Author Guidelines

The Kaduna State University Environmental Sciences Journal (KESJ) welcomes original, unpublished research manuscripts in the field of education sciences. All submissions must comply with the guidelines below. Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements will be returned to the author(s) without review.

---

1. Language

All manuscripts must be written in British English (English UK). Authors whose first language is not English are strongly advised to have their manuscript professionally proofread before submission.

---

2. Manuscript Formatting

Format Element	Specification
Font Type	Times New Roman
Font Size	12pt (body text)
Line Spacing	Double (2.0) throughout
Page Limit	Maximum 15 pages, including references, figures, and tables
File Format	Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

---

3. Author Information

Every submission must include the following details for all authors:

• Full name(s) of all contributing authors
• Institutional affiliation(s) — department, faculty, institution, and country
• Email address(es) — a valid, active email address for each author
• Corresponding author — clearly indicate which author is the corresponding author for editorial correspondence

Note: Author information will be removed during the peer-review process to ensure double-blind review integrity.

---

4. Organisation of the Manuscript

Manuscripts must be structured in the following order:

4.1 Title

The title should be concise, descriptive, and reflective of the study's content. Avoid abbreviations in the title.

4.2 Abstract

A structured abstract of not more than 250 words is required. The abstract must concisely address the following elements:

• Background: Context and rationale for the study
• Purpose/Aim: The specific objective(s) of the research
• Methodology/Research Instrument: Research design, population, sample, and instruments used
• Results: Key findings of the study
• Conclusion: Main inference(s) drawn from the findings

The abstract must be self-contained and should not contain citations or undefined abbreviations.

4.3 Keywords

Provide exactly 5 keywords that accurately represent the subject matter of the paper. Keywords should be listed in alphabetical order, separated by semicolons. Avoid using words already appearing in the title.

4.4 Introduction / Background

This section should comprehensively address the following:

• Background and context of the research
• Statement of the problem
• Aim and specific objectives of the study
• Research questions or hypotheses
• Theoretical or conceptual framework (where applicable)
• Review of relevant and current literature

4.5 Methodology / Research Instruments

This section must provide sufficient detail to allow replication of the study. Include the following where applicable:

• Research design and approach (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods)
• Study population and sampling technique
• Research instrument(s) and validation process
• Data collection procedure
• Data analysis method(s)
• Ethical considerations and approvals

4.6 Results / Findings and Discussion

Present findings clearly and logically, supported by tables, figures, or charts where appropriate. All tables and figures must be:

• Numbered sequentially (e.g., Table 1, Figure 1)
• Accompanied by descriptive titles/captions
• Referred to explicitly in the body text

The discussion should interpret findings in relation to existing literature, highlight implications, and address any limitations of the study.

4.7 Conclusion and Recommendations

Summarise the key findings and their significance. Provide clear, actionable recommendations for practice, policy, or future research. Avoid introducing new information in this section.

4.8 Appendices (if applicable)

Include supplementary materials such as research instruments, raw data summaries, or additional tables. Each appendix must be labelled (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B) and referenced in the body of the manuscript.

4.9 References

All references must follow the latest edition of the APA (American Psychological Association) referencing style for both in-text citations and the final reference list. Key requirements include:

• All in-text citations must have a corresponding entry in the reference list and vice versa
• References should be current; preference is given to sources published within the last 10 years
• All references must be verified for accuracy and completeness
• Use a hanging indent format for the reference list

---

5. Submission Guidelines

5.1 How to Submit

Authors must submit manuscripts online only via the journal website at kesj.org.ng. Submissions by email or postal mail will not be accepted.

5.2 Originality

Submitted manuscripts must be original works that have not been previously published and are not currently under review by any other journal or publication. Simultaneous submissions are not permitted. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate rejection.

5.3 Publication Fees

KESJ operates a fee-supported publication model. All fees must be paid online via the journal website.

Fee Type	Amount	Condition
Administrative / Processing Fee	₦5,000.00	Payable at the time of submission. Non-refundable.
Article Processing Charge (APC)	₦25,000.00	Payable only upon acceptance of the manuscript for publication.

Evidence of payment of the administrative fee must accompany every submission. Submissions without proof of payment will not be processed.

---

6. Submission Preparation Checklist

Before submitting, authors must confirm that their manuscript meets all of the following requirements:

• ☐ The manuscript complies with all requirements outlined in these Author Guidelines (formatting, structure, language, length).
• ☐ The manuscript has not been previously published and is not currently under consideration by another journal.
• ☐ All references have been checked for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to the latest APA style.
• ☐ All tables and figures are numbered sequentially and appropriately labelled.
• ☐ Written permission has been obtained for the use of all copyrighted photos, datasets, instruments, or other third-party materials included in the submission.
• ☐ Author information (names, affiliations, email addresses) has been included on the title page.
• ☐ Evidence of payment of the ₦5,000.00 non-refundable administrative fee has been attached.
• ☐ The manuscript file is in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx).

---

7. Peer Review Policy

KESJ employs a rigorous double-blind peer review process. All submitted manuscripts are reviewed by at least two independent subject-matter experts. Authors may be required to revise and resubmit their manuscript based on reviewer feedback. The editorial board reserves the right to make the final decision on all submissions.

---

8. Privacy Statement

The names, email addresses, and other personal information submitted to this journal will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of the journal. This information will not be shared with third parties, used for commercial purposes, or made available for any purpose other than supporting the editorial and publication process of KESJ.

---

For enquiries regarding submissions or publication, please contact the Editorial Office via the journal website at kesj.org.ng.