Information for Authors

East African Journal of Law and Community Governance: Guide for Authors

Manuscript Preparation Guide for East African Journal of Law and Community Governance

Essential Title Page Information

Title

Ensure the title is concise and informative. Titles are frequently used in information-retrieval systems, so avoid abbreviations and formulas whenever possible.

Author Names and Affiliations

Clearly present authors’ names. In cases where the family name might be ambiguous (e.g., double names), provide clarification. List affiliation addresses below the authors’ names, indicating where the work was conducted. Use superscript numbers before each author’s name to link them to their affiliations. Each affiliation must include the full postal address, country, and the email address of the first author.

Corresponding Author

Clearly identify the corresponding author responsible for communication throughout the peer-review and publication process, including post-publication. Provide email, full postal address, and telephone details (including country and area codes). The corresponding author must ensure their contact information remains up to date.

Present/Permanent Address

If an author has moved since the research was conducted, indicate the “Present address” (or “Permanent address”) as a footnote. The primary affiliation should remain the address where the work was carried out. Use superscript Arabic numerals for such notes.

Abstract

A concise and informative abstract is required. It should clearly state the purpose, principal results, and major conclusions of the study. Since abstracts are often presented independently, they must be self-contained. Avoid references and minimize the use of uncommon abbreviations. If necessary, define abbreviations upon first use.

Keywords

Provide up to six relevant keywords that reflect the core content of the manuscript.

Manuscript Organization

Structure your manuscript into clearly defined and numbered sections. Subsections should follow a logical numbering format (e.g., 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.2, etc.). The abstract should not be numbered. Each subsection must include a clear and concise heading.

Introduction

State the objectives of the research clearly and provide adequate background information without an extensive literature review.

Materials and Methods

Provide sufficient detail to allow replication of the study. Cite previously published methods and summarize them briefly. Use quotation marks when directly citing methods and acknowledge sources. Clearly describe any modifications made.

Results

Present results clearly and concisely.

Discussion

Interpret the significance of the findings rather than repeating them. Combining Results and Discussion is acceptable where appropriate. Avoid excessive citations and lengthy discussions of existing literature.

Conclusions

Summarize the main findings of the study in a concise manner.

Abbreviations

Define uncommon abbreviations in a footnote on the first page. If used in the abstract, define them there as well. Ensure consistency throughout the manuscript.

Acknowledgements

Place acknowledgements in a separate section before the references. Mention individuals who contributed to the research (e.g., language editing, writing assistance, proofreading).

Nomenclature and Units

Use the International System of Units (SI) and adhere to internationally accepted standards.

Mathematical Formulae

Present simple formulas within the text using a solidus (e.g., X/Y). Variables should be in italics. Use “exp” for exponential expressions when appropriate. Number displayed equations consecutively if referenced in the text.

Footnotes

Use footnotes sparingly and number them sequentially using superscript Arabic numerals. Do not include footnotes in the reference list.

Table

Footnotes:
Use lowercase superscript letters.

Figure Captions

Provide a caption for each figure separately. Include a brief title and a clear explanation. Avoid placing text inside figures and ensure all symbols and abbreviations are defined.

Tables

Number tables sequentially according to their appearance. Place table footnotes below the table using lowercase superscript letters. Avoid vertical lines and duplication of data already presented in the text.

References

Citation in Text

Ensure that all references cited in the text are included in the reference list and vice versa. Avoid listing unpublished results or personal communications in the reference list; instead, cite them within the text. If included, label them as “Unpublished results” or “Personal communication” in place of the publication date, following the referencing style of the East African Journal of Law and Community Governance.