Guideline for Authors

Majestic Global Trends in Marketing & Supply Chain Management (GTMSCM) is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal committed to publishing high-quality articles. All submissions undergo rigorous double-blind peer-review to ensure scientific integrity, methodological soundness and ethical compliance.

GTMSCM adheres to the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

Guidelines for authors are developed to ensure a user-friendly experience while maintaining the highest editorial and publication standards.

How to Submit

Register/Login at the OJS portal: https://gtmscm.cmpublisher.com/index.php/ojsgtmscm/login
New Submission: Create a new submission and select the appropriate article type.
Upload files: Main manuscript (blinded), Title page (separate), figures, tables, cover letter, and supplementary files.
Enter Metadata: Title, abstract, keywords, author details, and funding information as prompted by OJS.
Confirm submission: Retain your manuscript ID for correspondence.

File Naming Use descriptive file names e.g., Main-Manuscript.docx, Title-Page.docx, Figure-1.tif, Table-1.doc, Cover-Letter.pdf

Required Files at Submission

Main manuscript (with figures and tables).
Title page (Full author names, Complete affiliations, ORCIDs, Corresponding author contact details).
Cover letter (As a PDF or Word document).
All figures (Individual high-resolution files).
Tables (Embedded in manuscript or separate).
Supplementary materials (if applicable).
Ethical approval documentation (if applicable).
Equator Checklist (if applicable).
Signed copyright form.

Manuscript Template & Submission Checklist

Download the official manuscript template, submission checklist and sample published article with recommended text organisation structure, mandatory declarations and references style as per the journal’s format. Using the template ensures correct formatting and reduces revision delays.

Resource	Description	Download
Manuscript Template (.docx)	Pre-formatted Word document with all required styles and sections	[Click Here]
Submission Checklist (.pdf)	Printable checklist to complete before submission	[Click Here]
Sample Published Manuscript (.pdf)	Annotated example of a correctly formatted submission	[Click Here]

Pre-Submission Quick Checklist

Manuscript is within the specified article type.
Abstract does not exceed the specified 250-300 word limit.
Keywords are 6-8 terms that must be listed.
All authors meet authorship criteria (ICMJE).
References follow the journal’s required style. Click here to see the reference format for GTMSCM.
All Tables, Figures and References are cited sequentially in the text.
All mandatory declarations including Authors’ Contribution, List of Abbreviations, Ethics Approval, Informed Consent, COI, Funding, Acknowledgements, AI declarations are complete.
Manuscript has been checked for language and grammar.

Accepted Article Types

GTMSCM accepts the following article types.

Article Type	Description	Word Limit	Abstract	References
Original Research	Primary empirical research with new findings from experimental, observational, or analytical studies.	2000-6000	Structured, 250-300 wordsIntroduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion	30 or more
Review Article	Comprehensive critical synthesis of existing literature on a defined topic. Systematic or narrative.	3000-8000	Unstructured, 250-300 words	40 or more
Systematic Review/ Meta-Analysis/ Scoping Review	Evidence synthesis following PRISMA guidelines. Must include search strategy (3 or more databases), Inclusion/Exclusion Criterion, PRISMA flow diagram and filled PRISMA checklist.	2500-4000	Structured, 250-300 wordsIntroduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion	40 or more
Short Communication / Brief Report	Concise report of preliminary findings or observations of immediate scientific interest.	1500-2,500	Unstructured, 250-300 words	20 or more
Letter to the Editor	Comments on published articles, brief scientific observations, or responses to journal content.	500-1000	Not required	15 or more
Editorial / Commentary	Expert opinion or commentary on current issues. Usually invited; unsolicited submissions considered.	800-1500	Not required	15 or more
Technical Note	Description of new methods, protocols, tools, or software of broad scientific utility.	1500-2500	Not required	15 or more

Cover Letter

A cover letter is required for all submissions. It is reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and provides important context for the submission. It should not exceed one page.

Note: The cover letter is your first impression. Clearly state why your work fits the journal's scope and what new knowledge it contributes. Editors use this to make initial decisions quickly.

Manuscript Structure & Formatting

Manuscript Sections at a Glance

Title Page [Required]	Manuscript Title with list of all authors, complete affiliations, ORCIDs, corresponding author details, word count, running title.
Abstract [Required]	Structured (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion) or unstructured depending on article type. Please do not include any citations in the abstract section.
Keywords [Required]	Keywords are 6-8 terms that must be listed.
Introduction [Required]	Present the background, rationale, and identified research gap, followed by a clear statement of the study objective or hypothesis.
Materials & Methods [Required]	Describe the study design, participants, interventions, outcome measures, and statistical analysis. Include details of ethical approval and relevant reference numbers.
Results [Required]	Report findings objectively without interpretation. Ensure all tables and figures are cited sequentially in the text.
Discussion [Required]	Interpret the findings in the context of existing literature. Include implications, study limitations, and recommendations for future research.
Conclusion [Required]	Provide a concise summary of the key findings and their significance. Do not introduce new data or references.
Declarations [Required]	I. Authors’ Contributions II. List of Abbreviations III. Ethics Approval and Informed Consent IV. Conflicts of Interest V. Funding VI. Availability of Data and Materials VII. Acknowledgements VIII. AI Disclosure.
References [Required]	Formatted per journal style.
Tables [If applicable]	Each table must be added in the manuscript where first cited or after references or as a separate file. Title must be above the table and notes below.
Figures [If applicable]	List and cite all figure legends sequentially as Figure 1, Figure 2 and so on. All source figures must also be submitted as separate high-resolution files.
Equations, Statistics & Units [If applicable]	Ensure proper formatting of numbered equations, transparent reporting of statistical methods and results, and consistent use of SI units throughout the manuscript.
Supplementary Material [If applicable]	Additional data, protocols, or analyses not included in the main text. Cited as Supplementary File S1, S2, etc.

Title Page

The title page must be submitted on the first page of the main manuscript.

Manuscript Title: Concise and informative (<=20 words). No abbreviations, no trade names.
Running title: <=60 characters including spaces.
Authors: Full names (First Last) in order of contribution. No titles (Dr,/Prof.) should be added.
Affiliations: Department, Institution, City, Country for each author (numbered superscripts).
ORCID IDs: Strongly encouraged for all authors. Register at orcid.org
Corresponding author: Name, full postal address, email, telephone (optional).
Word count: Main text only (excluding abstract, references, tables, figure legends).
Summary: Number of words, tables, figures and references.

Abstract

The abstract is a concise summary of the manuscript that allows readers to quickly understand the purpose, methodology, key findings, and implications of the study. It should be self-contained and should not include citations, references, abbreviations (unless necessary), or undefined terms.

Word Limit: Ideally, 250-300 words.

Sections:

Introduction: Briefly describe the context of the study, the problem being addressed, and its broader relevance. Where applicable, indicate the study’s connection to global challenges or sustainability issues. Also, clearly state the main aim(s) or research question(s) of the study.
Materials and Methods: Summarize the research design, data sources, sample size, tools and analytical techniques used.
Results: Present the key findings of the study with specific outcomes or trends.
Discussion: Interpret the results by explaining their meaning, significance, and how they compare with existing literature. Highlight key insights, unexpected findings, and practical or theoretical relevance.
Conclusion: Provide the main conclusions and implications of the findings. Highlight practical, theoretical, or policy contributions.

Sustainability Contribution (SDGs):
Authors are encouraged to state how their research contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Identify the specific SDG(s) addressed (e.g., SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production).
Briefly explain how the study supports sustainable development outcomes, practices, or policies.

Where possible, indicate potential long-term or measurable sustainability impacts.

Example: Artificial Intelligence, Consumer Behavior, Sustainable Development, Digital Marketing, SDG 12

Keywords

Keywords are essential for indexing and improving the discoverability of your article in search engines and databases.

Provide 6-8 relevant keywords that reflect the core content of the manuscript.
Include at least one sustainability-related keyword if the study relates to SDGs.
Use standardized, discipline-specific terms where possible.
Avoid unnecessary repetition of words already used in the title.

Separate keywords with commas.

Example: The Sustainability Contribution section is optional but strongly recommended for studies addressing environmental, social, or economic sustainability.

Introduction

Start with the broader context of the research problem (2-3 sentences).
Summarize the current state of knowledge with key citations, do not provide an exhaustive literature review.
Clearly identify the gap, problem or unanswered question the study addresses.
Explain the novelty and significance of the study and how it contributes to the existing body of knowledge.
State the specific objectives, hypotheses or research questions.
Do not include methods, results, discussion or conclusions in the Introduction section.

Materials and Methods

The Methods section must be transparent and complete.

Study design: Clearly identify the design (observational, cohort, cross-sectional, survey, etc.).
Participants/Subjects: Eligibility criteria, recruitment, setting, time period, inclusion/exclusion creiterion.
Interventions/Exposure/Variables: Describe what was done, measured or compared.
Outcome measures: Primary and secondary outcomes clearly defined.
Instruments/Materials: Brand names in parentheses where necessary (Manufacturer, Country).
Statistical analysis: Software used (including version), tests applied, significance threshold (e.g., p < 0.05), sample size calculation.
Ethics declaration: State the approving ethical committee name with approval number, guidelines flowed with brief information on informed consent of the participants.
Reporting guidelines: Follow the appropriate reporting guideline for your study design (e.g., CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA, CARE, ARRIVE, STARD, TRIPOD) and submit the completed checklist, where applicable. Refer to the EQUATOR Network Reporting Guidelines for the appropriate guideline.

Results

Present findings in a logical order corresponding to the stated objectives.
Use past tense for what was observed.
Report data with appropriate measures of precision (means +/- SD, confidence intervals, p-values).
Do NOT interpret the results here as interpretation belongs in the Discussion section.
Do not duplicate data shown in tables/figures in the narrative text.

Discussion

Begin with a brief summary of main findings (1-2 sentences) without repeating all numbers.
Interpret results in the context of existing literature. Compare and contrast with prior studies.
Explain mechanisms or reasons behind observed findings.
Clearly state the clinical, practical, or theoretical implications.
Suggest future research directions.
Avoid overstating conclusions or inferring causation from association.

Conclusion

The conclusion should be a concise, standalone paragraph (not presented as a list).
Clearly state the key findings of the study and their direct significance.
Ensure that the conclusions are logically aligned with the original research objectives.
Highlight the practical, theoretical, or policy implications of the findings, demonstrating their relevance to academia, industry, or society.
Do not introduce new data, citations, or arguments at this stage.
Avoid vague or generic statements such as “more research is needed” without clear justification.
Briefly acknowledge any study limitations, noting factors that may influence the interpretation or generalizability of the results.
Provide clear and specific future research directions, explaining how subsequent studies can extend or refine the current work.

Declarations

I. Author Contributions

Authorship must be based on ALL FOUR of the following criteria (ICMJE):

Substantial contribution to conception or design, or acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data.
Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content.
Approving the final version to be published.
Accountability for all aspects of the work.

Authors must clearly specify individual contributions to the manuscript to ensure accountability and transparency.

Contributions should follow recognized standards such as the CRediT taxonomy (Contributor Roles Taxonomy).
Each author’s role should be listed using standardized contribution categories.

Common Roles Include:

Conceptualization
Methodology
Software
Data Curation
Formal Analysis
Investigation
Writing – Original Draft
Writing – Review & Editing
Supervision
Project Administration

Sample Statement
Author A: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing - Original Draft.
Author B: Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Writing - Review & Editing.
Author C: Supervision, Project Administration

II. List of Abbreviations

Authors must provide a list of all abbreviations used in the manuscript to ensure clarity and improve readability for a broad academic audience.

All abbreviations should be defined at first mention in the main text, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses.
A consolidated list of abbreviations should be included in a separate section after the abstract (or as specified by the journal format).
Abbreviations should be used consistently throughout the manuscript once defined.
Avoid excessive or unnecessary abbreviations that may reduce clarity.
Standard scientific and widely recognised abbreviations (e.g., AI, GDP, SDG) may be used but should still be defined upon first use if there is any possibility of ambiguity.

Format Example:
List of Abbreviations:
AI = Artificial Intelligence
SDG = Sustainable Development Goal(s)
GDP = Gross Domestic Product
ML = Machine Learning
NLP = Natural Language Processing

III. Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

All research involving human participants, including surveys, questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, observations, or experiments, must be conducted in accordance with recognized ethical principles and applicable institutional and national regulations.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that research is conducted ethically, honestly, and transparently, and that participants' rights, dignity, privacy, confidentiality, and welfare are protected throughout the research process.

All manuscripts involving human participants must include an "Ethics Approval and Informed Consent" statement before the References section.

The statement should include, where applicable:

Name of the Ethics Committee or IRB.
Approval/reference number.
Confirmation that ethics approval was obtained or an explanation for exemption.
Confirmation that informed consent was obtained from participants.
For anonymous surveys, confirmation that completion of the questionnaire constituted implied informed consent, where permitted.
Authors must ensure that the study complies with all applicable institutional, national, and internationally recognized ethical guidelines and regulations.

Authors must ensure that:

Ethics approval is obtained from an appropriate Institutional Review Board (IRB), Ethics Committee, or equivalent authority before commencing the study, where required.
The manuscript includes:
1. Name of the approving Ethics Committee or IRB.
2. Name of the institution.
3. Ethics approval/reference number (if available).

If ethics approval was not required, authors must clearly state the reason and the applicable institutional policy or national regulation.
Research involving vulnerable populations must comply with additional ethical requirements and applicable regulations.
Participant privacy, confidentiality, dignity, and anonymity must be protected throughout the study.
The personal data are collected, stored, processed, and reported in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy laws.
The Editorial Office may request ethics approval documents or supporting evidence during the review process.

Informed consent is obtained from all participants before data collection whenever human participants are involved.
Participants are informed about:
1. The purpose of the research.
2. Voluntary participation.
3. Their right to withdraw at any time.
4. Confidentiality and intended use of the collected data.

For anonymous surveys or questionnaires, completion of the survey may constitute implied informed consent, provided:
1. Participation is voluntary.
2. Participants receive adequate study information before participation.
3. No personally identifiable information is collected, unless explicit consent is obtained.
4. Additional written consent must be obtained before publishing identifiable personal information, photographs, audio, video, or quotations that could reveal a participant's identity.
5. Authors must retain consent records and provide them to the Editorial Office upon request.

SAGER Guidelines - Sex & Gender Reporting

GTMSCM endorse the SAGER (Sex and Gender Equity in Research) guidelines to promote transparent and complete reporting of sex and gender in research.

Reference: Heidari et al., Research Integrity and Peer Review, 2016.

S - Sex as Biological Variable	Report the sex of participants, animals, cells or other biological material. Analyse and report sex-disaggregated data where appropriate. Justify if only one sex is studied.
A - Accurate Terminology	Use "sex" for biological attributes and "gender" for psychosocial identity. Use these terms accurately and consistently throughout the manuscript.
G - Gender Analysis in Design	Consider sex and gender in study design, data collection, and analysis. Avoid assuming results for one sex/gender apply to all.
E - Equitable Inclusion	Ensure equitable inclusion of participants of all sexes and genders. Where this is not possible, provide a scientific justification.
R - Reporting in Results	Report outcomes separately by sex and/or gender where feasible. Include sex/gender in descriptive statistics tables.

IV. Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial, personal, institutional or professional relationships that could be perceived to influence the research, analysis, or interpretation of results.

A conflict of interest may include (but is not limited to):

Funding or financial support from organizations with a vested interest
Employment, consultancy, or advisory roles
Stock ownership or financial investments
Personal or professional relationships that may bias the work

No Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

With Conflict of Interest: Author A has received research funding from XYZ Company. Author B serves as a consultant for ABC Organization. All other authors declare no conflicts of interest.

V. Funding

Authors must clearly disclose all sources of financial support received for conducting the research and preparing the manuscript.

Include the name of the funding agency, grant number, and recipient author(s) where applicable.
If the research received no external funding, authors must explicitly state this.
Ensure transparency to avoid any perceived bias or conflict of interest.

Sample Stataments:

With Funding: This research was funded by the XYZ Research Council under Grant No. 12345. The funding body had no role in the design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation of the study.

No Funding:: The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

VI. Availability of Data and Materials

Authors must provide a statement regarding the availability of data used in the study to promote transparency and reproducibility.

Indicate where the data can be accessed (e.g., repository, supplementary files).
Provide DOI or link if available.
If data cannot be shared, clearly state the reason (e.g., confidentiality, ethical restrictions).

Sample Statements
Open Data: The data supporting the findings of this study are available in the XYZ Repository at [DOI/link].

Available on Request: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Restricted Data: The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.

VII. Acknowledgements

This section allows authors to recognize individuals, institutions, or organizations that contributed to the research but do not meet the criteria for authorship.

Include contributions such as technical assistance, data support, language editing, or administrative help.
Ensure that all acknowledged individuals have given permission to be mentioned.
Avoid including funding information here (use the Funding section instead).

Sample Statement: The authors would like to thank XYZ University for providing research facilities and ABC for assistance with data collection and analysis.

VIII. AI Disclosure

Authors must transparently disclose the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the preparation of their manuscript.

AI tools (e.g., text generators, language models, image creators, or data analysis assistants) may be used only to support the research and writing process.
AI tools must not be listed as authors or credited with authorship.
Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of all content.
Any use of AI must be clearly described, including the tool name, purpose, and extent of use.

Permissible Uses

Language editing and grammar improvement
Code assistance or formatting
Data analysis support (with verification)

Non-Permissible Uses

Generating original research data without disclosure
Producing fabricated citations or results
Submitting AI-generated content without human verification

Sample Statements

No AI Use:
The authors declare that no artificial intelligence (AI) tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript.

AI-Assisted Writing: The authors used ChatGPT for language editing and grammar refinement. All content was reviewed, verified, and approved by the authors.

AI-Assisted Analysis: AI-based tools were used to support data analysis. The authors independently verified all outputs and take full responsibility for the results presented.

References

GTMSCM follows the APA Style (7th Edition) for all in-text citations and reference list entries. Authors are required to ensure full accuracy, consistency, and completeness of all references before submission.

The American Psychological Association (APA) style, now in its 7th edition (2020), is an author-date referencing system widely used across multiple disciplines. It emphasizes concise in-text citations paired with a detailed alphabetical reference list, allowing readers to identify the recency and authorship of cited work at a glance.

General Guidelines

In-text citations use the author's surname and year of publication, e.g., (Garcia, 2021).
Reference list entries are arranged alphabetically by the first author's surname.
Only the first word of a title and subtitle, and any proper nouns, are capitalized (sentence case) for article and book titles.
Journal, magazine, and newspaper titles use title case and are italicized, along with the volume number.
DOIs are formatted as full hyperlinks: https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx.
When a DOI is unavailable, a direct URL to the work may be used; database URLs are generally omitted.
Up to 20 authors are listed in the reference entry; for 21 or more, list the first 19, insert an ellipsis, then the final author.
Corporate or organizational authors are spelled out in full the first time and may be abbreviated afterward if the abbreviation is defined.
When no author is identified, the title moves into the author position.
Page ranges use an en dash (e.g., 112–119) without the abbreviation 'pp.' in most reference types except book chapters.
Volume numbers are italicized; issue numbers are not, and are enclosed in parentheses immediately after the volume.
Articles published online ahead of the print issue are cited with 'Advance online publication' in place of volume/issue information.

In-Text Citation Style (APA 7th Edition) Examples

Scenario	Example
One author	(Nakamura, 2022) or Nakamura (2022) found that...
Two authors	(Alvarez & Chen, 2021)
Three or more authors	(Osei et al., 2020)
Multiple citations together	(Alvarez & Chen, 2021; Nakamura, 2022; Osei et al., 2020)
Organization as author	(World Health Organization [WHO], 2023); subsequent citations: (WHO, 2023)
No identifiable author	("Understanding Climate Data," 2021)
No date available	(Patel, n.d.)
Secondary citation	(Freud, 1923, as cited in Miller, 2019)
Direct quotation	(Rossi, 2020, p. 45)
Multiple works, same author and year	(Kim, 2021a, 2021b)

Reference List Examples

Source Type	Example Reference
Journal Article (Online, with DOI)	Nakamura, H., & Ellis, T. (2022). Predicting coastal erosion using satellite imagery. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 58(3), 210-224. https://doi.org/10.1234/jes.2022.05803
Journal Article (Print, no DOI)	Alvarez, M. (2019). Cognitive load in remote learning environments. Educational Psychology Review, 31(2), 88-101.
Book (Single Author)	Osei, K. (2021). Behavioral economics and public policy (2nd ed.). Northbridge Press.
Book (Edited Volume)	Chen, L., & Patel, R. (Eds.). (2020). Advances in renewable energy storage. Cascade Academic Publishing.
Book Chapter	Rossi, F. (2020). Attachment theory in adolescence. In M. Kim (Ed.), Handbook of developmental psychology (pp. 145-168). Meridian Press.
Conference Paper	Osei, K., & Alvarez, M. (2023, June). Machine learning for early diagnosis [Paper presentation]. International Conference on Health Informatics, Lisbon, Portugal.
Thesis or Dissertation	Patel, R. (2021). Urban heat islands and public health outcomes [Doctoral dissertation, University of Manchester]. EThOS Repository.
Government / Technical Report	National Institute of Environmental Studies. (2022). Assessing groundwater contamination risk (Report No. NIES-2022-14). Government Publishing Office.
Website or Webpage	Chen, L. (2023, March 4). Understanding carbon capture technology. GreenFutures. https://www.greenfutures.example/carbon-capture
Dataset	Osei, K. (2022). Household energy consumption survey, 2018-2021 (Version 2.0) [Data set]. Open Data Repository. https://doi.org/10.5678/odr.2022.0044
Software / Computer Program	Meridian Analytics. (2023). ClimateTrack (Version 3.1) [Computer software]. https://www.meridiananalytics.example/climatetrack
Preprint	Nakamura, H. (2024). Deep learning approaches to seismic forecasting. EarthArXiv. https://doi.org/10.1234/earth.2024.00981
Social Media Post	Ellis, T. [@t_ellis_research]. (2023, September 12). New findings on urban air quality trends are now published [Image attached] [Post]. X. https://x.com/t_ellis_research/status/1234567890
AI Tool (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude)	OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (Aug 2025 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com — Note: APA treats AI tools as software authored by the developing organization; describe how the tool was used in the methods or text.
Newspaper Article	Alvarez, M. (2024, January 15). New policy targets urban flooding risk. The Coastal Tribune. https://www.coastaltribune.example/urban-flooding
Podcast Episode	Kim, S. (Host). (2023, November 2). Rethinking renewable subsidies (No. 45) [Audio podcast episode]. In Policy Matters. Harborview Media.
Online Video	Patel, R. (2022, July 19). How satellite data tracks deforestation [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example123

DOI and URL Formatting

DOIs are always presented as full, clickable hyperlinks in the form https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx rather than the older 'doi:' prefix. If a work has both a DOI and a URL, only the DOI is included. Preprint servers, data repositories, and software should include the most persistent identifier available, with an ORCID iD optionally added to the author's name in the author note.

Tables

Each table must be added in the manuscript where first cited or after references or as a separate file.
Title appears ABOVE the table; footnotes below.
Use horizontal lines only and avoid vertical lines and shading.
Spell out all abbreviations in footnotes even if defined in the text.
Statistical data: include p-values, confidence intervals, and test statistics as appropriate.
Do NOT duplicate data shown in figures.
Number sequentially: Table 1, Table 2…
Wide tables may be placed in supplementary material if they exceed page margins.

Note:Tables must be editable. Do not submit tables as images. If from a published source, obtain permission and cite the source.

Figures

Element	Requirement
File Format	TIFF or EPS are preferred. High-resolution PDF are also acceptable. JPEG (>300 dpi). PNG for screenshots (>150 dpi halftones; >600 dpi line art).
Resolution	Minimum 300 dpi for Color/greyscale photos. 600-1200 dpi for line art.
Dimensions	Fit within a single column (8.5 cm) or double column (17.5 cm) width of a printed journal.
Color	Figures should be readable in both Color and greyscale.
File Naming	Figure1.tif, Figure2A.tif, Figure2B.tif, etc.
Legends	Comprehensive self-explanatory legends must be provided in the manuscript. All abbreviations in figures should be defined in the legend.
Citation	Each figure cited in order in the text. Multi-panel figures use letters (Figure 1A, 1B, 1C).
Third-Party	Written permission required. Source acknowledged in legend.

Microscopy & Histology

Include a scale bar (not a magnification ratio because these changes with reproduction).
State staining method in the legend.

Graphs & Charts

Axes should be clearly labelled with units.
Error bars defined in legend (SD, SE, or 95% CI).
Statistical significance markers (*, **, ***) must be defined in legend.
Avoid pie charts where likely, bar or dot plots are preferred for scientific data.

Equations, Statistics & Units

Equations

Number all equations sequentially: (1), (2), (3).
Use the built-in equation editor in Word or LaTeX for mathematical expressions. Do not type equations as plain text.
All variables and symbols must be defined in the text on first use.
Display equations on a separate line, centred, with number right-aligned.

Units & Abbreviations

Use SI units (International System of Units) throughout. Non-SI units should be converted or shown alongside.
Define all abbreviations on first use in both the abstract and the main text separately.
Use standard abbreviations without definition (e.g., DNA, RNA, PCR, CT, MRI, HIV).
Drug names: use generic (INN) names. Brand names may be added in parentheses at first mention.
Numbers: spell out one to nine; use numerals for 10 and above. Always use numerals with units (e.g., 5 mg, 3 days).

Statistical Reporting

Report exact p-values to 2-3 decimal places (e.g., p = 0.032 not p < 0.05) wherever possible.
Effect sizes and confidence intervals should accompany all primary outcome measures.
State the statistical software and version used (e.g., SPSS v26, R v4.2, GraphPad Prism v9).
For biomedical journals, refer to SAMPL guidelines for statistical reporting (equator-network.org).

Supplementary Material

Includes data, analyses, protocols, videos, datasets, or code that support conclusions but are not essential to the main text.
Label as: Supplementary File S1, S2… (or Table S1, Figure S1 for specific types).
Cite all supplementary files in the main text at the point of first relevance.
Include a brief descriptive title for each supplementary file.
Supplementary material is peer-reviewed as part of the submission and published alongside the article.
Maximum file size: [50 MB per file]
Accepted formats: Word, Excel, PDF, CSV, FASTA, DICOM, MP4 (videos), R/Python scripts.

Important: Supplementary material cannot be revised after publication without an editorial correction. Ensure accuracy and completeness before submission.

Transparency and Website Information

All journal policies, guidelines, editorial information, APC details, and contact information are clearly displayed and regularly updated on the journal website.

Last updated on March 31, 2026.