Manuscript Sections for a Paper

Manuscript prepared and to be submitted for consideration in the Journal should be divided into the following sections:

Title

It is mandatory that the title should unambiguously reflect the contents of the paper and should not be longer than 20 words.

Short Running Title

Authors should provide a running title of not more than 12 words.

Authors’ Names and Affiliations

The names (surname last) and affiliation of authors should be provided. The corresponding author should be indicated with email address and telephone number to receive correspondences and galley proofs.

Abstract

Every article should be provided with an abstract not exceeding 250 words. The abstract in brief should present the topic, state the scope of the experiments; indicate significant data, point out major findings and conclusion of the research work. Standard nomenclature should be used and abbreviations should be avoided.

Keywords

Below the abstract, about 6 to 8 keywords in alphabetical order should be listed that will provide indexing references.

Introduction

This should provide a clear statement of the problem explaining its significance and indicating why it should be of interest to scientists in other areas around the globe of scientific disciplines. The literature cited must be discussed to show the relationship between relevant published works and the study.

Materials and Methods

Subheadings should be employed. The authentic procedures should be described in detail while previously published procedures should be cited, and significant modifications of published procedures should be stated in brief. Statistical methods of treatment should be mentioned if they have been used.

Results and Discussion

The results and discussion should be combined. The original and important findings should be stated. Previously published results should be written as in present events. Results should be explained fundamentally with its outcomes, and should also be illustrated with figures or tables where necessary but these should be kept to the minimum. The discussion should interpret the findings in view of the results obtained in this and in past studies on this topic.

Conclusion

This should summarize the major findings that can be drawn from the research work, pointing out their significance, and alluding to possible future directions.

Acknowledgement

This should be as brief as possible, and to appear before the reference section. Technical assistance, advice and financial support should be acknowledged.

Conflict of Interest

Authors should state conflict of interest where applicable.

References

References should be in the Harvard style and listed at the end of the paper in alphabetical order without numbering and also references should be 0.5 left hanging indentation. Authors are responsible for the accuracy and the completeness of their references. References should be cited in the text by the last name of the author (both authors if only two; the first author and et al., when more than two) followed by the year. If there is more than one reference in the same year for the same author(s) then please add the letters (a), (b), etc. to the year, for example (Olaofe et al., 2008a, 2008b). Only published paper(s) or in press can be mentioned in the manuscript. The name of journal should be italicized.

Examples

Journal Article Okogbaa OG, Daverakonda L, Otieno W & Albino V 2010. Analysis of sequential monitoring schemes using natural conjugate priors. Int. J. Rel., Qual. and Saf. Eng., 17(1): 57 – 87. Adeyeye EI & Afolabi EO 2004. Amino acid composition of three types of land snails consumed in Nigeria. Food Chem., 85: 535 – 539.

Book

Finar IL 1975. Organic Chemistry, Vol. 2, 5th edn. ELBS and Longman Group, London UK, pp. 22 – 40.

Chapter in Edited Book

Shills ME 1973. Magnesium In: Introduction to Nutrition. Fleck H (ed.) 3rd edn. Macmillan Publishing Co. Inc., New York, p. 215.

Tables

Tables should consist of three horizontal rules, with box heading centered over each column and should have a short descriptive caption at the top. All the tables should be typed in separate sheets at the end of references and numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals (e.g. Table 1, Table 2, etc.).

Figures

Figures should be numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals (i.e. Fig. 1, Fig. 2, etc.) at the end of references. Graphs should preferably be drawn using appropriate computer software and presented on single page ready for mounting. These should be constructed in such a manner that they can be understood without reading the text. Appropriate symbols should be used on graphs and explained in the legends. Graphs should not duplicate results presented in the tables. Photographs should be produced in black and white. Title and comments of the figures and photographs should be provided on a separate page using MS word.

Symbols and Units

Symbols, units and nomenclature should conform to the recommendations of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). SI units should be used for physical quantities.