Guidelines and submission

Interested in submitting to the JDSE?

We are currently accepting submissions for the SPRING 2026 issue of the JDSE!

The priority deadline for submission is  FEBRUARY 6TH (11:59 PM EST)

ELIGIBILITY

Each author must meet the following eligibility criteria in order to be considered for acceptance into the JDSE:

  • Eligible authors must be a student (graduate, undergraduate (any year), JD, MBA, MS), or a faculty/research member (post-doc, professor, research scientist)
  • Eligible students must be currently enrolled at the University of Notre Dame
  • Eligible students must be in good academic standing (i.e., not on academic probation)
  • Eligible authors must have worked on/completed a research project/course project/independent project (within the last 2 years) using ANY data science/data-driven technique(s) (e.g., statistical analysis, machine learning, data analysis, etc.), with results/findings having implications to societal growth and/or wellbeing

TIPS FOR SUBMITTING

  • Read and follow all guidelines. Failure to complete and include all required material may result in the rejection of your application. 
  • Proofread your application. When proposals are unclear or include several grammatical errors, it is challenging for reviewers to focus on the content
  • Ensure that all claims made in your paper are backed by some form of validation and/or literature.
  • Avoid excessive jargon and discipline-specific terminology. While your work may be technically advanced, aim to make your findings accessible to a broader audience of researchers from related fields.

SUBMISSION CONTENTS

We welcome a wide range of data-informed submissions, including traditional short articles, technical summaries, interviews with data scientists, visual commentaries, class projects, and more. Regardless of format, all submissions must adhere to the following requirements:

  • Maximum length: 2 pages (including figures) (does NOT include references)
  • Margins: 1 inch on all sides
  • Line spacing: Single-spaced
  • Font size: Minimum of 10-point font
  • Page numbers: Must be included on all pages
  • File Naming: Must follow the naming convention: LastName_PaperTitle_Year

Submissions that do not meet these formatting requirements will be returned without review.

Each author must sign a “JDSE_author_agreement_form.” Combine all forms into a single PDF file and attach it with the main submission.

Core Components (Required for All Submissions)
Each submission must include the following core components, regardless of format. Section headings are optional, but all content areas must be addressed in a clear and coherent manner:

  1. Title (with all authors and affiliations)
  2. Background: Describe the motivation or context for your submission.
    • For research papers, this may include a brief literature review and technical motivation.
    • For interviews, provide context about the subject, themes, or interviewee.
    • For commentaries or class projects, explain the real-world relevance, class framework, or motivation behind the analysis.
  3. Central Focus or Question: What core issue, theme, or challenge does your submission address?
    • This could be a research problem, a data-informed reflection, a societal concern, or a topic of public or disciplinary interest.
  4. Intellectual Merit: What insight, perspective, or contribution does your work provide?
    • Focus on originality, clarity of thought, analytical approach, or narrative framing—depending on your format.
  5. Broader Impacts: How might your work influence thought, policy, community wellbeing, public discourse, or future research? Consider potential societal, ethical, educational, or interdisciplinary implications.
  6. References: All submissions must include a references section at the end. References do not count toward the 2-page limit.
    • For interviews, cite any quotes, media, or published materials referenced.
    • For commentaries, cite any data sources, literature, or frameworks used.

NOTE: Focus on the “Why” Over the “How”

Tell a story! Your submission should emphasize the motivation and significance of your research rather than the technical implementation details. While some explanation of methods may be necessary, the primary focus should be on the reasoning, importance, and potential impact of your work rather than a step-by-step breakdown of how it was conducted.

NOTE: Include a figure or illustration

The JDSE offers a “Best Figure/Illustration Award” for most innovative and effective use of visual representation in conveying your findings. Figures will be evaluated based on clarity, creativity, and their ability to enhance understanding of the article’s content. You DO NOT need to include a figure if you do not want to. But in order to be considered for this award, you must include a figure. Additionally, evaluations for awards are not independent of each other (i.e., even if you are evaluated for the “Best Paper Award” (and win the award), you can also be considered for the “Best Figure/Illustration Award” (and also win the award) — meaning you can win two awards for the same submission).

The figure MUST be properly labeled and clear enough to view.

SUBMISSION LOCATION & DETAILS

Ultimately, your submission should contain the two documents below:

After completing both documents, you can submit them in the following form:

Click here for the submission form

Note: only ONE form (containing the documents above) should be completed for an article submission.

In the form, include all details/information that are asked for.

If you encounter any issues with submission, or have questions regarding submission, please email the JDSE: dsejournal (dot) nd (at) gmail (dot) com

SUBMISSION REVIEW

Upon submission, manuscripts undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process, where they are evaluated by independent reviewers with expertise in the relevant subject area. The peer review process typically involves the following steps:

  • Initial Editorial Review: The editorial team assesses the manuscript for compliance with submission guidelines, overall suitability for publication, and adherence to ethical standards.
  • Peer Review: The manuscript is sent to at least one reviewer who provides detailed feedback and recommendations regarding its quality, originality, and presentation.
  • Decision: Based on the reviewers’ comments and recommendations, the editorial team makes a decision on whether to accept, reject, or request revisions to the manuscript.

Upon any decision, authors will be contacted via email. The JDSE will consolidate all accepted submissions into a journal issue (made public on the JDSE website, and with limited printed copies). ALL SUBMISSIONS WILL BE EVALUATED FOR THE AWARDS LISTED HERE. If a submission is selected for an award(s), all authors for that submission will be notified via email, and details about accepting the award(s) will be detailed then.

Note: during consolidation of accepted submissions for the journal issue, authors of accepted submissions may be contacted by the editorial board for minor (aesthetic) approvals and resizing (if necessary) to fit the submission into the journal pages.

We expect to have submission results and award notifications distributed in late April.

FAQs

Can a submission have multiple authors?

Yes, a submission should list all authors that contributed to the work.

Do authors have to be listed alphabetically, or listed in order of contribution?

Either format (alphabetically or contribution) is acceptable, however, all authors must agree upon the format.

Does a figure or illustration have to be black and white, or color?

Either is fine, as long as the figure is clear enough to view.

Can I ask for an extension if I cannot meet the deadline?

Unfortunately, the JDSE will not make extensions on an individual basis. In extenuating circumstances, the JDSE may extend the deadline for everyone, but this is rare.

Can I submit an article with findings that have already been published in another journal?

Yes — you may submit an article that includes findings previously published elsewhere, as long as:

  • You are transparent about the prior publication,
  • You have the appropriate permissions and there are no copyright or license conflicts, and
  • The submission clearly cites the original source and provides new framing, synthesis, or analysis (i.e., it is not a direct reprint unless allowed under license).