<p>The Sahel International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology (SIJSA) welcomes original, high-quality scholarly manuscripts in sociology, anthropology and related social science disciplines. Authors are required to comply with the following guidelines to facilitate efficient editorial screening, peer review and publication.</p>

<h3>8.1 General Requirements</h3>
<p>Manuscripts submitted to SIJSA must be original scholarly works that have not been previously published and are not simultaneously under consideration for publication by another journal. Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy, originality and ethical integrity of their submissions.</p>
<p>All manuscripts should be written in clear and professional English. Authors are encouraged to carefully proofread their manuscripts for grammar, spelling, clarity and consistency before submission.</p>

<h3>8.2 Manuscript Length</h3>
<p>Full-length original research articles should normally contain approximately 5,000&ndash;8,000 words, including tables and figures but excluding references and appendices where appropriate.</p>
<p>Review articles and other manuscript categories may vary in length depending on the nature and scope of the contribution. Exceptionally longer manuscripts may be considered where adequately justified by the subject matter.</p>

<h3>8.3 Manuscript Formatting</h3>
<table class="pg-table">
<tr><th>Item</th><th>Requirement</th></tr>
<tr><td>Paper Size</td><td>A4</td></tr>
<tr><td>Font</td><td>Times New Roman</td></tr>
<tr><td>Font Size</td><td>12 points</td></tr>
<tr><td>Line Spacing</td><td>1.5</td></tr>
<tr><td>Alignment</td><td>Justified</td></tr>
<tr><td>Margins</td><td>2.54 cm (1 inch) on all sides</td></tr>
<tr><td>Page Numbers</td><td>Consecutively numbered</td></tr>
<tr><td>File Format</td><td>Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Referencing Style</td><td>APA, 7th Edition</td></tr>
</table>
<p>Headings and subheadings should be clearly distinguished and consistently formatted throughout the manuscript.</p>

<h3>8.4 Title Page</h3>
<p>The title page should contain:</p>
<ul>
<li>Full title of the manuscript</li>
<li>Full name of each author</li>
<li>Institutional affiliation of each author</li>
<li>Department/Faculty where applicable</li>
<li>Country</li>
<li>ORCID iD, where available</li>
<li>Email address of each author</li>
<li>Identification of the corresponding author</li>
</ul>
<p>The article title should be concise, informative and accurately reflect the content of the study.</p>

<h3>8.5 Abstract</h3>
<p>Each manuscript should contain a structured or well-organized abstract of not more than 250 words.</p>
<p>For empirical research, the abstract should briefly present the background/purpose, methodology, major findings and principal conclusion or implications of the study. The abstract should be understandable without reference to the main manuscript and should generally avoid citations, unexplained abbreviations and unnecessary technical details.</p>

<h3>8.6 Keywords</h3>
<p>Authors should provide 4&ndash;6 keywords immediately after the abstract. Keywords should accurately represent the major concepts, variables, population, geographical context or themes addressed in the manuscript and should facilitate electronic indexing and discovery.</p>

<h3>8.7 Structure of Original Research Articles</h3>
<p>Original empirical research articles submitted to SIJSA generally follow this structure: Title, Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Literature Review and/or Theoretical/Conceptual Framework, Methodology, Results/Findings, Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendations/Policy Implications, Acknowledgements, Funding Statement, Conflict of Interest Declaration, Ethical Approval Statement (where applicable), References, and Appendices (where necessary).</p>
<p>SIJSA recognizes methodological diversity within sociology and anthropology. Consequently, authors of qualitative, ethnographic, theoretical or other research that does not naturally conform to this structure may adopt an appropriate scholarly structure, provided that the manuscript is logically organized.</p>

<h3>8.8 Tables and Figures</h3>
<ul>
<li>Be numbered sequentially in the order in which they appear in the manuscript</li>
<li>Have clear and descriptive titles</li>
<li>Be referred to in the main text</li>
<li>Present information clearly without unnecessary duplication</li>
<li>Indicate sources below the table or figure where applicable</li>
<li>Include explanatory notes where necessary</li>
</ul>
<p>Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce copyrighted tables, figures, photographs or other materials from previously published sources.</p>

<h3>8.9 Citations and References</h3>
<p>SIJSA adopts the American Psychological Association (APA), 7th Edition referencing style. All sources cited within the manuscript must appear in the reference list, and all sources included in the reference list must be cited in the manuscript.</p>
<p>Authors should ensure that references are accurate, complete and verifiable. Wherever available, the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) should be provided for journal articles and other scholarly publications.</p>

<h3>8.10 Research Ethics</h3>
<p>Research involving human participants should comply with appropriate institutional and internationally recognized ethical standards.</p>
<p>Where applicable, authors should state that ethical approval was obtained from the relevant institutional or research ethics committee. The manuscript should also indicate how informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity and protection of participants were addressed. Research involving vulnerable populations should demonstrate appropriate additional ethical safeguards.</p>

<h3>8.11 Originality and Plagiarism</h3>
<p>All submissions must represent the authors' original scholarly work. Plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, inappropriate manipulation of data, duplicate publication and other forms of research misconduct are unacceptable.</p>
<p>SIJSA reserves the right to subject submitted manuscripts to appropriate similarity/originality checks before or during the editorial process. Manuscripts containing unacceptable levels or forms of unattributed material may be returned to the authors or rejected. Similarity scores should not be treated mechanically; editors should consider the nature and source of identified similarities, not merely a numerical percentage.</p>

<h3>8.12 Use of Artificial Intelligence</h3>
<p>Authors should not list generative artificial intelligence systems as authors or co-authors.</p>
<p>Where generative AI tools have been used substantially in preparing a manuscript, authors should disclose their use in accordance with the journal's policy. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, citations, analysis, interpretations and integrity of all submitted content. AI-generated or AI-assisted content must not be used to fabricate data, sources, quotations, research participants or findings.</p>

<h3>8.13 Authorship</h3>
<p>Only individuals who have made substantial scholarly contributions to the research and manuscript should be listed as authors. All listed authors should have reviewed and approved the final manuscript and agreed to its submission to SIJSA. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring appropriate communication among all co-authors and the journal.</p>

<h3>8.14 Conflict of Interest</h3>
<p>Authors must disclose any financial, professional, institutional or personal interests that could reasonably be perceived as influencing the research or its interpretation. Where no conflict exists, authors may state: <em>&ldquo;The authors declare no conflict of interest.&rdquo;</em></p>

<h3>8.15 Funding</h3>
<p>Authors should disclose all sources of financial support received for the research. Where the study received no specific funding, authors may state: <em>&ldquo;This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.&rdquo;</em></p>

<h3>8.16 Data and Supporting Materials</h3>
<p>Where appropriate and ethically permissible, authors are encouraged to retain and make available the data and supporting materials necessary to verify the findings of their research. Authors should ensure that sharing research data does not compromise participant confidentiality, informed consent, privacy or other ethical obligations.</p>

<h3>8.17 Submission Declaration</h3>
<p>By submitting a manuscript to SIJSA, the corresponding author confirms on behalf of all authors that:</p>
<ul>
<li>The manuscript is original and has not previously been published in substantially the same form;</li>
<li>The manuscript is not currently under consideration by another journal;</li>
<li>All listed authors have approved the manuscript and its submission;</li>
<li>Appropriate ethical standards were followed;</li>
<li>All sources have been properly acknowledged and referenced;</li>
<li>Necessary permissions for copyrighted materials have been obtained; and</li>
<li>The information provided to the journal is accurate.</li>
</ul>

<h3>8.18 Peer Review</h3>
<p>Manuscripts that successfully pass the initial editorial screening will normally undergo double-blind peer review by at least two independent reviewers. Authors should therefore prepare the main manuscript in a manner that facilitates anonymous review. Information that directly identifies the authors should be provided separately where required by the journal's submission system.</p>

<h3>8.19 Revision of Manuscripts</h3>
<p>Where revisions are requested, authors should carefully address all comments raised by the reviewers and editors. A revised manuscript should normally be accompanied by a point-by-point response to reviewers, clearly indicating how each comment has been addressed or providing a scholarly explanation where a recommendation has not been adopted.</p>
<p>Authors will normally be allowed 7&ndash;14 days for minor revisions and 14&ndash;21 days for major revisions. Extensions may be granted where reasonable justification is provided.</p>

<h3>8.20 Proofreading and Final Publication</h3>
<p>Following acceptance, manuscripts will undergo copyediting, formatting and typesetting. The corresponding author will receive the final proof for review before publication. At the proof stage, authors should primarily correct typographical, formatting and minor factual errors. Major alterations to the accepted manuscript should normally require editorial approval.</p>

<h3>8.21 Copyright and Open Access</h3>
<p>SIJSA publishes under an open-access model. A separate Copyright and Licensing Policy specifying the rights retained by authors, the rights granted to the publisher, and the applicable Creative Commons licence is available from the journal office.</p>

<h3>8.22 Manuscript Submission</h3>
<p>All manuscripts should be submitted electronically through this online submission system. Authors should ensure that all required files and declarations are provided at the time of submission. Incomplete submissions may be returned for correction before editorial screening.</p>