Contents

TemaNord Authors’ Guide

TemaNord places requirements on the structure and content of its publications.

Below, you will find information about these requirements and how to submit any supplementary material.

Manuscripts submitted to the Publications Unit must be completed, proofread (linguistically) and in an editable Word format. To order production, use the order form:

TemaNord (DA): https://nmrnr.wufoo.com/forms/bestillingsformular-temanord-2020/

TemaNord (EN): https://nmrnr.wufoo.com/forms/order-form-temanord-2020/

Structure and style

General structure of publications

The content of publications in the TemaNord series must, in principle, be structured in the following order. Bold denotes compulsory elements:

• Foreword (if there are multiple forewords, the Nordic Council of Ministers’ foreword comes first)
• Summary (in the publication language (with un-numbered section heading)
• The various sections (with numbered headings)
• References (un-numbered section heading)
• Appendix

In addition to the sub-elements listed above, which together constitute the manuscript, please submit a text that briefly introduces the content of the publication (a short presentation for use in news items about the publication). When submitting the production order form, you must stipulate a number of keywords for the publication, which are selected from a predefined list.

Headings and styles

We recommend using Word’s in-built style panel, as it helps to ensure consistency in headings and their levels. The style panel is in the “Home” tab when you open a document.

Here are some hints about using the style panel and headings in general.

• We recommend using max. three heading levels
• Heading levels must be consecutive (e.g. a level 3 heading must follow a level 2 heading)
• Numbered heading styles should be used for numbered sections (i.e. numbering should not be written out manually).

General consistency

Generally, we recommend that you endeavour to be as consistent as possible throughout the publication, e.g. in your use of technical terms, the internal structure of the various sections, the distinction between %, percent and percentage, and the use of references.

Footnotes

If you wish to include footnotes, please use Word’s inbuilt footnotes feature found in the “Document Elements” tab.

Do not use footnotes instead of a list of references.

Graphs and diagrams

Please submit any graphs and diagrams plus related data via Excel. This will enable us to edit colours, fonts, etc., in line with the Nordic Council of Ministers’ desig//n manual.

Whether graphs or diagrams are published as static images^{[1]For graphs or diagrams used as static images, please submit an alternative accompanying text. See the section in this guide on “Requirements for alternative texts”.} or interactive figures will depend on the complexity of the specific illustration.

All graphs and diagrams must be titled and numbered, and include any sources and/or an accompanying explanatory note(s). The numbering of such items must be consecutive. 

Tables

Please submit tables in editable form, so that we can adjust fonts, colours, etc. Any tables should be included/inserted in the body of the manuscript.

All tables must be titled and numbered, and include any sources and/or notes (e.g. if the model has an accompanying explanatory note).

Images

Image files can be in .jpeg or .png format. It is important that any images are of good quality/high resolution. Images must be both embedded in the manuscript and submitted as separate files.

All images must be titled and numbered, and include any sources and/or notes (e.g. if there is a need for an accompanying explanatory note). All images must also have an alternative text.^{[1]See the section in this guide on “Requirements for alternative texts”.}

Models

Please submit models in an editable format (e.g. PowerPoint) separately from the manuscript. Models submitted in a static format, and which do not meet the requirements of the TemaNord series in relation to fonts, colours and so on, will be returned with a request for editable versions.

All models must be titled and numbered, and also include any sources and/or notes (if the model has an accompanying explanatory note). Note that models must be numbered consecutively as “figures” (i.e. images and tables are part of the same running count). All models must also include an alternative text.^{[1]See the section in this guide on “Requirements for alternative texts”.}

Requirements for alternative texts

All images and static diagrams must be accompanied by an alternative text. The Publication Unit handles the alternative texts and contacts the person placing the order as need may arise. The alternative texts are to be read by a screen reader and need to function in correlation with existing body text, of which the alternative texts in general are:

• Maximum 125 characters (incl. spaces)
• Descriptive but not repetitive.

References

You must submit a proofread and correct bibliography that complies with a recognised academic standard for citing references. The APA standard is preferred, but we also accept other standards. The main point is that the bibliography is consistent and follows one specific standard.

Below are guidelines on how references are structured according to the APA standard.^{[1]Please note that these examples cover only some types of sources. It is important to be aware of the distinction between types of sources and whether a specific source has one or more authors/editors. You may need to seek further information from various sources on the internet.}

Basic elements of an APA reference

Structure for journal article (print/online)

Author surname, initial(s) (year). Article title. Journal title, Volume number (issue or part number, optional), page numbers. DOI or Retrieved from URL

Example: Journal article (print)

Mitchell, J.A. (2017). Citation: Why is it so important. Mendeley Journal, 67(2), 81–95.

Example: Journal article (online)

Mitchell, J.A. (2017). Citation: Why is it so important. Mendeley Journal, 67 (2), 81–95. Retrieved from https://www.mendeley.com/reference-management/reference-manager

Basic structure for web references

Author surname, initial(s) (year, month day). Title. Retrieved from URL

The above is a minimum for web references. In many cases, more information can and should be added.

Structure for book reference with editor

Author surname, initial(s) (Ed(s).). (Year). Title (ed.). Place: Publisher

Example: Book with editor

Williams, S.T. (Ed.). (2015). Referencing: A guide to citation rules (3rd ed.). New York, NY: My Publisher.

Structure for book reference without editor

Author surname, initial(s) (year). Title (ed.). Publisher location: Publisher

NB (ed.) is removed if it is the first edition.

Example: Book without editor

Jones, A.F. & Wang, L. (2011). Spectacular Creatures: The Amazon rainforest (2nd ed.). San Jose, Costa Rica: My Publisher

About this guide

TemaNord Author's Guide

This guide is produced by the the Nordic Council of Ministers’ publications unit and aimed at those who are due to release a TemaNord report with the Nordic Council of Ministers as the publisher. If you need further information about the guide or publication process you are welcome to contact the Nordic Council of Ministers’ publications unit at pub@norden.org

© Nordic Council of Ministers 2020

About the publications unit

Nordic co-operation

Nordic co-operation is one of the world’s most extensive forms of regional collaboration, involving Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland.

Nordic co-operation has firm traditions in politics, economics and culture and plays an important role in European and international forums. The Nordic community strives for a strong Nordic Region in a strong Europe.

Nordic co-operation promotes regional interests and values in a global world. The values shared by the Nordic countries help make the region one of the most innovative and competitive in the world.

The Nordic Council of Ministers
Nordens Hus
Ved Stranden 18
DK-1061 Copenhagen
pub@norden.org

Read more Nordic publications on www.norden.org/publications