Instructions To Authors
Objective
The NICOS journal provides a platform for advancement and dissemination of knowledge about cosmetics in Nigeria. The main objective is to drive the cosmetic industry scientifically, especially for potential entrepreneurs to have evidence-base that would drive their motivations. Therefore, original research articles on cosmetic raw materials sourced within Nigeria will be very favourably considered. Review articles that advance the knowledge on known indigenous resources are also welcomed.
Types Of Articles
- Original Research Articles
- Full-length Report
- Short Report
- Review Articles
- Systematic
- Narrative
- Perspectives In Practice
- Critical Appraisal
- Opinion Paper
Further information on the specifications for each type of article is below (Manuscript Formatting). All manuscripts will be peer-reviewed according to adopted standards.
Manuscript Submission
Manuscripts must be submitted:
- Online through the upload link
- Accompanied with a completed submission checklist
Manuscript Formatting
See templates and select the most appropriate from table 1: Article types and their specifications. For original research reports, detailed study design is required. See table 2: Research design considerations for clues.
All manuscripts must be written in English language, British spelling.
Graphical (figures and tables) presentation of statistical results should be done with excel and presented in editable format.
Table 1: Article types and their specifications
| Types | Article Subtype | Basic Standard | Word Length | Abstract Limit | Graphics | Refs | Peer-review (JBL std) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Research Report | Short report | ≤ 2 objectives | 2000 Words | 200 Words | 4 | 20 | CASP checklist or JBI |
| Full length | ≥ 3 objectives | 5000 Words | 300 Words | 8 | 50 | ||
| Review Article | Systematic review | Prisma chart | JBI 'SR' | ||||
| Narrative review | SANRA table | SANRA scale or JBI 'NR' | |||||
| Perspectives In Practice | Critical appraisal | Referenced standard | 3000 Words | 200 Words | 6 | 30 | CASP or JBI qualitative |
| Viewpoint | Expert opinion | JBI 'expert opinion' |
Keys:
*Introduction to conclusion, only; †Figures and/or tables; ‡Details required for study design; SR: systematic review, NR: narrative review; Checklists: CARE case report (Riley & IMI LLC, 2013; Riley et al., 2017), CASP (CASP UK – OAP Ltd, 2024), JBI (JBI, 2024), and SANRA (Baethge et al., 2019)
Table 2: Research design considerations
| Subsection | Design 1 | Design 2 | Design 3 | Design 4 | Design 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population study type | Pilot | Cross-sectional | Retrospective | Prospective | Intervention |
| Sampling method | Convenience sampling | Random sampling | Quota & systematic | Random & stratified | Randomization |
| Data types | Focus group discussion | Survey closed-ended | Numerical: continuous | Numerical: interval | Likert scaled survey |
| Statistical analysis | Thematic | Descriptive analysis | Regression analysis | MANOVA | ANOVA |
References and Referencing
APA, and the reference list must include complete/direct URL. References to sources without URL should be consciously minimized to absolute necessity and a maximum two.
Declarations
- Acknowledgements:
- Conflict of interest:
- Data repository (University base):
- Funding:
- Professional editing:
Reference list examples
Baethge, C., Goldbeck-Wood, S., & Mertens, S. (2019). SANRA-a scale for the quality assessment of narrative review articles. Res Integr Peer Rev, 4, 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41073-019-0064-8
CASP UK – OAP Ltd. (2024). Critical appraisal checklists. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Retrieved 24th May, 2024 from https://casp-uk.net/casp-tools-checklists/
JBI. (2024). Critical appraisal tools. Retrieved 24th May, 2024 from https://jbi.global/critical-appraisal-tools
Riley, D., & IMI LLC. (2013). 2013 CARE Checklist. CARE case report guidelines. Retrieved 24th May, 2024 from https://www.care-statement.org/checklist
Riley, D. S., Barber, M. S., Kienle, G. S., Aronson, J. K., von Schoen-Angerer, T., Tugwell, P., Kiene, H., Helfand, M., Altman, D. G., Sox, H., Werthmann, P. G., Moher, D., Rison, R. A., Shamseer, L., Koch, C. A., Sun, G. H., Hanaway, P., Sudak, N. L., Kaszkin-Bettag, M., . . . Gagnier, J. J. (2017). CARE guidelines for case reports: explanation and elaboration document. J Clin Epidemiol, 89, 218-235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2017.04.026
Peer-review Process
The NICOS journal will perform a rigorous unbiased peer-review for every article in 3-steps (Fig 1), and two ways. The two methods for unbiased peer-review includes using standard forms, and engaging at least 2 reviewers including a mix of both academic and practitioner.
Peer Review
The articles in the Journal of Cosmetic Science and Research are peer reviewed.
The peer reviews are conducted by both internal and external reviewers. Every author is requested to submit along with their article, a name(s) of an expert in the field of the article submitted.
Authors are required to suggested at least two reviewers including a mix if one practitioner and one academic. Where there is apparent disagreement between the two reviewers, a member of Editorial board will be invited as arbiter.
General peer review process is as follows:
- Accept – no revision required
- Revise
- Reject
Publication Timeline
- 1 week – Date of submission to acknowledgement.
- 2 months – Peer Review.
- 2 weeks – Revision to final decision.
- 1 month – Final decision to ‘gally’ proof reading by author.
Fig 1: Three steps of the peer-review process
Fees
- 25,000 NGN for Submission.
- 5,000 NGN for Processing.
- Total 30,000 NGN.
For further information, contact us
