Editorial policy and requirements

Acta Criminologica

Acta Criminologica, the Southern African Journal of Criminology, is a peer-reviewed academic journal which promotes academic and professional discourse and the publishing of research results on the subject of deviance, conflict, crime and victimisation, social justice and reaction to crime and other conflict related phenomena.

Acta Criminologica is an accredited journal approved by the South African Department of Education and is published regularly by the CRIMINOLOGICAL AND VICTIMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (CRIMSA).

Members of CRIMSA will automatically be subscribed to Acta Criminologica.

Articles that are submitted for consideration should adhere to the following minimum standards:

  1. A typewritten manuscript plus an electronic copy (computer disk or document sent by E-mail in MS Word or Word compatible software programme) may be submitted. If not e-mailed, the file name of the manuscript must be specified on the accompanying computer disk.
  2. An executive summary of approximately 300 words on a separate page must also be included.
  3. The document should be typed in A4 format using double spacing on one side of the paper only.
  4. The title of the article and the author’s name and address should appear on the first page.
  5. Contributions must be submitted in English and should preferable not exceed 25 typed A4 pages.
  6. References, citations and general should be prepared in accordance with the APA Publication Manual. If necessary, content references in the form of end notes may be used to provide additional explanation. References in the text are indicated by the surname(s) of the author(s) and the year of publication, for example (Nkosi, 2005) or Nkosi (2005). A complete reference list in the APA style must be provided, giving all relevant details. All sources must be listed alphabetically by authors’ surnames, according to the following examples:
    African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1999). Retrieved on January 14, 2005 from http://www.umn.edu/humanarts/africa/afchild.htm

    Alberts, C., & Meyer, J.C. (1998). The relationship between Marcia’s ego identity status and selected variables in an African context. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 20(4), 277-288.

    Ammaniti, M., Van Ijzendoorn, M.H., Speranza, A.M., & Tambelli, R. (2000). Internal working models of attachment during late childhood and early adolescence: An exploration of stability and change. Attachment and Human Development, 2(3), 328-346.

    Arndt, H. (1989). Children and juveniles in prisons of South Africa. Heidelberg: Sached/Ravan.

    Babbie, E. (1990). Survey research methods (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

    Republic of South Africa. 1996. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996. Pretoria: Government Printer.


  7. Citations should preferably form part of sentences and paragraphs; longer quotes should be blocked, using single spacing and no quotation marks.
  8. A contribution will be considered provided it has been edited and is ready for processing: finally edited, stylistically polished and carefully proofread.
  9. Tables and diagrams make the layout difficult and should be use sparingly. All diagrams and tables must be numbered and referred to in the text.
  10. The Editorial Committee will submit such a contribution to referees for evaluation and may alter or amend the manuscript in the interests of stylistic consistency, grammatical correctness or coherence. Refereeing is always anonymous. It remains the prerogative of the editors to publish any submission and their decisions are final. They will not enter into any debate or correspondence regarding any decision made.
  11. The authors bear full responsibility for the accuracy of the factual content of their contributions and indemnify CRIMSA or its agent against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expense, including legal and professional fees arising out of legal action against CRIMSA or its agent with regard to actual or alleged infringement of copyright or the intellectual property rights of any natural or legal person. Copyright of all published material is vested in the Criminological and Victimological Society of Southern Africa (CRIMSA).
  12. Please note that the views and opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of the editor or CRIMSA and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of CRIMSA. Authors are solely responsible for the content of their articles.
  13. A publication fee will be levied at the discretion of the editors for every article published in the Journal. NGOs, unaffiliated authors, international scholars, etc., who do not have access to research grants to fund expenses of this nature may be exempted. The publication fees are the following:
    1. Paid-up CRIMSA members: R1 250,00
    2. Non-members: R1 650,00
  14. Where substantial changes are deemed necessary, contributions may be referred back to the authors for finalisation. Alternatively, where articles exceeding the prescribed length are accepted for publication, an additional fee of R200,00 per page may be levied. In the instances where submissions are not satisfactory (i.e. ready for processing) and require additional attention from the editors, a fee of R1 650,00 may also be levied, notwithstanding the authors’ status as members.
  15. Manuscripts for publication or enquiries pertaining to Acta Criminologica should be directed to:
  • The Editor
  • Acta Criminologica
  • C/O Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Monash University - South Africa
  • Private Bag X60
  • Roodepoort
  • South Africa
  • 1725

Or

E-mail: robert.peacock@arts.monash.edu

Peer review

According to the Policy for Measurement of Research Output of Public Higher Education Institutions (Department of Education, South Africa), research output is defined as “textual output where research is understood as original, systematic investigation undertaken in order to gain new knowledge and understanding.” Therefore, an uncritical synthesis of literature without contributing any new insight to existing knowledge falls outside the scope of this definition. Furthermore, “peer evaluation of the research is considered a fundamental prerequisite of all recognised output and is the mechanism of ensuring and thus enhancing quality.” The refereeing process is anonymous and the identity of referees will remain confidential. Evaluators agreeing to referee articles are requested to provide, where possible, critical and constructive feedback on the work of their peers. They are requested to make a recommendation based on the following:

  • Accept for publication in its present form
  • Accept with minor revisions as indicated
  • Resubmit with major revisions in accordance with critical and constructive feedback provided
  • Reject (unlikely to be accepted even after revision). In this instance it would be senseless to provide feedback and the decision of the editors would be final.
    Apart from scientific shortcomings or inconsistencies, the following evaluative criteria are considered:
  • The theme is academically significant (timely, important, in need of addressing)
  • The theme contributes to an existing (professional) body of knowledge (knowledge useful)
  • Author=s goals and objectives are clearly stated
  • The article addresses (unpacks) themes logically, consistently and convincingly
  • The paper demonstrates an adequate understanding of the literature in the field
  • The research design is built on adequate understanding, evidence, informational input
  • The interpretative potential of the data has been realised
  • The paper demonstrates a critical self-awareness of the author=s own perspectives and interests
  • Holistically, the paper is properly integrated and clearly expresses its case measured against the technical language of the field (theory, data and critical perspectives are well structured and the presentation is clear)
  • Conclusions are clearly stated and adequately tie together the elements of the paper
  • The standard of writing (including spelling and grammar) is satisfactory
  • The APA reference technique is consistently applied throughout the article
  • Sources consulted are sufficiently acknowledged (including the bibliography) and consistently cited to:
  • supply academically sound evidence on which the author=s observations, statements, and/or conclusions are based
  • enable readers to consult original sources themselves (precisely stating where and/or under which circumstances)
  • acknowledge the authors from whom information was taken.