For Authors
CATEGORIES OF ARTICLES
Original Articles
Such work must contribute further to well established knowledge.
Word limit: 4,000 words maximum including an abstract but excluding references, tables and figures.
Abstract: 250 words maximum, with subheaders.
References: at most 40.
Figures/ tables: no limit, but 8 figures should be sufficient.
Description: Full-length reports of current research in any of the fields covered by the title Animal
Models and Experimental Medicine, interpreted in the broadest sense.
Case Reports
Approximately 1000- word articles that describe a new anatomical variant; provide new data on the frequency of specific anatomical variants; or provide new information about an anatomical variant.
1. Abstract. Briefly summarize in an unstructured format the relevant information without
citations. Do this after writing the case report. Information should include: (1) Background, (2)
Key points from the case; and (3) Main lessons to be learned from this case report.
2. Keywords. Provide 2 to 5 keywords that will identify important topics covered by this case
report.
3. References. Include maximum of 10 appropriately chosen references from the peer-reviewed
scientific literature.
4. Acknowledgements. A short acknowledgements section should mention funding support or
conflicts of interest, if applicable.
Reviews
Must be critical analyses of the subjects reviewed, giving a state of the art and a balanced view of all the issues. Reviews should preferably be contributed by authorities and experts in the respective fields. They should not exceed 6000 words including tables, figures and references. The format should be as follows: Title, descriptive summary of not more than 200 words, introduction, method, results with subheadings where necessary, and conclusions It should have no more than 80 references.
Letters to the Editor
Letters discussing a recent AJA article will have the best chance of acceptance. They should not exceed 600 words of text and 5 references. The text of letters should include the names, academic degrees, and primary institutional affiliations for all authors, and the e-mail address for the corresponding author.
Editorial
Word Limit: 1,500 words maximum.
Abstract: no abstract required for this manuscript type.
References: 5 maximum.
Commentary
Word limit: 1,500 words maximum including an abstract but excluding references.
Title: 20 words maximum.
References: 20 maximum, including the article discussed.
Figures/tables: 2 maximum.
Description: Expert opinion from one or more people (who may agree or disagree) on a published work, current understanding/status of an area, or how practice should be undertaken.
TERMS OF SUBMISSION
Papers must be submitted on the understanding that they have not been published elsewhere and are not currently under consideration by any other publisher. The submitting author is responsible for ensuring that the article's publication has been approved by all the other coauthors. It is also the authors' responsibility to ensure that the articles emanating from a particular institution are submitted with the approval of the necessary institution. Only an acknowledgment from the editorial office officially establishes the date of receipt. Further correspondence and proofs will be sent to the author(s) before publication unless otherwise indicated. It is a condition of submission of a paper that the authors
permit editing of the paper for readability.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
1. Title Page
The title page should be a separate submission and should include the:
a. Type of the article (e.g., original communication, review article, etc.)
b. Complete title of paper
c. Abbreviated title (running headline) not to exceed 48 letters and spaces
d. Names of each author
e. Affiliations for each author
f. ORCIDs and email addresses of each author
g. Corresponding address (Name, postal address, telephone numbers & e-mail address)
h. Conflict disclosure statement
2. Main Manuscript File
The format for preparation of manuscripts for electronic submission is as follows:
1. The manuscript should be typed double-spaced throughout.
2. Number all manuscript pages consecutively
3. Do not hyphenate words at the end of lines
4. Do not begin sentences with abbreviations
5. Spell out the word Figure in the text except when it appears in parentheses
6. Anatomical terms must conform with those set forth in Terminologica Anatomica(1998)
7. Spell nontechnical terms according to recommendations in the current Webster's International Dictionary
8. Always spell out numbers when they stand as the first word in a sentence
9. Write dates as follows: October 11, 1995
10. The manuscript should have a uniform style and be submitted in finished form exactly as the
author wishes it to appear in print. It should consist of subdivisions in the following
sequence: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion,
Conclusion and References.
11. Start each subdivision on a new page
12. Abstract: should be self-contained and citation-free and should not exceed 250 words. Key words should be included with the abstract and should not, in total, exceed 85 letters and spaces.
References
1. Maximum number 80 for reviews, 40 for original papers, 10 for case reports
2. In-text references: numbers enclosed in parentheses ( )
3. Numbered in order of citation, i.e., 7 is cited before 8
4. Bibliography: formatted as per Vancouver, maximum of 3 authors per reference, add word “et al” after third author.
5. <50% older than 10 years
6. All retrievable on the internet.
Tables
Tables should be cited consecutively in the text. Every table must have a descriptive title and
appropriately cited intext. If numerical measurements are given, the units should be included in the column heading. Vertical rules should not be used. Tables should be made using the word processing document and not copy pasted from the statistical software.
Figures
Embedded in the word document. All figures should be cited in the paper in a consecutive order.
PAGE PROOFS
Corrected proofs must be returned to the publisher within 72 hours of receipt. The publisher will do everything possible to ensure prompt publication. It will therefore be appreciated if the manuscripts and figures conform from the outset to the style of the journal.
ARTICLE PROCESSING CHARGES
The Anatomy Journal of Africa charges an APC on all submissions upon acceptance for publication as follows:
Authors from African countries - 60 USD
Authors from outside Africa- 100 USD
Students may apply for a waiver through the Editor in Chief for consideration. This however, does not assure a waiver; full or partial.
ETHICAL GUIDELINES
The Anatomy Journal of Africa is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in anatomical research and publishing.
1. Authorship and Contribution
Authorship should be based on significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or
interpretation of the research.
All authors must approve the final manuscript and agree to its submission.
Ghostwriting, guest authorship, and honorary authorship are strictly prohibited.
2. Research Ethics and Compliance
All research involving human subjects must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki and be approved by
an institutional ethics review board.
Research involving cadavers or human tissue must follow the ethical guidelines set by the Anatomical Society and other relevant regulatory bodies.
Animal research must comply with international standards such as the ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) guidelines and institutional ethical review committees.
3. Data Integrity and Transparency
Authors must provide accurate and reproducible data.
Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data is considered misconduct.
Authors should disclose funding sources and potential conflicts of interest.
4. Plagiarism and Originality
Submissions must be original work and should not have been published elsewhere.
The journal employs plagiarism detection software to screen all submissions. The plagiarism check should be below 15% for all articles.
Proper citation and acknowledgment of sources are required.
5. Peer Review Process
The journal follows a double-blind peer-review process to ensure objectivity.
Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest and maintain confidentiality.
Authors should address reviewers' comments professionally and transparently.
6. Corrections and Retractions
Authors should notify the journal of any significant errors in their published work.
The journal will issue corrections or retractions following COPE guidelines when necessary.
7. Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal conflicts of interest.
A competing interest exists when professional judgment concerning the validity of research is influenced by a secondary interest, such as financial gain. We require that our authors reveal any possible conflict of interests in their submitted manuscripts. If there is no conflict of interests, authors should state that “The author(s) declare(s) that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.”
8. Human Dignity and Respect
Research and publication must respect the dignity, rights, and privacy of individuals, including donors of human specimens.
Informed consent must be obtained when applicable.
9. Compliance with International Standards
The Anatomy Journal of Africa aligns with the ethical principles outlined by:
a. Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
b. International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
c. World Medical Association (WMA)
By submitting to the Anatomy Journal of Africa, authors, reviewers, and editors agree to adhere to these ethical guidelines, ensuring the integrity and credibility of anatomical research publishing.
MANDATORY SUBMISSION PREREQUISITES
Before beginning submission, ensure you adhere to the following requirements, failure of which will lead to immediate rejection of the paper:
a. The manuscript has to be written in English with acceptable grammar and flow. If you are not a native English speaker, please use a language editing service.
b. The manuscript should be within the word limit specified.
c. Important attachments:
1. Cover letter- Addressed to the AJA Editor-in-Chief
2. Title Page document- Separate document with title, full names of authors (no abbreviations), affiliations, emails and ORCID of ALL authors. It should include a conflict disclosure statement and agreement to handover research copyrights to Anatomy Journal of Africa.
3. Main text- Blinded with no indication of author names, institution, city or country. Must be
structured as title, abstract, introduction, methods (The ethical approval number MUST be cited
intext), results, discussion, conclusion and references.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
The Editors of ANATOMY JOURNAL OF AFRICA encourage the author(s) to suggest at least two qualified reviewers, including their academic affiliations and email addresses in the information for editor section in the first page of the submission process.
