Author Guidelines - Africa Journal of Finance, Taxation, and Fiscal Policy (AJFTFP)

Author Guidelines

SUBMISSION POLICY

General Submission Requirements

Originality: Manuscripts must be original and not under consideration by any other journal.
Similarity Index: All papers will be screened for plagiarism. A similarity index of more than 15% will result in automatic rejection.
Language: Must be written in clear, concise English.
Format: Microsoft Word, Double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman font.

Manuscript Structure

Title Page: Title, Author(s) name, affiliation, and a functioning email for the corresponding author.
Abstract: A single paragraph between 150–250 words summarizing the objective, methodology, and key findings.
Keywords: 4 to 6 keywords for indexing.
Main Body: Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Results/Discussion, and Conclusion.

Referencing Style (APA)

Citations & References: AJFTFP strictly follows the APA (American Psychological Association) 7th Edition referencing style.
In-text: (Author, Year) or Author (Year).
Reference List: Alphabetical order at the end of the manuscript. Please ensure every in-text citation has a corresponding entry in the reference list.

PEER REVIEW POLICY

The Double-Blind Process

AJFTFP employs a strict double-blind peer review system. This means that the identity of the author is concealed from the reviewers, and the identity of the reviewers is concealed from the author throughout the process.

This ensures an objective, unbiased evaluation of the research based solely on its quality, methodology, and contribution to the fields of finance and taxation.

Review Timelines

We are committed to a timely and efficient review process.
Initial Screening: 1–2 weeks (Internal review for scope and plagiarism).

Peer Review: 4–8 weeks.

Revision Period: Authors are typically given 2–4 weeks to address reviewer comments.

Final Decision: Usually within 12 weeks of original submission.

Reviewer Guidelines

Reviewers are asked to evaluate manuscripts based on:

Originality: Does the work provide new insights?

Methodology: Is the research design robust and appropriate?

Contribution: Does it advance fiscal policy or financial knowledge in Africa?

Ethics: Are there any concerns regarding data integrity or plagiarism? (Maximum 15% similarity index allowed).

Editorial Decision Process

Based on the reviewers’ recommendations, the Editor-in-Chief will make one of the following decisions:

Accept: As is, with no further changes.

Minor Revision: Requires small adjustments.

Major Revision: Requires significant structural or data changes.

Reject: The manuscript does not meet the journal’s standards or scope.

PUBLICATION ETHICS

Plagiarism Policy

AJFTFP maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding plagiarism. All submitted manuscripts are screened using professional plagiarism detection software. A similarity index of more than 15% will result in immediate rejection. We define plagiarism as the unreferenced use of others' published or unpublished ideas, words, or data.

Conflict of Interest Policy

LAuthors must disclose any financial or personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence their work. If no conflict exists, authors should state: "The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Data Integrity

Authors are responsible for the accuracy of their research data. Any act of data fabrication or falsification (manipulating research materials or changing results) is considered a serious breach of ethical standards and will lead to an immediate ban from future publications in AJFTFP.

Retraction Policy

AJFTFP reserves the right to retract articles if there is clear evidence that the findings are unreliable, either as a result of misconduct or honest error. Retractions will be clearly labeled and linked to the original article to maintain the integrity of the academic record.

Ethical Research Standards

Research involving human subjects or animals must be conducted in accordance with international ethical standards (e.g., the Declaration of Helsinki). Authors must confirm that ethical approval was obtained from their institutional review board where applicable.