Author’s Guide

Title Section

The title section should contain the Title of the Article which should not be more than 20 words; Names of the author(s) and Contact address(es); mobile phone number(s) and e-mail address(es) of the corresponding author.

The title of the article should convey the topic of the research. Avoid words that add little to the meaningfulness of the article. E.g. “an empirical study of …”, “A field study of …”etc, such words make the title too lengthy.

Abstract

The abstract should not exceed two hundred (200) words. Should be written in simple language, clear and concise and should contain the aim(s) of the study, methodology, main ideas of the discussion, research findings and conclusion. Abbreviations should be avoided and if used, should be explained at least once.

Keywords

A minimum of five (5) and maximum of six (6) keywords must be given at the end of the abstract.

Introduction

This should provide a general context for the work, explaining its significance and indicating why it should be of interest to scientist of other areas. Literature cited must be discussed to show the relationship between published work(s) and the research study.

Materials and methods

Previously described methods should be cited and not elaborated upon. Details should be referred to literature cited. New approaches or methodologies should receive detailed attention. Statistical methods of treatment should be mention if used.

Results and Discussion

Results and Discussions should be combined. The original and important findings should be stated. Results should be illustrated with figures or tables where necessary but these should be kept to the minimum. The discussion should be highlight what is new in the research.

Conclusion

It should summarize the major findings that could be drawn, pointing out their significance and alluding possible future directions.

Acknowledgements

These should be presented at the end of the text and before the references. Technical assistance, financial assistance and advice may be acknowledged.

References

References should follow the current APA format. All references must have in-text citations and all in-text citations must reflect in the references. The references must be typed separately and inserted at the end of each article.

Tables

Tables should be typed numbers consecutively with Arabic numerals (e.g. Table 1, Table 2 etc). They should be clearly shown and placed at the appropriate position(s) marked in the article.

Figures

Figures should be numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals (e.g. Fig. 1, Fig. 2 etc). Graphs should preferably be drawn using appropriate computer software and presented on single page ready to mount. These should be constructed in a manner that they understood without reading the text. All figures should be placed at the appropriate position(s) marked in the article.

Appropriate symbols should be used on graphs and explained in the legends. Graphs should not duplicate results presented in the tables. Photographs should be produced in black and white. Titles and comments of the figures and photographs should be provided on a separate page using MS word.

Units and Symbols

SI units should be used for physical quantities. Symbols, units and nomenclatures should conform to the recommendations of International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).