African Multidisciplinary Scholarship Journal (AMSJ) AFRICAN MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCHOLARSHIP JOURNALAdvancing Knowledge. Inspiring Transformation.

Author Guidelines

The African Multidisciplinary Scholarship Journal (AMSJ) welcomes original scholarly manuscripts that contribute to knowledge, research, policy, professional practice and academic debate across multidisciplinary fields. Authors are encouraged to read these guidelines carefully before submitting a manuscript.

1. Manuscript Submission Requirements

Authors should ensure that manuscripts meet the following requirements before submission:

  • The manuscript must be original scholarly work.
  • The manuscript must not have been published previously in substantially the same form.
  • The manuscript must not be simultaneously submitted to another journal.
  • The manuscript should make a clear contribution to the relevant field of study.
  • The manuscript should be written in clear, coherent and academically appropriate language.
  • The title should be concise, informative and accurately reflect the content of the manuscript.
  • An abstract should clearly state the purpose, methodology, major findings and conclusion where applicable.
  • Relevant keywords should be provided to facilitate indexing and discoverability.
  • The manuscript should contain appropriate citations and a complete reference list.
  • Tables and figures should be properly numbered, titled and referenced in the text.

2. Recommended Manuscript Structure

The structure may vary according to the discipline and type of manuscript, but research articles should generally contain the following components:

  1. Title
  2. Author Information – full names, institutional affiliations and, where available, ORCID.
  3. Abstract
  4. Keywords
  5. Introduction
  6. Literature Review / Theoretical or Conceptual Framework, where applicable.
  7. Methodology
  8. Results / Findings
  9. Discussion
  10. Conclusion
  11. Recommendations / Implications, where appropriate.
  12. References
  13. Appendices, where necessary.

Authors should use headings and subheadings consistently and ensure that the presentation is appropriate for the discipline and type of manuscript being submitted.

3. Title, Abstract and Keywords

Title

The title should be specific, concise and informative. It should accurately represent the subject, variables, population, geographical context or methodology where these are important to understanding the study.

Abstract

The abstract should provide a concise summary of the manuscript. For empirical research, it should normally communicate the background or purpose, methodology, key findings and conclusion or implications.

Keywords

Provide relevant keywords that accurately represent the major concepts covered in the manuscript. Keywords should assist readers and indexing services in discovering the article.

4. Authorship Requirements

All individuals listed as authors should have made a substantive contribution to the research and manuscript and should have participated sufficiently to take responsibility for the work.

  • All authors must approve the final version of the manuscript.
  • All authors should agree to the submission of the manuscript to AMSJ.
  • The corresponding author is responsible for communication with the journal.
  • Author names, affiliations and other metadata should be entered accurately during submission.
  • Changes to authorship after submission should be communicated to the editorial office and may require approval from all affected authors.
  • Individuals who contributed to the work but do not qualify for authorship may be acknowledged where appropriate.

5. Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must submit original work and appropriately acknowledge all sources used in the manuscript. Text, ideas, data, figures or other material obtained from other sources must be properly cited.

  • Plagiarism and unattributed use of another person's work are unacceptable.
  • Self-plagiarism and inappropriate duplication of substantially similar published material should be avoided.
  • Manuscripts should not be simultaneously under consideration by another journal.
  • Where previously published material is reused, the author must obtain the necessary permissions and provide appropriate acknowledgement.

AMSJ may subject submitted manuscripts to editorial checks for originality, similarity and compliance with submission requirements.

6. Research Ethics and Integrity

Authors are responsible for ensuring that research has been conducted in accordance with applicable ethical and professional standards.

Where applicable, manuscripts should provide information concerning:

  • Ethical approval or institutional review approval.
  • Informed consent for research involving human participants.
  • Protection of participant confidentiality and personal information.
  • Permissions for use of copyrighted materials.
  • Animal welfare and relevant approvals for research involving animals.
  • Research permits or regulatory approvals where required.

Authors should not fabricate, falsify, manipulate or selectively misrepresent research data or findings.

7. Data, Methods and Research Transparency

Authors should describe their research methods sufficiently to enable readers to understand how the study was conducted and, where appropriate, to facilitate replication or further research.

  • Research design and methodology should be clearly described.
  • Sampling procedures and sample characteristics should be reported where applicable.
  • Data collection and analysis procedures should be adequately explained.
  • Statistical methods should be appropriately identified.
  • Sources of secondary data should be acknowledged.
  • Where data or supplementary materials are available, authors may indicate how they can be accessed, subject to ethical, legal and confidentiality restrictions.

8. Tables, Figures and Other Materials

  • Tables and figures should be numbered consecutively.
  • Each table and figure should have a clear title or caption.
  • Tables and figures must be referred to in the manuscript text.
  • Authors should ensure that figures are sufficiently clear for publication.
  • Sources should be provided for material obtained from other sources.
  • Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce copyrighted material where necessary.

9. References and Citations

All sources cited in the manuscript should appear in the reference list, and all items in the reference list should be cited in the manuscript.

  • References should be accurate and complete.
  • Authors should check author names, publication years, titles, journal names, volume, issue and page information where applicable.
  • Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) should be included where available.
  • Citations should be presented consistently throughout the manuscript.
  • Authors should avoid unnecessary citations and should cite the original source where reasonably possible.

10. Funding and Conflict of Interest

Funding

Authors should disclose financial or institutional support received for the research or preparation of the manuscript where applicable.

Conflict of Interest

Authors should disclose any financial, professional, personal or institutional relationship that could reasonably be perceived as influencing the research or its interpretation.

Where there is no relevant conflict of interest, authors should make an appropriate declaration.

11. Use of Artificial Intelligence and Other Tools

Authors remain responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity and scholarly content of their manuscripts when using artificial intelligence or other automated tools during research or manuscript preparation.

  • Authors should review and verify any content generated or assisted by AI tools.
  • AI-generated information should not be presented as independently verified fact without appropriate checking.
  • Authors remain responsible for citations, references, data interpretation and conclusions.
  • AI tools should not replace the author's responsibility for the intellectual content of the manuscript.
  • Where disclosure is required by the journal or relevant publication standards, authors should provide an appropriate statement concerning the use of AI tools.

12. Submission Files

During submission, authors should ensure that:

  • The manuscript file is complete and readable.
  • The correct manuscript title is provided.
  • The abstract and keywords entered into the submission system correspond to the manuscript.
  • All authors are correctly identified.
  • The manuscript is submitted in one of the file formats accepted by the submission system.
  • Tables, figures and supplementary materials are included where applicable.
  • Author contact details are accurate.

Authors should retain a copy of the submitted manuscript and all relevant research records.

13. AMSJ Editorial and Publication Workflow

AMSJ follows a structured editorial workflow designed to provide an organized process from submission through publication. The principal stages are outlined below.

Stage 1: Manuscript Submission

The author creates an account and submits the manuscript through the AMSJ online submission system. The author provides the manuscript title, abstract, keywords, author information and manuscript file.

A unique manuscript code is generated for tracking the submission. Authors should retain this code for all future correspondence with the journal.

Stage 2: Submission Confirmation

After successful submission, the manuscript is recorded in the editorial system. The submitting author receives a submission confirmation containing the manuscript identification details.

The manuscript then enters the editorial screening process.

Stage 3: Initial Editorial Screening

The editorial office conducts an initial assessment to determine whether the submission is suitable for further consideration.

Screening may consider the journal's scope, manuscript completeness, originality, academic presentation, ethical requirements and compliance with submission requirements.

A manuscript that does not satisfy the basic requirements may be returned to the author for correction or may be declined at the screening stage.

Stage 4: Review Round and Reviewer Selection

Manuscripts that proceed beyond initial screening may enter a peer-review round. The editorial office establishes a review round and selects appropriate reviewers based on the subject matter of the manuscript.

Stage 5: Peer Review

Assigned reviewers evaluate the manuscript and provide their assessment to the editorial office.

Reviewers may comment on the research problem, literature, methodology, analysis, results, discussion, originality, clarity and overall scholarly contribution.

Reviewer recommendations may include acceptance, minor revision, major revision or rejection. Reviewer recommendations are advisory; the editorial decision is made by the responsible editor.

Stage 6: Editorial Decision

After considering the available reviewer reports and the manuscript, the editor records an editorial decision.

Depending on the assessment, the manuscript may be accepted, returned for revision or rejected.

The corresponding author receives notification of the editorial decision and, where applicable, instructions concerning revision.

Stage 7: Revision and Resubmission

Where revisions are required, authors should revise the manuscript carefully and address the issues raised by the reviewers and editor.

A revised manuscript should clearly indicate how the requested changes have been addressed. Authors may provide a response to reviewers identifying the changes made and explaining any points that were not adopted.

The revised manuscript may be returned to reviewers or evaluated by the editor depending on the nature of the revisions.

Stage 8: Acceptance

When the editorial process results in acceptance, the manuscript is formally accepted for publication. The corresponding author receives an acceptance notification.

Stage 9: Article Processing Charge

Important: No Article Processing Charge (APC) is payable at initial manuscript submission. Where an APC applies, payment is requested after editorial acceptance.

The author may access the designated AMSJ payment page, make payment through the approved payment channel and submit the relevant payment reference or notification through the system.

The editorial office verifies the payment before the manuscript proceeds to the production stage.

Stage 10: Copyediting

After payment verification where applicable, the manuscript enters copyediting.

The editorial or production team checks the manuscript for language, consistency, formatting, references, headings, tables, figures and other publication-related elements.

Stage 11: Production

The accepted manuscript is prepared for publication. Production activities may include preparation and verification of the final PDF, HTML article, metadata, DOI information, volume and issue information, pagination and publication date.

The production record is completed when the required publication information and final publication files are ready.

Stage 12: Publication

Once the article has completed the editorial and production requirements, it is published in the relevant AMSJ volume and issue.

The published article is made available through the journal website together with its bibliographic metadata and publication information.

14. Author Responsibilities Throughout the Workflow

Authors are expected to:

  • Provide accurate information during registration and submission.
  • Respond promptly to editorial communications.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of editorial correspondence.
  • Submit revisions within the period communicated by the editorial office.
  • Respond professionally and substantively to reviewer comments.
  • Ensure that revised manuscripts accurately reflect the changes made.
  • Notify the editorial office of any significant error discovered after submission.
  • Provide accurate payment information where an APC is applicable.
  • Carefully review publication proofs or production queries when provided.

15. Submission Checklist

Before clicking Submit, authors should confirm that:

  • ☐ The manuscript is original and is not under consideration elsewhere.
  • ☐ The manuscript falls within the scope of AMSJ.
  • ☐ The title is clear and accurately reflects the manuscript.
  • ☐ The abstract is complete and accurately represents the study.
  • ☐ Appropriate keywords have been provided.
  • ☐ All authors have approved the manuscript and its submission.
  • ☐ Author names and affiliations are accurate.
  • ☐ ORCID information has been provided where available.
  • ☐ The methodology is adequately described.
  • ☐ Ethical approval and consent information has been included where applicable.
  • ☐ Funding and conflict-of-interest information has been disclosed.
  • ☐ All sources have been properly cited.
  • ☐ The reference list has been checked for completeness and accuracy.
  • ☐ Tables and figures are correctly numbered and referenced.
  • ☐ Permissions have been obtained for copyrighted material where necessary.
  • ☐ The manuscript file is complete and readable.
  • ☐ The author has retained a copy of the submitted manuscript.

16. Important Information on APC

No Article Processing Charge is payable at initial manuscript submission. The manuscript first undergoes editorial screening and, where appropriate, peer review.

Where an APC applies, the payment stage occurs after editorial acceptance. Authors should use only the payment instructions provided through the official AMSJ system and retain their payment reference for verification.

17. Editorial Communication

Authors should use their registered email address when communicating with the journal.

Authors should always quote their manuscript code when contacting the editorial office regarding a submission.

The manuscript code should be retained throughout the editorial and publication process because it provides the primary reference for tracking the submission.

18. Final Guidance to Authors

Authors are encouraged to carefully prepare their manuscripts before submission. A complete, clearly structured and ethically compliant manuscript helps the editorial office process the submission efficiently and facilitates effective peer review.

Submission of a manuscript to AMSJ indicates that the author has read and agrees to comply with the journal's submission and publication requirements.

Need assistance?
When contacting the AMSJ Editorial Office about a manuscript, always include the manuscript code generated during submission.