SUBMISSION GUIDELINES & AUTHOR INSTRUCTIONS

Formatting Instructions

• Official Template: Use the official CognoCon Word template for all submissions. Formatting is controlled through named Word styles; apply the appropriate styles from the Styles gallery rather than formatting text manually.
• Page Limit: Submissions must not exceed 10 pages, single-spaced, including all text, tables, figures, references, and appendices.
• Page Setup: Use US Letter (8.5 × 11 inches) with 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Line & Paragraph Spacing: Use single line spacing with no additional spacing before or after paragraphs.
• Paragraph Indentation: The first paragraph of each section should be flush left. Subsequent paragraphs should have a 0.25-inch first-line indent.
• Text Color: All body text must be black. Color may be used in figures and graphics, provided they are high resolution and suitable for publication.
• Header: Eight-word short title on the left, CognoCon 2027 on the right. Authors replace only the short title.
• Footer: Conference line and page number (do not modify).
• Tables and Figures: Tables and figures numbered consecutively and referenced in the text; captions above tables and below figures. Color figures are permitted and must be high resolution (minimum 300 dpi) to ensure publication quality.
• References: References should follow APA 7th edition style. All sources cited in the text must appear in the reference list, and all references listed must be cited in the text. References should be listed alphabetically by the first author’s surname.
• File Naming Convention: Name your submission using a shortened version of the paper title (e.g., ShortTitle.docx). Do not include author names or identifying information in the file name, as submissions are reviewed anonymously.

Publication, Copyright & Presentation

• Conference Proceedings: Accepted papers will be published in full in the open-access Proceedings of the Second Annual Cognitive Innovation Conference, Kennesaw, GA, 2027.
• Copyright: Authors retain copyright of their work. Publication in the CognoCon proceedings does not transfer ownership of the work to CognoCon.
• Extending Your Research: Papers published in the CognoCon proceedings may be extended and developed for subsequent submission to academic journals, subject to the policies and requirements of the journal to which the work is submitted.
• Best Paper & MIS Quarterly Executive: The recipient of the CognoCon 2027 Best Paper Award will receive editorial feedback from MISQE to help strengthen the paper for potential submission to the journal. MISQE encourages the development and submission of practitioner-focused research from CognoCon. This opportunity does not constitute a fast track or guarantee of publication; any subsequent submission will follow the journal’s standard review process.
• In-Person Presentation: CognoCon 2027 is a fully in-person conference. Virtual and pre-recorded presentations are not permitted. At least one author of each accepted paper must register for the conference and present the paper in person in Kennesaw, Georgia.
• Presentation Format: Each accepted paper will be allotted 15 minutes, including presentation and Q&A.
• No-Show Policy: If at least one author of an accepted paper does not attend CognoCon 2027 and present the work in person, the paper will be withdrawn from the conference proceedings.

Generative AI Policy

CognoCon recognizes that generative AI tools may support certain aspects of the research and writing process. Authors may use generative AI for purposes such as assisting with the editing of their writing; however, the submitted work must represent the authors’ own intellectual contribution.

• AI Use Disclosure: Authors must disclose the use of generative AI in any aspect of the research or preparation of the paper.
• Submission Disclosure: During submission through EasyChair, authors will be required to respond to the following statement: “I have used Generative AI to assist in some aspect of conducting my research or writing the paper.” Authors who respond Yes must provide a description of how generative AI was used.
• Camera-Ready Disclosure: For papers in which generative AI was used, the use of generative AI must also be disclosed in a footnote in the camera-ready version of the paper.
• AI Authorship: Generative AI systems and tools may not be listed as authors. All listed authors must be individuals who have made an intellectual contribution to the work and take responsibility for its content.

Research & Submission Policies

• Original Work: The submission, or a highly similar version of the work, must not have been previously published or accepted for publication and must not be under review elsewhere.
• Academic Integrity: All submissions must represent the authors’ original scholarly work and adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Plagiarism and self-plagiarism are not permitted.
• Human Subjects Research: Research involving human participants must comply with applicable institutional requirements for human subjects research, including Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval when required.
• Code of Conduct: Authors and presenters are expected to maintain professional and respectful conduct throughout the submission, review, and conference process.