Submissions

Submission Preparation Checklist

1. Submission Checklist for Author

   1. 1. 1.  Manuscript: Please submit two copies of your manuscript: one blinded version (with all author details removed) and one complete version containing author details. Removing names and references to previous studies is a compulsory procedure for initiating the technical check and review process.
         2. Tables/Figures: Integrated into the text near their first mention.
         4. The submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration (or an explanation has been provided in Comments to the Editor).
         5. The text adheres to the stylistic and bibliographic requirements outlined in the Author Guidelines.
2. Submission Philosophy and Scope

The African Journal of Economics and Business Research (AJEBR) is a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing economic and business knowledge with specific relevance to the African continent. We prioritize submissions that offer:

• Theoretical Rigor: Grounding in established or emerging economic/business theories.
• Methodological Transparency: Clearly defined data sources and analytical techniques.
• Policy Relevance: Tangible implications for African policy-makers, managers, and practitioners.

2. Manuscript Types and Word Counts

3. Detailed Technical Structure (From Title to References)

         3.1 Title and Abstract

• Title: Declarative and descriptive. Do not use abbreviations.
• Structured Abstract (Max 250 words):   
  • Purpose: What is the research question?
  • Design/methodology/approach: What data was used? What was the sample size?
  • Findings: What are the key statistical or qualitative results?
  • Research limitations/implications: What are the boundaries of the study?
  • Originality/value: What is the unique contribution?
• Keywords: 4–7 terms. Use terms that appear in the Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) classification system where applicable.

3.2 Main Body Requirements

• Introduction: Must include a clear Problem Statement, the Research Gap, and a roadmap of the paper.
• Literature Review: Avoid a "list" format. Synthesis is required. Develop a Conceptual Framework or Theoretical Model section.
• Methodology: * Data: Specify source (Primary/Secondary), period, and frequency.
• Variables: Explicitly define dependent, independent, and control variables.
• Estimation: Define the model (e.g., OLS, GMM, Difference-in-Differences).
• Results & Discussion: Report findings using standard significance levels: *** (1\%), ** (5\%), and * (10\%). Discussion must link results back to the theories cited in the literature review.
• Conclusion: Do not simply repeat the abstract. Focus on the "So What?"—the implications for the future.

3.3 Mathematics and Equations

Equations must be centered and numbered sequentially on the right-hand side.

Example:

All symbols used in the equation must be defined in the text immediately following the equation.

4. Visual Standards (Tables and Figures)

• Format: All tables and figures must be cited in the text (e.g., "See Table 1").
• Table Style: Only horizontal lines (top, bottom, and under headers). No vertical lines or shading.
• Graphics: Resolution must be at least 300 dpi. For charts, use grayscale or distinct patterns (dots/stripes) rather than just color, to ensure clarity in print.

5. Referencing Detail (APA 7th Edition)

AJEBR strictly follows the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th Edition.

• In-Text: * One/Two authors: (Melesse, 2024) or (Melesse & Kebede, 2024).
• Three or more: (Melesse et al., 2024).
• Reference List:
• Journal: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page–Page. https://doi.org/10.xxxx
• Book: Author, C. C. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.
• Online Data: World Bank. (2023). World development indicators. https://data.worldbank.org/

6. Ethical Policies

• Plagiarism: Submissions must be under 20% similarity and AI index. We use Turnitin.
• Human Subjects: Research involving surveys/interviews must state that informed consent was obtained.
• Conflict of Interest: Authors must declare any financial or personal relationships that could influence the work.
• Open Access: Authors retain copyright under a Creative Commons (CC-BY4.0) license upon acceptance.