Editorial Policies
Editorial Policies
NJP's editorial policies are aligned with international standards for research integrity, including the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). By submitting a manuscript, all authors agree to abide by these policies.
Authorship Requirements
Each listed author must have:
- Made a substantial scientific contribution to the research presented in the manuscript
- Endorsed the intellectual content and conclusions of the work
- Approved the final version submitted for publication
- Accepted accountability for their contribution to the work
Listing All Contributors
It is essential that every individual who made a meaningful scientific contribution is included as an author. This encompasses:
- Principal researchers and co-investigators
- Data collectors and data analysts
- Students whose work formed a substantial part of the research
- Laboratory technicians whose contributions were critical to the study
- All co-authors must have sufficient knowledge of the work to verify the accuracy of its results
No Gift Authorship
Authors may not list individuals who did not make a genuine contribution to the research. Adding honorary or "gift" authors is unethical and a breach of NJP's standards.
Consequence: Manuscripts found to contain misrepresented authorship may be rejected and the authors' institutions notified.
Corresponding Author Responsibilities
The corresponding author acts as the primary point of contact between the author team and the NJP Editorial Office and bears the following responsibilities:
- Submission: Responsible for completing and submitting the manuscript through the online portal
- Accountability: Accountable for all information provided in connection with the manuscript
- Communication: Primary liaison with the Editorial Office throughout the review and publication process
- Post-acceptance duties: Proofreading galley proofs; responding to editorial queries; managing requests for clarifications or corrections after publication
Additional corresponding authors may be designated on the title page following acceptance. All designated corresponding authors share accountability for the published article.
Competing Interests Policy
NJP's competing interests policy is built on the principle of transparency: all potential conflicts of interest must be declared so that readers can independently evaluate the research. A declared competing interest rarely invalidates results or changes editorial decisions, but it provides essential context.
Financial Competing Interests
Financial interests include any stake in organisations whose products or services are relevant to the manuscript, for example:
- Shareholding or investment in a company featured in the research
- Consultancy fees or research funding received from related organisations
- Patent interests connected to the study
Non-Financial Competing Interests
Non-financial competing interests may include personal, academic, or professional relationships that could influence the objectivity of the work. These must also be disclosed.
How to Disclose
Competing interests must be declared in the Conflict of Interest Statement section of the manuscript. If no competing interests exist, the statement should read: "The authors declare no competing interests."
Citation Policy
Accurate and Complete References
All references must be accurate, complete, and formatted in accordance with the APA style specified in the Author Guidelines.
Electronic Sources
For online articles and digital sources:
- Include a DOI (preferred) or a stable URL
- Confirm that all web addresses are functional at the time of submission
- Ensure links point to the original source, not to unauthorised copies
Self-Citation
Self-citations are permissible provided they:
- Are limited in number
- Directly support the current research
- Are not used to artificially inflate citation metrics
- Do not constitute more than 10–15% of total references
Unpublished Work
Citing unpublished work should be avoided wherever possible. When it is genuinely necessary:
- Manuscripts in preparation or under review must not be cited
- Reference as "unpublished data" or "personal communication" with the permission of the source
- Include the date and full contact information of the person providing the information
Plagiarism and Attribution
- All citations must correctly attribute ideas and language to their original authors
- Direct quotations must appear in quotation marks with page numbers
- Paraphrased material still requires attribution
- Any form of plagiarism — including the improper use of cited material — is strictly prohibited
General Editorial Principles
NJP operates according to these core principles:
- Honesty in Research: Authors must report their findings truthfully and without distortion.
- Research Integrity: Misconduct damages scientific knowledge and public trust in research.
- Author Accountability: All authors accept responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of their work.
- Transparency: All editorial policies and decisions are made openly and consistently.
- Fair Review: Every manuscript receives a thorough, impartial evaluation.
Acknowledgement
By submitting a manuscript to NJP, all authors confirm that they have read and understood these Editorial Policies and agree to comply with every requirement contained herein.
Contact and Support
For questions regarding editorial policies, contact the NJP Editorial Office:
Email: nigerianjournalofphysics@gmail.com
Website: https://njp.nipngr.org/index.php/njp/about/contact
