Journal Policies

About the Journal (Complete General Information)

Network for Educational Advancement and Development Association (NEAD) Journal is a scholarly publication associated with NEAD Africa, an organisation focused on advancing academic and professional discourse in various fields relevant to the African continent. The journal aims to provide a platform for researchers, academics, and professionals to publish their findings, share insights, and discuss emerging trends and challenges within their areas of expertise. NEAD Journal upholds the highest standards of integrity and honesty in research, publication, and presentation.

A. Authorship Policy

  1. Criteria for Authorship

Authorship credit should be granted based on substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; and the final approval of the version to be published. Each author should meet all these criteria.

  1. Conception or Design: Significant input into the initial concept and design of the study.

  2. Acquisition, Analysis, or Interpretation of Data: Active involvement in the collection, processing, and interpretation of research data.

  3. Drafting or Revising the Work: Contribution to writing the manuscript or revising it critically for intellectual content.

  4. Final Approval: Approval of the final version of the manuscript before submission, ensuring it accurately reflects their contributions and compliance with journal standards.

  1. Accountability

All authors must agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. Authors should be able to identify which co-authors are responsible for specific parts of the work



  1. Compliance

Compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and professional standards is mandatory. Authors must adhere to ethical guidelines for research and publication, ensuring the integrity of their work. This includes, but is not limited to, obtaining necessary approvals for studies involving human subjects or animals, and ensuring proper citation and acknowledgment of all sources.

  1. Order of Authors

The order of authors should reflect the relative contributions of each to the work. This order should be agreed upon by all authors prior to submission. Any changes to the author list, including the addition or removal of authors, must be approved by all authors and justified to the editor.

  1. Corresponding Author

One author should be designated as the corresponding author, responsible for managing communication with the journal during the submission, peer review, and publication process. The corresponding author should ensure that all administrative requirements of the journal, such as providing details of authorship, ethics committee approval, and conflicts of interest statements, are properly completed.

  1. Acknowledgments

Contributors who do not meet the criteria for authorship should be listed in the acknowledgments section, with their specific contributions clearly described. This includes individuals who provided technical help, writing assistance, or general support.

  1. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

All authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any financial, personal, or professional relationships that could influence their work. This includes, but is not limited to, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid expert testimony, patent applications/registrations, and grants or other funding.

    1. Disclosure Requirements

  1. Authors: Authors must disclose any potential competing interests that could be perceived as influencing the results or interpretation of their manuscript. This disclosure must be included in the manuscript's acknowledgments section.

  2. Reviewers: Reviewers are required to reveal any potential conflicts of interest that might bias their review of a manuscript. If a conflict is identified, the reviewer should recuse themselves from the review process.

  3. Editors: Editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence their editorial decisions. Editors should avoid handling manuscripts where a conflict of interest exists.

II. Maintaining Objectivity

Objectivity and impartiality in peer review and evaluation are essential to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly publishing process. Any potential competing interests must be disclosed to ensure transparency and trust.

III. Handling Disclosures

  • Authors: When submitting a manuscript, authors should include a statement disclosing all relevant competing interests. This information will be considered during the review process but will not automatically disqualify a submission.

  • Reviewers: Reviewers should evaluate their ability to provide an unbiased review. If any competing interests are identified, they should inform the editor and, if necessary, decline the review.

  • Editors: Editors should consider disclosed competing interests when making decisions and may reassign manuscripts to avoid conflicts.

IV. Transparency

The NEAD Journal is committed to transparency in the publication process. All disclosed competing interests will be published alongside the manuscript to inform readers of any potential biases.

V. Managing Conflicts

In cases where competing interests are identified after publication, the journal will take appropriate action, which may include publishing a correction, retraction, or statement of concern.

B. Misconduct and Disputes

In cases of suspected misconduct or authorship disputes, the NEAD Journal follows the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Authors are encouraged to resolve disputes collaboratively and to contact the editorial office for guidance if needed.

C. Contribution Details

Authors are required to specify their individual contributions to the work in a statement to be included in the manuscript. This transparency helps ensure that all contributions are appropriately recognized and attributed.

D. Editorial Team

The editorial board of the NEAD Journal consists of a structured team to ensure operational efficiency and uphold high editorial standards. The board is led by three managing editors: one Editor-in-Chief, one Editor, and multiple Consulting Editors as needed. These roles are subject to periodic review to ensure the team meets the evolving needs of the journal.

Editor-in-Chief: The Editor-in-Chief oversees the entire editorial process, from manuscript submission to publication. This role involves setting editorial policies, making final decisions on manuscripts, and ensuring the journal's academic quality and integrity.

Editor: The Editor supports the Editor-in-Chief in managing the day-to-day operations of the journal. This includes coordinating the peer review process, communicating with authors and reviewers, and ensuring that submissions meet the journal’s standards and guidelines.

Consulting Editors: The Consulting Editors are subject matter experts from various fields within and outside the African continent. They provide specialised knowledge and expertise, assisting in the review process and offering advice on editorial policies and practices. Their input ensures that the journal maintains a broad and inclusive perspective on relevant research topics.

The editorial team is dedicated to promoting inclusivity, diversity, and equality in all activities, reflecting the journal's commitment to fostering a diverse and equitable academic community. This diverse team brings a wealth of experience and perspectives, enhancing the journal's ability to publish high-quality, impactful research.

Plagiarism Policy

All submissions are screened for plagiarism using iThenticate and Turnitin. If plagiarism is detected during the review process, the manuscript may be rejected. If detected after publication, the article may be retracted. NEAD Journal avoids plagiarism, fraud, and fabrication, ensuring integrity and honesty in all publications.

Peer Review Policy

All submitted manuscripts undergo a double-blind peer review process by at least three independent reviewers. The review process ensures the confidentiality of the manuscript and the integrity of the evaluation. Reviewers are expected to maintain objectivity and impartiality.

Privacy Statement

The personal information provided by authors, reviewers, and readers is protected and used solely for the purposes of the journal. NEAD Journal adheres to data protection regulations and maintains the confidentiality and privacy of personal data.



Publication Ethics and Malpractice Policy

NEAD Journal adheres to the highest standards of publication ethics. This includes issues related to data fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and improper author contributions. The journal follows the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The journal also ensures compliance with laws, regulations, and professional standards, and is committed to protecting human subjects and animals in research.

Governance Policy

The editor’s position is reviewed annually at the last NEAD Board meeting of the year. Members of the editorial board are retained as long as they are willing to serve. Editorial guidelines are aligned with the ________. The governance policy ensures inclusivity, diversity, and equality in all activities.

Conflicts of Interest Policy

Conflicts of interest must be disclosed by authors, reviewers, and editors. Reviewers should reveal any potential biases, and authors should disclose affiliations that may influence their work. Respect for intellectual property and copyright is paramount.

AI Policy

AI-generated content is not accepted for publication. Authors must declare the use of AI tools in the cover letter and manuscript. The use of AI tools for spelling, grammar checks, and reference management is permitted without disclosure. Responsible social media and online behaviour are encouraged.

Responsible Social Media and Online Behaviour

Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to engage in responsible social media and online behaviour. This includes maintaining professionalism, respecting confidentiality, and avoiding the dissemination of unverified information.

Respect for Intellectual Property and Copyright

NEAD Journal upholds respect for intellectual property and copyright. Authors retain the copyright of their published work, and the journal retains the right of first publication. Subsequent re-publication is permitted with proper acknowledgment.