Editorial Policies
- Peer Review Process
- Editorial Process
- Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosures (specific to editors)
- Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement
- Creative Commons License
- Publisher Policies
- Advertisement Policies
- COPE Recommendation for Plagiarism
- COPE Recommendation for Conflict of Interest (specific to editors)
- Editorial Policies
- Peer Review Process
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management employs a double-blind peer review process to ensure the objectivity, credibility, and academic rigor of published research. This means that both the authors and the reviewers are unaware of each other's identities during the review process. Manuscripts submitted to the journal are initially screened by the editorial team for adherence to submission guidelines, relevance, and quality. If the manuscript meets these initial criteria, it is sent to at least two independent reviewers who are experts in the field of environmental economics and management. Reviewers assess the manuscript’s scientific quality, methodology, originality, and relevance to the journal’s scope. They also evaluate the clarity of the writing, the accuracy of the data, and the validity of the conclusions. Reviewers provide constructive feedback to authors, suggesting improvements or revisions. After peer review, the editorial board considers the feedback and makes the final decision on whether to accept, revise, or reject the manuscript. The peer review process is designed to ensure that all articles published in the journal maintain high academic standards and contribute valuable knowledge to the field. This transparent and rigorous review process aims to maintain the integrity of published work, uphold scholarly standards, and promote constructive dialogue within the academic community.
2. Editorial Process
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management follows a structured editorial process to ensure the integrity, quality, and timeliness of published research. Upon submission, manuscripts undergo an initial screening by the editorial team to verify that they meet the journal’s submission guidelines and scope. If the manuscript passes the preliminary screening, it is assigned to an editor who oversees the peer review process. The editor ensures that the manuscript is appropriately reviewed by experts in the field and that feedback is gathered impartially. The peer review process is double-blind, meaning both the identities of the authors and reviewers are concealed to ensure unbiased evaluations. After receiving reviewer feedback, the editor makes a decision on the manuscript—acceptance, minor or major revision, or rejection. Authors are informed of the decision and provided with reviewer comments, which they must address when revising their manuscript. Once the manuscript has been revised, it is re-evaluated by the editor, who ensures that all concerns have been adequately addressed. The final step involves the publication of the article, following thorough formatting and quality checks. Throughout the editorial process, the journal ensures that all manuscripts meet high academic and ethical standards. The editorial team also works closely with authors to ensure that the publication process is as transparent and efficient as possible.
3. Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosures (specific to editors)
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management adheres to strict conflict of interest and financial disclosure policies for its editorial board members. Editors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may affect their impartiality in handling manuscripts. Conflicts of interest can arise from financial interests, personal relationships, or academic or professional connections that may influence editorial decision-making. Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where they have a potential conflict of interest. To promote transparency, editors are required to disclose any financial relationships or funding sources that could influence their editorial responsibilities. This includes any involvement with organizations, corporations, or governmental bodies that may have a vested interest in the research being reviewed or published. The journal emphasizes the importance of maintaining editorial integrity and impartiality in the review process. Editors must ensure that their decisions are based solely on the merit of the manuscript, and they must avoid any actions that could compromise the academic independence of the journal. The disclosure of financial or other conflicts of interest ensures that the review process is transparent, fair, and free from external pressures. The journal also requires that authors disclose any conflicts of interest at the time of submission, contributing to the overall transparency of the publication process.
4. Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management upholds a rigorous publication ethics policy, aligning with international standards for academic publishing. The journal is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in all aspects of the publication process, including the handling of manuscripts, peer review, and the final published articles. All authors are required to comply with ethical guidelines, ensuring that their research is original, properly cited, and free from plagiarism. The journal adheres to the principle of academic integrity and requires authors to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, funding sources, or ethical approval for studies involving human or animal subjects. In cases of research misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication, or falsification, the journal follows procedures set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to investigate allegations and take appropriate action. If an article is found to have violated ethical guidelines, the journal may issue a retraction, correction, or withdrawal, depending on the severity of the issue. Reviewers are expected to provide objective, unbiased assessments of manuscripts, and the journal holds them accountable for maintaining confidentiality and avoiding conflicts of interest. The editorial team also ensures that authors are given the opportunity to address reviewer comments and revise their work, promoting a fair and constructive review process. By adhering to ethical publishing practices, the African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in environmental economics and management while maintaining the trust of the academic community.
5. Creative Commons License
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management operates under a Creative Commons (CC) licensing system to promote open access and ensure the broad dissemination of knowledge. Authors who publish in the journal are encouraged to choose a Creative Commons license that best suits their preferences for sharing and reusing their work. The most common license options available include CC BY (Attribution), CC BY-NC (Attribution-NonCommercial), and CC BY-ND (Attribution-NoDerivs). These licenses allow readers to freely access, share, and distribute articles, as long as proper attribution is provided. The CC BY license, for example, enables users to copy, redistribute, remix, and build upon the work for any purpose, provided they credit the original author. This open-access model promotes the global exchange of knowledge, as research can be easily accessed by scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and the general public. By publishing under a Creative Commons license, authors retain the rights to their work while making it available to a wider audience. The journal’s use of Creative Commons licenses aligns with its commitment to transparency, knowledge sharing, and the democratization of academic research. Authors are encouraged to carefully consider which license to use, as the choice can influence how their work is shared and reused. The journal provides clear guidelines on the licensing options and the benefits of open access publishing.
6. Publisher Policies
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic publishing. The publisher ensures that all aspects of the publication process, from submission through to final dissemination, are conducted transparently and ethically. The journal adheres to best practices in editorial independence, maintaining an impartial editorial board free from undue influence by commercial or political interests. In line with open access principles, all articles published in the journal are freely available to readers worldwide, enhancing the visibility and impact of the research. The publisher supports authors by offering a streamlined submission process, professional editorial services, and guidance on manuscript preparation. The publisher also enforces robust measures to protect intellectual property rights, ensuring that authors retain copyright to their work while granting the journal a non-exclusive license to publish and distribute it. The journal follows the publisher’s strict ethical guidelines, which include a commitment to addressing any allegations of misconduct, such as plagiarism, authorship disputes, or data falsification. Additionally, the publisher upholds the confidentiality of all manuscripts during the peer review process, ensuring that reviewer identities are protected. The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management maintains open communication with authors, editors, and reviewers, fostering a collaborative and ethical publishing environment. The publisher’s dedication to these principles ensures the integrity of the journal and the quality of the published content.
7. Advertisement Policies
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management maintains clear guidelines regarding advertisements in the journal. Advertisements are accepted only if they align with the journal’s mission and ethical standards, and they must not interfere with the academic integrity or independence of the publication. All advertisements are reviewed by the editorial team to ensure they are relevant to the journal’s scope, particularly focusing on environmental economics, management, and sustainable development. The journal does not accept advertisements for products or services that conflict with its commitment to environmental sustainability, public health, or ethical academic practices. Advertisements must be clearly distinguished from editorial content to avoid any confusion. The journal ensures that advertisements do not influence editorial decisions or the peer review process. The revenue generated from advertisements is used to support the journal’s operations, including its open-access publishing model and the peer review process. The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management is committed to maintaining the credibility and trust of its readers, and therefore, all advertisements must comply with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards. The journal reserves the right to reject any advertisement that it deems inappropriate or in conflict with its values.
8. COPE Recommendation for Plagiarism
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management follows the guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for handling cases of plagiarism. The journal uses plagiarism detection software to screen submitted manuscripts for similarities with previously published work. If plagiarism is suspected, the editorial team will follow COPE’s recommended procedures for dealing with such issues. In cases where plagiarism is identified, the manuscript may be rejected or withdrawn, and the authors will be required to provide a detailed explanation or retraction. The journal takes all allegations of plagiarism seriously and will investigate thoroughly to ensure that proper attribution is given to original authors and that the integrity of the academic record is maintained. The journal supports the use of best practices in research and publishing, including appropriate citation of sources and the avoidance of any form of intellectual dishonesty. When plagiarism is detected after publication, the journal will take corrective action, including issuing a retraction or correction. The journal also educates authors on the importance of maintaining academic integrity and encourages them to adhere to ethical guidelines in their research and writing. By following COPE’s recommendations, the African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management aims to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and contribute to a trustworthy academic publishing environment.
9. COPE Recommendation for Conflict of Interest (specific to editors)
In alignment with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) recommendations, the African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management requires its editors to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may arise during the editorial process. Editors are expected to recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where they have a personal, academic, or financial connection to the authors or the subject matter of the article. This helps ensure that editorial decisions are made impartially and that the journal's content remains unbiased. The journal encourages editors to disclose any relevant financial relationships, affiliations with organizations, or personal relationships that could be perceived as influencing their decisions. Editors are also encouraged to seek guidance from the editorial board or external experts when faced with a potential conflict of interest. The journal follows COPE’s best practices to ensure that any conflicts of interest are managed transparently and that the editorial process remains fair and objective. By adhering to COPE’s guidelines, the African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management strives to maintain the trust and integrity of its peer review and publication processes.
10. Editorial Policies
The African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management follows comprehensive editorial policies designed to ensure high standards of academic publishing and maintain the integrity of the peer review process. The editorial team upholds transparency, fairness, and academic rigor in the review and publication of all submitted manuscripts. The journal's editorial policies cover manuscript submission, peer review, authorship criteria, conflict of interest disclosures, and ethical guidelines. Editors are responsible for ensuring that all manuscripts are assessed fairly and in line with the journal’s scope, which focuses on environmental economics, policy, and management. The editorial team also monitors the peer review process, ensuring that reviewers provide constructive feedback and that authors have the opportunity to revise their manuscripts based on reviewer comments. The journal also prioritizes diversity in its editorial board and strives to ensure equal representation across geographic regions and academic backgrounds. Additionally, editorial policies address issues such as plagiarism, research misconduct, and ethical approval for studies involving human or animal subjects. The journal is committed to publishing high-quality research that contributes to the advancement of environmental economics and management, and these policies serve as the foundation for maintaining academic excellence and integrity throughout the publication process.
