Some initial thoughts from the editors on what areas the journal could include and which are relevant to an Afrikan context.
Journal scope
Overarching interest of the journal
The Journal for Afrikan Research & Design will have a broad scope of research interest. This is due to the continent's diverse culture, design activity, research interest, and dynamic context. To-date, the editorial team have identified the following as being within the scope of interest.
Case-study research
Exploring and understanding the design dynamics and implication of a delineated and typically small sample size.
*disciplinary research
Approximating and unpacking disciplinary overlaps from a multidisciplinary to transdisciplinary research perspective.
Literature reviews
Depending on the topic, various forms are possible, such as narrative, scoping, or systematic literature reviews.
Methodological studies
Developing new research methods/instruments, with a particular focus on Afrikan epistemologies and contexts.
Historical studies
Overlooked Afrikan history necessitates reconstructing and documenting past design knowledge and exemplars.
Autoethnography
The editors not sure if this should be included, due to the propensity that it can be too anecdotal or subjective.
Socio-technical studies
Unique Afrikan approaches and design methods when using technology for social impact.
Anything else?
Register to add to this journal scope.
Key topics
Established and emergent
Certain topics will naturally be global, but others will have an affinity with an Afrikan context and may not resonate with international journals. The topics below are just some examples that have been proposed by the editorial team.
Indigenous Design Systems (IDS)
Design methods and practice grounded in contextual systems.
Design ethics
Possibly aligned with IDS, the ethical factors of design practice and research may be unique on the continent.
Design and democracy
The use of design artefacts, methods, and philosophy within notions of people power.
Anything else?
Register to add to other topics.
Logics of enquiry
Promoting new methods
Underpinning logics of enquiry tend to be aligned with disciplines and, in turn, journals. Abduction is well aligned with design, and will be positioned as the primary focus for the Journal for Afrikan Research & Design:
Abduction
Explicating phenomena or purposely creating change.
Induction
Observing and documenting phenomena.
Deduction
Treating phenomena as repeatable.
Review mechanism
Transparent and rigorous
The use of a blind review mechanism is increasingly being questioned. This is not only amongst peers but also in articles that analyse the academic rigour of this review approach, and how it also tends to limit the introduction of new knowledge.
Gatekeeper or facilitator
Should an editor contribute from a personal or within an administrative capacity?
Review expertise
With increasing access to knowledge, what determines a review expert?
Afrikan peer
What constitutes an Afrikan peer and review mechanism?
Review mechanism
How can technology constructively assist the editorial process?
Style
The format of the journal
It is arguable that journal style guides have a cultural or disciplinary affiliation. What ramifications, if any, does this have on new disciplines such as design, and more importantly need to take into account Afrikan modes of acknowledgment.
Word length
Is the typical 8,000 word length suited to a design article?
Citation style
What format, existing or completely new, would be best for Afrikan research?
Accessibility
Beyond interface design, what does accessibility mean in an Afrikan context?