Editorial Policy

1. Editorial Principles

The Centre for Research on Governance and Development (CRGD) is committed to advancing independent scholarship, informed public discourse and intellectually credible policy analysis. Our editorial philosophy rests on the principles of intellectual independence, factual accuracy, methodological integrity, transparency, fairness and public relevance.

We regard publishing as an exercise in intellectual responsibility.

Every publication should contribute to knowledge, examine an important public question, challenge established assumptions where warranted, or offer substantive insights into governance, public policy and development.

CRGD welcomes diverse perspectives, including arguments that question prevailing institutional practices or established policy positions. We do not require ideological conformity or agreement with the institution’s published positions. All contributions, however, must meet our standards of evidence, reasoning, professional ethics and responsible expression.

2. Editorial Independence

CRGD maintains editorial independence in the selection, assessment, development and publication of its content.

Editorial decisions shall be guided by scholarly merit, originality, analytical quality, public significance and consistency with the institution’s objectives. Political affiliation, institutional influence, financial contributions or personal relationships shall not determine editorial outcomes.

Authors retain responsibility for their arguments and conclusions.

Views expressed in individually authored publications are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent the institutional position of CRGD.

Institutional publications, including official policy reports and statements, shall undergo the appropriate internal approval process.

No donor, sponsor, partner or external stakeholder shall exercise editorial control over research findings or publication decisions.

3. Publications and Editorial Categories

CRGD publishes research, analysis, commentary and more across the following categories, each serving a distinct intellectual and public purpose.

1. Policy Briefs: Concise, evidence-based assessments of specific policy problems, accompanied by actionable recommendations.
2. Long Form: Extended essays exploring complex political, economic, social and institutional questions in depth.
3. Policy Reports: Comprehensive research publications examining policy frameworks, institutional performance and reform alternatives.
4. Analysis: Structured, evidence-led examinations of contemporary developments, policy decisions, emerging trends and their wider implications.
5. Special Reports: Focused investigations and thematic studies addressing issues of exceptional public or institutional significance.
6. Commentary: Interpretative perspectives on contemporary affairs, public institutions and policy debates.
7. Explainers: Accessible, factually grounded examinations of complex concepts, issues, legislation, institutions and policy developments.
8. Opinion: Clearly articulated arguments presenting original perspectives on matters of public interest.
9. Blogs: Concise reflections, observations and discussions exploring emerging issues, experiences and ideas.
10. Young Thoughts: A dedicated platform for students and emerging thinkers to contribute original ideas, critical reflections and informed perspectives.
11. Expert View: Specialist contributions from scholars, practitioners and professionals drawing upon recognised expertise and experience.
12. Reviews: Critical assessments of publications, policies, intellectual contributions and other works of public or academic significance.
13. Books and Journals: Scholarly discussions, reviews and assessments of books, academic journals and significant research literature.
14. Internship/Fellowship Reports: Selected research outputs, field observations and analytical reports developed through CRGD’s internship/fellowship programmes.
15. Podcasts: Recorded conversations, interviews and discussions examining ideas, institutions and contemporary policy questions.
16. Videos: Interviews, lectures, explainers, discussions and other audiovisual contributions to public knowledge.

Each category may be subject to distinct editorial requirements, submission guidelines, word limits and review procedures, determined by the editorial team in accordance with CRGD’s editorial standards.

4. Research, Evidence and Citation Standards

All factual claims, statistical references, historical assertions and empirical conclusions must be supported by credible, relevant and verifiable evidence.

CRGD gives preference to primary and authoritative sources, including our own research, peer-reviewed literature, official statistics, global publications, legislation, judicial decisions, institutional reports, original datasets and research produced by established academic and policy institutions.

Authors must distinguish clearly between facts, analytical interpretations, projections, contested claims and personal opinions.

Citation Requirements

CRGD accepts and prefers either of the following referencing methods:

• APA Style, 7th Edition: Particularly encouraged for policy reports, research papers, academic essays, literature reviews and other scholarly publications. Citations should follow the author–date format, with a complete reference list.
• In-text Hyperlink Citations: Accepted for digital publications, including analysis, commentary, opinion, explainers and blogs. Hyperlinks must direct readers to credible sources that substantiate the specific claims being made.

Authors should apply their chosen citation method consistently throughout a submission. Where necessary, editors may require additional references, direct links to original datasets or clarification of research methods.

Sources must be accurately represented and sufficiently current for the subject. Secondary reporting should not substitute for accessible primary evidence where the latter is material to the argument.

Fabricated citations, misleading statistics, selective quotation and misrepresentation of evidence are strictly prohibited.

5. Originality, Authorship and Intellectual Integrity

Submissions must represent original intellectual work and comply with applicable copyright and publication ethics.

CRGD does not accept plagiarism, fabricated research, manipulated evidence, undisclosed substantial duplication of previously published material, or misrepresentation of authorship.

Authors must disclose prior publication, simultaneous submission elsewhere, and any substantial reliance on previously published work.

Authorship must reflect meaningful intellectual contributions. Individuals providing limited technical, administrative or editorial assistance should ordinarily be acknowledged rather than credited as authors.

All contributors remain responsible for the accuracy, originality and integrity of material submitted under their names.

6. Use of Artificial Intelligence

CRGD recognises the growing role of artificial intelligence in research, writing and knowledge production, while maintaining that intellectual accountability rests with human authors.

AI-assisted tools may be used for limited supporting functions, such as language refinement, transcription, formatting, translation or research organisation, subject to appropriate verification and confidentiality safeguards.

AI-generated arguments, invented references, fabricated evidence, synthetic quotations or unverified factual claims shall not be presented as original scholarly work.

Authors must disclose substantial generative AI assistance in developing substantive content, analysis or research outputs. Editors may request clarification regarding the extent of such assistance.

AI tools cannot be credited as authors, and their outputs do not constitute independent evidentiary sources.

7. Editorial Review and Quality Assurance

All submissions are subject to editorial assessment. Depending on the nature and significance of the publication, the review process may include:

1. Initial Screening: Assessment of relevance, originality, suitability and conformity with editorial requirements.
2. Substantive Review: Evaluation of the argument, analytical depth, factual foundation, structure and contribution to existing knowledge.
3. Specialist Review: Consultation with subject experts or independent reviewers where technical complexity, methodological questions or public significance warrant additional scrutiny.
4. Editorial Revision: Requests for clarification, additional evidence, restructuring or refinement.
5. Final Approval: Editorial authorisation before publication.

Formal peer review shall be described as such only when a publication has undergone an identifiable scholarly peer-review process.

CRGD reserves the right to accept, request revisions to, defer or decline submissions on editorial grounds. Acceptance of a proposal or initial manuscript does not guarantee publication.

8. Fairness, Independence and Conflicts of Interest

Contributors must disclose relevant financial, professional, political, institutional or personal interests that could reasonably influence, or appear to influence, their work.

Where allegations, contested findings or criticism of identifiable individuals or institutions are central to a publication, authors must substantiate their claims, represent relevant context fairly and provide an appropriate opportunity for response when warranted.

CRGD encourages critical examination of public institutions and policies while rejecting deliberate misinformation, discriminatory expression, personal vilification and unsupported allegations.

Intellectual disagreement is welcome; the misrepresentation of opposing arguments is not.

9. Editorial Authority and Institutional Responsibility

The Editor-in-Chief exercises overall editorial supervision and responsibility for the institution’s publications.

Editors and authorised editorial personnel oversee commissioning, review, revision, publication and post-publication editorial decisions, subject to the institution’s governing documents and applicable policies.

Editorial authority must be exercised consistently with the principles of intellectual independence, professional integrity and institutional accountability.

CRGD may publish institutional research, official recommendations and authorised policy positions separately from independently authored contributions. Such distinctions shall be made clear to readers.

10. Corrections, Retractions and Accountability

CRGD is committed to maintaining the accuracy and reliability of its published record.

Substantive factual errors brought to the editorial team’s attention shall be assessed promptly. Where warranted, corrections, clarifications or updates shall be issued transparently.

Publications containing serious inaccuracies, plagiarism, fabricated evidence or other significant breaches of editorial integrity may be withdrawn or retracted, with an appropriate explanatory notice.

Minor stylistic or typographical corrections may be made without a formal notice where they do not alter the substance or interpretation of the publication.

Readers, contributors and institutions may raise documented editorial concerns through CRGD’s designated communication channels.

11. Copyright, Permissions and Publication Rights

Authors must ensure that submitted material does not infringe third-party intellectual property rights and that necessary permissions have been obtained for copyrighted images, tables, figures, datasets or other reproduced content.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, authors retain copyright in their original contributions while granting CRGD permission to publish, reproduce, archive and promote the accepted work through its institutional platforms.

Any subsequent republication should acknowledge the original CRGD publication where applicable and comply with the agreed publication terms.

Specific licensing arrangements, including open-access permissions, may be established for individual publications or research programmes.

12. Editorial Commitment

CRGD seeks to maintain a publishing environment where intellectual ambition is matched by evidentiary discipline, where disagreement strengthens inquiry, and where public relevance does not come at the expense of scholarly integrity.

We welcome contributions from established scholars, emerging researchers, practitioners, students, and independent thinkers whose work advances understanding and meets our editorial standards.

Our editorial commitment is to publish work that deserves to be read, withstands critical scrutiny and contributes meaningfully to the quality of public reasoning and institutional decision-making.

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This policy applies to CRGD’s written, digital and audiovisual publications. Supplementary submission guidelines and category-specific editorial standards may be issued by the editorial team. The policy remains subject to CRGD’s Memorandum of Establishment, Bye-Laws and applicable law.