Author Guidelines

Author guidelines serve as a valuable resource for researchers seeking to publish their work in the Ugandan Journal of Management and Public Policy Studies (UJMPPS). The guidelines offer detailed instructions and specifications on various aspects of manuscript preparation, including; formatting, citation styles, manuscript structure, and ethical considerations. They provide authors with a clear roadmap to follow, ensuring that their work meets the UJMPPS requirements and aligns with the standards of scholarly publishing. The primary purpose of author guidelines is to enhance the quality and consistency of published research. This therefore enable efficient handling of manuscripts by journal editors and reviewers, hence contributing to a smoother and more timely review process. Below is a precise presentation of manuscript structure:

1.0 Introduction

The introduction must contain your argument for the social and scientific value of the study, and should:

• Clearly state the research problem, its significance, and the objectives of the study.
• Provide a concise review of the relevant literature, highlighting the existing knowledge gaps and the need for the current study.
• Clearly state the research questions or hypotheses that the study aims to address.

2.0 Literature Review /Theoretical Framework

The discussion section should address the following three elements:

• Present the literature/ theoretical framework or conceptual model that underpins the study.
• Discuss the key theories, concepts, or frameworks that inform the research and justify their relevance to the research problem.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the existing literature/ theoretical foundations and their implications for the research.

3.0 Methodology

• Describe the research design, including the approach (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods), data collection methods, and data analysis procedures.
• Provide details about the study participants or sample, including relevant demographic information.
• Explain the instruments or measures used for data collection and their validity and reliability.
• Discuss any ethical considerations and steps taken to ensure participant confidentiality and informed consent.

4.0 Results

• Present the findings of the study in a clear and logical sequence that addresses the aim and objectives of your study.
• Use tables, figures, or charts as appropriate to enhance the presentation and understanding of the results.
• Provide detailed descriptions of the statistical analyses performed, including any statistical tests or software used.
• Support the findings with relevant statistical data or qualitative evidence.

5.0 Discussion

• Interpret the findings in light of the research questions or hypotheses and the existing literature.
• Discuss the implications of the findings for theory, practice, and policy in the field of education leadership and management.
• Analyze any unexpected or contradictory results and propose possible explanations.
• Identify the limitations of the study and suggest avenues for future research.

6.0 Policy Implications/Recommendations

• Discuss the potential implications of your research findings for educational policies, practices, or decision-making.
• Consider how your research can inform or guide policymakers, educational leaders, or practitioners in improving education leadership and management.
• Offer specific recommendations based on your findings, emphasizing actionable steps or strategies that can be implemented in real-world settings.
• Highlight the potential benefits and impacts of implementing these recommendations.

7.0 Conclusion

• Summarize the main findings of the study.
• Highlight the contributions of the research to the field of education leadership and management.
• Provide a concise conclusion that addresses the research objectives and research questions or hypotheses.

8.0 Limitations and Areas for Future Study

• Identify and discuss the limitations of your study.
• Reflect on any constraints, shortcomings, or potential sources of bias or error that may have influenced your findings or conclusions.
• Be transparent about any limitations in your methodology, data collection, or sample size.
• Discuss how these limitations may have affected the generalizability or validity of your findings.
• Furthermore, propose areas for future research that can build upon or address the limitations of your study.

9.0 References

• Provide direct references to original research sources whenever possible. All citations must be well referenced using APA 7^th edition format. Please consult the document for guide.
• Cite all sources accurately and consistently throughout the manuscript.
• Include only the references that are cited in the text.

Note: References should not be used by authors, editors, or peer reviewers to promote self-interests.

10 Manuscript Formatting

• Prepare the manuscript in Microsoft Word or a compatible format.
• Use a double line spacing throughout the manuscript and should not be more than 20 pages typed in Times New Roman.
• Use 1-inch margins and double-spacing throughout the manuscript.
• Start a new paragraph by indenting it from the left margin, not by leaving a line blank, except after a (sub-) heading.
• Keep all text aligned justified, and only center the manuscript title, author's name and affiliation, and captions and legends of illustrations.
• All illustrations, figures, and tables must be placed within the text at the appropriate points, rather than at the end of the manuscript. Ensure to cite sources if you are not the originator and reference carefully.
• Manuscript should be between 4,000-8,000 words, and word count should not compromise the article’s quality; hence if your paper is slightly shorter or longer, it will be considered.
• Number all pages consecutively.

Note: The Manuscript must be original. All manuscripts will be checked for plagiarism using Turnitin Similarity Check by Crossref and those with more than 15% similarity index will be sent back to author(s) for redress.

11 Abstract

• Include an abstract of no longer than 250 words and must be written in the past tense that provides a concise summary of the research.
• Clearly state the research problem, methods used, key findings, and implications.

12 Title and Keywords

• Choose a clear and concise title that accurately reflects the content of the study.
• Provide 3-5 keywords that represent the main concepts and topics of the research.

13 Author Information

• Include the names, affiliations, and email addresses of all authors.
• Specify the corresponding author and provide their contact information.

14 Funding Acknowledgment

Author(s) should acknowledge any sources of funding or grants that supported the research

15 Ethical Considerations

Author(s) must adhere to the highest standards of research ethics when conducting their studies and preparing their manuscripts. This includes obtaining proper informed consent from human subjects, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of participants, and appropriately disclosing any potential conflicts of interest. Author(s) should also accurately attribute the work of others and avoid plagiarism or any form of scientific misconduct. The journal reserves the right to reject manuscripts that do not meet ethical standards or violate research integrity principles.

16 Submission Procedure

Author(s) are required to submit their manuscripts electronically through any of the two UJMPPS online submission system and/ email: journalumi@gmail.com / journal@umi.ac.ug. The online submission system allows for easy tracking of the manuscript throughout the review process and ensures efficient handling by the editorial team. Author(s) should follow the instructions provided on the journal's website regarding the submission process, including any specific requirements for file formats.

NB: UJMPPS offers researchers a valuable platform to showcase their work and publishing issues bi-annually (in June and December) each year. With our year-round open call for papers, authors are encouraged to seize the opportunity and submit their high-quality research contributions to shape and advance the field of education leadership and management.

Finally, it’s important to note that these guidelines are designed to ensure clarity, consistency, and adherence to scholarly standards. Authors are encouraged to carefully review and follow these guidelines when preparing their manuscripts for submission to UJMPPS. For any further inquiries or assistance, authors are encouraged to refer to the UJMPPS website or contact the Journal's Editorial Office at journalumi@gmail.com / journal@umi.ac.ug