Authors' Guidelines

Nigerian Journal of Counselling and Human Development (NJCHD)

ISSN: 2645-2774

The Nigerian Journal of Counselling and Human Development (NJCHD) welcomes original, high-quality manuscripts that contribute to the advancement of knowledge, research, and professional practice in counselling, psychology, human development, education, and related disciplines.

Authors are advised to read these guidelines carefully before submitting manuscripts for publication consideration.

1. AIMS AND SCOPE

NJCHD publishes scholarly works in the following areas:

  • Guidance and Counselling

  • Educational Psychology

  • Clinical and Mental Health Counselling

  • Rehabilitation Counselling

  • Marriage and Family Counselling

  • School Counselling

  • Career Development and Vocational Guidance

  • Human Development Studies

  • Social Work and Community Development

  • Psychotherapy and Behaviour Modification

  • Special Education

  • Child and Adolescent Development

  • Substance Abuse and Addiction Studies

  • Gender and Psychosocial Studies

  • Emotional and Behavioural Disorders

  • Counselling Ethics and Professional Practice

  • Educational Research

  • Related Social and Behavioural Sciences

2. TYPES OF MANUSCRIPTS ACCEPTED

NJCHD accepts:

  • Original Research Articles

  • Review Articles

  • Conceptual Papers

  • Case Studies

  • Short Communications

  • Book Reviews

  • Theoretical Papers

3. MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION

Manuscripts should be submitted electronically through the journal website or sent to:

Submission Email:
nigerianjchd@gmail.com

Authors should submit:

  • Main Manuscript (anonymous version)

  • Title Page

  • Evidence of Assessment Fee Payment

4. MANUSCRIPT FORMAT

All manuscripts should:

  • Be prepared in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

  • Use Times New Roman font

  • Font Size: 12 points

  • Double-line spacing

  • A4 paper size

  • 1-inch margins on all sides

  • Continuous page numbering

5. MANUSCRIPT LENGTH

Manuscripts should ordinarily be between:

12 – 20 pages

inclusive of references, tables, figures, and appendices.

6. TITLE PAGE

The title page should be submitted separately and contain:

  • Full Title of Manuscript

  • Author Name(s)

  • Institutional Affiliation(s)

  • ORCID ID(s) (where available)

  • Corresponding Author

  • Email Address(es)

  • Telephone Number(s)

7. ABSTRACT

Each manuscript must include an abstract of:

150–250 words

The abstract should clearly indicate:

  • Background of the Study

  • Purpose/Objectives

  • Methodology

  • Key Findings

  • Conclusion/Implications

8. KEYWORDS

Authors should provide:

4–6 keywords

immediately below the abstract.

9. MANUSCRIPT STRUCTURE

Research manuscripts should generally follow:

Introduction

  • Background

  • Problem Statement

  • Objectives

  • Research Questions/Hypotheses

Methodology

  • Research Design

  • Population

  • Sample and Sampling Technique

  • Instrumentation

  • Validity and Reliability

  • Procedure

  • Data Analysis

Results

  • Presentation of Findings

  • Tables and Figures where necessary

Discussion

  • Interpretation of Findings

  • Comparison with Previous Studies

Conclusion

Recommendations

References

10. TABLES AND FIGURES

  • Tables and figures should be numbered consecutively.

  • Each must have a descriptive title.

  • Sources should be acknowledged where applicable.

  • Graphics should be of publishable quality.

11. REFERENCING STYLE

NJCHD adopts:

APA (7th Edition) Referencing Style

Authors are responsible for ensuring:

  • Accuracy of citations

  • Completeness of references

  • Consistency between in-text citations and reference list

12. ETHICAL REQUIREMENTS

Authors must ensure that:

  • Research was conducted ethically.

  • Necessary ethical approvals were obtained.

  • Participants gave informed consent where applicable.

  • Confidentiality and anonymity were protected.

Research misconduct is strictly prohibited.

13. PLAGIARISM POLICY

NJCHD operates a strict anti-plagiarism policy.

  • All manuscripts undergo plagiarism screening.

  • Acceptable similarity index shall not exceed 20% excluding references.

  • Manuscripts exceeding the acceptable limit may be rejected.

  • Plagiarism, duplicate publication, and data fabrication constitute grounds for immediate rejection.

14. PEER REVIEW PROCESS

NJCHD adopts a Double-Blind Peer Review System.

Each manuscript:

  • Is evaluated by at least two independent reviewers.

  • Is assessed for originality, quality, methodology, relevance, and contribution to knowledge.

Editorial decisions may be:

  • Accept

  • Accept with Minor Revisions

  • Major Revisions Required

  • Reject

The review process normally takes between 4–6 weeks.

15. COPYRIGHT

Authors retain copyright of their work while granting NJCHD the right of first publication.

The views expressed in published articles remain solely those of the authors.

16. PUBLICATION FREQUENCY

NJCHD is published:

Bi-Annually (Two Issues Per Year)

17. ARTICLE ASSESSMENT FEE

A non-refundable assessment fee of:

₦5,000

should be paid to:

Bank: Eco Bank
Account Number: 0770066638

Proof of payment should accompany manuscript submission.

18. SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

Before submission, authors should ensure that:

□ The manuscript is original.

□ The manuscript has not been published elsewhere.

□ The manuscript is not under review elsewhere.

□ APA 7th Edition referencing style has been used.

□ Abstract and keywords are included.

□ References are complete and accurate.

□ Tables and figures are properly numbered.

□ Similarity index is within the acceptable limit.

□ Ethical requirements have been satisfied.

□ Assessment fee receipt is attached.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Editorial Office

Nigerian Journal of Counselling and Human Development (NJCHD)

Department of Guidance and Counselling
Faculty of Education
Ambrose Alli University
P.M.B. 14, Ekpoma
Edo State, Nigeria

Email: nigerianjchd@gmail.com

Telephone: 08034424715, 08055508112

ISSN: 2645-2774