About Journal

African Journal of Planning and Development Studies (AJPDS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by EmpiricalOpen Publishers Ltd. The journal provides a scholarly platform for researchers, laboratory scientists, and educators working in the biological sciences, physical sciences, and allied laboratory disciplines.

AJPDS was established to strengthen the visibility of high-quality African and international research in the basic and applied sciences. The journal welcomes work from universities, polytechnics, research institutes, and laboratories, including studies grounded in Science Laboratory Technology programmes whose staff typically hold backgrounds in biology, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and related fields.

The journal publishes original experimental and theoretical research, systematic and narrative reviews, short communications, and method papers. Preference is given to manuscripts that are scientifically rigorous, ethically sound, and clearly written. Studies that address African biodiversity, environmental and laboratory challenges, applied physics, materials, energy, analytical methods, and capacity building in science education are especially welcome, provided they meet international standards of evidence.

AJPDS operates a double-anonymous peer-review process and follows the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). All articles are published under an open-access licence so that they can be read, shared, and cited without subscription barriers.

Publisher: EmpiricalOpen Publishers Ltd
Frequency: Quarterly, with continuous online first publication
Language: English
ISSN (print): To be assigned
eISSN: To be assigned

Aims and Objectives

Aim
To publish rigorous, original, and accessible research that advances knowledge in the biological and physical sciences and supports scientific capacity in Africa and beyond.

Objectives

Provide a credible outlet for research in biology, physics, chemistry, and related laboratory sciences.
Encourage interdisciplinary work at the interface of life sciences and physical sciences.
Promote laboratory methods, instrumentation, and applied scientific problem-solving.
Increase the international visibility of African scientific research while remaining open to global submissions.
Uphold transparent peer review, research integrity, and open access.
Support early-career scientists through constructive review and clear author guidance.

Focus and Scope

AJPDS considers manuscripts in, but not limited to:

Biological sciences: botany, zoology, microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, ecology, physiology, parasitology, mycology, entomology, food and nutrition science, environmental biology.

Physical sciences: classical and modern physics, applied physics, materials science, electronics, energy and renewable systems, geophysics, biophysics, medical physics, computational physics.

Chemical and laboratory sciences: analytical, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry; environmental chemistry; industrial chemistry; laboratory methods, quality control, instrumentation, and science laboratory practice.

Related areas: science education (biology, physics, chemistry), forensic science methods, environmental monitoring, and applied laboratory research that meets scientific standards.

Manuscripts outside these fields (for example, purely social science, management, or clinical medicine without a laboratory/science core) should be directed to other journals in the publisher’s portfolio.

Peer Review Process

AJBPS uses double-anonymous peer review.

Editorial screening for scope, originality, ethics, and basic quality (about 1–2 weeks).
Manuscripts that pass screening are sent to at least two independent reviewers.
Reviewers assess originality, methods, data quality, interpretation, ethics, and clarity.
Possible decisions: accept; minor revision; major revision; reject.
Revised papers may be returned to the original reviewers.
The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision.

Target time to first decision: 6–8 weeks.
The journal follows COPE guidance. Appeals may be sent in writing to the Editor-in-Chief.

Author Guidelines (short version)

Submit original work not under review elsewhere.
File: Microsoft Word; Times New Roman 12 pt; double-spaced; line numbers.
Structured abstract: 250–300 words.
Keywords: 4–6.
References: APA 7th edition.
Separate title page (authors, affiliations, ORCID, corresponding email, funding, conflicts).
Anonymised main file for review.
Ethics approval and consent statements where required.
Cover letter stating contribution and fit with AJPDS.

Article types: Original research (5,000–8,000 words); reviews (up to 10,000); short communications (2,000–3,500).

Charges: No article processing charge for eligible African authors at launch. Any future fees will be stated clearly on the website. There is no submission fee.

Licence: Authors retain copyright. Articles are published under CC BY 4.0 (confirm this on the site).

Open Access and Ethics (short statements to publish)

Open access: All articles are freely available online upon publication.

Ethics: Research involving humans, animals, or hazardous materials must have institutional approval. The journal screens submissions for plagiarism. Fabrication, duplicate publication, and undisclosed conflicts of interest will lead to rejection or retraction in line with COPE.

Contact: support@ajpds.org