Submissions

Author Guidelines

The African Journal of Library and Information Innovation (AJLII) publishes high-quality academic work twice a year (June and December). Manuscripts submitted must:

• Be original
• Language: English
• Length: 4,000–8,000 words (excluding references)
• Formatting: APA 7th edition; Arial font, size 11; 1.5 line spacing
• File Types: .docx or .odt (PDFs not accepted at initial submission)
• Originality: All manuscripts must undergo plagiarism screening and language/technical editing before submission. The acceptable maximum similarity index is 15% (iThenticate/Turnitin).

 Manuscript Preparation Guidelines

 Title/cover Page including:

• Title
• Author names, affiliations, and ORCID IDs
• Corresponding author’s name and email address
• Structured abstract (250 words) in English [Background/Introduction, Purpose, Methods, Results, Conclusion, Implications]
• 5–8 keywords, including regional descriptors

 Manuscript Structure

• Introduction

The introduction must contain your argument for the social and scientific value of the study, and should:

• • Clearly state the research problem, its significance, and the objectives of the study.
  • Provide a concise review of the relevant literature, highlighting the existing knowledge gaps and the need for the current study.
  • Clearly state the research questions or hypotheses that the study aims to address.
  • Present the literature/ theoretical framework or conceptual model that underpins the study.
  • Discuss the key theories, concepts, or frameworks that inform the research and justify their relevance to the research problem.
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the existing literature/ theoretical foundations and their implications for the research.
• Methodology
  • Describe the research design, including the approach (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods), data collection methods, and data analysis procedures.
  • Provide details about the study participants or sample, including relevant demographic information.
  • Explain the instruments or measures used for data collection and their validity and reliability.
  • Discuss any ethical considerations and steps taken to ensure participant confidentiality and informed consent.
• Results
  • Present the findings of the study in a clear and logical sequence that addresses the aim and objectives of your study.
  • Use tables, figures, or charts as appropriate to enhance the presentation and understanding of the results.
  • Provide detailed descriptions of the statistical analyses performed, including any statistical tests or software used.
  • Support the findings with relevant statistical data or qualitative evidence.
• Discussion
  • Interpret the findings considering the research questions or hypotheses and the existing literature.
  • Discuss the implications of the findings for theory, practice, and policy in the field of education leadership and management.
  • Analyze any unexpected or contradictory results and propose possible explanations.
  • Identify the limitations of the study and suggest avenues for future research.
• Conclusion
  • Summarize the main findings of the study.
  • Highlight the contributions of the research to the field of education leadership and management.
  • Provide a concise conclusion that addresses the research objectives and research questions or hypotheses.
• Policy Implications/Recommendations
  • Discuss the potential implications of your research findings for educational policies, practices, or decision-making.
  • Consider how your research can inform or guide policymakers, educational leaders, or practitioners in improving education leadership and management.
  • Offer specific recommendations based on your findings, emphasizing actionable steps or strategies that can be implemented in real-world settings.
  • Highlight the potential benefits and impacts of implementing these recommendations.
• Limitations and Areas for Future Study
  • Identify and discuss the limitations of your study.
  • Reflect on any constraints, shortcomings, or potential sources of bias or error that may have influenced your findings or conclusions.
  • Be transparent about any limitations in your methodology, data collection, or sample size.
  • Discuss how these limitations may have affected the generalizability or validity of your findings.
  • Furthermore, propose areas for future research that can build upon or address the limitations of your study.
• References
  • Provide direct references to original research sources whenever possible. All citations must be well referenced using APA 7th edition format. Please consult the document for guide.
  • Cite all sources accurately and consistently throughout the manuscript.
  • Include only the references that are cited in the text.

Note: References should not be used by authors, editors, or peer reviewers to promote self-interests.

1. Tables and Figures
• Tables must appear with numbered titles and referred to in the main text.
• Figures (maps, charts, diagrams, photos) must be numbered consecutively and placed near their mention.
2. Funding Acknowledgment

Author(s) should acknowledge any sources of funding or grants that supported the research

Ethical Considerations

Author(s) must adhere to the highest standards of research ethics when conducting their studies and preparing their manuscripts. This includes obtaining proper informed consent from human subjects, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of participants, and appropriately disclosing any potential conflicts of interest. Author(s) should also accurately attribute the work of others and avoid plagiarism or any form of scientific misconduct. The journal reserves the right to reject manuscripts that do not meet ethical standards or violate research integrity principles. 

Submission Procedure

Author(s) are required to submit their manuscripts electronically through AJLII online submission system. The online submission system allows for easy tracking of the manuscript throughout the review process and ensures efficient handling by the editorial team. Author(s) should follow the instructions provided on the journal's website regarding the submission process, including any specific requirements for file formats.

• First-time users create an account and complete their profile.
• During submission, authors will:

• Upload the manuscript and supplementary files
• Provide metadata (title, abstract, keywords)
• Confirm authorship and conflict-of-interest declarations

• The system automatically acknowledges submission.
• The Editorial Office sends a formal acknowledgement.

AI Use Declaration

Authors must disclose any use of artificial intelligence tools in manuscript preparation. AI may assist with language editing, literature searches, or data analysis but cannot be credited as an author. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and ethical integrity of their work. Manuscripts must include a brief statement identifying the AI tool used and its purpose. Non-disclosure may result in manuscript rejection or retraction.