General Requirements
Authors should ensure that:
- The manuscript is original.
- It is not simultaneously submitted elsewhere.
- All authors approve the submission.
- Ethical requirements are fulfilled.
- Conflicts of interest are disclosed.
- Funding is disclosed.
- Data availability is addressed.
- AI use is disclosed where applicable.
- Relevant reporting guidelines are followed.
Manuscript Structure
For original research:
Title Page
- Full title
- Running title
- Author names
- Affiliations
- Corresponding author (Email, ORCID iD)
- Word count
- Number of tables
- Number of figures
Main Manuscript
- Abstract
- Keywords
- Introduction
- Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Declarations
- References
- Tables
- Figure legends
- Figures
Requirements may differ by article type.
Abstract Requirements
For original research, use:
- Background: Brief context.
- Objective: Specific study objective.
- Methods: Study design, setting, participants, interventions/exposures, and main analysis.
- Results: Important quantitative findings.
- Conclusion: Main conclusion supported by the findings. Avoid unsupported claims.
Statistical Reporting
Authors should provide sufficient information to understand the statistical analysis. Where applicable, report: Sample-size calculation, Statistical tests, Effect estimates, Confidence intervals, P values, Measures of variability, Missing-data handling, Confounding variables, Adjustment methods, Statistical software and version.
Statistical significance should not be used as the sole basis for interpreting clinical importance.
References
Recommended style: Vancouver reference style
References should be accurate and relevant. Authors should verify: Author names, Article title, Journal title, Year, Volume, Issue, Pages, DOI where available.
Figures and tables should:
- Be numbered consecutively.
- Be cited in the text.
- Have appropriate titles/legends.
- Be clear and readable.
- Avoid unnecessary duplication.
- Copyrighted material must have appropriate permission.
Supplementary Material
Supplementary material may include: Additional tables, Additional figures, Search strategies, Questionnaires, Additional methodological details, Statistical analyses.
The editorial office may determine which supplementary materials are appropriate for publication.
Submission Checklist
Before submission, authors should confirm:
- Manuscript is within journal scope.
- Manuscript is original.
- Manuscript is not simultaneously submitted elsewhere.
- All authors approve submission.
- Authorship criteria are satisfied.
- Ethical approval is stated where applicable.
- Informed consent is addressed where applicable.
- Conflict of interest is disclosed.
- Funding is disclosed.
- Data availability is addressed.
- AI use is disclosed where applicable.
- Appropriate reporting guideline is followed.
- Tables and figures are cited.
- References are checked.
- Copyright permissions have been obtained where necessary.
Cover Letter Requirements
The corresponding author should confirm: Manuscript originality, Exclusive submission, Author approval, Ethical approval, Consent where applicable, Conflicts of interest, Funding, Related publications, Preprint status, AI use, Copyright permissions.
