About the Journal

The Journal of Contemporary Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities (JCSSH) is an official publication of the School of Social Sciences, Bugema University. The journal publishes original research and scholarly contributions in the social sciences and humanities, as well as work from related disciplines that address pressing social issues. It provides an intellectual forum for the exchange of ideas, with a particular emphasis on the challenges and opportunities within low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs).

Manuscripts are considered based on scientific rigor, adherence to ethical and technical standards, and the strength of the evidence presented. The journal is committed to advancing high-quality research that informs evidence-based policies, interventions, and practices.

Mission
The mission of the Journal of Contemporary Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities (JCSSH) is to promote the dissemination of rigorous and innovative research that deepens understanding of social realities and contributes to sustainable solutions for societal challenges, particularly in the developing world.

Vision
The journal aspires to become a leading regional and international platform for scholarly dialogue, bridging local and global perspectives to influence academic debate, policy-making, and professional practice in the social sciences.

 Frequency of Publication: Two (2) issues per year

Author Guidelines

Authors are expected to adhere to the following submission requirements. Manuscripts, including tables, figures, and references, must comply with these guidelines. Submissions that do not meet the standards will be returned before peer review.

1. Manuscript Types and Length

The journal accepts the following categories of submissions:

  • Research Articles: 5,000–8,000 words
  • Systematic Reviews: up to 10,000 words
  • Opinion Papers, Case Studies, Commentaries, and Book Reviews: 1,000–3,000 words

All manuscripts must include 4–6 keywords.

 

2. Language

  • Manuscripts must be written in clear, academic English (UK).
  • Authors whose first language is not English should seek professional proofreading before submission.

3. Formatting and Style

  • Font: Arial or Times New Roman, size 12, double-spaced
  • Referencing style: APA 7th edition
  • Footnotes: use sparingly
  • Page numbering: number all pages consecutively
  • Headings: maximum of three levels, left-aligned, not numbered
  • Units: use metric system only

Submissions not conforming to these requirements will be returned without review.

4. Structure of the Manuscript

Manuscripts should be organized in the following order:

  1. Title Page
  2. Abstract (150–250 words)
  3. Key Policy Highlights (if applicable)
  4. Keywords (4–6)
  5. Main Text (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion)
  6. Conclusion
  7. References
  8. Acknowledgments, Conflict of Interest Statement, Appendices

5. Title Page

The title page must include:

  • Full names of all authors
  • A concise and informative title
  • Institutional affiliations and addresses of all authors
  • Email address and telephone number of the corresponding author
  • ORCID iD (with link) for each author. Authors without ORCID are encouraged to register at https://orcid.org/.

6. Abstract and Keywords

  • Abstract: 150–250 words, unstructured, without abbreviations or references
  • Keywords: 4–6

7. Tables and Figures

  • Figures (graphs, drawings, photos) should be numbered consecutively as Figures using Arabic numerals.
  • Tables should be numbered separately and embedded in the text at relevant points.
  • Maximum of 3 tables and 2 figures per manuscript.

8. Originality and Ethical Standards

  • Submissions must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.
  • All manuscripts will be screened for plagiarism.
  • Authors must obtain ethical clearance for studies involving human or animal subjects. Proof of approval may be requested.

9. Submission Process

Manuscripts should be submitted electronically via the journal’s online portal or by email: jcssh@bugemauniv.ac.ug.

  • File format: Microsoft Word only.

10. Submission Preparation Checklist

Before submission, authors must confirm:

ü  The manuscript is original and not under consideration elsewhere.

ü  File is in Microsoft Word format.

ü  APA (7th edition) style has been followed.

ü  DOIs/URLs are provided where available.

ü  All authors have ORCID iDs.

11. References

  • References must follow the APA (7th edition) style.
  • Submissions not conforming will be returned prior to review.

12. Peer Review Policy

  • The journal follows a double-blind peer review process.
  • Each manuscript is evaluated by at least two independent reviewers.
  • Criteria include originality, methodological rigor, theoretical contribution, clarity, and relevance.
  • Authors may be asked to revise and resubmit.
  • The editorial board makes the final decision on acceptance, revision, or rejection.

13. Publication Ethics and Malpractice

The journal follows the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). All parties authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher must uphold ethical standards.

  • Authors: Ensure originality, proper citation, accuracy of data, and disclosure of conflicts of interest.
  • Editors: Ensure fairness, confidentiality, and decisions based solely on academic merit.
  • Reviewers: Provide objective, constructive feedback, respect confidentiality, and declare conflicts of interest.
  • Publisher: Maintains scholarly integrity, supports ethical practices, and investigates misconduct.

Cases of plagiarism, data fabrication, duplicate submission, or authorship disputes will be handled in line with COPE guidelines and may result in corrections, retractions, or author sanctions.

14. Copyright

Authors submitting manuscripts to this journal affirm that their work is original, has not been previously published, and is not under consideration elsewhere. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their submissions respect copyright, intellectual property, privacy, and other legal rights. Any material from other sources must be properly acknowledged and used with the necessary permissions.

Authors retain copyright of their published articles. By submitting and publishing in this journal, authors grant the journal a non-exclusive right to publish, reproduce, distribute, archive, and make the work available in print and electronic formats.