Submissions

Author Guidelines

Submission Guidelines

Authors interested in submitting their work to the Annals of African Education are requested to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Manuscripts should be original contributions that have not been published elsewhere and are not currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.
• Submissions must conform to the journal's prescribed formatting guidelines, available on our website.
• All manuscripts must be submitted electronically through our online submission system.
• Authors are required to include a structured abstract (maximum 250 words) summarizing the purpose, methods, results, and implications of their study.
• The journal employs a rigorous double-blind peer-review process to ensure the quality and integrity of published research.
• Authors are expected to uphold ethical standards and guidelines for research involving human subjects, where applicable.

Manuscript Submission Process

To submit a manuscript, you first need to access the online platform by visiting the journal's designated website. Once there, you'll either need to register for an account or log in if you already have one. After logging in, it's essential to carefully follow the submission guidelines provided on the platform, ensuring that your manuscript meets all the specified formatting and content requirements.

Next, you'll be prompted to complete the required metadata for your manuscript. This includes providing information such as the title, abstract, keywords, and details about the authors and their affiliations. Once the metadata is filled out, you'll need to upload your manuscript file in the format specified by the journal, typically either Doc (Ms. Word). Additionally, you may be asked to provide any necessary supplementary materials, such as data sets or multimedia files. Before finalizing your submission, it's crucial to verify and confirm all the details you've entered, ensuring that everything is accurate and complete.

Finally, once you've reviewed and confirmed all the submission details, you can submit your manuscript for review. This initiates the peer-review process, during which experts in the field will evaluate the quality and validity of your research.

Types of Articles

The journal welcomes a wide range of articles related to education within the African context. Authors can submit original research articles, literature reviews, theoretical papers, case studies, and empirical studies. Examples are given below:

• Original Research Articles: These articles present new and original research findings in the field of education within the African context. They typically follow a structured format including sections such as Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. Original research articles contribute novel insights and advancements to the existing body of knowledge.
• Literature Reviews: Literature reviews provide a comprehensive summary and synthesis of existing research and literature on a specific topic related to African education. Authors critically analyze and interpret existing studies, identifying trends, gaps, and areas for further research. Literature reviews may also include theoretical frameworks and methodological considerations.
• Theoretical Papers: Theoretical papers explore and develop new theoretical perspectives, frameworks, or models relevant to education in Africa. These articles contribute to theoretical discourse and provide conceptual insights into educational phenomena. They may discuss theoretical implications for educational practice, policy, or research methodology.
• Case Studies: Case studies offer in-depth analyses of specific educational programs, interventions, or practices within the African context. Authors provide detailed descriptions of the context, participants, methods, outcomes, and implications of the case under study. Case studies offer valuable insights into real-world educational challenges and solutions.
• Empirical Studies: Empirical studies involve the collection and analysis of data to investigate research questions or hypotheses related to African education. These studies employ quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods approaches to gather evidence and draw conclusions. Empirical studies contribute empirical evidence to inform educational practice, policy, and theory.
• Policy Analyses: Policy analyses examine educational policies, reforms, and initiatives within African countries or regions. Authors critically evaluate the rationale, implementation, and impact of educational policies on various stakeholders, including students, teachers, parents, and communities. Policy analyses may offer recommendations for policy improvement or reform.

• Practice-Based Research: Practice-based research focuses on the examination and evaluation of educational practices, innovations, or interventions in African educational settings. Authors reflect on their experiences, challenges, and successes in implementing educational interventions and provide insights into effective practice.
• Evaluation Studies: Evaluation studies assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and outcomes of educational programs, interventions, or policies in African contexts. Authors use systematic methods to collect and analyze data, focusing on evaluating program implementation, outcomes, and impact. Evaluation studies inform evidence-based decision-making and program improvement efforts.

Reviewer Guidelines

Thank you for agreeing to review manuscripts for the Annals of African Education. Your expertise and insights are invaluable in maintaining the quality and integrity of the journal. Please adhere to the following guidelines to ensure a thorough and constructive review process:

1. Confidentiality: Reviewers must maintain strict confidentiality regarding the content of the manuscripts assigned to them for review. Manuscripts are privileged communication and should not be shared or discussed with others without explicit permission from the journal editor.
2. Timeliness: Please endeavor to complete your review within the agreed-upon timeframe. Prompt feedback is essential for authors to make revisions and for the editorial process to proceed smoothly. If you anticipate any delays, please inform the editor as soon as possible.
3. Objectivity: Reviews should be conducted objectively, focusing on the scientific merit, clarity, and relevance of the manuscript. Avoid personal biases or conflicts of interest that may influence your evaluation. If you identify any conflicts of interest, please notify the editor promptly.
4. Constructive Feedback: Provide detailed and constructive feedback to the authors to help improve the quality of their manuscript. Highlight strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, supported by specific examples or suggestions. Aim to assist authors in enhancing the clarity, rigor, and impact of their work.
5. Ethical Considerations: Ensure that the manuscript adheres to ethical standards in research and publication. If you identify any ethical concerns, such as plagiarism, fraudulent data, or ethical misconduct, please alert the editor immediately.
6. Confidential Comments to the Editor: In addition to comments for the authors, you may provide confidential comments to the editor regarding the manuscript's suitability for publication, potential conflicts of interest, or any other pertinent issues. Your insights will help the editor make informed decisions about the manuscript.
7. Respectful Communication: Conduct all communication with authors and editors in a respectful and professional manner. Avoid derogatory or inflammatory language and focus on fostering constructive dialogue and collaboration.
8. Follow Journal Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with the journal's submission and formatting guidelines, as well as any specific criteria for the type of manuscript under review. Ensure that your review addresses all relevant aspects outlined in the journal's reviewer guidelines.
9. Continued Professional Development: Engage in continuous professional development by staying informed about current trends, methodologies, and best practices in your field. Your expertise as a reviewer contributes to the advancement of scholarship and research integrity.

Your commitment to thorough and thoughtful reviews is instrumental in maintaining the high standards of the Annals of African Education. Thank you for your dedication to advancing education research in Africa.

Article Formats

Empirical Research Article Format

Title

Provide a concise and descriptive title that accurately reflects the content and focus of the research study.

Abstract

• Write a structured abstract consisting of four sections: Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
• Background: Briefly introduce the research problem, objectives, and context.
• Methods: Describe the research design, participants, data collection procedures, and analytical methods.
• Results: Summarize key findings, including relevant statistical analyses or qualitative themes.
• Conclusion: Present the main implications, significance, and potential contributions of the study.

Introduction

• Provide an overview of the research topic, including background information, significance, and objectives.
• Clearly state the research question(s) or hypothesis(es) guiding the study.
• Review relevant literature to contextualize the research within existing knowledge and identify gaps or areas for further investigation.

Methods

• Describe the research design, including study setting, participants, and sampling procedures.
• Detail data collection methods, instruments, and procedures used to gather empirical evidence.
• Provide information on data analysis techniques, including statistical methods or qualitative approaches.
• Discuss ethical considerations and procedures for ensuring participant confidentiality, informed consent, and research integrity.

Results

• Present the findings of the study in a clear and organized manner.
• Use tables, figures, or charts to illustrate key results, trends, or patterns.
• Describe statistical analyses or qualitative themes, including measures of central tendency, variability, significance levels, and effect sizes.

Discussion

• Interpret and contextualize the results within the broader literature and theoretical framework.
• Discuss the implications of the findings for theory, practice, policy, or future research.
• Address the strengths and limitations of the study, including potential biases, confounding variables, and alternative explanations.
• Offer suggestions for further research and potential avenues for addressing unresolved questions or issues.

Conclusion

• Summarize the main findings, contributions, and implications of the study.
• Reiterate the significance of the research and its relevance to the field of study.
• Provide closing remarks that highlight the study's strengths and potential impact on advancing knowledge and practice.

References

• List all sources cited in the article following a consistent citation style – APA 7^th
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of bibliographic details, including author names, publication dates, titles, and journal or book information.

Appendices (if applicable)

• Include supplementary materials such as data collection instruments, coding schemes, or additional analyses.
• Ensure that appendices are clearly labeled and referenced within the main text as necessary.

Systematic Review Article Format

Title

Craft a clear and descriptive title that accurately reflects the focus and scope of the systematic review.

Abstract

• Provide a structured abstract comprising the following sections: Background, Objectives, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
• Background: Introduce the research topic and rationale for conducting the systematic review.
• Objectives: State the main objectives or research questions guiding the review.
• Methods: Describe the search strategy, inclusion criteria, data extraction methods, and quality assessment procedures.
• Results: Summarize key findings, including the synthesis of evidence and main conclusions.
• Conclusion: Present the overall implications, limitations, and recommendations derived from the systematic review.

Introduction

• Offer an overview of the research topic, including its significance and relevance to the field.
• Define the scope and objectives of the systematic review, outlining the key research questions or hypotheses.
• Provide background information and contextualize the review within the existing literature, identifying gaps or areas requiring further investigation.

Methods

• Describe the systematic search strategy used to identify relevant studies, including databases searched, search terms, and inclusion/exclusion criteria.
• Detail the selection process for screening and assessing the eligibility of studies, including any screening tools or criteria used.
• Explain the data extraction process, including the variables extracted and methods for synthesizing and analyzing data.
• Discuss the approach to assessing the quality and risk of bias in included studies, such as quality assessment tools or criteria used.
• Provide transparency and reproducibility by adhering to established guidelines (e.g., PRISMA) for conducting systematic reviews.

Results

• Present the findings of the systematic review in a structured and organized manner.
• Summarize the characteristics of included studies, such as study design, sample size, and key findings.
• Present quantitative or qualitative synthesis of evidence, including meta-analyses, thematic analyses, or narrative summaries.
• Use tables, figures, or forest plots to illustrate key findings and comparisons between studies.

Discussion

• Interpret the results of the systematic review, considering the overall body of evidence and its implications.
• Discuss the strengths and limitations of the review, including potential sources of bias or heterogeneity.
• Compare and contrast findings with existing literature, identifying consistencies, discrepancies, or gaps in knowledge.
• Offer recommendations for practice, policy, or future research based on the synthesized evidence and conclusions drawn from the review.

Conclusion

• Summarize the main findings, implications, and contributions of the systematic review.
• Highlight the significance of the review's findings in advancing understanding and informing decision-making within the field.
• Provide closing remarks that emphasize the importance of ongoing research and knowledge synthesis in addressing unanswered questions or areas for further investigation.

References

• Compile a comprehensive list of all sources cited in the systematic review, following a consistent citation style – APA 7^th
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of bibliographic details, including author names, publication dates, titles, and journal or book information.

Appendices (if applicable)

• Include supplementary materials such as search strategies, data extraction forms, or quality assessment tools.
• Ensure that appendices are clearly labeled and referenced within the main text as necessary.