Author Guidelines

FMRJ – Author Guidelines and Step-by-Step Publishing Process

1. About FMRJ

The Faculty of Management Research Journal (FMRJ) publishes high-quality academic work twice a year (June and December). Manuscripts submitted must be original, written in English, and not under review elsewhere. The journal operates a double-blind peer review process and ensures a timely, rigorous, and ethical publishing workflow.

All manuscripts must undergo plagiarism screening and language/technical editing before submission.

2. Step-by-Step Manuscript Submission and Publishing Process

Below is the complete workflow followed by FMRJ, inspired by international publishers such as Springer’s "Step-by-step guide to publication."

STAGE 1: Pre-Submission Preparation

Before submitting, authors must:

  1. Ensure the manuscript is original and not submitted elsewhere.
  2. Conduct a plagiarism check and make sure the similarity index meets acceptable standards.
  3. Carefully follow FMRJ formatting and referencing guidelines.
  4. Prepare all required files:
    • Manuscript (main document)
    • Title page (with author details)
    • Abstract and keywords
    • Tables and figures
    • Declrations
    • Ethics statement (if applicable)
    • Cover letter (optional)

 

STAGE 2: Online Submission

  1. Authors submit manuscripts through the FMRJ Online Manuscript Management System.
  2. First-time users create an account and complete their profile.
  3. During submission, authors will:
    • Upload the manuscript and supplementary files
    • Provide metadata (title, abstract, keywords)
    • Confirm authorship and conflict-of-interest declarations
  4. The system automatically acknowledges submission.
  5. The Editorial Office sends a formal acknowledgement within 72 hours.

 

STAGE 3: Initial Editorial Screening

The Managing Editor conducts an initial check for:

  • Fit with FMRJ scope
  • Manuscript completeness
  • Formatting compliance
  • Ethical compliance
  • Plagiarism/similarity report

Outcome of this stage:

  • Desk Acceptance for Review (moves to Stage 4)
  • Technical Return to Author (formatting or missing sections)
  • Desk Rejection (out of scope or serious quality issues)

 

STAGE 4: Assignment of Reviewers

Compliant manuscripts are assigned to two independent, anonymous reviewers.
Editor ensures:

  • Double-blind anonymity
  • Qualified reviewers in the relevant field
  • Reviewer timelines (usually 2–4 weeks)

Authors may be asked to suggest reviewers, but final selection is the journal’s discretion.

STAGE 5: Double-Blind Peer Review

Reviewers assess:

  • Originality
  • Quality of literature review
  • Methodological rigor
  • Clarity of presentation
  • Validity of results and conclusions
  • Ethical compliance
  • Significance to the field

Reviewers recommend one of the following:

  1. Accept as is
  2. Minor Revision
  3. Major Revision
  4. Reject

The Editor compiles the reviewers’ comments and communicates the decision to the authors.

STAGE 6: Author Revision

  1. Authors revise their manuscript according to reviewers’ comments.
  2. Authors prepare a Response to Reviewers Matrix, detailing:
    • Reviewer comment
    • Revision made
    • Page/line reference
  3. Revised manuscripts must be submitted within two weeks unless otherwise approved.

STAGE 7: Final Editorial Evaluation

After revision, the Editor evaluates:

  • Whether comments were adequately addressed
  • Consistency and clarity of revisions
  • Suitability for publication

The Editor may:

  • Accept the manuscript
  • Request additional minor changes
  • Return it to reviewers (for major issues)
  • Reject the manuscript (if standards not met)

Decision is communicated via email.

STAGE 8: Acceptance and Proofreading

Once accepted:

  1. Authors receive the final Word version for proofreading.
  2. Authors must verify:
    • Author names and affiliations
    • Figures, tables, and captions
    • Typographical and formatting accuracy
  3. Only minor corrections are allowed at this stage.

STAGE 9: Production and Typesetting

The journal team:

  • Typesets the manuscript
  • Converts it to final publication format
  • Assigns article numbering or pages
  • Conducts final quality checks

STAGE 10: Publication

Accepted articles are:

  • Published in the June or December issue
  • Indexed/archived in the journal databases
  • Assigned a DOI (if applicable)

Authors are notified once publication is complete.

3. Manuscript Preparation Guidelines

3.1 Cover Page

Must include:

  • Title
  • All author names
  • Institutional affiliations
  • Full addresses and email contacts
  • Corresponding author clearly designated
  • Contribution order clearly indicated

3.2 Abstract and Keywords

  • Maximum 250 words
  • Should include:
    • Background/context
    • Objectives
    • Methods 
    • Key findings
    • Conclusions
    • Recommendations

Five (5) keywords must be included.

3.3 Manuscript Structure

Manuscripts must include the following sections:

  1. Introduction
  2. Literature Review
    • Global, regional, and local perspectives
    • Theoretical and conceptual framework
  3. Data and Methods
  4. Results
  5. Discussion
  6. Limitations
  7. Conclusion
  8. Recommendations
  9. References 
  10. Citation and referencing

Examples (In-text):

  • Ezira and Tamwesigire (2018)…
  • (Kinyata, Mbagutta & Sowed, 2017)

Examples (Reference List): 

Okello, M. C., & Hovil, L. (2007). Confronting the reality of gender-based violence in Northern Uganda. The International Journal of Transitional Justice, 1(3), 433–443.

Mubyazi, G. M. (2015). Knowledge and perceptions of antenatal services need and delivery and reasons for seeking such services among women in Tanzania: implications for utilization and coverage of intermittent presumptive treatment of malaria in pregnancy in two districts. Rwanda Journal, 2(1), 65–75.

Dunkle, K. L., Jewkes, R. K., Brown, H. C., Gray, G. E., McIntryre, J. A., & Harlow, S. D. (2004). Gender-based violence, relationship power, and risk of HIV infection in women attending antenatal clinics in South Africa. The Lancet, 363(9419), 1415–1421.

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The Ecology of Human Development. Harvard University Press.

11. Tables and Figures

  • Tables must appear on separate pages with numbered titles.
  • Figures (maps, charts, diagrams, photos) must be numbered consecutively and placed near their mention.

4. Font style and Size: 

Manuscripts submitted to FMRJ shall use Time New Romans Font style size of 12. Line spacing: Manuscripts shall be single line spaced. Number of words: Manuscript text shall not exceed 7,000 excluding tables, figures and appendices.