AUTHOR GUIDELINES

Manuscripts submitted to the Knowledge Inquiry Journal will be peer-reviewed and might be recommended for publication. A manuscript submitted for publication is expected to meet the following guidelines:

  1. Presentation
    • The paper must be presented in English, except for French, Ewe, and Akan/Twi language manuscripts.
    • The paper must be of a standard acceptable for publication.
    • Work presented should not have been previously used in part or whole for another publication on another platform.
  2. Submission of Manuscripts
    • Manuscripts must be submitted in SOFTCOPY.
    • Articles should be submitted to kij@epuc.edu.gh and should comply with the following:
      • File Formats: The preferred softcopy formats for new submissions and resubmissions of revised manuscripts are MS Word and PDF. Please submit only the final version of your file (with no hidden text).
      • Graphics: All figures should be embedded and correctly positioned within your PDF files in JPEG or GIF format. Scanned Artwork, including both line and halftone photographs, should be checked at a minimum setting of 300 dpi for halftones and 800 dpi for line art. Compressed files should be in WinRAR.
      • File naming: To protect their anonymity in the review process, AUTHORS SHOULD NOT IDENTIFY THEMSELVES ON THE FRONT PAGE OR IN ANY HEADERS OR WHILE SAVING THE NAMES OF THEIR FILES. A SEPARATE TITLE PAGE MUST BE SENT AS AN ATTACHMENT TO THE EDITOR via the EMAIL ADDRESS ABOVE.
      • Title page: The title page should contain
    • the title of the paper,
    • the full names of the author(s) and
    • the full postal and email addresses and telephone numbers of the corresponding author. The present address of any author, if different from that where the work was carried out, should be supplied.
      • A short-running title (less than 40 characters) should also be provided.
  3. Typesetting
    • Articles should be typeset as follows:
      • Paper size: A4.
      • Margins: Left 2.5cm, Right 2.0 cm; Top: 2.0cm, Bottom 2.0cm (For both text, tables, and figures).
      • Paper orientation: Portraits (except for broader tables or figures with captions only)
      • Font:
    • Heading: (Type) Times New Roman, Size 14, bold, Capitalize Each Word except prepositions.
    • Subheading: (Type) Times New Roman, Size 12, bold, Capitalize Each Word except prepositions.
    • Sub-sub-heading: (Type) Times New Roman, Size 12, italics, capitalize each word except prepositions.
    • Text: (Type) Times New Roman, Size 11, normal.
      • Line spacing: 1.5 spacing.
      • Indent: flush left.
      • Table and Figure captions: (Type) Times New Roman, Size 11, bold, capitalize each word except prepositions
  • Insert one-line spaces between paragraphs, and two-line spaces between the paper title and the abstract on the first page.
  • The title of the paper, abstract, and keywords should be set out following the notes in section 4 below. Do NOT number or letter section headings.
  • The maximum acceptable length of an article is 5000 – 8000 words (less than 250 words for each normal-sized figure or table you include). Please do NOT exceed this limit or your paper will be rejected.
  1. Content

Authors are encouraged to use technical language and active words. Avoid the use of passive words. Ensure consistency in tense. Include research limitations in the manuscript. Include social, economic, policy, managerial, or practical implications if applicable.

  • Tentative Structure of Paper
    • Title page:
  • Title of paper: The title of a paper should be written in initial caps (with font 14). Do not use abbreviations in the title.
  • Author(s)’ details: Name of author(s), institutional affiliation, and email account details of all authors.
  • Abstract: The abstract of a manuscript should not be longer than 200 words. Authors should ensure that the abstract contains the main aim or objective of the study, the methodology, key findings, implications of the findings, originality, and the value of the study.
  • Keywords: Provide not more than five (5) relevant keywords (in lowercase letters).

 

  • Introduction:

Outline clearly the motivation for the study. In doing so, provide a global perspective on the proposed study to ensure a broader readership for the paper. Avoid a narrow perspective on the study. State the theoretical gap in the literature that this study fills. Provide a brief but succinct account of the contextualization of the study. You may consider creating a separate section to discuss the contextualization of the study. Outline the contributions (theoretical, empirical, and policy) of this study.

  • Literature Review:

Provide a critical review of the extant literature, ensuring that you discuss the theoretical debates and the gaps in the literature. It is essential to review seminal articles.

  • Methodology

The methodology section should reflect the research questions posed, the objectives of the study, and the broader goals of the journal—particularly the promotion of rigorous, ethical, and impactful inquiry. Authors are encouraged to choose a methodological approach that best suits their study design, data needs, and disciplinary norms. Ethical approval must be sought where applicable, and researchers should consider practical limitations such as access to data, time, and resources. The following research methodologies are accepted for publication in the Knowledge Inquiry Journal (KIJ):

  • Qualitative Research: Focuses on exploring meanings, experiences, and perspectives through methods such as interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and content analysis.
  • Quantitative Research: Involves the collection and analysis of numerical data to identify trends, test hypotheses, and establish relationships. Common methods include structured surveys, statistical modeling, and experimental designs.
  • Experimental Research: Aims to establish causal relationships through controlled interventions. This method uses randomized trials, control groups, and manipulations of variables to observe outcomes and effects.
  • Mixed-Methods Research: Integrates both qualitative and quantitative techniques in a single study to provide a richer and more robust understanding of research problems through data triangulation.
  • Action Research: A participatory methodology designed to solve practical problems in collaboration with practitioners. It involves iterative cycles of planning, action, reflection, and evaluation.
  • Grounded Theory: Focuses on theory development rooted in empirical data. Researchers systematically collect and code qualitative data to generate new conceptual frameworks.
  • Case Study Research: Provides a deep, contextualized analysis of a single case or a few selected cases. It is ideal for exploring complex issues within real-life settings.
  • Ethnographic Research: Employs immersive fieldwork, often over extended periods, to understand the behaviors, rituals, and social dynamics of a particular cultural or organizational group.
  • Narrative Inquiry: Centers on personal stories or experiences to uncover insights into individual or collective meaning-making. This approach is particularly useful in education, health, and organizational studies.

 

  • Results and Discussion:
  • Results
  • The Results section should present the raw data and findings obtained from the research study. It should begin with a concise summary of the methods used to collect and analyze the data.
  • Results should be presented in a logical sequence, often using tables, figures, graphs, or charts to visually represent the data. These visuals should be clearly labeled and referred to within the text.
  • The Results section should provide a factual and objective presentation of the findings without interpretation or speculation. It should focus on reporting what was observed or measured during the study, including any statistical analyses conducted.
  • Authors should ensure that the Results section is organized in a way that makes it easy for readers to understand and interpret the data. This may involve breaking down complex findings into sub-sections or grouping related results together.

 

  • Discussion
  • The Discussion section should interpret and contextualize the results presented in the preceding section. It should explain the significance of the findings, compare them with existing literature, and discuss their implications for the field of study.
  • In the Discussion, authors should analyze the meaning and implications of their results in relation to the research questions or hypotheses. Authors may identify patterns, trends, or relationships observed in the data and offer possible explanations for these findings.
  • Authors should critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of their study, including any potential sources of bias or error that may have influenced the results. They may also discuss the generalizability of their findings and suggest directions for future research.
  • The Discussion section should not merely repeat the results but should provide a deeper understanding of their significance within the broader context of the research area. Authors may also acknowledge any unexpected findings and propose hypotheses or mechanisms to explain them.
  • Conclusion and Recommendations

This section should not include citations unless referring to a seminal work that your study explicitly aims to test. Start by summarizing the key findings of your research clearly and concisely. Then, discuss the broader implications of these findings using appropriate subheadings, such as practical implications, managerial implications, and policy implications. Each of these should highlight how the study’s results can inform real-world practices, management decisions, or policy directions. Conclude the section by outlining the Limitations of the Study, where you acknowledge any constraints that may have affected your research process or the generalizability of your results.

 

  • Type of papers
    • Original research papers:

Papers that include original empirical data not previously published elsewhere (except as an abstract) are welcome. Null or negative results, as well as replication or refutation studies, are also acceptable. These papers should typically be no longer than 25 double-spaced pages of text (including references) and should include no more than 15 figures or tables. We suggest a length of 2000-7000 words (including all content).

  • Short Research Articles:

Short Research Articles (or Research Notes) are concise papers presenting a single finding (or a one-year experiment in science research). They can include one or two visuals (figures or tables) and lab protocols. Posters from conferences or internal meetings can also be summarized as Short Research Articles (or Research Notes). Often, additional details, especially in the methods, results, and discussion/conclusions, are necessary to provide enough information for readers (and reviewers) to understand the work. We suggest a length of 3000-4000 words, accompanied by 3-4 figures or tables, and 15-20 key references.

  • Short Communications:

Short Communications are papers that present important preliminary results that are highly original, of great interest, and likely to have a significant impact on the journal’s subject area. A Short Communication only needs to show a ‘proof of principle’. Authors are encouraged to submit an Original Research Paper following their Short Communication. There is no strict page limit, but we recommend a length between 2,500 and 3,500 words, including 2-3 figures and/or tables, and 15-20 key references.

  • Review Papers:

These papers do not contain original empirical data collected by the authors, but will include a discussion of published papers and data gathered in a specific area. We recommend a length of 5,000-9,000 words (including 50-150 references, plus 3-5 figures and/or tables if necessary).

  • Mini-review Papers:

Mini-reviews are brief historical perspectives or summaries of developments in fast-moving areas covered within the scope of the journal. They must be based on published articles; they are not outlets for unpublished data. They may address any subject within the scope of the journal. The goal of the Minireviews is to provide a concise summary of a particular field in a manner understandable to all readers. We advise a length of 3000-6000 words (including 30-70 references plus 2-3 figures and/or tables (if required).

  • Systematic Reviews:

Systematic Reviews should usually be based on medical interventions or animal model studies. We recommend that authors consult the PRISMA guidelines for reporting in Systematic Reviews. Systematic Reviews should address a formulated question and employ systematic and explicit methods to identify, select, and critically appraise the relevant research. We advise a length of 5000-9000 words (including 50-150 references plus 3-5 figures and/or tables (if required).

  • Policy Papers:

This policy paper aims to present a thorough and compelling case for the proposed policy recommendations, serving as both a decision-making resource and a call to action for the target audience. We suggest a length of 3000-4000 words, including 3-4 figures and/or tables, and 15-20 key references.

  • Commentaries / Opinion Articles:

An opinion-based article on a current topic of widespread interest, intended to spark discussion. We recommend a length of 2,500-3,500 words, including 2-3 figures and/or tables, along with 15-20 key references.

  • Data Notes or Articles:

Data notes or articles are brief descriptions of scientific datasets that explain how and why the data were created; they do not contain analyses or conclusions.

  • Study Protocols and Pre-Protocols:

All journals accept protocols for any study design, including observational studies and systematic reviews. Protocols for randomized clinical trials must be registered and adhere to the CONSORT guidelines; ethical approval must be obtained prior to the study’s commencement. Study pre-protocols, which discuss provisional study designs, can also be submitted and will be clearly labeled when published. Protocols for pilot and feasibility studies may also be considered.

  • Method Articles:

These articles describe a new experimental or computational method, test, or procedure, and should have been well-tested. This includes new study methods, substantive modifications to existing methods, or innovative applications of existing methods to new models or scientific questions. We also welcome new technical tools that facilitate the design, performance, or analysis of experiments, such as software and laboratory devices, as well as new technologies to support medical treatment, including drug delivery devices. We recommend a length of 3000-4000 words, accompanied by 3-4 figures and/or tables, and 15-20 key references.

  • Case Reports / Case Studies:

Case reports describe patient cases that are of particular interest due to their novelty and potential clinical implications. While there are several types of case reports, originality and clinical implications constitute the main virtues by which case reports are judged. (Ref: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18677298). Case studies are an invaluable record of a profession’s clinical practices. While case studies cannot provide specific guidance for the management of successive patients, they serve as a record of clinical interactions that help us frame questions for more rigorously designed clinical studies. Case studies also provide valuable teaching material, demonstrating both classical and unusual presentations that may confront the practitioner. (Ref: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2597880/). The abstract (not more than 250 words) of the Case report should have the following sections: Aims, Presentation of Case, Discussion, and Conclusion. Only Case Reports have word limits: Papers should not exceed 2000 words, 20 references, or five figures.

  • Clinical Practice Articles

A short article relating to a specific clinical problem or scenario that discusses issues relating to patient management and treatment pathways using an evidence-based approach. Clinical Practice Articles include case series (i.e., groups or series of case reports involving patients who received similar treatment). However, they should not be based on a single case (see Case Reports).

  • Grey Literature Government Reports:

A dedicated section of the journal will focus on publishing extended abstracts of “grey literature government reports.” Many government research institutes worldwide face the challenge of creating high-quality scientific reports that are primarily intended for government sponsors. These results are usually shared in reports published only on the institute’s website. However, scientists often want to share their work in the scientific community, even if there is little or no funding for preparing scientific papers. While these reports may be scientifically valuable, they are not easily accessible to the broader research community because standard literature search systems often do not recognize them. This situation can result in excellent scientific work going unnoticed by a wider audience, possible duplication of efforts in other countries, wasted resources, and slower scientific progress. To address this, the journal offers a platform to publish high-quality government reports through abstracts in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The journal will publish extended abstracts of governmental reports in English, following a rigorous peer review process. The only requirements are scientific quality, open access, and English language. Upon acceptance, the abstract will include the report’s title, authors, and a hyperlink to the full original report. This ensures that these scientific reports are accessible to a global scientific audience and that the authors’ work is effectively disseminated within the scientific community.

  • Abstracts of Scientific Meetings:

Abstracts of oral presentations and posters within the journal’s scope can be published after discussion with the academic editors. Standardized abstracts, prepared according to journal guidelines, need to be in English and will undergo peer review before publication. It is recommended to contact the editor before submitting abstracts for a scientific meeting. Usually, a collection of at least 10 abstracts will be published in a special issue. Abstracts are not considered for regular journal issues. Publishing a ‘collection of abstracts from a conference, symposium, or similar event requires a guest editorial board, typically formed by the conference’s Review committee / Screening committee.’ A list of the guest editors will also appear in the special issue.

  • Letter to the Editor:

A letter to the editor provides an opportunity for the author of an article to engage with the journal’s readers, facilitating ongoing discussion about the journal’s content. While not original research itself, a letter can provide new insights, correct errors, suggest alternative theories, or seek clarification about published content. Letters to the Editor are considered for publication, subject to editing and shortening, as long as they have not been submitted or published elsewhere. Letters related to a journal article must be no more than 600 words (excluding references). Letters unrelated to a journal article must also not exceed 600 words (excluding references). A letter can include up to eight references and one figure or table. No more than four authors may sign a letter. Disclosing financial relationships or other potential conflicts of interest is required. This type of article will undergo full peer review.

  • Scholarly Book Review:

Some consider the scholarly book review to be a form of academic writing that describes and critically evaluates the content, quality, meaning, and significance of a book. A well-constructed book review can offer a thoughtful perspective and will be appreciated. Scholarly book reviews should be between 1,000 and 2,000 words. They must be systematic and structured, with proper references (2-6 citations) cited throughout. Scholarly reviews should avoid promoting the book. A standard peer review process will ensure the academic quality of the review. Only academically critical reviews of books will be considered for publication, and there will be restrictions on the number of such articles published each year.

  • Nomenclature/Units
    • Please ensure that all terminologies and notations used are widely understood. Avoid author-invented acronyms and abbreviations. Abbreviations and acronyms should be written out in full at their first occurrence in the text (note that where an abbreviation has been written out in full in the abstract, it must still be written out in full in the text the first time it is used)—abbreviate units of measure when used with numerals (50ml; 100kg). Chemical formulae should be written out unless they are used to economize space in the column headings of a table; however, the formulae should be expanded in the footnotes.
    • SI units should be used in all cases. If non-SI units must be used, SI equivalents (or conversion factors) must also be given. Please use the spellings “litre” and “metre” (a “meter” is a measuring instrument).
    • Please use a decimal point rather than a comma in numbers (i.e., 3.142).
    • Write equations in dimensionless form or metric units. Please use italics to denote variables (in text or displayed equations).
  • Figures and Tables
    • Figures and tables should appear in numerical order, be described in the body of the text, and be positioned close to where they are first cited.
    • Ensure that all figures and tables fit within the text area.
    • Because figures may be re-sized in the course of production, please use scale bars and not magnification factors.
    • Artworks should be drawn and lettered for their finished size and subsequently reduced to 75% using Times New Roman (type). The final size should be determined after a reduction of 8 points (type) with appropriate line weights.
    • Table captions should be at the top of tables, while figures should be labeled below the diagrams.
    • Tables should be displayed in APA format.
    • All illustrations (line drawings and photographs) are classified as figures. Provide all figures in black and white (monochrome colors).
  • Citations (In-Text)
    • All citations and references should be in APA 7th edition (2020).
    • Use the surname of the author and year of publication: Jones (2002) or (Jones, 2002).
    • Insert initials only if there are two different authors with the same surname and the same year of publication.
    • Two or more years in parentheses following an author’s name are cited in ascending order of year, and two or more references published in the same year by the same author are differentiated by letters a, b, c, etc. For example: Brown (1999, 2002, 2003a, b).
    • Different references cited together should be in date order, for example: (Smith, 1959; Thomson and Jones, 1992; Green, 1999).
    • A paper that has been accepted for publication but has not been published should not be cited.
    • A paper that has been submitted but not accepted should not be cited.
    • The abbreviation “et al.,” should be used in the text when there are more than two co-authors of a cited paper.
  • List of References
    • References should be listed alphabetically at the end of the paper. Although “et al.” is preferable in the text, in the list of references all authors should be given.
    • Book referencing: Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of book: Subtitle if any (Edition if it is not the first). Publisher Name. Example: Smith, J. D. (2019). The art of communication. Pearson.
    • Journal referencing: Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume number (issue number), page range. https://doi.org/xx.xxx/yyyy. Example: Johnson, P., & Adams, R. (2020). The effects of meditation on stress reduction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 115(3), 357-368. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000425
    • Online referencing: Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of webpage. Website Name. URL. Retrieval date. Example: Brown, K. (2021). How to improve your memory. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-improve-your-memory-4157183 (Retrieved on 17th July 2024).
    • An English translation of the article title should accompany references in languages other than English: Example: Barjenbruch M., Erler C., and Steinke M. (2003). Untersuchungen an Abwasserteichanlagen in Sachsen-Anhalt im Jahr 2003 (Investigation on wastewater lagoons in Saxony-Anhalt in 2003), Magdeburg, Report for the Environment Ministry of Saxony-Anhalt.
  • Software Citation

Authors should cite Software developers in parenthesis in the text after the first mention of a software package. Software citations should include the name, version number, and release date of the software as well as the name of the software developer. Example: “The data was analyzed using the STATA statistical software (version 13.1, 2013, StataCorp LP)”.

  • Footnotes

Footnotes should only be used if essential. Generally, incorporate all material in standard text. If used, footnotes should be brief and numbered consecutively in plain superscripts. Exceptions include initial footnotes associated with the title of the article or the author’s name, denoted by symbols other than an asterisk.

  • Footnotes to a Table

Use lowercase English letters to attach footnotes to specific items within the table, and place the footnotes below the bottom line of the table in (un-indented) paragraph form. For general explanatory notes, use the heading “Note:” and continue on the same line with the first word of the note, in paragraph form. Reserve the use of an asterisk (e.g., *, **, or ***) to denote statistical significance levels. For example, “Asterisk (*) and double asterisk (**) denote variables significant at 10% and 5% respectively.”

  • Author (s) ’s Responsibility

The content and accuracy of manuscripts are the responsibility of the author (s). Opinions expressed in the Journal are those of the Author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies and opinions of the Editor(s), Editorial Advisory Board, or the Journal as a whole. The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on the map(s) do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the Journal or its sponsors. Manuscripts shall be received no later than the deadline published in each call for papers. Timeliness will not be compromised.

 

ETHICS POLICY

1. Responsibilities of Authors

  • Submit only original, unpublished work that has not been submitted elsewhere.
  • Ensure all data is accurate, authentic, and verifiable. Fabrication, falsification, or misrepresentation of research findings is unethical and unacceptable.
  • Provide proper citations and references to acknowledge all sources, including data, concepts, quotations, and prior work.
  • Disclose any conflicts of interest (financial or otherwise) that may influence the interpretation of their findings.
  • List only individuals who have made significant contributions as co-authors. All co-authors must approve the final version of the manuscript.
  • Follow the ethical standards for research involving human subjects, animals, or confidential data, including obtaining appropriate approvals (e.g., IRB/ethics board clearance).
  • Be prepared to submit raw data or documentation upon request for editorial review.
  • Notify the editorial office promptly if a significant error is discovered after publication.

2. Responsibilities of Editors

  • Make fair, objective, and timely decisions on all manuscripts, based solely on scholarly merit and relevance to the journal’s scope.
  • Maintain confidentiality throughout the review process. Manuscripts must not be disclosed to anyone outside the editorial team and reviewers.
  • Ensure a transparent peer-review process, free from any personal, institutional, or financial bias.
  • Handle allegations of misconduct (e.g., plagiarism, redundant publication, data manipulation) promptly and in line with COPE guidelines.
  • Uphold editorial independence and avoid conflicts of interest in all editorial decisions.
  • Correct or retract published articles, when necessary, by the journal’s correction and retraction policy.

3. Responsibilities of Reviewers

  • Provide objective, constructive, and timely evaluations of manuscripts.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality and do not use the content of submitted work for personal advantage.
  • Identify plagiarism, duplication, or significant overlap with other publications or sources.
  • Disclose any conflicts of interest (e.g., personal, academic, financial) that may compromise impartiality.
  • Refrain from reviewing manuscripts outside their area of expertise or when unable to meet the review deadline.

4. Plagiarism Policy

  • Plagiarism in any form is strictly prohibited. This includes copying text or ideas without proper attribution, self-plagiarism, and the use of AI-generated content without appropriate acknowledgement and oversight.
  • All submissions are screened using plagiarism detection software. Manuscripts with a similarity index above the journal’s threshold of 15% will be returned for revision or rejected outright.

5. Conflict of Interest Policy

  • All parties (authors, editors, reviewers) must declare any potential conflicts of interest, including financial relationships, academic or personal connections, or affiliations that may influence decision-making.
  • Such disclosures help maintain transparency and protect the credibility of published research.

6. Data Access and Retention

  • Authors may be required to provide access to original research data for editorial or peer review purposes.
  • Data should be retained for a reasonable period (e.g., 5 years) after publication to allow for verification if needed.

7. Ethical Oversight of Human and Animal Research

  • Submissions involving human participants must comply with ethical standards and include details of informed consent and ethical approval.
  • Animal research must comply with internationally accepted guidelines and obtain ethical clearance.
  • Lack of appropriate documentation may result in rejection.

8. Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

  • Corrections will be issued when honest errors are discovered.
  • Retractions will be issued for cases involving academic misconduct or serious errors that invalidate the research.
  • Expressions of concern may be issued when ethical investigations are ongoing.
  • All such notices will be identified and linked to the original article.

9. Appeals and Complaints

  • Authors may appeal editorial decisions or file complaints regarding unethical conduct by contacting the Editor-in-Chief.
  • All appeals will be handled with fairness, confidentiality, and due process.

10. Compliance and Review of Policy

  • This ethics policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it aligns with best practices in academic publishing.
  • Authors, editors, and reviewers are expected to familiarize themselves with and adhere to this policy.

 

For further guidance, KIJ refers to the COPE Core Practices: https://publicationethics.org/core-practices