Editorial Policies

The African Journal of Political Science is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity. Below are our editorial policies, which guide our publication process and ensure ethical conduct in research and publication.

1. Editorial Policies

Our editorial policies are designed to ensure that the African Journal of Political Science follows the best practices in academic publishing. We maintain the highest standards of editorial quality, ensuring that all manuscripts undergo a rigorous review and adhere to ethical guidelines.

2. Peer Review Process

The journal follows a double-blind peer review process to maintain impartiality and ensure high-quality research. The steps include:

  • Initial Screening: Manuscripts are screened by the editorial team for relevance, quality, and alignment with journal scope.
  • Review Assignment: Manuscripts passing the initial screening are sent to two or more expert reviewers in the field.
  • Review Criteria: Reviewers assess the quality, originality, clarity, and methodology of the manuscript.
  • Decision: Based on reviewer feedback, the editorial team makes a decision on the manuscript's acceptance or rejection.
  • Confidentiality: Both reviewers and authors are kept anonymous to maintain confidentiality throughout the process.

3. Creative Commons License

All published articles are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY). This license allows others to:

  • Share the work.
  • Adapt, remix, and build upon the work for any purpose, even commercially, as long as the original authors are credited.

This open-access policy ensures wider dissemination of research and allows greater impact within the global academic community.

4. Editorial Process

The editorial process for submissions to the journal is as follows:

  • Manuscript Submission: Authors submit their manuscripts online, adhering to the journal’s guidelines for submission.
  • Initial Assessment: The editorial team evaluates whether the manuscript aligns with the journal’s scope and meets submission requirements.
  • Peer Review: If the manuscript passes the initial assessment, it undergoes double-blind peer review, where two reviewers assess its academic rigor and quality.
  • Revisions: Authors may be asked to revise the manuscript based on reviewer feedback before it can be considered for publication.
  • Final Decision: After revisions are made, the editor-in-chief makes a final decision on publication.
  • Publication: Accepted manuscripts are scheduled for publication in the next available issue.

5. Publisher Policies

Our publisher policies ensure that we maintain ethical standards in publication. These include:

  • Non-Discrimination: We accept manuscripts from all authors, regardless of their background, nationality, or affiliation.
  • Integrity: Authors must ensure their work is free from falsification and fabrication of data. Any instances of scientific misconduct will result in rejection of the manuscript.
  • Copyright: The journal holds the copyright to all published works, though authors retain rights to their research under a Creative Commons license.
  • Editorial Independence: The editorial team operates independently from the publisher and external interests to ensure that decisions are based solely on academic merit.

7. COPE Recommendations for Plagiarism

The journal follows the COPE Recommendations for Plagiarism to handle suspected cases of plagiarism. Authors must ensure that their work is original and properly cites all sources. If plagiarism is detected, the manuscript will be rejected and, if already published, retracted.

8. Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

We are committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in academic publishing. Our ethics policy includes:

  • Research Integrity: Manuscripts must be based on sound scientific research, with clear documentation of data and methodologies.
  • Ethical Approval: Research involving human subjects must have ethical approval from an appropriate review board, and this must be stated in the manuscript.
  • Conflict of Interest: Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any conflicts of interest that might influence the review and publication process.
  • Accountability: Authors are responsible for the content of their work, and should be able to provide additional information or data upon request to verify their research.

9. COPE Recommendations for Conflict of Interest (Specific to Editors)

In line with COPE’s Recommendations for Conflict of Interest, editors must disclose any conflicts of interest that may affect their judgment in handling submissions. If a conflict is identified, the editor must recuse themselves from the review process to ensure impartiality.