Author Guidelines
Thank you for considering Catalyst Journals for your research publication. These guidelines provide essential information for preparing and submitting your manuscript. Please read them carefully before submission.
Note: Submissions that do not follow these guidelines may be returned to authors for correction before peer review.
Manuscript Preparation
General Structure
All manuscripts should include the following sections in order:
- Title: Concise and informative (max 20 words)
- Authors: Full names and affiliations
- Abstract: 200-250 words, structured for research articles (Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions)
- Keywords: 5-8 keywords
- Introduction: Context and objectives
- Methods: Sufficient detail for reproducibility
- Results and Discussion: May be combined or separate
- Conclusions: Main findings and significance
- Acknowledgments: Funding sources and contributions
- References: Formatted according to journal style
Formatting Requirements
Text
- Microsoft Word (.docx) format
- 12 pt Times New Roman font
- 1.5 line spacing
- 2.5 cm margins on all sides
- Page numbers in footer
Figures & Tables
- High resolution (300 dpi minimum)
- TIFF, EPS, or PDF format
- Numbered sequentially
- Captions below figures, above tables
- Embedded in text and submitted separately
Supplementary Materials
Additional data, methods, or multimedia files may be submitted as supplementary materials. These should be:
- Clearly labeled (e.g., "Supplementary Figure S1")
- Referenced in the main text
- Submitted as separate files
- Formatted appropriately for their content type
Citation Style
Catalyst Journals uses the American Chemical Society (ACS) citation style. Examples:
In-text citations:
• Sequential numbers in superscript: The reaction proceeded efficiently1,2
• Or in parentheses: The reaction proceeded efficiently (1, 2)
Reference list examples:
Journal Article: 1. Author, A.; Author, B. J. Abbrev. Year, Volume, Page Range.
Book: 2. Author, A. Book Title; Publisher: Location, Year; Vol. 3, pp 100-150.
Website: 3. Organization. Page Title. URL (accessed Month Day, Year).
Ethical Guidelines
Originality and Plagiarism
All submissions must be original work. Any text or ideas from other sources must be properly cited. Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable.
Authorship
All listed authors must have made significant contributions to the research. Changes to authorship after submission require approval from all authors.
Data Integrity
Authors may be asked to provide raw data for editorial review. Fabrication or falsification of data constitutes misconduct.
Conflict of Interest
All potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed upon submission.
Submission Guidelines
Manuscript Template
While using our official template is highly recommended, it is not mandatory. The template ensures proper formatting and includes all required sections, which can speed up the review process. If you don't use the template, ensure your manuscript follows our formatting guidelines exactly:
- Double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font
- 1-inch margins on all sides
- Line numbers throughout the document
- Proper heading structure and reference format
Download the template: BJCET Manuscript Template
Word and Page Limits
We have established the following word limits for different manuscript types:
- Research Articles: 8,000-12,000 words (excluding references)
- Review Articles: 10,000-15,000 words (excluding references)
- Short Communications: 3,000-5,000 words (excluding references)
- Technical Notes: 2,000-4,000 words (excluding references)
- Abstract: 250-300 words maximum
- Keywords: 5-8 keywords maximum
Note: Manuscripts significantly exceeding these limits may be subject to desk rejection or require substantial revision.
Accepted File Formats
We accept manuscripts in the following formats:
- Main Document: Microsoft Word (.docx) or LaTeX (.tex with PDF)
- Figures: High-resolution TIFF, PNG, or EPS (minimum 300 DPI)
- Tables: Embedded in main document or separate .docx files
- Supplementary Materials: PDF, Word, Excel, or multimedia files
Article Processing Charges (APC)
Payment Methods
Payment can be made using the following methods:
Bank Transfer (Preferred)
- Bank: First Bank of Nigeria
- Account Name: Babcock University Press
- Account Number: 2037651234
- SWIFT Code: FBNKNGLA
Online Payment
- Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, MasterCard)
- PayPal: payment@babcock.edu.ng
- Flutterwave payment gateway
- Paystack payment gateway
Important: Always include your manuscript ID in the payment reference/description.
Payment Confirmation
You will receive confirmation through multiple channels:
- Automatic Email Receipt: Instant confirmation for online payments
- Editorial Office Confirmation: Within 24-48 hours for bank transfers
- Manuscript Status Update: Status changes to "Payment Received" in your submission portal
- SMS Notification: If mobile number is provided during submission
Need to verify payment status? Email us at bjcet.editorial@babcock.edu.ng with your manuscript ID and payment reference.
Payment Timeline
APC payment is required only after your manuscript is accepted for publication. The sequence is:
- You submit your manuscript (no payment required)
- Manuscript undergoes peer review
- If accepted, you receive an acceptance letter with invoice
- You make the payment within 30 days
- Article is published after payment confirmation
Review Process
Review Timeline
Our typical review timeline is:
- Initial Editorial Screening: 5-7 business days
- Peer Review: 6-8 weeks
- Author Revision: 4-6 weeks (if required)
- Final Decision: 2-4 weeks after revision
- Total Time: 10-15 weeks from submission to final decision
Manuscript Status Tracking
You can track your manuscript status 24/7 through:
- Your submission portal dashboard
- Email notifications at key milestones
- Direct email inquiry to the editorial office
Common status updates include: Submitted, Under Review, Revision Required, Accepted, Payment Pending, In Production, Published.