning approaches that promote environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.
• Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Science Education. Research on the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence in science education, including digital learning platforms, interactive learning media, educational simulations, virtual laboratories, technology-enhanced learning, online and blended learning, AI-supported instruction, and the development and evaluation of digital tools to support science teaching, learning, and assessment.

Peer Review Process

All manuscripts submitted to the Journal of Sustainable Science and Educational Innovation (JSSEI) follow a six-stage editorial workflow consisting of Submission, Initial Check, Peer Review, Final Check, Editing & Proofreading, and Publication.

During the Initial Check, the Editorial Team examines the manuscript’s relevance to the journal’s Focus and Scope, compliance with submission requirements, completeness of required components, and similarity screening results. Manuscripts that do not meet the initial requirements may be returned to the authors for revision or rejected before peer review. Manuscripts that pass this stage proceed to peer review.

JSSEI implements a double-blind peer-review system, in which the identities of authors and reviewers remain confidential throughout the assessment process. Each manuscript is evaluated by at least two independent reviewers with relevant expertise in the subject area. Additional reviewers may be appointed by the Editor when necessary to obtain a more comprehensive assessment.

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on novelty, originality, alignment with the journal’s Focus and Scope, methodological accuracy, data quality and validity, analytical rigor, relevance of the discussion, and scholarly contribution. The assessment also considers the manuscript’s relevance to science education, learning innovation, STEM integration, environmental and sustainability education, digital technology, and artificial intelligence in science education, as applicable. Reviewers provide objective and constructive comments, suggestions, and recommendations to assist the Editor in making editorial decisions and help authors improve their manuscripts.

The entire peer-review process is confidential. Manuscripts, data, images, supplementary files, reviewer reports, author responses, and editorial communications must not be disclosed, shared, uploaded, or used outside the legitimate editorial and peer-review process. Editors and reviewers who have potential conflicts of interest involving the authors, their institutions, funding sources, research topics, or manuscript content must not participate in the evaluation of the relevant submission.

Authors may recommend prospective reviewers with appropriate expertise and relevant scholarly publication records. However, the final selection of reviewers rests entirely with the JSSEI Editor. All appointed reviewers must possess suitable expertise and be independent of the authors and the manuscript under review.

All manuscripts submitted to JSSEI follow a six-stage editorial workflow consisting of Submission, Initial Check, Peer Review, Final Check, Editing & Proofreading, and Publication. During the Submission stage, authors submit their manuscripts through the JSSEI online journal system in accordance with the journal’s author guidelines and required documentation. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their manuscripts are original, complete, and prepared according to the prescribed format.

During the Initial Check stage, the Editorial Team examines whether the manuscript aligns with JSSEI’s Focus and Scope and meets the journal’s submission requirements. This assessment includes manuscript completeness, compliance with the journal template and author guidelines, supporting documents, and similarity screening results. Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements may be returned to the authors for correction or rejected before proceeding to peer review.

Manuscripts that pass the initial assessment proceed to the Peer Review stage, where at least two independent reviewers evaluate the manuscript’s originality, research methods, data quality, analysis, discussion, academic contribution, relevance to the journal’s scope, and compliance with research and publication ethics. Reviewers provide objective and constructive feedback to support editorial decisions and manuscript improvement. When revisions are requested, authors must address the reviewers’ comments and submit a revised manuscript for further assessment.

After the authors have completed the revisions, the manuscript enters the Final Check stage. The Editor examines whether the revisions adequately address the reviewers’ comments and recommendations and verifies that the manuscript meets JSSEI’s scientific, substantive, formatting, and publication ethics requirements. Further revisions or additional assessment may be requested when necessary before the final editorial decision is made.

Manuscripts accepted for publication proceed to the Editing & Proofreading stage. At this stage, the manuscript is checked for language, writing style, formatting, references, layout, and consistency of presentation. A galley proof may be sent to the authors for review and correction before publication. Once the final corrections have been completed, the manuscript proceeds to publication.

At the Publication stage, articles that have completed the editorial and production processes are published online through the JSSEI website. Articles may be published as Article in Press, where applicable, or included in a scheduled issue. JSSEI publishes two issues annually, in July and December.

All editorial and peer-review stages at the Journal of Sustainable Science and Educational Innovation (JSSEI) are conducted in accordance with the principles of fairness, objectivity, confidentiality, transparency, editorial independence, and academic integrity.

Content Not Subject to Standard Peer Review

Not all content published in the Journal of Sustainable Science and Educational Innovation (JSSEI) is subject to the standard double-blind peer-review process. Editorial Remarks, Editorial Notes, Forewords, and other introductory materials published as part of an issue are generally evaluated and approved internally by the Editor without external peer review.

Editorial and post-publication notices, including Correction, Erratum, Corrigendum, Expression of Concern, Retraction, Article Removal, and Article Replacement notices, may be subject to editorial review, research-integrity assessment, technical examination, legal consultation, or independent expert evaluation, depending on the circumstances and nature of the case.

Comments and Criticism and Author Response, if accepted by JSSEI, may undergo peer review when they contain substantial scholarly arguments, new data, analytical findings, methodological evaluations, or technical claims that require independent academic assessment.

Publication Frequency

The Journal of Sustainable Science and Educational Innovation (JSSEI) is published by the Master’s Program in Science Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Indonesia. The journal’s publication schedule and the number of articles in each issue follow the arrangements established by the journal.

Articles that have completed the editorial and production processes may be published as Article in Press before being assigned to a scheduled issue, if this publication arrangement is implemented by JSSEI. Such publication does not change the journal’s established publication schedule.

Anti-Plagiarism and Similarity Policy

All manuscripts submitted to the Journal of Sustainable Science and Educational Innovation (JSSEI) must be original, unpublished, and not simultaneously under consideration by another journal or publisher. Authors are responsible for ensuring the originality, authenticity, and academic integrity of their submissions.

Submitted manuscripts may be examined using similarity-checking software, such as Turnitin and/or iThenticate, as part of the editorial screening process.

A similarity score is a screening indicator and does not, on its own, establish plagiarism. The Editorial Team evaluates similarity reports by examining the sources, context, nature, extent, and distribution of overlapping text. This assessment considers legitimate quotations, reference lists, descriptions of research methods, preprints, repository materials, and other previously disseminated content where relevant.

JSSEI does not determine plagiarism solely by applying a fixed similarity percentage. If potentially inappropriate or unexplained similarities are identified, the Editorial Team may request an explanation or revision, reject the manuscript, or take other appropriate action in accordance with the journal’s publication ethics policies and, where applicable, its research misconduct and post-publication procedures.

Reference Management Software

Authors submitting manuscripts to the Journal of Sustainable Science and Educational Innovation (JSSEI) are encouraged to use reference management software, such as Mendeley, EndNote, or Zotero, to maintain accurate and consistent citations and references.

JSSEI follows the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style, in accordance with the edition specified in the journal’s author guidelines. Authors should ensure that all in-text citations correspond to the reference list and that bibliographic information is complete and accurate.