MANUSCRIPT TYPE

REACT journals currently accept the following article types:

• Original Research Articles:  Comprehensive and well-structured papers that report novel research findings relevant to the journal's scope.
• Review Articles: Authoritative overviews of specific topics that critically summarize and synthesize published literature. Review articles should range between 6,000 to 8,000 words.
• Case Studies: In-depth investigations and evaluations of unique practical applications, projects, or challenges encountered within the journal’s subject areas.

Authors are advised to clearly specify the manuscript type during submission.

Manuscript Preparation GUIDELINES

Language and style

Manuscripts should be written in clear, concise English. Authors whose first language is not English are encouraged to have their manuscripts reviewed by a native English speaker or a professional editing service. All submissions must be free of spelling and grammatical errors.

Formatting Requirements

Authors are required to provide editable source files for all submissions, including tables and figures, while adhering to the following guidelines:

• Document formats should be submitted as Microsoft Word (.docx/.doc) only. PDF files are not accepted.
• The article layout must be in a single-column format.
• All strikethrough and underlined text should be removed from the manuscript, except where they have scientific relevance to the study.

Title page

Each manuscript should follow this general format

When preparing the title page of your manuscript, please include the following components:

• Title of the Article: Craft a clear and informative title that accurately reflects the content of your work. Avoid the use of abbreviations and formulas unless they are widely recognized (e.g., SDG).
• Author Details: List the full given name(s) and surname(s) of all authors in the correct order of contribution. Ensure all names are spelled correctly. If preferred, non-English names may be included in parentheses using the original script following the transliterated English version.
• Institutional Affiliations: Each author’s institutional affiliation should be listed below their name, reflecting where the research was conducted. Use lowercase superscript letters to match authors to their respective institutions. Include complete addresses for each institution, specifying country and author email addresses where available.
• Corresponding Author Information: Identify one author to serve as the corresponding author. This person will be responsible for managing communications related to the submission, peer review, and post-publication inquiries. Be sure to provide and maintain an accurate and active email address for correspondence.
• Current or Permanent Addresses: If any author has changed affiliation since completing the research or was affiliated with a different institution at the time, indicate this with a footnote. Use superscript Arabic numerals for such notes and retain the primary institution as the main affiliation on the title page.

Abstract

Authors must provide a clear and concise abstract not exceeding 250 words. The abstract should summarize the objective of the study, key findings, and the main conclusions drawn from the research.

• The abstract should be self-contained, as it is often accessed independently from the full article.
• Avoid the inclusion of references. If essential, cite only the author(s) and year(s).
• Minimize the use of abbreviations. If specialized abbreviations are necessary, define them at first mention.

A well-structured abstract enhances discoverability and helps readers quickly assess the relevance of your work.

Keywords

Authors are expected to supply between 3 and 6 keywords to facilitate indexing and improve article discoverability. All keywords must be written in English.

• Avoid using phrases or compound terms connected by "and," "of," or similar conjunctions.
• Only include abbreviations that are widely recognized and commonly used in your field.

Carefully chosen keywords help ensure your article reaches the appropriate academic audience.

Headings and Abbreviations

Structure your manuscript using a clear and consistent heading hierarchy, with a maximum of three levels to maintain readability and organization.

Define all abbreviations in full at their first appearance in the text. For example, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and ensure their consistent use throughout the manuscript. This helps enhance clarity, particularly for readers unfamiliar with field-specific terminology.

Table

• Tables should be numbered sequentially using Arabic numerals (e.g., Table 1, Table 2) in the order they appear in the manuscript.
• Each table must be cited in the text and accompanied by a descriptive caption that clearly explains its content.
• Tables should be submitted as editable text, not as images, to ensure accessibility and proper formatting.
• Authors are encouraged to insert tables near the relevant discussion in the manuscript or, alternatively, include them on separate pages at the end of the document.
• Avoid using vertical lines and background shading in table cells.
• Any explanatory notes should be placed directly below the table and identified using superscript lowercase letters (e.g., a, b, c) or asterisks for statistical significance.
• If any part of the table includes previously published material, the original source must be properly credited in a footnote or end-of-caption reference.

Use tables judiciously to enhance, not repeat, information already presented in the text.

Figures, Images, and Artwork

All graphical materials—including figures, illustrations, images, diagrams, and charts—must be submitted as separate high-quality files alongside the manuscript. Each visual element should be cited in the main text and clearly numbered in the order of appearance (e.g., Fig. 1, Fig. 2). Please name each file logically, such as Figure_1, Figure_2, etc., and ensure that any text graphics embedded within the manuscript are placed near the corresponding discussion.

To maintain consistency and clarity:

• Use vector formats such as EPS for illustrations and TIFF for photographic content (halftones).
• Microsoft Office formats are also acceptable.
• Fonts within figures should be embedded, using a consistent style such as Helvetica or Arial (8–12 pt).
• Keep font size variations minimal and avoid excessive use of effects like outlines or shading.
• Titles or figure captions should not be embedded within the image itself.

Figure Captions

Every figure must have a descriptive caption that begins with "Fig." followed by the figure number (e.g., "Fig. 1"). The caption should succinctly explain what the figure represents and define any symbols or abbreviations used. Do not end captions with punctuation. Captions should be included in the manuscript text file, not within the figure file itself. If the figure contains content previously published elsewhere, cite the original source at the end of the caption.

For figures with multiple parts (e.g., a, b, c), denote each part using lowercase letters. Continue sequential numbering even in appendices, unless figures are part of supplementary material, in which case a separate numbering system should be used.

Authors are encouraged to keep text within figures to a minimum and to place emphasis on clarity and relevance. Proper preparation of figures enhances the readability and impact of your article.

Artwork Formats
When preparing your final illustrations and figures, ensure that they are saved in appropriate formats and meet the required resolution standards for print and digital reproduction. The following file types and resolutions are recommended based on the content type:

• Vector-based graphics (e.g., charts, line illustrations): Save as EPS or PDF format with embedded fonts or convert text to outlines to ensure compatibility.
• Photographs in color or grayscale (halftones): Save as TIFF, JPG, or PNG format with a resolution of at least 300 dpi. For figures intended to span one column, a minimum width of 1063 pixels is recommended; for full-width figures, aim for 2244 pixels or higher.
• Bitmapped line drawings (black and white): Save as TIFF, JPG, or PNG format with a resolution of no less than 1000 dpi. Minimum dimensions should be 3543 pixels (single column) and 7480 pixels (full width).
• Combined line and halftone images (color or grayscale): Save as TIFF, JPG, or PNG format at a minimum of 500 dpi, corresponding to 1772 pixels (single column) or 3740 pixels (full width).

Avoid submitting:

• Files with low resolution (e.g., GIF, BMP, PICT, or WPG formats), which are optimized for the web and not suitable for publication.
• Oversized images with disproportionately small text can affect clarity and legibility.
• Proper formatting of your artwork ensures clarity and enhances the visual presentation of your research, making it easier for reviewers and readers to understand your findings.

Generative AI and Figures, Images, and Artwork

Authors are advised to consult the REACT AI Policy before submitting any figures, illustrations, or graphical content involving artificial intelligence (AI).

As a general rule, the use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies to create, enhance, or modify images, figures, or artwork for manuscripts submitted to REACT journals is not permitted.

An exception to this restriction applies only when AI tools are explicitly part of the study’s research design or methodological approach. In such cases, authors must clearly disclose:

• The name of the AI model or tool,
• Its version and extension number,
• The developer or provider (e.g., OpenAI, Meta),
• And a detailed explanation of how the tool was used, in a way that allows for reproducibility.

This information must be included in the Methods section of the manuscript.

Use of AI-generated graphics for visual summaries, graphical abstracts, or journal cover art is also prohibited unless:

• Prior permission has been secured from the journal’s editorial team,
• The author can confirm that all content rights have been cleared.
• And appropriate credit and attribution are provided.

This policy aligns with REACT’s broader commitment to maintaining scientific transparency, integrity, and originality across all its publications.

Supplementary Material

Authors are encouraged to submit supplementary materials that support and enrich the main article. These may include datasets, audio or video clips, high-resolution images, animations, and other digital content that contribute to the interpretation or transparency of the research.

General Guidelines:

• Supplementary material must be directly relevant to the study’s findings and conclusions.
• All files should be submitted at the same time as the main manuscript.
• Each supplementary file must have a concise and descriptive caption.
• Materials should be submitted in commonly used file formats (e.g., PDF, DOC, XLS, MP4, PNG, JPG) to ensure accessibility.
• Files will be published online exactly as received—no formatting, editing, or conversion will be done during production.

Citation and Referencing:

• All supplementary content must be explicitly cited within the manuscript text.
• Clearly distinguish between content in the main article and supplementary material by referring to file names (e.g., “as seen in Dataset_a.pdf” or “details are available in Supplementary File MSN_2”).
• Supplementary materials should be numbered consistently and referred to in the order in which they appear in the manuscript.

File Naming Example:

• Dataset_a.pdf
• Dataset_b.xlsx
• Map_area.pdf
• MSN_1.docx
• Video_Clips.mp4

Important Notes:

• Tracked changes must be turned off in all Microsoft Office documents.
• Authors may submit revised supplementary files during the review process, but changes must be made by replacing the entire file—do not submit annotated or corrected versions.
• All supplementary content is subject to peer review and will be published under the same licensing terms as the main article.

Supplementary materials enhance transparency and reproducibility and are an integral part of scholarly communication in all REACT Journals.

Article Structure

Authors should organize their manuscripts into clearly defined sections using a consistent numbering system. Main sections should be numbered as 1, 2, 3, and so on. Subsections should follow a hierarchical format such as 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.2, etc.

This numbering should also be used when referencing parts of the article (e.g., "as discussed in Section 2.3"), rather than vague references like “the text above.”

Each subsection may be assigned a brief, descriptive heading, which should appear on its own line.

Please note that the abstract should not be included in the numbered sections of the manuscript.

Footnotes and Glossary

Authors may include a glossary to define technical or domain-specific terms used throughout the manuscript. This list should be presented separately to help readers unfamiliar with specialized terminology.

Footnotes should be used sparingly and only when necessary to provide brief explanatory content that supports but does not distract from the main text. They may include citations from the reference list but must not consist solely of reference citations or contain full bibliographic details.

All footnotes must be:

• Numbered consecutively throughout the article.
• Positioned at the bottom of the page (not as endnotes).
• Free of tables, figures, or extensive data.

You may use your word processor’s built-in footnote tool or manually indicate footnote positions in the text and include them in a separate section at the end of the manuscript.

References

References Within Text

Ensure all references cited in the manuscript appear in the reference list, and vice versa. Here are key guidelines:

• References included in the abstract must be presented in full.
• Avoid citing unpublished work or personal communications in the reference list. If cited, ensure they are properly described in-text.
• Items marked "in press" should be confirmed as accepted for publication.
• Check the accuracy of all reference details before submission. Correct referencing enables linking to indexing services like Scopus, Crossref, and PubMed.
• The use of Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) is strongly encouraged as they ensure permanent access to referenced materials.

Reference Format

While REEAS and RHASS accept different referencing formats, consistency within a manuscript is mandatory. Authors may use:

• Square bracket style [1] — preferred for REEAS (e.g., Ben F. et al. [1])
• APA style — preferred for RHASS (e.g., Ben, F., Madu, U., & Olufunke, G., 2022)

Ensure that all references include the following, where applicable: author names, title, journal or book name, year of publication, volume/issue numbers, page numbers, and DOI.

Reference Style Examples

• Journal article (APA style): Ben, F., Madu, U., & Olufunke, G. (2022). A novel approach to applied research. Journal of Applied Studies, 18(2), 123–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2022.00123
• Journal article with article number: Festus, B., & Abdulwakil, K. (2023). Innovations in clean technology. Environmental Engineering Reports, 22, Article e00101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envrep.2023.e00101
• Book: Ben, F., & Olufunke, G. (2021). Research Strategies for the Global South (2nd ed.). Academic Press.
• Chapter in edited book: Kasali, A., & Madu, U. (2021). AI in Engineering Design. In F. Ben & O. Grace (Eds.), Emerging Technologies in Africa (pp. 101–120). Global Publications.
• Website: Federal Polytechnic Ede. (2024). Research Guidelines. Retrieved from https://research.federalpolyede.edu.ng/guidelines. Accessed March 10, 2024.
• Dataset:Ben, F., Olufunke, G., & Kasali, A. (2022). Renewable energy survey data [dataset]. Mendeley Data, v2. https://doi.org/10.17632/example123.2
• Conference paper/poster: Madu, U., & Yahya, S. (2023, June). Adaptive energy systems for Nigeria. Paper presented at the Nigerian Society of Engineers Annual Conference, Abuja, Nigeria.
• Software: Festus, B., & Moulton, D. (2023). Smart Energy Analyzer (Version 2.1) [Computer software]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.567890
• Preprints: Kasali, A., & Ben, F. (2024). Machine learning in inverter control (preprint). arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2403.00432

Web and Data References

Provide full URLs and access dates for all web references. Include any known authors, publication dates, or source details. List web references either within the main reference list or under a separate heading.

Reference Management

To simplify formatting, authors may use tools like Mendeley Reference Manager or other software supporting Citation Style Language (CSL). Be sure to remove field codes before final submission. If your software does not support our template, format references based on the provided examples.

Manuscript submission 

Before finalizing your manuscript submission, please ensure the following items are complete:

• One author has been clearly identified as the corresponding author, with accurate contact information provided, including email address, full postal address, and phone number.
• All required files have been uploaded, including:

• The main manuscript file
• Tables (with appropriate titles, legends, and footnotes)
• Figure captions
• Keywords

• A thorough spelling and grammar review has been conducted to ensure clarity and correctness.
• All references cited in the text are fully included in the reference list, and all listed references are cited appropriately in the manuscript.
• Necessary permissions have been secured for any copyrighted content reproduced from other sources, including online materials. 
• All manuscripts submitted to REACT journals are published as open access and are subject to an Article Processing Charge (APC) upon acceptance. 
• By submitting a manuscript, all authors agree to this policy. 
• The APC may be paid by the corresponding author, the author’s institution, or a supporting research funder, as appropriate.

After A FINAL DECISIOn 

Publishing Agreement

Following acceptance of a manuscript, authors will be required to complete a publishing agreement. A link to the agreement will be sent via email to the corresponding author. We strongly recommend that authors familiarize themselves with REACT’s copyright policies and publishing terms, which outline the rights retained by authors and their affiliated institutions for open-access articles.

License Options

Upon acceptance, authors will select from available open-access licensing options. These licenses specify how the published article may be used by the author and others. Authors are advised to review license options carefully, particularly in relation to requirements from their funding bodies or institutions.

Open Access

All articles published in REACT journals are made freely available under open access terms. For detailed information about REACT’s open access policy, including licensing and reuse rights, please consult the Open Access section of the journal website.

Permission for Copyrighted Works

If your article includes content, such as figures, tables, or excerpts, from previously published or copyrighted materials, you must obtain formal written permission from the copyright holder. Proper credit must be given within your manuscript. Authors may use REACT’s standard permission request form to facilitate this process.

Proofreading and Proof Correction

Following acceptance for publication, page proofs will be provided to the corresponding author for final review. This stage allows the author to verify the accuracy of typesetting, layout, and the integrity of all text, figures, and tables.

Please note that this is not an opportunity to introduce new content or make substantial revisions. Changes to core elements such as results, conclusions, title, or authorship will only be considered under exceptional circumstances and must be approved by the Editor.

Once an article is published online, corrections can only be made by issuing a formal Erratum, which will be linked to the original article. To initiate this process, the corresponding author must contact the editorial office via the ‘Contact the Journal’ link available on the journal’s homepage.

Responsible Sharing

Authors are encouraged to responsibly share and promote their published work to increase its visibility and impact. Sharing through appropriate platforms can help facilitate knowledge dissemination and contribute meaningfully to academic and professional communities. For guidance, consult our recommendations on responsible article sharing.