Malawi Journal of Economics
Journal / Malawi Journal of Economics / Submissions

 

Aims and scope of the journal

The Malawi Journal of Economics (MAJE) aims at publishing high quality articles focusing on the application of economic analysis to a wide range of topics in different branches of economics with relevance to economic and policy issues. It is of special interest to Malawian and African academics, students, policy makers, development experts and others interested in the Malawian economy and other African economies. Articles submitted for publication in the MAJE should focus on presenting results of empirical and policy-relevant economic research.

Review process

Manuscripts will be sent anonymously to at least two referees, who are experts in relevant fields of economics. Authors should ensure that information about the author(s), institutional affiliations and acknowledgements only appear on a separate cover page. 

Submission and file formats 

Authors should submit an electronic copy of the manuscripts, preferably in MS Word to the Chief Editor, Malawi Journal of Economics, Department of Economics, Chancellor College, PO Box 280, Zomba Malawi. Tel: (265) 01 524 526/ 01 11 951 135, Fax: (265) 01 525 021, Email: maje@cc.ac.mw or economics@cc.ac.mw

Please prepare your manuscript, including tables, using a word processing program and save it as a .doc, .docx, or .rtf file. The typesetters are unable to copyedit and typeset manuscripts or tables in pdf format. Papers will not be considered if they have already been published or are in the process of being published elsewhere.

Manuscript preparation

Title page

The title should be short, specific and informative. The first name, initial(s), and surname of each author should be followed by his or her institutional affiliation. The fax, telephone number and Email address of the corresponding author should also be provided. Only one author should be listed for correspondence. Any deletions or additions to the author list after submission of the paper must be submitted in writing, signed by all authors, to the Chief Editor.

Abstract

The second page of the manuscript should contain an Abstract, which must not exceed 200 words. The Abstract should be comprehensible to readers before they have read the paper, and reference citations must be avoided.

Abbreviations

Non-standard abbreviations should be defined at the first occurrence and introduced only where multiple use is made. No abbreviations should be used in headings.

Figures and illustrations

Submit all figures (including diagrams, graphs, maps) in a separate MSWord document. The figures should be numbered consecutively using Arabic numerals. Mark in the main text the places where the figures should be inserted, thus: 

[Insert Figure # about here]

 Please submit a black and white version of all illustrations, as the MAJE is printed in black and white. 

Tables

All submitted tables must be in editable format (e.g. Word, excel, ppt). All tables should be as a separate MS Word document, each accompanied by a title and footnotes where necessary. The tables should be numbered consecutively using Arabic numerals. Mark in the main text the places where the tables should be inserted, thus: 

[Insert Table # about here]

 Units in which results are expressed should be given in parentheses at the top of each column and not repeated in each line of the table. Avoid overcrowding the tables and the excessive use of words. Please be certain that the data given in tables are correct.

JEL classification and key words

Indicate the appropriate Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) classification code(s). Please check that the JEL codes that you have indicated are correct and match the official list at http://www.aeaweb.org/journal/jel_class_system.php

Spelling

The Malawi Journal of Economics uses British English Spellings. The Oxford Spelling Dictionary can be used as a spelling guide. Ensure consistency of spelling and hyphenation. Authors are encouraged to send their manuscripts to language editors if English is not their first language.

Footnotes 

Use of footnotes should be minimised. Where use of footnotes become necessary, these should be numbered consecutively throughout the article and should appear at the bottom of the page. Use 10 points font for footnotes. Superscripted Arabic numerals should be used in the text for indicating footnotes. Avoid lengthy footnotes.

Dates and numbers 

Write dates as 20 July 2014, not as 20th etc. (Do not use superscripts.) Express ranges of dates and pages in the smallest number of digits, e.g. 1974–94, not 1974–1994, and 325–7, not 325–327.  Use a space, not a comma, to indicate tens of thousands etc., e.g. 10 000. Write thousands without a space, e.g. 1000, except in tables, where the space is needed to get the alignment right. For decimals, use the decimal point, not comma, e.g. 3.85. Use the % sign and not ‘per cent’ or ‘percent’. This applies to the text as well as the tables and figures.

Section headings

The use of subheadings to break up the text is encouraged. Consecutive Arabic numerals should be used to number sections and subsections. Headings should be typed in upper and lower case; e.g., 1. Policy Reforms 1.1 Price Policies 1.1.1 Maize Prices Appendix 1: Description of Variables. All sections should be titled; including the introductory paragraphs (e.g., 1. Introduction)

Referencing style

The Harvard style of referencing should be used, with author’s name and date of publication bracketed in the text. All works cited should be listed alphabetically by the author after the main body of the text, as per the following style: 

Chirwa, E.W. and Mlachila, M. (2004) ‘Financial Reforms and Interest Rate Spreads in the Commercial Banking System in Malawi’. IMF Staff Papers, 51 (1), 96-122

Chirwa, E. and Dorward, A. (2013) Agricultural Input Subsidies: The Recent Malawi Experience, Oxford: Oxford University Press 

Dorward, A. (2009) ‘Rethinking Agricultural Input Subsidy Programmes in Developing Countries’, in: A. Elbehri and A. Sarris (eds), Non-Distorting Farm Support to Enhance Global Food Production, Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Mangani, R. (2007) Monetary, Financial and Real Sector Interrelationships in South Africa. Department of Economics Working Paper No 2007/01, Zomba: University of Malawi.

Copyright

Your paper must be accompanied by a signed statement by the author(s) that publication in Malawi Journal of Economics would not contravene any copyright or other contractual agreements relevant to the paper or the research on which it is based. If a substantial amount of the material in your paper exists in another form on the internet, for example in the proceedings of a conference, please supply an acknowledgement. Authors are themselves responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce copyright material from other sources.

To assure the integrity, dissemination, and protection against copyright infringement of published articles, you will be asked to assign to Department of Economics at Chancellor College, University of Malawi, via a Publishing Agreement, the copyright in your article. Our Publishing Agreement with you will constitute the entire agreement and the sole understanding between Department of Economics at Chancellor College, University of Malawi and you; no amendment, addendum, or other communication will be taken into account when interpreting your and Department of Economics at Chancellor College, university of Malawi rights and obligations under this Agreement.