AOSIS call for reviewers for the African Journal of Career Development (AJCD)

The open-access scholarly journal, African Journal of Career Development (AJCD), is looking for reviewers to evaluate and review manuscripts for the journal.

About the journal

AJCD is a peer reviewed scholarly journal that provides a forum for the dissemination of cutting-edge research relating to career development predominantly in Africa (but also to career development elsewhere in the world). The core aim of the AJCD is to promote sustainable decent work for all. Here, decent work is regarded as a basic human right for all those who are willing and able to work.

Why do we review manuscripts?

Reviewing manuscripts assists the editor in maintaining the authenticity of articles that are published. Moreover, reviewing manuscripts bolsters the quality and rigour of published research. In the process, editors are assisted to ensure that articles contribute noteworthy knowledge to the field under discussion (in this case: Career Development) and to move the field forward by confirming assessing and enhancing the research quality before it is shared with a broad audience.

The role of reviewers

By providing rigorous feedback, reviewers help editors shape the content and quality of research that is accepted for publication.

Expectations for reviewers

Editors expect balanced, objective, and constructive assessments that emphasise  manuscripts’ scholarly contribution to the field under discussion (Career Development). Reviewers should not review manuscripts that fall outside their area of knowledge and expertise. Instead, they are expected to inform the editor accordingly.

Feedback should shed light on manuscripts’ strong points but also areas for development. Specific sections should be referenced to ensure intelligibility. Reviewers are requested to motivate authors to consider their observations and suggestions to improve the quality of their submissions. To this end, recommendations should be easy to understand, pointed, and feasible.

Ethical considerations

Reviewers are expected to adhere to ‘standard’ ethical guidelines. Below are a few general guidelines in this regard.

Confidentiality: All manuscripts mut be regarded and treated as strictly confidential. Additionally, reviewers should at all times refrain from discussing manuscripts with anyone not involved in the review process.

Conflict of Interest: Reviewers that recognise authors or have any other form of conflict of interest associated with the manuscript, re obliged to inform the editor thereof.

Neutrality: Feedback must be positive, constructive, positive, and useful and should focus exclusively on manuscript itself.

Timeliness and responsibility

All reviews must be submitted within the specified timeframe(s). Timeous feedback assists editors in ensuring that peer-review processes proceed seamlessly ensuring that authors receive feedback regarding their manuscripts.

Recommendations (for manuscript improvement)

As mentioned, reviewers must provide lucid and developmental guidelines and recommendations to improve manuscripts. Specific areas for improvement should be highlighted. Reviewers should consult the African Journal of Development (AJCD) reviewer template for more information about how to craft detailed recommendations.

Concluding observation

By investing your time in reviewing AJCD manuscripts, you are strengthening scientific rigor in the field and contributing to the career development of citizens throughout Africa, and abroad. We therefore call on you to move the profession forward together with us, for the futures of our families and communities.

How to become a reviewer

To become a reviewer, please visit ajcd.africa and register as a user on the platform by clicking on the register tab. As soon as you have registered, please fill out the application form. To suggest a reviewer for the journal, please email the contact details of the proposed individual to submissions@ajcd.africa.

Peer-review policy

The journal has a double-blinded peer review process. Manuscripts that fit the scope of the journal and that is of high quality are initially examined by editorial staff and are sent by the Editor-in-Chief to two independent, expert reviewers. Read our full peer review process.

As a peer reviewer, you will play an integral part in getting high quality, evidence-based science into the public domain. Your expertise will ensure that the scientific record is accurate, comprehensive, and trustworthy.

About AOSIS scholarly journals

Maximise journal impact through open access, expert publishing services, quality peer reviews, and cost-effective production. You can browse the AOSIS open-access journal collection per scholarly field and browse by keyword or per author at library.aosis.co.za. All our open-access content is free and available to everyone upon publication. A physical copy can be ordered at the AOSIS Shop.

Open access

This is an open access journal which means that all content is freely available without charge to the user or his/her institution. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This is in accordance with the Budapest Open Access Initiative (BOAI) definition of open access. Learn more about the journal copyright, licensing and publishing rights.