Submission and Formatting

Submission and Formatting

  • Originality: All submitted manuscripts must be original, unpublished work and not under consideration for publication elsewhere.

  • File Format: Submissions should be in Microsoft Word (.docx) format.

Checklist for Submission and Publication

This checklist ensures that submissions align with the journal’s mission and scope and meet the required standards for peer review and publication.

1. General Requirements

  • Focus and Relevance: The manuscript aligns with the journal’s scope, addressing psychotrauma, psychosocial studies, or related areas with relevance to the Sahel or similar regions.

  • Originality: The submission is original and has not been published or under review elsewhere.

  • Ethical Approval: Research involving human participants includes an ethics statement and approval from an institutional review board (IRB) or equivalent body.

2. Manuscript Format

  • Language: Manuscript is written in clear, concise English (British or American, but consistent throughout).

  • Structure:

    • Original Research: Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, References.

    • Reviews: Abstract, Introduction, Methods (if systematic), Discussion, Conclusion, References.

    • Case Studies: Abstract, Background, Case Description, Discussion, Conclusion, References.

    • Commentaries: Abstract, Main Text (structured as appropriate), References.

  • Length:

    • Original Research: ≤6,000 words (excluding references).

    • Reviews: ≤7,000 words.

    • Case Studies/Commentaries: ≤3,000 words.

3. Technical Specifications

  • Font and Spacing: Manuscript is typed in Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced.

  • Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides.

  • Page Numbers: Pages are numbered consecutively.

  • Figures and Tables:

    • Figures and tables should be submitted in editable format.

    • Titles and legends should be provided.

    • High-resolution images (300 dpi minimum) are included in acceptable formats (JPEG, PNG, or TIFF).

4. Content and Structure

Title Page

  • Should include the manuscript title, author(s) name(s), institutional affiliation(s), and contact information for the corresponding author.

Abstract and Keywords

  • Abstract: Structured (for original research) or unstructured (for other types), ≤300 words.

  • Keywords: 3–6 keywords relevant to the study.

Main Body

  • Introduction: State the research problem, provide a brief literature review, and clearly state the study’s objectives or hypotheses.

  • Methodology: Describe the study design, participants, measures, and data analysis procedures in sufficient detail for replication.

  • Results: Present findings clearly and objectively. Tables should be labeled, numbered sequentially, and include descriptive titles.

  • Discussion: Interpret results in the context of existing literature. Discuss limitations, clinical implications, and directions for future research.

  • Conclusion: Summarize the main findings and their significance.

5. References

  • Format: APA (latest edition) or Vancouver style.

  • Citation Software: Consistent use of reference management software (e.g., EndNote, Zotero).

6. Ethical and Disclosure Statements

  • Ethics: Include a statement confirming ethical compliance and informed consent (if applicable).

  • Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any conflicts of interest.

  • Funding: Clearly state all funding sources or indicate if none were received.

7. Submission Process

  • Cover Letter: A letter addressed to the Editor-in-Chief, summarizing the study’s significance, originality, and alignment with the journal’s scope.

  • Process: Authors submit their work electronically via the journal’s online submission system/email. Submissions undergo an initial editorial check, followed by peer review.

  • Author Contributions: A statement detailing each author’s contributions based on the CRediT taxonomy.

  • Plagiarism Check: Submission includes a plagiarism report (≤15% similarity preferred).

  • Contact Information: Full details for the corresponding author (email, phone, institutional affiliation).

8. Post-Acceptance Requirements

  • Copyright Agreement: Authors must sign a copyright transfer or open-access agreement.

  • Proofreading: Authors review the final proofs for typographical or formatting errors.

  • Article Processing Charges: Details on payment must be clarified.

Sahelian Journal of Psychotrauma and Psychosocial Studies (SJPPS)