A publication of Bayero University Kano Library
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Frequently asked questions
Can’t find your answer? Write to the editorial office at bjim@buk.edu.ng.
Submitting
What does BJIM publish?
Original research, case studies and reviews in library and information science, including management, information technology and education in the field. The About page lists the topics we cover.
How do I submit a manuscript?
Register as an author, sign in and choose New submission. The form has four steps, and you can save a draft at any point.
How long can my manuscript be?
13 to 15 pages at most, including the title page, references and supplements. Use Times New Roman 12 with 1.5 line spacing, and single spacing for the references. The abstract can be up to 250 words.
Which file formats do you accept?
Word (.docx) or PDF, up to 25 MB. We recommend .docx, because the portal removes hidden author details from Word files automatically. Older .doc files are not accepted; save them as .docx first.
Which referencing style should I use?
APA 7th edition. The citation guidelines have patterns and examples.
Do I put author names in the manuscript?
No. Enter names, affiliations and contact details in the submission form, and leave them out of the file. Reviewers must not be able to tell who wrote the paper.
Can I submit a paper that is under review elsewhere?
No. A manuscript sent to BJIM must not be under review at another journal or already published.
Do you accept manuscripts in languages other than English?
No. BJIM accepts manuscripts in English only.
Is there a fee to publish?
Write to the editorial office at bjim@buk.edu.ng for current information about any article processing fee.
Can I use AI tools when writing?
Describe any use of generative AI tools in your methods and cite the tool. Presenting AI-generated text as your own without saying so is treated as plagiarism.
Review and decisions
How does peer review work?
After an editor screens it, the manuscript goes to at least 2 reviewers under double-blind review. The peer review page explains each step.
How long does review take?
Reviewers are usually given 21 days. The total time depends on how quickly reviewers respond and how many revision rounds are needed. Your dashboard shows the current stage at all times.
How do I know where my manuscript is?
Sign in and open My submissions. Each manuscript shows its stage, and you also receive an email at every step.
What decisions can the editor make?
Accept, minor revisions, major revisions or reject. A manuscript can also be rejected at screening, before review, if it is outside the scope or does not follow the guidelines.
Will I see the reviewers’ comments?
Yes, with the decision letter. Comments are labelled Reviewer 1, Reviewer 2 and so on; reviewers’ names are never shown.
How do I submit a revision?
Open the manuscript in your dashboard and choose Revise. Upload the revised file and, ideally, a response that explains how you dealt with each comment.
Can I withdraw my manuscript?
Yes, at any stage before a final decision, from the manuscript’s page in your dashboard.
Is my manuscript checked for plagiarism?
Yes, every submission is checked before review. See the plagiarism policy.
After acceptance
What happens after my paper is accepted?
It is copyedited, and you receive a proof to approve or correct. Then the article is placed in an issue with page numbers and a DOI.
How often is BJIM published?
Once a year. Articles appear online when their issue is published.
Is BJIM open access?
Yes. Every published article can be read and downloaded free of charge from this website.
How do I cite a BJIM article?
Each article page shows a ready-made APA citation. Write the journal name in full: Bayero Journal of Information Management.
Can I get a printed copy of the journal?
Write to the editorial office at bjim@buk.edu.ng.
Accounts and reviewing
I forgot my password. What do I do?
Use Forgot password on the sign-in page. If that doesn’t work, ask the journal administrator, who can issue a temporary password. You’ll be asked to choose a new password the first time you use it.
How do I change my password?
Sign in, click the settings (gear) icon at the top of the dashboard and choose Change my password.
Can one person be both an author and a reviewer?
Yes. One account can hold several roles, and your dashboard shows the sections for each.
How do I become a reviewer?
Write to the editorial office at bjim@buk.edu.ng with your field of expertise and affiliation. Reviewer accounts are created by the journal administrator.
Who is on the editorial board?
See the editorial board page.