Submitting an academic manuscript is a big deal—you’ve poured hours into research, writing, and revisions. Imagine having your work returned over something as minor as improperly formatted author affiliations. Annoying, right? If you’re working on a manuscript for Sport Management Review (or any academic journal), and you or your co-authors have multiple affiliations, getting them formatted correctly is critical.
But don’t worry—I’ve got your back. This guide will walk you through the basics of listing multiple affiliations, sprinkle in some helpful tips, and ensure you’re ready to submit your manuscript without hiccups.
Why Properly Formatting Affiliations Matters
Think of affiliations as your professional credentials on display. They tell readers (and reviewers) where the research originated and give proper credit to institutions involved in supporting the study. Imagine if your alma mater or current institution wasn’t recognized simply because your affiliations were formatted incorrectly. Yikes!
Additionally, journals like Sport Management Review often follow strict formatting guidelines. Editors love clean, consistent documents, and affiliations are part of that package. Messing them up could slow down your submission—or even mean rejection.
Now that we’ve established the “why,” it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get into the “how.”
How to Format Multiple Affiliations in Your Manuscript
Whether you’re a sole author with multiple roles or part of a collaborative team, the formatting process isn’t as scary as it sounds. Here are clear steps to get it right:
1. List Each Affiliation Separately
If you or another author juggle multiple roles—say, you’re both a university professor and a visiting researcher—you’ll need to list them all. Here’s the general rule of thumb:
- Under your name, list affiliations on separate lines.
- Include full institutional names, not abbreviations. For example:
“`
Jane Doe
Department of Sports Science, University of Example
Visiting Researcher, Example Institute of Management
“`
2. Use Superscript Numbers for Multiple Authors
When you’re working with co-authors who have different affiliations, assigning superscript numbers helps. It’s like handing out name tags for easy identification. Here’s how it looks:
“`
Jane Doe¹, John Smith², Lucy Washington¹,³
¹Department of Sports Science, University of Example
²Institute for Performance Research, College of Innovation
³High-Performance Sports Academy
“`
Neat, right? The readers (and editors) can instantly link each author to their respective institutions without any guesswork.
3. Stick to the Guidelines
Here’s where things can vary. Sport Management Review doesn’t list specific instructions for affiliations in the resources provided, but don’t panic. Journals usually include detailed formatting rules in their submission guidelines. If you’re unsure, here’s what you can do:
- Check the Journal’s Guidelines: Visit the journal’s webpage (in this case, on Taylor & Francis Online) and look for the Author Instructions section.
- Contact the Editorial Office: When in doubt, send a quick email. They’re usually super helpful and can clarify what’s expected.
A quick double-check in the guidelines can save you hours of revisions later.
4. Use Reference Management Tools
Who doesn’t love a good productivity hack? Tools like Paperpile, EndNote, or Mendeley are life savers when juggling formatting requirements. Not only can they manage citations, but many also include options to customize how affiliations are listed.
For instance, you could set up templates and reuse them across your manuscripts. Bonus points for efficiency!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even seasoned academics trip up on formatting sometimes. Avoid these common hiccups:
- Abbreviating Institution Names: Always spell out full names (e.g., “Harvard University,” not “HU”).
- Misusing Superscripts: Double-check that numbers accurately match each name/affiliation pair.
- Skipping the Guidelines: Even if a journal seems laid back, don’t make assumptions. Always confirm formatting rules.
Take it from someone who once forgot to update an old affiliation in a co-authored piece—mistakes happen. A little attention to detail goes a long way.
FAQs on Multiple Affiliations
Got more questions? I’ve put together a quick FAQ to help:
Q1. What if I have more than two affiliations?
No problem! Just list them all in the correct order and separate them clearly, like this:
“`
Author Name¹,²
¹First Affiliation
²Second Affiliation
“`
Q2. Do all authors need to use superscripts, even if they share affiliations?
Yes, even if some authors share the same institution. It keeps things consistent and avoids confusion.
Q3. Can I abbreviate locations in affiliations (e.g., “Dept.” for “Department”)?
Unless the journal explicitly allows it, stick to the complete name. Precision is everything in academic writing.
Q4. What should I do if I can’t find clear affiliation guidelines for Sport Management Review?
Reach out directly to their editorial team via Taylor & Francis Online. They’ll happily point you toward the right resources.
Q5. Can I format affiliations in the footnotes instead of the title page?
Most journals prefer affiliations near the name/title section, so check the house style first. Footnotes aren’t a default practice.
Take the Stress Out of Manuscript Submissions
Submitting an academic manuscript is stressful enough without worrying about your formatting. By following these best practices, you’ll ensure your affiliations are clear, accurate, and aligned with editorial expectations.
Still feeling overwhelmed? It’s okay! Academic writing isn’t meant to be tackled alone. If you’d like to streamline the process, tools like Paperpile can help simplify citations and formatting, giving you more time to focus on your research.