Authors Guidelines

Comprehensive submission guidelines and policies for SENTAM Journals

About SENTAM Journals

SENTAM Journals is a peer-reviewed, open-access academic platform dedicated to publishing high-quality research and scholarly articles across a broad range of disciplines. Our mission is to promote academic excellence and contribute to the global exchange of knowledge by providing a professional forum for researchers, scholars, and practitioners to share their findings and insights.

Manuscript Submission

Authors are required to submit their manuscripts electronically through the official online submission portal provided by SENTAM Journals. All manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under simultaneous review by any other journal. Authors are advised to retain a copy of their submission for reference.

Article Types Accepted

SENTAM Journals accepts a variety of manuscript types including: original research articles, review articles, theoretical or conceptual papers, case studies, book reviews, short communications, and policy briefs.

Each submission must clearly indicate the type of article being submitted and conform to the expected scholarly standards for that category.

Manuscript Length

Recommended length: 3,000 - 8,000 words (excluding references, tables, and figures)

This range qualifies for the standard publication fee. Manuscripts exceeding 8,000 words will incur an additional charge. See Article Processing Fees section.

Manuscripts significantly exceeding 10,000 words must be accompanied by a justification and may require prior editorial approval due to the extended review and processing time involved. Authors are encouraged to ensure their work is concise and focused. Exceptions may be made for review articles, comprehensive studies, or interdisciplinary work, subject to editorial discretion.

Manuscript Structure

All manuscripts must be well-organized and follow the standard academic structure.

Title Page

The title page should contain the article title, full names of all authors, institutional affiliations, contact details of the corresponding author, and ORCID ID where applicable, following this format:

Example Format:

Title of the Article:

"Improving Literacy Outcomes Through Community-Based Reading Programs: A Comparative Analysis"

Authors:

John A. Smith¹^†, Jane M. Doe² & Robert L. Johnson³

¹^†Department of Education, University of Midtown, Springfield, USA; Email: john.smith@umidtown.edu; ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-2345-6789; Tel No.: Phone: +1 (555) 123-4567

²Center for Literacy Studies, East Valley College, Easton, USA; Email: .................................

³School of Social Research, Northbridge University, Northbridge, USA; Email: .....................................

^† Corresponding authors (identified by asterisk or obelus ^†)

Note: The email addresses of all authors must be included in the manuscript. Telephone numbers are required for internal use only and will not be made publicly available when the article is published. Corresponding authors are identified by asterisk or obelus.

Abstract

The abstract should be between 150 and 400 words, summarizing the background, objective, methodology, results, and conclusion of the study, followed by 4 to 6 relevant keywords. The main body of the manuscript should adopt the IMRAD format (Introduction, Methodology, Results, and Discussion) for empirical research. Non-research submissions such as reviews may use a logical structure suitable for the content.

Introduction

The Introduction should:

• Provide sufficient background to place the study in global, regional and local context, enabling readers—even those not specialized in the field—to understand the purpose and significance of the research.
• Clearly define the problem or research question being addressed, explaining its relevance and importance within the field.
• Summarize key literature to establish the current state of knowledge and highlight the gap the study aims to fill.
• Identify any relevant debates, controversies, or differing perspectives in the field.
• Conclude with a concise statement outlining the main objective(s) of the study and, where appropriate, a brief indication of whether those objectives were met.

Materials and Methods

The Materials and Methods section must contain sufficient detail to allow a knowledgeable reader to fully understand and replicate the study or analysis. This includes a clear description of the research design, procedures, materials, data sources, tools, software, and statistical or analytical methods used.

Novel Methods: If you used new or modified methods, describe them comprehensively, including all necessary steps, conditions, and materials. Justifications for their use should be included, along with validation data where applicable.

Established Methods: For well-established methods, authors may reference previous publications. However, enough contextual detail must be included in the manuscript to ensure comprehension without requiring the reader to consult the original source.

• Reagents, Equipment, and Software: Specify all reagents, equipment, instruments, and software used, including version numbers and manufacturers, ideally with location (e.g., city, country). If custom code or tools were used, these should be shared in a public repository with a persistent link, such as a DOI.
• Ethical Considerations: If the study involved humans, animals, or sensitive data, provide details of ethical approvals, informed consent procedures, and compliance with relevant guidelines.
• Reproducibility and Transparency: Whenever possible, include information that enhances reproducibility—such as sample sizes, inclusion/exclusion criteria, randomization procedures, and data analysis workflows.

Results, Discussion and Conclusion

Authors may structure these sections as separate entities (e.g., Results, Discussion, and Conclusions) or combine them as appropriate to their field or study design. Common combined formats include a "Results and Discussion" section or a "Discussion and Conclusions" section. Subsections with concise and informative subheadings are encouraged to enhance readability and logical flow.

Results

This section should present the key findings of the research in a clear, objective, and factual manner, without interpretation. Use tables, figures, and other visuals where appropriate to support the narrative, but avoid redundancy. Ensure that all data mentioned in the text are consistent with the information presented in visuals. Emphasize significant trends, patterns, or differences that emerged from the data.

Discussion

In this section, interpret the results in the context of the research question(s) or hypothesis(es). Discuss the implications of your findings, how they compare with existing literature, and whether they support or challenge previous studies. Address any unexpected results and propose possible explanations. If applicable, highlight the strengths and limitations of your study, including methodological constraints and potential sources of bias.

Conclusions

Summarize the primary contributions of the study and clearly state the overall implications of the findings. Avoid simply repeating results; instead, focus on what the results mean in a broader context. Where relevant, suggest practical applications, policy implications, or areas for future research.

General Expectations:

• There are no strict word limits for these sections, but authors should prioritize clarity, precision, and conciseness.
• Ensure consistency between the results and conclusions; all conclusions must be supported by the data presented.
• Use language accessible to a broad academic audience, while maintaining technical accuracy for the discipline.

References

Ensure all materials cited in the text are included in the reference list. All references should be properly cited using a consistent referencing style; APA 7th Edition is recommended for most disciplines, though other styles may be acceptable depending on subject area. In-text citations and references must align and be complete.

Note: Materials not cited in the manuscript will be deleted from the reference list during review.

Acceptable Sources

Any and all available works can be cited in the reference list. Acceptable sources include:

• Published or accepted manuscripts
• Manuscripts on preprint servers, providing the manuscript has a citable DOI or arXiv URL

Do Not Cite the Following Sources

• Unavailable and unpublished work, including manuscripts that have been submitted but not yet accepted (e.g., "unpublished work," "data not shown"). Instead, include those data as supplementary material or deposit the data in a publicly available database.
• Personal communications (these should be supported by a letter from the relevant authors but not included in the reference list)
• Submitted research should not rely upon retracted research. You should avoid citing retracted articles unless you need to discuss retracted work to provide historical context for your submitted research. If it is necessary to discuss retracted work, state the article's retracted status in your article's text and reference list.
• Noncredible sources such as Wikipedia

Figures and Tables

Figures

All figures should be clear to serve their purpose. Avoid sending blurred figures. All the figures originating from analysis of the study data should be presented in editable format.

Figure Captions

Figure captions must be inserted in the text of the manuscript, immediately following the paragraph in which the figure is first cited (read order). Do not include captions as part of the figure files themselves or submit them in a separate document.

At a minimum, include the following in your figure captions:

• A figure label/captions with Arabic numerals, and "Figure" abbreviated to "Fig" (e.g. Fig 1, Fig 2, Fig 3, or Figure 1, etc)
• A concise, descriptive title. The caption may also include a legend as needed.

Tables

Cite tables in ascending numeric order upon first appearance in the manuscript file. Place each table in your manuscript file directly after the paragraph in which it is first cited (read order). Do not submit your tables in separate files.

Tables require a label (e.g., "Table 1") and brief descriptive title to be placed above the table. Place legends, footnotes, and other text below the table.

Formatting Requirements

Font and Size

Use Times New Roman, size 12 for all text, except when using the font "Symbol" for special characters or notation. To insert symbols, use your word processor's Insert → Symbol function or paste the appropriate Unicode character.

Line Spacing and Paragraphs

• The main text must be formatted with 1.5 line spacing and 6 points spacing after each paragraph.
• Text alignment: All paragraphs must be justified.
• Paragraph indentation: Do not indent the first line of any paragraph.
• Quotations from primary sources: 1.5 line spacing and italicised
• Quotations from secondary sources: single-spaced and italicized.
• Footnotes: single-spaced.
• Tables: single-spaced.

Manuscript Language

The journal accepts manuscripts written in English, Swahili, and French. Authors should select the language in which they are most proficient and comfortable presenting their research. However, please consider the following:

1. Language Quality: Manuscripts submitted in any of the accepted languages should meet the standards of academic writing. Authors whose first language is not English, Swahili, or French are encouraged to seek professional language editing services to ensure clarity and coherence in their submission.
2. Language Preference for Review: Authors may choose their preferred language for the review process. However, the editorial team reserves the right to request a translation for certain sections if necessary to ensure the manuscript's accessibility to a broad audience.
3. Multilingual Manuscripts: If a manuscript contains multiple languages (e.g., an English abstract with Swahili or French excerpts), it must be clearly indicated, and translations of non-English/Swahili/French sections should be provided in the manuscript.

Abstract Requirements

• English: All manuscripts must have an abstract in English, irrespective of the manuscript's primary language.
• Swahili/French: Authors writing in Swahili or French should also provide an abstract in the language of the manuscript. For example, if the manuscript is written in Swahili, the abstract should be in Swahili, along with an English abstract.
• Translation Services: In the event that a manuscript is accepted for publication and is in a language other than English, authors may be asked to provide an English translation of the full text or sections of it, depending on the publication's requirements.

Equations

We recommend using MathType for display and inline equations, as it will provide the most reliable outcome. If this is not possible, Equation Editor or Microsoft's Insert→Equation function is acceptable.

Avoid using MathType, Equation Editor, or the Insert→Equation function to insert single variables (e.g., "a² + b² = c²"), Greek or other symbols (e.g., β, Δ, or ′ [prime]), or mathematical operators (e.g., x, ≥, or ±) in running text. Wherever possible, insert single symbols as normal text with the correct Unicode (hex) values.

Do not use MathType, Equation Editor, or the Insert→Equation function for only a portion of an equation. Rather, ensure that the entire equation is included. Equations should not contain a mix of different equation tools. Avoid "hybrid" inline or display equations, in which part is text and part is MathType, or part is MathType and part is Equation Editor.

Statistical Reporting

Manuscripts submitted to SENTAM must provide a detailed account of the statistical methods used, allowing for the replication of the analysis by other researchers. Authors should ensure that all statistical results are reported rigorously, including measures of precision (e.g., confidence intervals, standard errors) and effect sizes where appropriate. All statistical methods employed must be suitable for the study design and research question. Results should be presented in accordance with community standards, such as those established by the American Statistical Association (ASA), the American Psychological Association (APA), or other relevant bodies depending on the field.

When applicable, authors should include:

• The type of statistical tests conducted
• Assumptions underlying the statistical methods, along with tests for these assumptions
• Software used to perform the analysis, including version numbers
• The level of statistical significance (e.g., p-value thresholds) adopted, and if applicable, corrections for multiple comparisons

This ensures transparency and reproducibility, key principles of scientific research.

Plagiarism and AI Use Policy

At SENTAM, we uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. All authors submitting manuscripts are expected to respect intellectual property rights and avoid plagiarism.

Plagiarism

Manuscripts will undergo systematic screening to ensure compliance with our plagiarism policy. A similarity index of less than 20% is expected. Manuscripts exceeding this threshold will be returned for revision or may be rejected, depending on the severity.

AI-Generated Content

While AI tools can assist in research, it is essential that no more than 20% of the manuscript's content is AI-generated. Authors must disclose the use of AI tools, specifying which model was used and for what purpose, in the methodology or acknowledgments section.

Key Requirements:

• Authorship and Accountability: AI tools do not meet the criteria for authorship. They should not be listed as co-authors, data analysts, or collaborators. Authors are solely responsible for the content of their manuscript, including any portions generated or edited by AI tools.
• Disclosure: Authors must disclose the use of AI tools in the methodology section, detailing how these tools contributed to the research. This disclosure is essential for maintaining transparency. Manuscripts without proper AI disclosure may be rejected for lack of clarity and transparency.

By adhering to these guidelines, we promote a culture of academic rigor, transparency, and respect for intellectual property.

Authorship Criteria

Authorship Guidelines

a) First Authorship

The individual who has made the most significant intellectual contribution to the research and/or led the writing of the manuscript should be listed as the first author.

b) Author Order and Contributions

Authorship order should be determined collaboratively, led by the first author in consultation with all co-authors. The order should reflect the relative magnitude of each author's contribution to the research and writing. Individuals who have contributed substantially to data analysis, methodology development, or manuscript drafting—beyond simply reviewing drafts—should be listed immediately after the first author, in descending order of contribution.

c) Corresponding Author

Only one corresponding author should be designated for each manuscript and must be clearly identified using an asterisk (*). If no corresponding author is specified, the author who submits the manuscript will be considered the corresponding author by default. When a manuscript is submitted on behalf of the authors, the submitting individual is responsible for accurately providing the name of the corresponding author as well as the correct and complete email addresses of all authors.

d) Acknowledgements

Individuals who do not meet the criteria for authorship but have contributed in a supportive role (e.g., technical assistance, general supervision, funding acquisition, or editorial input) should be acknowledged in the Acknowledgements section, with their permission.

Practices such as ghost writing or honorary authorship are strictly prohibited. The corresponding author must confirm that all listed authors meet the authorship criteria and that all contributors have approved the final version of the manuscript.

Peer Review Process

All manuscripts submitted to SENTAM Journals undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process, where both the reviewers and authors remain anonymous. Each manuscript is reviewed by at least two independent experts in the relevant field. The editorial decision will be based on the originality, scholarly merit, methodological soundness, and clarity of the presentation. The possible outcomes include acceptance, minor revisions, major revisions, or rejection.

Review Timeline

• Initial Review: 2-3 weeks (editorial screening)
• Peer Review: 4-8 weeks (2+ independent expert reviewers)
• Author Revision: 2-4 weeks (if required)
• Final Decision: 1-2 weeks after revision submission

Possible Outcomes

• Accept: Ready for publication
• Minor Revisions: Small changes required
• Major Revisions: Significant improvements needed
• Reject: Not suitable for publication

Publication Fees

To support the cost of open-access publishing and ensure quality editorial services, SENTAM Journals may charge a modest article processing fee (APC). The exact fee will be communicated upon acceptance. Authors from low-income regions or those with financial constraints may apply for a waiver or discount, subject to approval by the editorial board.

Fee Structure

Manuscript Length	Processing Fee	Notes
3,000 - 8,000 words	Standard APC	Recommended length
8,001 - 10,000 words	Standard APC + 20%	Extended processing required
Over 10,000 words	Custom quote	Requires editorial approval

Copyright and Licensing

Authors retain copyright of their work and grant SENTAM Journals the right to publish under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license, unless stated otherwise. This licensing arrangement permits the free use, distribution, and reproduction of the work in any medium, provided that the original authorship and source are properly cited.

Benefits of Open Access

• Increased visibility and citation potential
• Global accessibility regardless of institutional subscriptions
• Faster dissemination of research findings
• Enhanced collaboration opportunities
• Compliance with funding agency requirements

Withdrawal & Retraction Policy

Authors may request to withdraw their manuscript at any stage before the review process begins. Withdrawals after review may only be granted with a valid reason and the editorial team's approval. Retractions will be issued for published papers found to contain unethical practices such as plagiarism, data falsification, or significant errors that compromise the integrity of the research.

Final Checklist before Submission

Before submitting your manuscript, ensure you have completed the following:

Content Requirements

Formatting Requirements

Ethical Compliance

Final Review