Author Guide

Submission of manuscripts should be in electronic (MS Word) form as attachments. Address all inquiries and other communications to the address below:

The Editor
Ghana Journal of Development Studies
SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies
P. O. Box WA 64, Wa, Ghana
Phone: +233 (0) 594 786 883
Email ID: editor@gjdstu.org Available online: https://gjdstu.org/index.php/GJDS and  https://www.ajol.info/index.php/gjds


Order of Presenting Components of a Manuscript

Empirical research manuscripts should be structured as follows: title, abstract, keywords/descriptors, introduction, literature, theory, methodology, findings and discussion, conclusions and recommendations, acknowledgements and references.

Title
The title of the manuscript should be brief, clear and reflect the content of the manuscript.


Abstract
A short abstract of not more than 200 words should immediately precede the introduction. It should give the synopsis of the title, problem, theory, methods, findings and conclusions.


Keywords
Authors should suggest 5 keywords that clearly indicate the subject matter of the article.


Introduction
Expands on the abstract, presents the subject matter of the study, provides context and guides the organisation of the paper.


Literature Review
Provides an overview of existing knowledge, identifies gaps and contextualizes new research within the existing body of knowledge.

Theory/Theoretical Framework
Demonstrates the theoretical basis and applicable analytic principles.

Methodology
Explains and justifies the type(s) of methodology and data collection methods. Ethical principles used must be detailed.

  • Adequate and reliable interpretation of data.
  • Findings and conclusions based on analysis and interpretation.


Figures and Tables

Figures: Number consecutively (e.g., Figure 1) with title below and source cited.

Tables: Number consecutively (e.g., Table 1) with title above and source at the bottom. No gridlines.


Findings and Discussion
Clearly outline findings and relate to relevant literature.


Conclusions

  • Indicate work accomplished and provide explicit conclusion.
  • Summarize the argument and highlight implications.
  • Mention any limitations or weaknesses.


References
Use the latest American Psychological Association (APA) citation style

Note the following regarding use of APA references in text:

Author’s surname/authors’ surnames and date for paraphrased text

Author’s name/authors’ surnames, date and page number for direct quotes

Indent long quotations of 40 words or more (omit quotation marks and use a block format in which the quotation is indented about ½ inch or 5 spaces from the left margin.

Proper acknowledgement of conceptual borrowings and existing works is a must.


List of references
Reference list should be provided at the end of the paper with all cited sources in the text fully, correctly and alphabetically listed.

Pages numbers should be provided for journal articles and anthologies (collection of papers in a book).


Issuing Frequency
Twice a year: May and October.


Formatting

Sectioning:

  • LEVEL - BOLD UPPER CASE
  • Level - Bold Lower Case
  • Level - Bold Lower Case Italics

Fonts & Margins:
Times New Roman, 12pt, double-spaced on A4 paper.
Left = 1.5”, Top/Right/Bottom = 1”

Text Alignment: Body - Justified; Headings - Left aligned

Footnotes: Only footnotes are accepted. Endnotes are not accepted.

Submission Format

Submit manuscripts as MS Word attachments. Minimum: 6000 words, Maximum: 8000 words.

  • Cover letter signed by corresponding author.
  • Cover page with title, author's name, contact, affiliation, corresponding author marked.
  • Acknowledgement on title page only.
  • Main manuscript with title and content only – no author identity.
  • Send to: gjds@ubids.edu.gh

Fees

Processing fee upon acceptance:

  • GHS 350 for local authors
  • USD 150 for foreign authors

Rates subject to review. Bank or Western Union accepted for foreign submissions.


Download author guide here