The Journal of the Nigeria Association of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NATAIS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, scholarly excellence, and ethical publishing. The following policies guide the operations, editorial decisions, and publication processes of the journal:
1. Scope and Aims
The journal publishes original and scholarly articles in the fields of Arabic language, Islamic studies, and allied disciplines. Topics may include, but are not limited to, Qur’anic and Hadith studies, Islamic law and jurisprudence (fiqh), Arabic linguistics and literature, Islamic theology and philosophy, Islamic history and civilization, and contemporary issues in Muslim societies. Submissions in both Arabic and English are accepted.
2. Peer Review Process
All submissions undergo a double-blind peer review process. Each manuscript is reviewed by at least two independent experts to ensure academic quality, originality, relevance, and clarity. The editorial board reserves the right to accept, reject, or request revisions to submitted manuscripts based on reviewers’ recommendations and the journal’s standards.
3. Publication Frequency
The Journal of NATAIS is published annually. Special issues may be released occasionally on thematic topics of regional or global significance in Arabic and Islamic studies.
4. Open Access Policy
The journal is committed to open access, allowing free and unrestricted access to all published articles. Authors retain copyright of their work and grant the journal the right of first publication.
5. Plagiarism and Academic Integrity
All manuscripts are subject to plagiarism checks using reliable software. Any form of plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, or unethical research behavior will result in rejection of the submission and possible blacklisting of the author(s). Authors are responsible for ensuring the originality of their work and proper citation of sources.
6. Authorship and Acknowledgement
Only individuals who have made significant contributions to the research should be listed as authors. Any contributors who do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged appropriately. All authors must approve the final manuscript before submission.
7. Conflicts of Interest
Authors, reviewers, and editors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may influence the content or review of a manuscript. Transparency in funding, affiliations, and any relevant personal or financial interests is essential.
8. Archiving and Preservation
All published articles are digitally archived and stored to ensure long-term access. The journal may collaborate with academic libraries and repositories for broader preservation.
9. Copyright and Licensing
Authors retain copyright but grant the journal non-exclusive rights to publish and distribute their work. Articles are published under a Creative Commons license (CC BY or CC BY-NC, depending on the journal’s preference).
10. Withdrawal and Retraction Policy
Authors may withdraw their submission before the review process is completed by notifying the editorial board in writing. In cases of serious ethical violations, the journal reserves the right to retract published articles and issue a formal notice.
11. Editorial Independence
The editorial board operates independently of the association’s executive body to ensure objective and scholarly decision-making. The content of the journal does not necessarily reflect the views of the Nigeria Association of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NATAIS).