Editorial Policies

  1. Advertisement Policies
  2. Publisher Policies
  3. Editorial Policies
  4. Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosures (specific to editors)
  5. COPE Recommendation for Plagiarism
  6. Creative Commons License
  7. Peer Review Process
  8. Editorial Process
  9. Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement
  10. COPE Recommendation for Conflict of Interest (specific to editors)

1. Advertisement Policies - African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

The African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases (AJMTD) maintains clear advertisement policies to ensure that advertising does not influence editorial decisions or compromise the scientific integrity of the journal. Advertisements are accepted for publication but must be clearly distinguishable from editorial content. The journal does not allow advertisements related to specific medical treatments, pharmaceutical products, or services that could conflict with the journal's academic focus or ethical standards. All advertisements are subject to approval by the editorial board to ensure they align with the journal's mission and ethical guidelines. Advertisers are required to submit their materials for review before publication, and any advertising that could be seen as promoting unsubstantiated health claims or unethical practices is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, the journal maintains transparency by ensuring that advertisements do not interfere with the content or opinions expressed in the articles.

2. Publisher Policies - African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

The publisher policies of the African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases are designed to ensure the highest standards of ethical publishing. The journal adheres to global guidelines for scientific publishing, such as those set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The publisher is committed to open-access publishing, meaning that all articles are freely available to readers without subscription fees, fostering wider dissemination of research. Additionally, the journal upholds a transparent publication process, with clear guidelines on submission, peer review, and the editorial process. Authors and reviewers are encouraged to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, and all submitted articles undergo plagiarism checks to ensure originality. The publisher is also dedicated to ensuring that the journal's content remains accessible over time through digital preservation and archiving in well-known repositories.

3. Editorial Policies - African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

The editorial policies of the African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ensure that the journal maintains high standards of quality, integrity, and scientific rigor. The journal follows a double-blind peer-review process, where both authors and reviewers are anonymous, to avoid bias. Editors are responsible for evaluating submitted manuscripts, deciding on revisions or acceptance, and ensuring that the research is ethically sound and scientifically valid. All editorial decisions are based on the scientific merit of the manuscript, and editors are expected to uphold principles of fairness, transparency, and confidentiality. The editorial team must also disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may arise during the review and decision-making process. In cases of suspected misconduct, such as data falsification or plagiarism, the editors follow the policies set out by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to address the issue in a fair and transparent manner.

4. Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosures (Specific to Editors) - African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

The African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases requires editors to declare any conflict of interest or financial disclosures that could influence their decision-making process. Editors must fully disclose any personal, professional, or financial relationships with authors or research subjects, as well as any potential biases related to the manuscript under review. This includes relationships with commercial entities, funding sources, or other conflicts that may create a perception of bias. To avoid conflicts of interest, editors are often recused from handling manuscripts where a conflict exists. Additionally, editors are encouraged to maintain transparency in their editorial roles and to ensure that editorial decisions are made solely on the basis of scientific merit. Financial disclosures, such as funding received for the editor's research or any involvement in related commercial ventures, are also reported. These policies help maintain the credibility and impartiality of the journal’s editorial process.

5. COPE Recommendation for Plagiarism - African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

The African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines for handling plagiarism. Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, is strictly prohibited, and manuscripts submitted to the journal undergo plagiarism detection using software such as Turnitin. If plagiarism is detected at any stage of the publication process, the manuscript will be rejected, and the author(s) may be subject to a ban from submitting future work to the journal. Additionally, if plagiarism is discovered after publication, the journal follows the COPE guidelines for issuing a retraction or correction depending on the severity of the issue. Authors found guilty of plagiarism are provided with clear communication regarding the consequences, and the journal adheres to a transparent process in addressing such misconduct. This policy ensures the integrity of the journal and upholds the academic standards of scientific publishing.

6. Creative Commons License - African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

The African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases follows an open-access publishing model and generally uses a Creative Commons (CC BY) license for all published articles. Under this license, readers can freely share, adapt, and build upon the published work, provided that the original author is properly attributed. This licensing model supports the journal's goal of making research freely available to a global audience, increasing the visibility and impact of the work. Authors retain copyright over their articles while allowing the journal to distribute and promote the content under the terms of the Creative Commons license. The journal encourages authors to use open-access repositories for data sharing and encourages the use of creative commons licenses to facilitate the broad dissemination and reuse of scientific research.

7. Peer Review Process - African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

The peer review process of the African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases is a critical component of ensuring the quality and integrity of the research it publishes. The journal follows a double-blind peer review system, where both the identities of the authors and the reviewers are concealed. After a manuscript is submitted, it is initially screened by the editor for relevance and quality before being sent to two or more independent reviewers who are experts in the field of malaria and tropical diseases. The reviewers evaluate the manuscript's methodology, scientific rigor, originality, and potential impact. Based on the reviewers’ feedback, the editor makes a decision to accept, reject, or request revisions to the manuscript. The peer-review process ensures that only high-quality, scientifically sound research is published in the journal.

8. Editorial Process - African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

The editorial process of the African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases involves several key steps. First, manuscripts are submitted through the journal's online submission system, where they are screened for relevance and compliance with the journal's guidelines. Once a manuscript is deemed suitable for review, it is assigned to an editor who coordinates the peer-review process. The editor selects expert reviewers, usually two or more, to assess the quality and validity of the manuscript. After receiving reviewer comments, the editor makes a final decision on whether to accept the manuscript, request revisions, or reject it. If revisions are requested, the authors are given a chance to address the reviewers' comments. Once the manuscript is revised and approved, it is sent for copyediting, proofreading, and publication. This editorial process ensures that the research published is of high quality and adheres to the journal's standards.

9. Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement - African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

The Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement of the African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases outlines the journal's commitment to maintaining high ethical standards in the publishing process. The journal adheres to the COPE guidelines, ensuring that manuscripts are evaluated based on scientific merit, with no bias or discrimination. Ethical standards in research are paramount, and the journal expects authors to comply with ethical guidelines for conducting research involving human or animal subjects. The journal takes a firm stance against research misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication, and falsification. In cases of misconduct, the journal will take corrective action, including retractions or corrections as necessary. The journal also ensures transparency in its peer-review process, providing clear communication between authors, reviewers, and editors. These measures help maintain the integrity of the publication and the trust of its readers.

10. COPE Recommendation for Conflict of Interest (Specific to Editors) - African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases

The African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases follows the COPE recommendations for Conflict of Interest (COI) for editors, ensuring that editors do not allow personal or financial interests to influence editorial decisions. Editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest before taking part in the editorial process, particularly if they have a professional or financial relationship with the authors or research being reviewed. Editors who have conflicts of interest are required to recuse themselves from handling specific manuscripts. Additionally, editors are responsible for ensuring that reviewers disclose any conflicts of interest when reviewing manuscripts. This process ensures that editorial decisions are based solely on the scientific merit of the manuscript, promoting fairness, transparency, and the integrity of the journal.