• Manuscripts must be original and unpublished.
• The paper must not be under review by another journal.
• The manuscript should be written in clear, grammatically correct English.
• Articles should normally be between 4,000 and 8,000 words, including references.
• Review articles may be up to 10,000 words.

2. Page Formatting

• Paper Size: A4
• Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides
• Font: Times New Roman
• Font Size:
  • Title: 16 pt, Bold
  • Headings: 14 pt, Bold
  • Sub-headings: 12 pt, Bold
  • Body Text: 12 pt
• Line Spacing: 1.5
• Paragraph Alignment: Justified
• Paragraph Indentation: 0.5 inch (first line)
• Page Numbers: Bottom centre

3. Title Page

The title page should contain:

• Title of the paper
• Author(s) full name
• Institutional affiliation
• ORCID ID (optional)
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Corresponding author (if multiple authors)

4. Abstract

The abstract should:

• Not exceed 250 words
• Clearly state:
  • Background
  • Purpose
  • Methodology
  • Findings
  • Conclusion

Below the abstract, include 5–7 keywords.

5. Manuscript Structure

The manuscript should follow this order:

• Title
• Abstract
• Keywords
• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Theoretical/Conceptual Framework (where applicable)
• Methodology
• Results/Findings
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• Recommendations (optional)
• References
• Appendices (if necessary)

6. Tables and Figures

• Number tables consecutively (Table 1, Table 2, etc.).
• Number figures consecutively (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.).
• Every table and figure must have a title.
• Source information must be provided where applicable.
• Images should be at least 300 dpi.

7. Language Style

Authors should:

• Use British English consistently.
• Avoid sexist, discriminatory, or biased language.
• Spell out abbreviations the first time they appear.

8. Plagiarism Policy

• Manuscripts should contain not more than 15% similarity on plagiarism detection software.
• Any evidence of plagiarism or AI-generated fabricated references may result in immediate rejection.

9. Ethical Considerations

Where applicable:

• Authors must indicate ethical approval.
• Informed consent should be obtained for studies involving human participants.
• Sources of funding should be disclosed.
• Conflicts of interest must be declared.

10. Referencing Style

The International Journal of Arts and Cultural Media (IJACM) adopts the APA 7th Edition referencing style.

In-text Citation

Single author

(Adedeji, 2024)

Two authors

(Okafor & Bello, 2023)

Three or more authors

(Adewale et al., 2025)

Direct quotation

(Johnson, 2022, p. 45)

Reference List Examples

Journal Article

Adedeji, A., & Yusuf, O. (2024). Digital storytelling and youth engagement in Africa. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 18(2), 45–62. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Book

Hall, S. (1997). Representation: Cultural representations and signifying practices. Sage.

Book Chapter

Ogunleye, F. (2022). Nollywood and African identity. In A. Smith (Ed.), African media studies (pp. 102–120). Routledge.

Website

UNESCO. (2025, March 15). Creative economy report. https://www.unesco.org

Newspaper Article

Adeyemi, T. (2024, June 18). Nigerian cinema expands globally. The Guardian. https://guardian.ng

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Conference Paper

Okonkwo, P. (2023). Indigenous media and digital transformation. Paper presented at the International Conference on Media and Society, Lagos, Nigeria.

Thesis

Akinola, M. (2021). Digital media consumption among Nigerian youths (Doctoral dissertation, University of Lagos).

11. Footnotes

Footnotes should be used sparingly and only where additional explanation is necessary.

12. Submission Checklist

Before submitting, authors should ensure that:

• The manuscript is original.
• The paper follows APA 7th Edition.
• The abstract does not exceed 250 words.
• Keywords are included.
• Tables and figures are properly labelled.
• References are complete and accurate.
• The manuscript has been proofread.

13. Peer Review

All manuscripts undergo a double-blind peer-review process. Authors’ identities are concealed from reviewers, and reviewers remain anonymous to authors. Editorial decisions are based on originality, methodological rigor, scholarly contribution, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

14. Publication Fees

• Submission/Processing Fee (upon submission): ₦60,000 (Nigeria) / US$50 (International Authors)
• Additional publication charges, if any, will be communicated after acceptance.

International Journal of Arts and Cultural Media (IJACM) is committed to promoting rigorous scholarship and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue in arts, culture, media, and the humanities. Authors are encouraged to ensure that submissions comply fully with these guidelines to facilitate a smooth review and publication process.