Aim and Scope
Our Aim
Zaria Sociological Journal (ZSJ) aims to advance sociological knowledge and understanding through the publication of original, rigorous, and theoretically informed research on social structures, institutions, relationships, processes, and transformations. The journal provides a scholarly platform for researchers, academics, and practitioners to examine contemporary social issues, contribute to sociological debates, and develop evidence-based insights into the complexities of human society.
Scope of the Journal
Zaria Sociological Journal welcomes original empirical research, theoretical contributions, critical reviews, and other scholarly manuscripts that advance sociological inquiry. The journal is interested in research addressing local, national, regional, and global social realities, including studies that contribute to understanding communities and societies in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.
The journal encourages theoretically grounded and methodologically sound research using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Interdisciplinary submissions are welcome where they make a clear and substantial contribution to sociological understanding.
Areas of Interest
The journal considers manuscripts addressing, but not limited to, the following areas:
Social Institutions and Social Organisation
Research on family, marriage, kinship, religion, education, political institutions, community organisation, social networks, and the roles of institutions in shaping social life.
Culture, Identity and Social Change
Studies of cultural practices, values, traditions, social identities, ethnicity, language, cultural change, modernisation, and the interaction between tradition and contemporary society.
Development and Social Transformation
Research on social development, poverty, inequality, livelihoods, social mobility, community development, social exclusion, and the social consequences of economic and technological change.
Gender, Family and Population Studies
Studies of gender relations, family dynamics, marriage, fertility, ageing, demographic change, intergenerational relationships, and the social experiences of different population groups.
Crime, Deviance and Social Control
Research on crime, deviance, social regulation, policing, justice institutions, community safety, conflict, violence, social cohesion, and reintegration.
Governance, Power and Political Sociology
Studies of political participation, citizenship, leadership, state-society relations, public institutions, power relations, social movements, and collective action.
Urbanisation, Rural Society and Migration
Research on urban and rural communities, migration, displacement, population movement, settlement patterns, housing, community relations, and changing social environments.
Health, Education and Social Welfare
Sociological research on health behaviour, healthcare access, medical institutions, educational inequality, social protection, welfare systems, and the social determinants of well-being.
Work, Organisations and Economic Sociology
Studies of labour relations, employment, unemployment, informal economies, organisational behaviour, entrepreneurship, occupational mobility, and the social dimensions of economic activity.
Environment, Technology and Society
Research on environmental change, natural resource use, climate-related social impacts, digital technologies, social media, digital inequalities, and the relationship between technological innovation and social life.
Sociological Theory and Research Methods
Contributions to sociological theory, conceptual debates, research methodology, measurement, data analysis, and innovative approaches to investigating social phenomena.
Contemporary African Societies
Research examining social institutions, inequalities, community relations, cultural dynamics, development challenges, and transformations in African societies, including comparative studies involving Nigeria and other regions.
Types of Manuscripts
ZSJ considers the following categories of scholarly contributions, provided they fall within the journal's scope and satisfy its editorial requirements:
- Original research articles: Empirical studies presenting original findings and a clear contribution to sociological knowledge.
- Theoretical and conceptual articles: Contributions that develop, critically examine, or extend sociological theories and concepts.
- Review articles: Critical and systematic examinations of existing literature that provide meaningful synthesis and identify directions for further research.
- Methodological contributions: Papers presenting or evaluating approaches to sociological research, data collection, measurement, and analysis.
- Comparative studies: Research examining social patterns, institutions, or processes across communities, countries, or population groups.
Geographical Coverage
Although the journal welcomes contributions from researchers worldwide, it particularly encourages rigorous research that improves understanding of Nigerian and African societies. Comparative and international studies are also welcome when they offer significant sociological insights or contribute to broader theoretical and empirical debates.
Editorial Considerations
Submissions must demonstrate a clear sociological contribution, appropriate engagement with relevant scholarship, methodological or theoretical rigour, and conclusions supported by the arguments or evidence presented. Interdisciplinary manuscripts must establish their relevance to sociology.
All submissions are subject to editorial assessment and, where suitable, the journal's double-blind peer-review process. Inclusion within the stated subject areas does not guarantee acceptance for publication.
