Area Based Development Research Journal is a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to facilitating the dissemination of scholarly studies related to area-based collaborative research for community engagement and sustainable development. The editorial board ensures a rigorous double-blind peer-review process by assigning at least three reviewers to each manuscript.

Area Based Development Research Journal was founded in 2008 by the Thailand Research Fund. It is now commissioned by Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), the national agency responsible for managing and allocating research funding in Thailand. The journal is financially supported by the Program Management Unit for Area-Based Development (PMUA), enabling researchers to disseminate their work without the financial burden of submission fees or Article Processing Charges (APC). 

Aims and Scope

Area Based Development Research Journal publishes scholarly research on area-based and community-engaged development, with particular attention to local contexts and practical knowledge generated through collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and community stakeholders. The journal serves as a platform for documenting and analyzing development initiatives grounded in specific places and communities in Thailand. At the same time, the journal welcomes contributions from other regions where research on area-based and collaborative development can offer comparative insights and shared learning.

The journal has examined how local knowledge, cultural resources, and community participation lead to social well-being and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly within Thailand. Contributions may draw on diverse fields including management sciences, agricultural technology, engineering, environmental studies, public health, and the arts, provided that the research addresses development processes rooted in particular geographic or community settings. Rather than treating development solely as a technical or economic process, the journal demonstrates how locally embedded knowledge systems can inform sustainable development strategies and policy innovation.

Area Based Development Research Journal encourages interdisciplinary studies with focus topics that include, but are not limited to:

• Cultural heritage conservation and valorisation
• Local economic development and social enterprise
• Indigenous wisdom and rural technology
• Sustainable agriculture and food security
• Environmental conservation, resource management, and climate adaptation
• Technology transfer and lifelong learning
• Digital technologies supporting smart community initiatives
• Urban and rural planning for livable communities
• Community health and public policy

By documenting locally grounded experiences and research-based practices, the journal aims to contribute knowledge that is relevant both to local development practitioners and to wider scholarly discussions on area-based development.

Peer Review Process

All manuscripts submitted to the Area Based Development Research Journal are reviewed by at least three independent experts through a double-blind peer-review process. The full review procedure can be viewed here.

Since 2022, the Area Based Development Research Journal has published four issues per year. The publication schedule is as follows:

• Issue No. 1: January-March 
• Issue No. 2: April-June 
• Issue No. 3: July-September 
• Issue No. 4: October-December 

By maintaining a regular publication frequency, the journal ensures a timely dissemination of research findings to the scholarly community and interested readers.

Type of Article

Area Based Development Research Journal accepts submissions of original research article that present area-based collaborative studies contributing to evidence-based community engagement and sustainable development. Manuscripts should clearly articulate a research question, employ a detailed and transparent methodology, and provide substantive analysis. Submissions are expected to deliver new interpretations, perspectives, or critical insights that advance area-based development.

Language

The article can be in either English or Thai. All Thai articles also have extended English abstracts. References, figures, and tables are in English. Authors must adhere to academic writing standards and ensure their manuscripts are reviewed by a language expert before submission. 

Publication Fee

Area Based Development Research Journal is a Diamond Open Access journal funded by the Program Management Unit for Area‑Based Development (PMUA). As a funding unit under Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), PMUA supports research and innovation that address local challenges, allowing authors to publish without submission fees or Article Processing Charges (APC).

Open Access Policy

Immediate open access to the journal's content is provided at https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/abcjournal, on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. Our policies ensure openness, accessibility, and attribution. Authors retain copyright ownership, granting broad reuse and distribution permissions. All material is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), unless otherwise stated.

Copyright and Licensing

Area Based Development Research Journal values copyright protection and licensing to safeguard author rights and facilitate the appropriate dissemination of research. The journal supports posting articles either in HTML or PDF format on third-party repositories, adhering to institutional and funding restrictions. Author guidelines detail copyright and licensing requirements, empowering authors with knowledge about their rights and responsibilities. These policies cultivate an environment of collaboration, openness, and responsible data sharing, benefiting authors and the research community while honoring intellectual property rights.

Ownership and Management

In Thailand’s research system, Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI; https://www.tsri.or.th/) is responsible for the allocation of budgets for science, research, and innovation. The Program Management Unit for Area‑Based Development (PMUA; https://pmua.or.th/en/) serves as a granting body for area‑based development. Financial support from PMUA enables the Area Based Development Research Journal to maintain high publication standards, a rigorous peer‑review process, and open‑access availability for researchers and readers worldwide.

Revenue Sources 

Financial support from Program Management Unit for Area-Based Development (PMUA) aids the journal's administrative and technological needs. Revenue sources do not influence editorial decisions, and manuscripts are evaluated solely on scientific merit. 

Advertising

Area Based Development Research Journal may display relevant advertisements, such as those for academic conferences and educational programs, provided they do not compromise the integrity of the content. Advertisements are displayed separately from published material, clearly distinguished, and placed in designated sections. They are not linked to specific content or reader behavior but are selected based on relevance. The editorial board upholds transparency and integrity through its advertising policy. 

Direct Marketing

Area Based Development Research Journal is dedicated to responsible and ethical direct marketing, engaging the scientific community, fostering collaborations, and transparently disseminating high-quality research. Direct marketing activities are employed to promote the journal while maintaining ethical standards. The approach involves targeted outreach to researchers and academics in relevant fields, ensuring accurate and informative communication about the journal's mission and features. Area Based Development Research Journal prioritizes transparency, obtaining consent, and respecting data privacy regulations. The journal follows regulations and continuously reviews our practices for compliance to provide valuable information without overwhelming recipients.

Journal History

Area Based Development Research Journal was founded in 2008 by The Thailand Research Fund (TRF) as a platform to showcase the outcomes of area-based collaborative research for community engagement and sustainable development.

The ISSN (Print) was 1906-3628 during 2008 - 2014, and the ISSN (Online) was 2408-1752 during 2015 - 2023. To accommodate online‑only publication and the use of the English name as the main journal title, the ISSN has been changed to 2985-1807 (Online ISSN) since Vol. 15, No. 3 (2023).

The journal is currently commissioned by Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) and funded by the Program Management Unit for Area-Based Development (PMUA).