Editorial Policies and Ethical Guidelines

  1. Editorial Independence:
  • The journal maintains editorial independence and ensures that editorial decisions are based solely on the quality, relevance, and originality of the submitted manuscripts.
  1. Peer Review Process:
  • All submitted manuscripts undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process, where both authors and reviewers remain anonymous.
  • Reviewers are selected based on their expertise in the relevant field of study.
  1. Originality and Plagiarism:
  • Authors must ensure that their submissions are original works and properly cite any sources or references used.
  • Plagiarism in any form is strictly prohibited and may lead to rejection of the manuscript.
  1. Ethical Research Conduct:
  • Authors are expected to adhere to ethical standards in conducting and reporting research.
  • Any research involving human subjects must have obtained appropriate ethical approval.
  1. Conflict of Interest:
  • Authors, reviewers, and editorial board members must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may affect the integrity of the review process.
  1. Authorship and Acknowledgments:
  • Authorship should be based on substantial contributions to the research. All authors must have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.
  • Individuals who do not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged for their contributions.
  1. Data Transparency:
  • Authors should provide transparent and accessible data related to their research, whenever possible, to facilitate reproducibility and further analysis.
  1. Corrections and Retractions:
  • The journal maintains the right to publish corrections, clarifications, or retractions if errors are identified after publication.
  1. Plausible Relevance:
  • Manuscripts should align with the journal's scope and mission. Submissions that lack relevance may be rejected without peer review.
  1. Open Access: - The journal promotes open access, ensuring that published content is freely accessible to researchers, practitioners, and the public.
  2. Copyright and Licensing: - Authors retain the copyright of their work and agree to license their published articles under a Creative Commons license (e.g., CC BY) to allow wider distribution and reuse.

Peer Review Process

  1. Submission:
  • Authors submit their manuscripts through the online submission system, including all required materials and disclosures.
  1. Initial Review:
  • The editorial team conducts an initial assessment to ensure that the submission adheres to the journal's guidelines and scope.
  1. Peer Review Assignment:
  • Appropriate reviewers are selected based on their expertise and potential conflicts of interest.
  1. Peer Review:
  • Reviewers provide detailed assessments of the manuscript's quality, originality, methodology, and significance.
  • Reviewers offer constructive feedback to help authors improve their work.
  1. Decision:
  • Based on reviewer feedback, the editorial team makes a decision on acceptance, revision, or rejection.
  • Authors are provided with reviewers' comments and recommendations.
  1. Revision and Resubmission:
  • If revisions are requested, authors revise the manuscript according to reviewer feedback and provide a detailed response to each comment.
  1. Final Decision:
  • The revised manuscript is re-evaluated by the editorial team or reviewers to ensure that revisions have been adequately addressed.
  1. Acceptance and Publication:
  • Once the manuscript is deemed suitable, it is accepted for publication and undergoes production processes.
  1. Publication and Post-Publication:
  • Published articles are made available on the journal's website and promoted through various channels.
  • Corrections or retractions are published as necessary.

Focus Africa Journal Template – 2023

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