Editorial Guidelines

PAJE EDITORIAL GUIDELINES

1. Introduction

These guidelines establish the standards and responsibilities for all editorial staff working on manuscripts submitted to the Pancen Journal of Education (PAJE). They are designed to ensure that every submission receives rigorous, fair, and timely consideration consistent with international best practices in scholarly publishing and the journal's mission of advancing evidence-based educational scholarship in Nigeria.

All editors are expected to read, understand, and apply these guidelines. Where individual judgement is required, editors should err on the side of transparency, scholarly rigour, and the long-term integrity of the journal.

2. The Editorial Team and Their Roles

PAJE operates with a layered editorial structure. Each role has distinct authority and responsibilities.

2.1 Editor-in-Chief (EIC)

The Editor-in-Chief holds ultimate responsibility for the scholarly content and direction of PAJE.

Core responsibilities:

  • Set the editorial vision and ensure alignment with the journal's focus and scope
  • Make final decisions on all manuscripts (accept, revise, reject)
  • Adjudicate disputes between authors, reviewers, and section editors
  • Handle ethical concerns including allegations of misconduct, plagiarism, or data fabrication
  • Approve final issues before publication
  • Chair editorial board meetings and lead strategic planning
  • Represent the journal in academic and institutional forums
  • Appoint and remove section editors, associate editors, and members of the reviewer panel
  • Maintain relationships with indexing services, the publisher, and the host institution

2.2 Managing Editor (ME)

The Managing Editor oversees the day-to-day operations of the journal and ensures editorial workflows run smoothly.

Core responsibilities:

  • Receive and triage all new submissions within 72 hours
  • Conduct initial screening for scope, formatting, language, and ethical compliance
  • Assign manuscripts to appropriate section editors
  • Monitor turnaround times at every stage and follow up on overdue tasks
  • Maintain the reviewer database (areas of expertise, response rates, performance)
  • Manage author communications regarding administrative matters
  • Coordinate issue compilation and copyediting
  • Prepare editorial reports for the EIC and the editorial board

2.3 Section Editors / Associate Editors

Section Editors handle peer review for manuscripts in their disciplinary area. PAJE organises its sections around the broad domains in its scope (e.g., curriculum & pedagogy, educational policy, teacher education, educational psychology, ICT in education, etc.).

Core responsibilities:

  • Conduct substantive review of assigned manuscripts to assess fit, originality, and rigour
  • Identify and invite two or more qualified reviewers per manuscript
  • Synthesise reviewer reports and make a reasoned recommendation to the EIC
  • Communicate with authors during revision rounds
  • Verify that revisions adequately address reviewer concerns
  • Maintain a current list of expert reviewers in their domain

2.4 Copy Editor / Production Editor

The Copy Editor ensures that accepted manuscripts meet PAJE's standards of language, formatting, citation, and accessibility before publication.

Core responsibilities:

  • Edit accepted manuscripts for grammar, clarity, consistency, and house style
  • Verify citation accuracy and reference list completeness
  • Check tables, figures, and equations for accuracy and reproducibility
  • Apply PAJE's typographic and stylistic conventions
  • Generate galley proofs and coordinate author proofreading
  • Liaise with the Managing Editor on production timelines
  • Assign and verify DOI registration where applicable

2.5 Reviews Editor (optional, if PAJE includes book reviews)

Solicits, commissions, and edits book reviews and review essays.