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Author Guidelines

Author Guidelines

Pan-African Journal of Health and Psychological Sciences (PAJHPS)

1. General Submission Requirements (All Article Types)

1.1 Language

·       Manuscripts must be written in clear, professional English (British or American spelling is acceptable but must be consistent throughout).

1.2 Originality

·       Submissions must be original, not previously published, and not under consideration elsewhere.

·       All manuscripts are screened for plagiarism.

1.3 Ethical Standards

·       Studies involving humans or animals must include:

o   Name of the ethics committee and approval number (if available)

o   Informed consent procedures

·       Authors must adhere to international ethical standards (e.g., Declaration of Helsinki).

1.4 Authorship

·       Authorship should reflect substantial contributions to:

o   Conceptualization or design

o   Data collection or analysis

o   Drafting or critical revision

·       All authors must approve the final manuscript.

1.5 Conflicts of Interest

·       Authors must declare any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest.

·       If none exist, state: “The authors declare no conflicts of interest.”

1.6 Funding Statement

·       All sources of funding must be disclosed.

·       If no funding was received, state: “This research received no external funding.”

2. Manuscript Formatting Guidelines

2.1 Document Format

·       File type: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

·       Font: Times New Roman, 12-point

·       Spacing: Double-spaced

·       Margins: 2.5 cm (1 inch) on all sides

·       Page numbers: Bottom right

2.2 Title Page (Submitted Separately)

·       Article title

·       Full names of all authors

·       Institutional affiliations

·       Corresponding author’s email

·       ORCID iDs (where available)

2.3 Main Manuscript (Blinded)

·       The main manuscript should not contain author-identifying information.

3. Citation and Referencing Style

·       PAJHPS accepts either APA 7th Edition or Vancouver Style.

·       Authors must choose one style only and apply it consistently.

·       Mixed citation styles may result in desk rejection.

4. Article Types and Specific Guidelines

4.1 Original Research Articles

·       Scope: Quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods studies

·       Word Limit: 5,000–7,000 words (excluding references)

·       Structure:
Abstract (250–300 words, structured), Keywords (3–6), Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Ethical Approval Statement, Conflicts of Interest, Funding Statement, References

4.2 Review Articles (Narrative, Systematic, or Scoping)

·       Scope: Critical synthesis of existing literature

·       Word Limit: 6,000–8,000 words

·       Structure:
Abstract (250–300 words), Keywords (3–6), Introduction, Methods (mandatory for systematic/scoping reviews), Results / Thematic Synthesis, Discussion, Implications for Practice/Policy/Research, Conclusion, References

·       Systematic and scoping reviews should follow PRISMA guidelines where applicable.

4.3 Short Communications / Brief Reports

·       Scope: Preliminary findings, pilot studies, or concise research reports

·       Word Limit: 2,000–3,000 words

·       Structure:
Abstract (150–200 words), Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, References

4.4 Conceptual or Theoretical Papers

·       Scope: Theory development, models, or frameworks relevant to health and psychological sciences

·       Word Limit: 4,000–6,000 words

·       Structure:
Abstract (200–250 words), Introduction, Conceptual Framework / Theoretical Analysis, Implications, Conclusion, References

4.5 Case Studies / Case Series

·       Scope: Clinically, socially, or psychologically significant cases with clear learning value

·       Word Limit: 3,000–4,000 words

·       Structure:
Abstract (150–200 words), Background, Case Description, Analysis and Interpretation, Discussion, Ethical Considerations and Consent, References

4.6 Policy Analysis and Practice Papers

·       Scope: Health or mental health policy analysis, program evaluations, or practice innovations

·       Word Limit: 4,000–6,000 words

·       Structure:
Abstract (200–250 words), Context and Rationale, Policy/Practice Description, Analysis, Implications, Conclusion, References

4.7 Commentaries / Perspectives

·       Scope: Scholarly opinions on emerging issues, debates, or recent publications

·       Word Limit: 1,500–2,500 words

·       Structure:
No abstract required, Main text with clear argument, References

4.8 Letters to the Editor

·       Scope: Responses to articles published in PAJHPS or brief scholarly observations

·       Word Limit: Up to 1,000 words

·       Structure:
No abstract, Main text, References (limited to 10)

4.9 Book Chapters (Special Collections and Edited Volumes Only)

·       Scope: Scholarly book chapters published as part of special collections or edited volumes aligned with the aims and scope of PAJHPS

·       Eligibility: Book chapters are accepted by editorial invitation or approved proposal only

·       Peer Review: All book chapters undergo double-blind peer review

·       Word Limit: 5,000–8,000 words

·       Structure:
Abstract (200–250 words), Keywords (3–6), Introduction, Main Chapter Sections, Discussion or Synthesis, Conclusion, References

·       Book chapters are clearly labeled as Book Chapters and are published with individual DOIs. They are not included in regular journal issues.

5. Tables and Figures

·       Tables and figures should:

o   Be numbered consecutively

o   Have clear titles

o   Be referred to in the text

·       Submit figures in high resolution (minimum 300 dpi).

·       Authors are responsible for obtaining permission for reproduced material.

6. Peer Review Process

·       PAJHPS operates a double-blind peer review system.

·       Initial editorial screening is followed by review from at least two independent reviewers.

·       Decisions include: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject.

7. Copyright, Licensing, and DOI

·       Authors retain copyright.

·       Accepted articles are published under an open-access license.

·       All articles and book chapters are assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) via Crossref.

·       DOIs provide a permanent, citable, and discoverable link.

·       Authors should include the DOI when citing PAJHPS publications.

8. Submission Checklist

Before submission, ensure that:

·       The manuscript fits the journal’s scope

·       Formatting and word limits are met

·       Citation style (APA 7 or Vancouver) is consistent

·       Ethical and funding statements are included

·       The manuscript is anonymized for peer review

·       Authors understand that DOIs will be assigned upon publication

9. Contact Information

For queries regarding submissions:
Editorial Office
Pan-African Journal of Health and Psychological Sciences
Email: editor-in-chief@pajhps.org

 

 

Submission Preparation Checklist

All submissions must meet the following requirements:

  • The manuscript complies fully with the requirements outlined in the Author Guidelines.

  • The manuscript has not been previously published, nor is it under consideration by another journal.

  • All references have been thoroughly checked for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to the journal’s citation style.

  • All tables and figures are sequentially numbered, clearly labeled, and referenced within the text.

  • Appropriate permissions have been obtained for all photographs, datasets, and any other third-party material included in the submission.

Articles

Section default policy

Original Research Articles

This section publishes high-quality, original empirical research that advances knowledge in health sciences, psychological sciences, public health, and related interdisciplinary fields. Submissions may employ quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods designs and should demonstrate methodological rigor, ethical integrity, and clear relevance to health and psychological outcomes.

Research should contribute novel findings, theoretical insights, or applied evidence with relevance to African contexts and/or global health challenges. Studies involving human participants or animals must include appropriate ethical approval and informed consent procedures. All submissions to this section undergo double-blind peer review.

Review Articles

This section publishes comprehensive and critical reviews of the literature that synthesize existing evidence to inform research, practice, and policy in health and psychological sciences. The journal welcomes systematic reviews, scoping reviews, narrative reviews, and meta-analyses.

Systematic and scoping reviews must clearly describe their methodology and are strongly encouraged to follow established reporting guidelines (e.g., PRISMA). Review articles should demonstrate analytical depth, conceptual clarity, and relevance to African and global health contexts. All submissions in this section are subject to double-blind peer review.

Conceptual and Theoretical Papers

This section publishes scholarly papers that develop, refine, or critically examine theories, conceptual frameworks, and models relevant to health, psychology, and psychosocial sciences. Submissions should offer original theoretical contributions, integrative frameworks, or critical perspectives that advance understanding beyond existing empirical findings.

Conceptual and theoretical papers may draw on interdisciplinary perspectives and are particularly encouraged to engage with systems-based, culturally grounded, or context-sensitive approaches relevant to African and Global South settings. All submissions to this section are subject to double-blind peer review.

Policy, Practice, and Health Systems

This section publishes research and analytical papers focused on health and mental health policy, health systems, service delivery, program implementation, and practice-based innovations. Submissions may include policy analyses, program evaluations, implementation research, and practice-oriented studies with clear implications for decision-making and service improvement.

Papers should demonstrate relevance to real-world health challenges, equity, governance, and system strengthening, particularly within African and low- and middle-income country contexts. All submissions to this section undergo double-blind peer review.

Indigenous Knowledge, Culture, and Health

This section publishes peer-reviewed scholarly work that centers indigenous knowledge systems, cultural practices, traditional healing, and culturally grounded approaches to health and psychological wellbeing. Submissions should critically examine how indigenous epistemologies, belief systems, and lived cultural experiences contribute to health promotion, disease prevention, mental health, and healing practices, particularly within African and other Global South contexts.

The journal welcomes empirical research, theoretical analyses, community-based studies, and interdisciplinary perspectives that respect ethical engagement with indigenous communities and promote culturally responsive and decolonial approaches to health and psychological sciences.

Book Chapters / Special Collections

  • Scope:
    This section publishes book chapters as part of edited volumes or special collections under the Pan-African Journal of Health and Psychological Sciences (PAJHPS). Chapters must be original, peer-reviewed, and relevant to public health, psychology, mental health, and allied health sciences, with particular relevance to African and Global South contexts.

  • Peer Review:
    All chapters undergo a double-blind peer review process, overseen by assigned section editors. Editorials, commentaries, or invited chapters may undergo editorial review only, as indicated.

  • Manuscript Types Accepted:

    • Original book chapters

    • Theoretical / conceptual chapters

    • Case studies within book collections

    • Policy or practice-focused chapters

  • Ethical Standards:
    Chapters reporting empirical data must include:

    • Ethics approval from a recognized board

    • Informed consent statements (where applicable)

    • Adherence to international ethical standards (Declaration of Helsinki)

  • Formatting & Citation:

    • Manuscripts must follow PAJHPS Author Guidelines

    • Authors must select and consistently apply APA 7th Edition or Vancouver Style

    • Chapters will be assigned individual DOIs

    • Chapters must cite the ISBN of the edited volume they belong to

  • Copyright & Licensing:

    • Authors retain copyright

    • Chapters are published under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY)

    • DOI and ISBN must be used for citation

4. Word Count Guidelines:

  • Typical word limit: 3,000–6,000 words per chapter (excluding references)

  • Abstract: 200–250 words

  • Keywords: 3–6

Copyright Notice

Authors who publish with the Pan-African Journal of Health and Psychological Sciences agree to the following terms:

  1. Copyright Retention: Authors retain copyright of their work while granting the journal the right of first publication. The work will be simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits others to share, adapt, and build upon the work, provided proper attribution is given to the original authors and the journal.

  2. Subsequent Distribution: Authors may enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the published version of their work (e.g., posting to an institutional repository, or publishing in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.

  3. Pre-publication Sharing: Authors are encouraged to post and share their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories, personal websites, or preprint servers) both before and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.

  4. Permissions: Authors confirm that any third-party material (including images, figures, or data) used in their work is either in the public domain, covered by fair use, or used with the appropriate permissions.

Privacy Statement

The names and email addresses entered in this journal site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of this journal and will not be made available for any other purpose or to any other party.