Author's Policies
- Withdrawal Policy
- English Language Editing
- Open Access Policy
- Plagiarism Policy
- Digital Preservation
- Participant/Patient Privacy and Informed Consent
- Rights and Grants to the Author
- Licensing Policy
- APC Waiver Policy
- Copyright Policy
- Check List
- Human and Animal Rights Policy
- Data Sharing Policy
- Submission of Manuscript
- Article Processing Charge
- Author’s Agreement Form
- Errata, Retractions, and Corrigenda Policy
- Manuscript Preparation
- Sample Paper
- Complaints Policy
- Withdrawal Policy
The African Journal of Pig Farming (AJPF) recognizes that authors may occasionally need to withdraw a manuscript after submission. Withdrawal requests must be made in writing, stating the reasons for withdrawal. Manuscripts can only be withdrawn before publication or acceptance for publication. Once accepted, withdrawal is discouraged unless extenuating circumstances apply. Authors are reminded that withdrawal post-review causes financial and resource strain on the journal. Repeated withdrawals by the same author(s) without valid justification may lead to sanctions, including a ban on future submissions. AJPF reserves the right to charge a withdrawal fee if the manuscript has undergone peer review. Withdrawal of manuscripts will only be confirmed after receiving acknowledgment from all authors. The editorial team will assess withdrawal requests and communicate the decision promptly.
2. English Language Editing
The African Journal of Pig Farming requires all submitted manuscripts to be written in clear, concise English to ensure accessibility to a global readership. Authors are responsible for ensuring their manuscripts meet professional standards of written English before submission. Non-native English speakers are encouraged to use professional language editing services to avoid delays during the review process. The journal does not provide in-house editing services but can recommend third-party services if needed. Manuscripts that do not meet the required language standards may be returned to authors for revision prior to peer review. Proper language editing improves the clarity, accuracy, and impact of research findings. Authors are reminded that utilizing an editing service does not guarantee acceptance of the manuscript for publication.
3. Open Access Policy
The African Journal of Pig Farming (AJPF) operates under a full open-access model, ensuring that all published content is freely accessible to researchers, practitioners, and the general public worldwide. This policy fosters the global dissemination of research and promotes the exchange of knowledge within the pig farming community. Authors retain copyright of their work, and all articles are distributed under a Creative Commons license, allowing users to read, download, distribute, and reproduce the content with proper attribution. AJPF does not impose subscription fees on readers, and any associated publication costs are covered through Article Processing Charges (APCs). By adhering to an open-access policy, AJPF ensures transparency, inclusivity, and accessibility in research dissemination, supporting advancements in agricultural practices and pig farming research.
4. Plagiarism Policy
AJPF upholds strict ethical standards in publication and has zero tolerance for plagiarism. All submitted manuscripts undergo thorough checks using plagiarism detection software to identify overlaps with previously published content. Authors are required to ensure their work is original and appropriately cite all sources, including text, data, and ideas from others. Self-plagiarism, where authors duplicate their own published work without proper acknowledgment, is also prohibited. Manuscripts found to have significant plagiarism may be rejected immediately, and authors may face sanctions. If plagiarism is detected post-publication, AJPF reserves the right to retract the article and issue a public notice. Authors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with ethical writing practices to maintain the integrity of their submissions.
5. Digital Preservation
AJPF is committed to the long-term preservation of all published content to ensure its accessibility for future generations. The journal partners with digital archiving services like CLOCKSS and Portico to safeguard articles against loss due to system failures or other unforeseen events. Additionally, all articles are assigned unique Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs), enabling their consistent retrieval across platforms. AJPF also encourages authors and readers to archive the content in institutional repositories to enhance its reach. The preservation strategy ensures that scholarly contributions remain available and intact, supporting the continuity of research in pig farming and related disciplines.
6. Participant/Patient Privacy and Informed Consent
AJPF requires authors to protect the privacy and rights of participants in research studies. Manuscripts involving human subjects must include a statement confirming that informed consent was obtained and that the research adhered to ethical guidelines, such as the Declaration of Helsinki. Authors must anonymize participant information to prevent identification unless explicit consent for disclosure has been obtained. For studies involving animals, adherence to ethical guidelines for animal welfare is mandatory. Manuscripts lacking appropriate ethical approval or consent documentation may be rejected. Ensuring privacy and informed consent safeguards the dignity and rights of research participants.
7. Rights and Grants to the Author
The African Journal of Pig Farming (AJPF) ensures that authors retain specific rights over their published work while granting the journal certain publishing rights. Authors retain copyright and may use their work for academic, educational, and non-commercial purposes. By submitting to AJPF, authors grant the journal the right to publish, distribute, and archive their work in all formats. This includes the right to make the content openly accessible under a Creative Commons license. Authors also retain the right to share pre-prints and post-publication versions in institutional repositories or personal websites. Any use or distribution of the published work must include proper citation of the journal and article.
8. Licensing Policy
AJPF publishes articles under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, sharing, and adaptation of the content for any purpose, provided appropriate credit is given to the original authors and the journal. This license ensures maximum dissemination and impact of the research while maintaining ethical attribution practices. Authors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the terms of this license before submission. The CC BY license aligns with AJPF’s commitment to open access and global knowledge-sharing.
9. APC Waiver Policy
To promote inclusivity and support researchers from low-income and lower-middle-income countries, AJPF offers an Article Processing Charge (APC) waiver or discount. Authors from eligible countries may request a waiver during the submission process, and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. The journal’s commitment to equitable access ensures that financial constraints do not hinder the publication of high-quality research. Waivers are subject to the availability of funds and do not influence the peer-review process, which remains impartial and rigorous.
10. Copyright Policy
Authors publishing in AJPF retain copyright over their articles but grant the journal exclusive publishing rights. Articles are published under a Creative Commons license to ensure open access and allow for wide distribution. Authors must ensure that their submissions do not infringe on any existing copyrights. By submitting to AJPF, authors confirm that their work is original and that permissions have been obtained for any copyrighted material included in the manuscript. The journal protects authors’ intellectual property while fostering open knowledge exchange.
11. Checklist
Before submission, authors must ensure that their manuscript adheres to AJPF’s guidelines. The checklist includes formatting, language quality, ethical approvals, and the inclusion of all required sections such as abstract, keywords, and references. Proper citation of sources and adherence to submission policies are essential. Authors must confirm that the manuscript is original, not under review elsewhere, and free from plagiarism. Following the checklist ensures a smoother submission and review process.
12. Human and Animal Rights Policy
AJPF adheres to the highest ethical standards in research involving humans or animals. For human studies, authors must provide evidence of informed consent and ethical clearance. Animal studies must comply with recognized guidelines for animal welfare, such as those of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Non-compliance with these ethical standards may result in rejection. Authors should explicitly state ethical approvals in their manuscript, ensuring transparency and integrity in research.
13. Data Sharing Policy
AJPF encourages transparency and reproducibility by promoting data sharing. Authors must include a Data Availability Statement in their manuscript, specifying how and where data supporting their findings can be accessed. If data cannot be shared due to ethical, legal, or commercial reasons, authors should provide a justification. AJPF supports public data repositories and recommends that datasets be assigned unique identifiers (e.g., DOIs) for easy citation. Sharing data fosters collaboration and advances research within the pig farming community.
14. Submission of Manuscript
Authors submitting to AJPF must use the journal’s online submission system, ensuring all required files (manuscript, figures, supplementary materials) are included. Manuscripts should adhere to the journal’s formatting and ethical guidelines. A cover letter detailing the manuscript's significance and confirming its originality must accompany the submission. AJPF does not accept simultaneous submissions to other journals. Following the submission guidelines ensures a seamless review process.
15. Article Processing Charge (APC)
AJPF levies an Article Processing Charge (APC) to cover the costs of peer review, editing, and online hosting. The APC is disclosed during the submission process, and waivers or discounts may be available for authors from low-income countries. Payment is only required after manuscript acceptance. The APC policy ensures sustainability while maintaining open access for readers.
16. Author’s Agreement Form
Authors must complete and sign an Author’s Agreement Form during submission, affirming their work’s originality and granting AJPF the rights to publish it. The form also confirms that all co-authors approve the submission and agree to the journal’s policies. Submissions without a completed agreement form will not proceed to peer review.
17. Errata, Retractions, and Corrigenda Policy
AJPF is committed to maintaining the accuracy of the scientific record. Errors identified post-publication, whether by authors, readers, or the editorial team, will be addressed transparently. Minor errors that do not affect findings are corrected via corrigenda. Significant errors requiring changes to conclusions may lead to retractions. All corrections or retractions will be published promptly and linked to the original article for clarity.
18. Manuscript Preparation
Authors should prepare manuscripts according to AJPF’s formatting guidelines, including a structured abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references. Figures and tables should be high-resolution and appropriately labeled. Manuscripts must be double-spaced, with page numbers included. Proper preparation facilitates the review process and reduces revisions.
19. Sample Paper
AJPF provides a sample paper on its website to guide authors in formatting and structuring their manuscripts. The sample includes detailed annotations on sections such as abstracts, citations, and tables. Authors are encouraged to refer to the sample before submission to ensure compliance with journal standards.
20. Complaints Policy
AJPF values feedback and provides a transparent process for addressing complaints related to editorial decisions, publication ethics, or journal processes. Complaints should be submitted in writing to the editorial office, detailing the issue and relevant evidence. The editorial board will review and respond promptly. Complaints are handled with fairness and confidentiality, ensuring resolutions align with ethical standards.
