Get your INFORMS Journal on Computing paper right the first time: a ready-made structure with the right abstract and citations, so editors see your science, not formatting slips.
4.3
Authored by Sumalatha Gangadhar | Published on 17 August, 2026
Submitting to INFORMS Journal on Computing goes smoothly when your draft already matches the journal's own rules. Editors screen new manuscripts against the INFORMS Journal on Computing guide for authors before peer review, so formatting, structure, and required statements should be right on the first draft rather than repaired during upload. This template sets that structure up for you.
It is a manuscript shell aligned to INFORMS Journal on Computing. It covers front matter, the abstract the journal expects, a body organized to the journal's article types, and a reference list in the journal's required style. Confirm current scope and article types on the INFORMS Journal on Computing journal page before you draft.
Prepare the title, authors, affiliations, and ORCID iDs. Write the abstract to the journal's rule and word limit, organize the body to the article type, and apply the required reference style from the first citation. Complete every declaration (ethics, competing interests, funding, data availability) the INFORMS Journal on Computing guide for authors lists, and cite figures and tables in order.
The common failure modes are formatting or reference style that does not match the guide for authors, missing required statements, and an incomplete portal checklist. Clear all three against the INFORMS Journal on Computing guide for authors before you submit.
The shell mirrors what editorial staff check first: article-type fit, the abstract rules, required declarations, and the journal's reference style. For more detail see the author resources. When your draft is ready, upload it through ScholarOne (Manuscript Central).
| Element | INFORMS J on Computing requirement |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Unstructured abstract required, not more than 300 words. Should be written using non-technical language, without formulas or mathematical notation. The journal recommends covering three aspects in this order: (1) Research Questions and Challenges; (2) Methodology and Results; (3) Importance and Implications. The abstract should provide a concise, highly readable overview of the manuscript's objectives, methods, and the nature and significance of the conclusions and contribution |
| Main text | As of May 2025: Papers cannot exceed 25 pages, including abstract, references, tables, and graphs, with an additional up to 10 pages for appendices. Manuscripts must be 1.5-line-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins on all sides, single-column format. Appendices should be packaged as online supplement if longer than 2 pages. Exceptions to length policy possible for extensive review papers but must be discussed with relevant area editor |
| Declarations | Ethics approval/consent as applicable; competing interests; funding; data availability |
| Figures/tables | Publication-ready; cited in order |
| Supplemental | Upload separately when used |
| Keywords | 3-5 keywords required. Authors provide keywords at submission in ScholarOne Manuscripts, Step 3 (Attributes). Subject classifications and other keywords appear just before the abstract in the published paper |
| References | Author-year citation style. References should be listed alphabetically by author name at the end of the paper in conformance with journal style. In-text citations indicated by author's last name and year of publication, e.g., (Norman 1977) or Norman (1977). Examples of reference style available at: https://pubsonline.informs.org/pb-assets/INFORMSReferencesStyle-1513283897320.pdf |
| Peer review | Single-blind peer review. Authors are 'blind' to the identity of the reviewers, but reviewers are not blind to the author names. Authors must include all author names and institutions on the title page of the manuscript |
| Submission | mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ijoc |
Read the INFORMS Journal on Computing guide for authors once before drafting and once before upload. Draft the abstract after results are stable. Set the reference style before adding citations. Keep a cover letter that states your contribution and fit to INFORMS Journal on Computing in under a page.
Skim two or three recent INFORMS J on Computing papers to calibrate depth and figure style. Make the novelty clear in the first two pages. Deposit data and code when the policy on the INFORMS Journal on Computing journal page requires it. Disclose any preprint or conference version with identifiers in the cover letter.
Do one focused pass against the INFORMS Journal on Computing guide for authors: scope, length, reference style, required declarations, and figure quality. Then submit through ScholarOne (Manuscript Central).