Author Guidelines

As part of the submission process, authors are required to verify their manuscript’s compliance with the following items. Submissions that do not strictly adhere to these guidelines may be returned to the authors for correction before entering the Initial Editorial Triage.

1. Format and Technical Specifications:

1. The manuscript is entirely original, has not been previously published, and is not currently under consideration by any other journal.

2. The submission is provided in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format.

3. The total length of the manuscript does not exceed 8,000 words, including the abstract, references, and tables.

4. The text adheres to British English spelling and grammar conventions throughout (excepting direct quotations).

5. To facilitate a rigorous double-blind review, the main manuscript is fully anonymised. All identifying author details, affiliations, and acknowledgements are restricted to a separate Title Page.

6. The text is double-spaced in a 12-point font. Italics are used for emphasis or titles instead of underlining (except for URLs).

7. All tables and figures are integrated within the text at the appropriate insertion points rather than placed at the end of the document.

2. Content and Structure

Structural Integrity: While the internal structure of a manuscript may vary depending on the specific research design, authors should adhere to the IMRaD standard (Introduction, Methodology, Results, and Discussion) for empirical studies. Theoretical papers or critical essays should maintain a logical, thematic progression that ensures argumentative coherence. All submissions must demonstrate a rigorous link between the research problem, the theoretical framework, and the final conclusions.

Referencing and Citations: APCA strictly adheres to the APA 7th Edition referencing style. Accuracy in citations is paramount. To ensure the discoverability and traceability of cited works, authors must provide functional URLs or DOIs for all reference entries where available.

Structured Abstract: To enhance clarity and indexing, all manuscripts must include a structured abstract (maximum 250 words) using the following subheadings:

· Background: Sets the stage and establishes the significance of the study. Authors are discouraged from using citations in this section to maintain a focused narrative.

· Objective: Clearly articulates the specific research problem or question addressed.

· Methodology: Provides a detailed account of the research design, including the population, sampling procedures (e.g., for a specific sample size), instruments, and analytical methods.

· Results: Reports the primary findings in clear, precise, and objective language.

· Unique Contribution: Explicitly highlights the manuscript's distinct contribution to existing knowledge, focusing on its practical, theoretical, or scholarly impact.

· Conclusion: Offers a concise synthesis of the study’s findings and their broader implications.

· Key Recommendations: Provides specific, actionable suggestions for policy, practice, or further academic inquiry.

3. Submission Procedure

Authors are to initiate the submission process by registering as a user on our official journal portal and following the guided instructions to upload their manuscript(s). Alternatively, for those experiencing technical difficulties or for specific inquiries, submissions may be forwarded directly to the Editorial Office via email at editor@acpajournal.org.ng