Author's Policies
- Digital Preservation
- Check List
- Article Processing Charge
- Participant/Patient Privacy and Informed Consent
- Copyright Policy
- Open Access Policy
- Licensing Policy
- APC Waiver Policy
- Withdrawal Policy
- Human and Animal Rights Policy
- Errata, Retractions, and Corrigenda Policy
- Data Sharing Policy
- Submission of Manuscript
- Manuscript Preparation
- Sample Paper
- Author’s Agreement Form
- English Language Editing
- Complaints Policy
- Plagiarism Policy
- Rights and Grants to the Author
- Digital Preservation Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management is committed to ensuring the long-term digital preservation of its content. To this end, the journal partners with digital repositories and archives that support the preservation of academic publications in perpetuity. This guarantees that articles remain accessible and usable in the future, regardless of technological changes. The journal's content is archived in reputable databases and digital libraries, ensuring compliance with international best practices in digital preservation. Authors, researchers, and readers can trust that published material will remain accessible, even if the journal ceases to exist or undergoes changes in its distribution methods. Regular backups and migration of data to updated formats are conducted to ensure the integrity and availability of the research.
2. Check List Policy
Before submission, authors must follow a checklist to ensure their manuscript meets all requirements set forth by the African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. This checklist includes key components such as formatting, referencing style, manuscript length, ethical compliance, and proper documentation for figures and tables. The checklist ensures the quality and completeness of submissions, reducing the likelihood of delays in the review and publication process. Authors are required to verify that their manuscripts align with journal guidelines, which are accessible on the journal’s submission platform. Submissions that do not adhere to the checklist may be returned to authors for revision or rejection, saving time for both authors and reviewers. The checklist covers the following key areas: correct manuscript file format, complete author details, abstract, keywords, references, and adherence to ethical standards, including participant consent and data integrity.
3. Article Processing Charge (APC) Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management operates under an Article Processing Charge (APC) policy to cover the costs associated with the peer-review process, professional editing, and publication of articles. Upon acceptance of an article, authors are required to pay a fee to facilitate the production of their work. This charge helps maintain the journal’s high standards and operational costs, ensuring its sustainability and continued production. The APC is clearly outlined on the journal’s submission platform, with detailed instructions on payment procedures. Authors from low-income countries or those facing financial constraints may be eligible for an APC discount or waiver, as the journal is committed to supporting global access to knowledge. Payment options and deadlines are communicated promptly, and the journal provides transparency regarding how the funds are allocated. Authors should ensure they are aware of these fees before submitting their manuscript, as the APC is due upon article acceptance for publication.
4. Participant/Patient Privacy and Informed Consent Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management adheres to strict ethical guidelines regarding the privacy of participants and patient consent. Authors must ensure that any research involving human subjects complies with ethical standards, including obtaining informed consent from participants. The journal requires authors to disclose that all appropriate consent has been obtained, including consent for publication of any identifiable images or data. Furthermore, authors must protect participants' confidentiality by anonymizing personal data in accordance with applicable laws and guidelines. Ethical clearance from an institutional review board or ethics committee should be provided with the manuscript submission to demonstrate compliance. In cases where identifiable data is used, authors must include a statement confirming that informed consent was obtained from each participant. The journal also supports transparency by encouraging authors to submit relevant ethics approval documents along with their manuscript. Any failure to meet these ethical standards may lead to the rejection of the manuscript.
5. Copyright Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management upholds the principle that authors retain copyright of their work upon publication. However, authors grant the journal a non-exclusive license to publish, distribute, and make their work available worldwide through various digital platforms. The journal ensures that the article is freely accessible to readers, contributing to the wider dissemination of knowledge. Authors are encouraged to retain copyright and distribute their work under open-access terms, which allows others to reuse and redistribute the content with proper attribution. The journal complies with copyright laws and international standards, and authors are required to confirm that their work does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others. If an author has transferred copyright to a third party, permission for publication must be obtained. The journal also provides clear guidelines for handling copyright disputes and ensuring proper attribution of authorship.
6. Open Access Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management follows an Open Access (OA) policy, ensuring that all published articles are freely accessible to the public without any subscription or paywall barriers. This policy aligns with the journal’s mission to facilitate global dissemination of research and foster the exchange of knowledge on environmental economics and management. Authors are encouraged to publish their work under an open license, such as a Creative Commons license, which permits sharing, copying, and redistribution of their work, provided proper attribution is given. The OA policy promotes transparency, accelerates the impact of research, and increases the visibility of authors’ work. By removing financial barriers to access, the journal supports the democratization of scientific knowledge and the development of evidence-based policies for sustainable environmental management. All research published is openly available from the time of publication, allowing for rapid access by academics, policymakers, and the public.
7. Licensing Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management utilizes a Creative Commons (CC) licensing model for all its published articles. Authors are encouraged to choose the most appropriate license for their work, with options available such as CC BY (attribution), CC BY-NC (non-commercial), and others. These licenses provide clear guidance on how others can use, share, and modify the work, ensuring proper attribution and legal clarity for all parties. The CC BY license, for example, allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work as long as they give appropriate credit to the original author. This licensing policy supports the journal’s commitment to open access, promoting greater reuse of academic work and increasing its potential impact. The journal’s licensing policy ensures that authors retain their intellectual property rights while facilitating the wide distribution of their research. Authors are encouraged to carefully review the licensing options and select the one that best suits their preferences and research goals.
8. APC Waiver Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management offers an Article Processing Charge (APC) waiver policy to authors from low-income countries or those facing financial hardship. The journal recognizes that the cost of publication can be a barrier for researchers from less privileged backgrounds, and this policy aims to support their ability to disseminate their work widely. Authors seeking an APC waiver must submit a formal request outlining their financial situation or the context of their research institution. Waivers may be granted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the author’s circumstances and the relevance of the research to the journal’s scope. The journal strives to ensure equitable access to its platform, making high-quality research available to the global academic community. Authors from institutions with limited funding are encouraged to inquire about potential APC waivers during the submission process. The policy ensures that quality research is not hindered by financial constraints, fostering inclusive participation in the academic community.
9. Withdrawal Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management has a clear withdrawal policy to maintain the integrity of the submission and publication process. Once a manuscript is accepted, authors may request withdrawal before the article is published. The withdrawal request must be made in writing, explaining the reasons for withdrawal. If the article has already been processed or is in production, authors may still request withdrawal, but the journal may charge a partial fee to cover administrative costs incurred up to that point. After publication, manuscripts cannot be withdrawn unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as significant ethical violations or serious factual errors. In such cases, the journal may consider a retraction of the article, in line with the retraction policy. The withdrawal process ensures transparency and helps maintain the academic rigor of the journal by preventing premature or unjustified retractions.
10. Human and Animal Rights Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management is committed to adhering to ethical standards related to the use of human and animal subjects in research. Authors conducting studies involving human participants must ensure that their research follows ethical guidelines, including obtaining informed consent and ensuring participants' privacy and confidentiality. For studies involving animals, the journal requires that authors demonstrate compliance with ethical treatment standards, ensuring that animals are used in accordance with the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). Ethical approval from a recognized review board or ethics committee must be obtained before conducting research, and authors should provide documentation of approval at the time of submission. The journal holds researchers accountable to the highest standards of ethical conduct, safeguarding the well-being of both human and animal subjects in environmental economics research.
11. Errata, Retractions, and Corrigenda Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management has established a policy for addressing errors, corrections, and retractions in published articles. If an article contains significant errors or inaccuracies that affect the validity of the research, authors may submit a corrigendum or erratum to clarify or correct the information. In cases of serious misconduct, such as plagiarism or data fabrication, the journal reserves the right to issue a retraction. Retractions are handled transparently, with a clear explanation provided to readers. The decision to publish a retraction or correction is made in collaboration with the authors, reviewers, and editors. The journal prioritizes the integrity of the research and the trust of its readers, and all necessary steps are taken to maintain the accuracy and reliability of the published literature.
12. Data Sharing Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management encourages authors to share their data as part of the publication process to enhance transparency and reproducibility. Authors are strongly advised to deposit their data in a recognized public repository and provide a link to the data in their manuscript. Data must be accessible and reusable, with clear documentation to allow others to understand and use the data appropriately. In cases where data cannot be shared due to privacy concerns or ethical issues, authors must provide a detailed explanation. The journal also supports the use of supplementary materials, such as datasets or code, alongside the article. Data sharing contributes to the advancement of scientific research by allowing other researchers to verify findings and build upon previous work. By promoting open data practices, the journal fosters a collaborative approach to environmental economics research.
13. Submission of Manuscript Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management follows a rigorous manuscript submission policy to ensure the quality and integrity of its publications. Authors are required to submit their manuscripts through the journal's online submission platform, following the specified guidelines for formatting, structure, and required documentation. Submissions should be original works that have not been published or are not under consideration elsewhere. Manuscripts should include a detailed abstract, a comprehensive reference list, and all necessary ethical declarations, such as ethics approval for studies involving human or animal subjects. Authors are encouraged to provide clear, concise, and high-quality content to facilitate the peer review process. Any conflicts of interest must be disclosed, and authors must ensure that all co-authors have agreed to the final manuscript submission. The journal retains the right to reject any manuscript that does not meet its submission standards or does not align with the journal’s scope. Upon submission, authors will receive an acknowledgment, and their manuscript will undergo initial screening and peer review before a decision is made on acceptance or revision.
14. Manuscript Preparation Policy
Authors submitting to the African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management are expected to prepare their manuscripts according to specific formatting guidelines to streamline the review and publication process. Manuscripts must be submitted in Word or LaTeX format, with a clear title page, an abstract (typically between 150-250 words), keywords, and full contact details for the corresponding author. The body of the manuscript should be structured as follows: introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, and references. Tables, figures, and supplementary materials must be appropriately labeled and cited within the text. Citations and references must follow the journal’s citation style, which is typically the APA format. Manuscripts should be concise and coherent, with precise language that adheres to academic standards. All ethical considerations, including informed consent for human participants or animal welfare in research, must be clearly outlined. Authors are expected to ensure the manuscript is free from plagiarism and properly cite all sources. For non-English submissions, the journal may require a language editing service to ensure clarity and accuracy.
15. Sample Paper Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management provides a sample paper to guide authors in structuring their submissions. This sample paper demonstrates the correct formatting, organization, and citation style required for all manuscripts submitted to the journal. It serves as a model for authors to understand how to organize sections, format references, and include necessary components such as tables and figures. The sample paper also provides clarity on how to handle various elements, including statistical results, equations, and supplementary materials, ensuring that submissions meet the journal's high academic standards. Authors are strongly encouraged to use the sample paper as a template when preparing their manuscripts for submission. This tool aims to simplify the submission process by helping authors avoid common formatting mistakes, reducing revisions, and expediting the review and publication timeline.
16. Author’s Agreement Form Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management requires all authors to sign an Author's Agreement Form before their work can be published. This agreement outlines the terms of publication, including the author’s responsibility for the accuracy of the content, the originality of the work, and the compliance with ethical standards such as informed consent and data integrity. It also grants the journal the right to publish and distribute the article under an open access license. Authors must affirm that they have received necessary permissions for any third-party content used in the manuscript (e.g., figures, tables, or previously published data). The form clarifies the scope of rights granted to the journal, including licensing, distribution, and archiving. It also includes an ethical declaration regarding conflicts of interest, funding sources, and any potential financial support received for the research. Authors will be asked to submit the signed form along with their manuscript during the submission process.
17. English Language Editing Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management encourages authors to submit manuscripts in clear, concise, and academically appropriate English. Authors whose first language is not English are strongly advised to have their manuscripts professionally edited before submission. The journal offers an optional English language editing service to improve the quality and readability of submissions, especially for non-native English-speaking authors. Authors are encouraged to carefully proofread their work to ensure that the language does not hinder the understanding of the research. In cases where the language of the manuscript is significantly below the journal’s standards, authors may be asked to revise their text or submit it to a professional editing service before proceeding with the peer review process. The goal is to ensure that all manuscripts published in the journal meet high linguistic standards while maintaining academic integrity.
18. Complaints Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management takes any complaints seriously and ensures a transparent process for addressing grievances. Authors, reviewers, and readers may submit complaints related to the editorial process, peer review, publication ethics, or any other aspect of the journal. Complaints should be submitted in writing, outlining the nature of the issue and any relevant supporting evidence. The editorial team will review the complaint promptly, ensuring confidentiality and fairness throughout the investigation process. If necessary, the journal may consult independent experts or involve the journal’s ethics committee to resolve the issue. The outcome of the complaint will be communicated to the complainant, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings. The journal values ethical conduct and strives to maintain a fair and transparent process for all stakeholders involved. Authors dissatisfied with editorial decisions are encouraged to appeal in a constructive and respectful manner.
19. Plagiarism Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management maintains a strict anti-plagiarism policy to uphold the integrity of published research. The journal uses plagiarism detection software to screen submitted manuscripts for potential plagiarism or self-plagiarism. Manuscripts that are found to contain plagiarized content will be rejected and authors may be banned from submitting to the journal in the future. Authors are required to properly attribute all sources, including direct quotations, paraphrased content, and ideas borrowed from other researchers. Any instances of data fabrication, falsification, or misrepresentation of research findings are grounds for immediate rejection or retraction of the article. The journal encourages authors to ensure that their work adheres to the highest standards of academic integrity. Authors must also disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may affect the objectivity of their research. The journal fosters a culture of ethical scholarship and expects all contributors to comply with these standards.
20. Rights and Grants to the Author Policy
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management recognizes that authors should retain the rights to their work while granting the journal the necessary licenses for publication and distribution. By submitting a manuscript, authors grant the journal a non-exclusive license to publish and disseminate the article in all formats, including online, print, and any future media or platforms. Authors are free to reuse, share, and distribute their work, subject to the open access license terms, but they must provide proper attribution to the journal as the original publisher. The journal does not claim ownership of the content but ensures that the published work is accessible to the global academic community. The journal also provides authors with the option to publish their work under a Creative Commons license, giving them greater control over the reuse of their content while ensuring that proper credit is given. Authors are encouraged to seek funding or grants to support their research, and the journal offers information on how to acknowledge funding sources in published works.
