About the journal | Call for papers | Guide for authors | Announcement | Notes for contributions

Guidlines for sumbitting an articles for publication

1). This will be informed and guided by certain specific mandates and contexts that include:

• Understanding and advocacy of the African Renaissance paradigm in addressing the needs of Africa;
• Multi-disciplinarity, inter-disciplinarity and trans-disciplinarity of our intellectual agenda – that encompasses a variety of scientific, technological, socio-economic and legal issues, as well as other cross-cutting experiences of research, training and the dissemination of knowledge locally, continentally and internationally;
• The promotion of research, policy analyses and teaching that locate African peoples at the centre of the development agenda;
• The development and promotion of linkages with academics, students, governments, international institutions and civil society in all development related issues, especially in matters addressed in the Nepad programme and the African Union vision and mission;

2). The strengthening of post-graduate research, teaching, learning and publication across academic disciplines that will provide the basis for the building of intellectual capacity for policy oriented basic and applied research and debate.

3). Special sections titled Imbizo and The Record feature diverse voices, documents from Africa and the Diaspora which capture the essence of renaissance – be it in the form of a peace accord, a speech, special lecture or any other document that is important to the future of Africa.

4). The Journal has two issues per year.

5). Articles are published in English with accompanying abstracts (200-250 words).

6). Articles should be between 4000 and 8000 words. However shorter articles will be accepted from those disciplines (i.e. natural and physical sciences) where standard academic works are less lengthy.

PEER REVIEW POLICY
The Editor, with input on the deputy editors, screens all manuscripts submitted for publication. This initial screening: looks at whether the article falls within the stated vision of the journal; whether it is sufficiently original; whether it is has serious conceptual and/or methodological flaws; and finally, it looks at the quality of the writing. Because the journal is transdisciplinary and is not subject journal dedicated to any one discipline, editors will prioritize the publication of articles that (a) offer a broad based understanding and insight of the issue under discussion and (b) that appeal to the journal’s wide readership. Those manuscripts deemed suitable for peer review are passed on to two expert referees for review. Authors of those manuscripts that are not accepted are notified in writing.

Type of Peer Review
The journal employs double-blind reviewing, where both the referee and the author remain anonymous throughout the process.

Selection of referees
Referees are assigned to the manuscripts according to their expertise. The journal’ s Board of Editors, past contributors, guest lecturers and associates of the Centre, constitute a pool of potential referees.

Referee Report
Referees are asked to answer the following questions:

• Do you understand the paper? (clear research questions and method)
• Is the paper balanced? (more than on side of the argument is explored)
• Does the paper deal with the subject in a creative or novel manner?
• Are opinions clearly separated from evidence?
• Are important and interesting research questions being asked?
• Is the article relevant, does the article add the overall body of knowledge in any one subject area or across disciplines or subject areas?
• Does the title accurately reflect the subject; is it appropriate, is it connected to ongoing discussion?
• Is the writing and presentation of information clear?
• Are the references scholarly and sufficient?
• Are the conclusions drawn justified by the data?
• Does the paper provide insights that will extend and deepen discussion on the topic?
• Does the paper add to an understanding and/or engagement in African Renaissance?

The referees are not expected to correct or copyedit the manuscripts. Language correction is not part of the review process. Referees are given up to 6 weeks to complete their review.

The Editor makes the final decision to accept the manuscript. The author is sent both reports and asked to make the recommended changes/revision.