Submission guidelines

 

INPAGE MENU

Abridged structure
  • Original Research Article
  • Scientific Letters
  • Open Forum
  • CPD Articles
  • Editorial
  • Letters to the Editor
  • SAAFP Contributions
  • Book Reviews
  • Corrections
  • Cover Letter
Full structure
  • Original Research Article

Overview

The author guidelines include information about the types of articles received for publication and preparing a manuscript for submission. Other relevant information about the journal's policies and the reviewing process can be found under the about section. The compulsory cover letter forms part of a submission and must be submitted together with all the required forms. All forms need to be completed in English.

 

 

Original Research Article


Report of original scientific research conducted in family medicine and primary care, ethical approval essential. See the full structure of the original research articles below.

 

Submission status

open

Word limit

7000 words (excluding the abstract, tables, figures, graphs, and references)

Abstract

maximum: 250 words
requires structural headings: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion and Contribution

Main text

requires structural headings, refer to the full structure
‘Ethical considerations’ is a sub-section in the manuscript and must include:

  • Name of the ethical review committee
  • Study approval number
  • Manner of consent (written, oral) for human participants
  • Description of measures taken to maintain the confidentiality of data
  • If the study was not human or animal research or the study was determined to be non-human subjects research or exempt, the authors must provide a statement with those details in this section.

References

40 or less, adhere to the Vancouver referencing style

Tables, figures and graphs

7 or less, adhere to the Illustrations requirements found in the AOSIS House style guide

Formatting requirements

apply the guidelines located on the Formatting requirements page and the AOSIS house style guide

Compulsory supplementary file(s)

the Authorship, disclosure statements, copyright, and license agreement form, Ethical Clearance/Waiver Documentation and any other relevant form applicable to your submission

Optional supplementary file

the CRISP Compliance checklist

Ethical clearance/waiver documentation

evidence of ethical clearance for the study, such as the study approval letter or certificate from the Institutional Review Board (IRB), a waiver from the IRB et cetera

A systematic review follows the same basic structure as an original research article:

  • Structured abstract: Background, methods, results, conclusion.
  • Objectives: Focus on a clinical question that will be addressed in the review.
  • Methods section: Describe in detail the search strategy, criteria used to select or reject articles, attempts made to obtain all important and relevant studies and deal with publication bias (including grey and unpublished literature), how the quality of included studies was appraised, the methodology used to extract and/or analyse data.
  • Results: Describe the homogeneity of the different findings; clearly present the overall results and any meta-analysis.

 

Scientific Letters


Short scientific report of original research, ethical approval essential. Case studies can be submitted as scientific letters.

 

Submission status

open

Word limit

1800 words (excluding the abstract, tables, figures, graphs, and references)

Abstract

maximum: 250 words
requires structural headings: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion and Contribution

Main text

requires structural headings that provide order to the manuscript
‘Ethical considerations’ is a sub-section in the manuscript and must include:

  • Name of the ethical review committee
  • Study approval number
  • Manner of consent (written, oral) for human participants
  • Description of measures taken to maintain the confidentiality of data
  • If the study was not human or animal research or the study was determined to be non-human subjects research or exempt, the authors must provide a statement with those details in this section.

References

20 or less, adhere to the Vancouver referencing style

Tables, figures and graphs

1 or less, adhere to the Illustrations requirements found in the AOSIS House style guide

Formatting requirements

apply the guidelines located on the Formatting requirements page and the AOSIS house style guide

Compulsory supplementary file(s)

the Authorship, disclosure statements, copyright, and license agreement form, Ethical Clearance/Waiver Documentation and any other relevant form applicable to your submission

Ethical clearance/waiver documentation

evidence of ethical clearance for the study, such as the study approval letter or certificate from the Institutional Review Board (IRB), a waiver from the IRB et cetera

 

Open Forum


These contributions may discuss topical issues within the field of family medicine and primary care; innovations in clinical practice or conference reports.

 

Submission status

open

Word limit

3000 words (excluding the tables, figures, graphs, and references)

Abstract

maximum: 150 words
requires structural heading: Contribution

Main text

structural headings are not required, but authors are encouraged to use them to help guide readers when necessary

References

40 or less, adhere to the Vancouver referencing style

Tables, figures and graphs

2 or less, adhere to the Illustrations requirements found in the AOSIS House style guide

Formatting requirements

apply the guidelines located on the Formatting requirements page and the AOSIS house style guide

Compulsory supplementary file(s)

the Authorship, disclosure statements, copyright, and license agreement form and any other relevant form applicable to your submission

 

CPD Articles


Articles are published as part of the continuous professional development (CPD) programme of SAFP.

 

Submission status

by invitation only

Word limit

1800 words (excluding the tables, figures, graphs, and references)

Abstract

maximum: 250 words

Main text

structural headings are not required, but authors are encouraged to use them to help guide readers when necessary

References

30 or less, adhere to the Vancouver referencing style

Tables, figures and graphs

2 or less, adhere to the Illustrations requirements found in the AOSIS House style guide

Formatting requirements

apply the guidelines located on the Formatting requirements page and the AOSIS house style guide

Compulsory supplementary file(s)

the Authorship, disclosure statements, copyright, and license agreement form and any other relevant form applicable to your submission

 

Editorial


Scientific editorials can be used to highlight progress in any scientific field related to family medicine and primary care.

 

Submission status

by invitation only

Word limit

800 words (excluding the tables, figures, graphs, and references)

Abstract

none

Main text

structural headings are not required, but authors are encouraged to use them to help guide readers when necessary

References

10 or less, adhere to the Vancouver referencing style

Tables, figures and graphs

1 or less, adhere to the Illustrations requirements found in the AOSIS House style guide

Formatting requirements

apply the guidelines located on the Formatting requirements page and the AOSIS house style guide

Compulsory supplementary file(s)

the Authorship, disclosure statements, copyright, and license agreement form and any other relevant form applicable to your submission

 

Letters to the Editor


Short comment in response to publications in previous editions or related matters.

 

Submission status

open

Word limit

800 words (excluding the tables, figures, graphs, and references)

Abstract

none

Main text

structural headings are not required, but authors are encouraged to use them to help guide readers when necessary

References

10 or less, adhere to the Vancouver referencing style

Tables, figures and graphs

1 or less, adhere to the Illustrations requirements found in the AOSIS House style guide

Formatting requirements

apply the guidelines located on the Formatting requirements page and the AOSIS house style guide

Compulsory supplementary file(s)

the Authorship, disclosure statements, copyright, and license agreement form and any other relevant form applicable to your submission

 

SAAFP Contributions: From the President’s desk/ Next5 group contributions


The SAAFP Next5 interest group contribution will alternate with the SAAFP President’s desk contribution (2 each per year).

 

Submission status

by invitation only

Word limit

800 words (excluding the tables, figures, graphs, and references)

Abstract

none

Main text

structural headings are not required, but authors are encouraged to use them to help guide readers when necessary

References

10 or less, adhere to the Vancouver referencing style

Tables, figures and graphs

5 or less, adhere to the Illustrations requirements found in the AOSIS House style guide

Formatting requirements

apply the guidelines located on the Formatting requirements page and the AOSIS house style guide

Compulsory supplementary file(s)

the Authorship, disclosure statements, copyright, and license agreement form and any other relevant form applicable to your submission

From the President’s Desk:  General message and current topical updates regarding the academy and the field of family medicine from the president of the South African Academy of Family Physicians.

 

The SAAFP Next5 contribution: General summary and updates of the activities of the Next5 group and sharing of useful information in keeping with the aims/objectives of the interest group. Authorship is determined by the leadership and core group of the Next5. 

 

 

Book Reviews


A book review is brief insights or opinions on new books within the research field of the journal.

 

Submission status

typically invited, authors are encouraged to contact the editors before submission to express their interest or ideas for reviews of a particular book

Word limit

2000 words (excluding the tables, figures, graphs, and references)

Abstract

none

Main text

structural headings are not always appropriate, but the book review should have clear subheadings to provide order to the manuscript

References

5 or less, adhere to the Vancouver referencing style

Tables, figures and graphs

2 or less, adhere to the Illustrations requirements found in the AOSIS House style guide

Formatting requirements

apply the guidelines located on the Formatting requirements page and the AOSIS house style guide

Compulsory supplementary file(s)

the Authorship, disclosure statements, copyright, and license agreement form, and any other relevant form applicable to your submission

 

Corrections


A correction provides the platform to communicate important, scientifically relevant errors or missing information in a published article. Any changes after publication that affect the scientific interpretation (e.g., changes to a misleading portion of an otherwise reliable publication, an error in a figure, error in data that does not affect conclusions or addition of missing details about a method) are announced using a Correction. Read our submission procedure for corrections and publishing policies.

 

Compulsory title

The title of the submission should have the following format: ‘Corrigendum: Title of original article’.

Submission File

completed Correction Submission Form (required)

Compulsory supplementary file

any supporting documents or emails, Author Change Request Form (if applicable), Corresponding Author Change Request Form (if applicable)

 

Cover Letter


The authorship, disclosure statements, copyright, and license agreement form is our compulsory cover letter which needs to form part of your submission. Kindly download and complete, in English, the provided form.

 

Anyone that has made a significant contribution to the research and the paper must be listed as an author in your cover letter. Contributions that fall short of meeting the criteria as stipulated in our policy should rather be mentioned in the ‘Acknowledgements’ section of the manuscript. Read our authorship guidelines and author contribution statement policies.

 

 

Original Research Article full structure


Title: The article’s full title should contain a maximum of 95 characters (including spaces).

 

Abstract: The abstract, written in English, should be no longer than 250 words and must be written in the past tense. The abstract should give a succinct account of the objectives, methods, results and significance of the matter. The structured abstract for an Original Research article should consist of five paragraphs labelled Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion and Contribution.

  • Background: Summarise the social value (importance, relevance) and scientific value (knowledge gap) that your study addresses.
  • Methods: Clearly express the basic design of the study, and name or briefly describe the methods used without going into excessive detail.
  • Results: State the main findings.
  • Conclusion: State your conclusion and any key implications or recommendations.
  • Contribution: What key insights into the research results and its future function are revealed? How do these insights link to the focus and scope of the journal? It should be a concise statement of the primary contribution of the manuscript; and how it fits within the scope of the journal.

Do not cite references and do not use abbreviations excessively in the abstract.

 

Introduction: The introduction must contain your argument for the social and scientific value of the study, as well as the aim and objectives:

  • Social value: The first part of the introduction should make a clear and logical argument for the importance or relevance of the study. Your argument should be supported by the use of evidence from the literature.
  • Scientific value: The second part of the introduction should make a clear and logical argument for the originality of the study. This should include a summary of what is already known about the research question or specific topic and should clarify the knowledge gap that this study will address. Your argument should be supported by the use of evidence from the literature.
  • Conceptual framework: In some research articles it will also be important to describe the underlying theoretical basis for the research and how these theories are linked together in a conceptual framework. The theoretical evidence used to construct the conceptual framework should be referenced from the literature.
  • Aim and objectives: The introduction should conclude with a clear summary of the aim and objectives of this study.

Research methods and design: This must address the following:

  • Study design: An outline of the type of study design.
  • Setting: A description of the setting for the study; for example, the type of community from which the participants came or the nature of the health system and services in which the study is conducted.
  • Study population and sampling strategy: Describe the study population and any inclusion or exclusion criteria. Describe the intended sample size and your sample size calculation or justification. Describe the sampling strategy used. Describe in practical terms how this was implemented.
  • Intervention (if appropriate): If there were intervention and comparison groups, describe the intervention in detail and what happened to the comparison groups.
  • Data collection: Define the data collection tools that were used and their validity. Describe in practical terms how data were collected and any key issues involved, e.g. language barriers.
  • Data analysis: Describe how data were captured, checked and cleaned. Describe the analysis process, for example, the statistical tests used or steps followed in qualitative data analysis.
  • Ethical considerations: Approval must have been obtained for all studies from the author's institution or other relevant ethics committee and the institution’s name and permit numbers should be stated here.

Results: Present the results of your study in a logical sequence that addresses the aim and objectives of your study. Use tables and figures as required to present your findings. Use quotations as required to establish your interpretation of qualitative data. All units should conform to the SI convention and be abbreviated accordingly. Metric units and their international symbols are used throughout, as is the decimal point (not the decimal comma).

 

Discussion: The discussion section should address the following four elements:

  • Key findings: Summarise the key findings without reiterating details of the results.
  • Discussion of key findings: Explain how the key findings relate to previous research or to existing knowledge, practice or policy.
  • Strengths and limitations: Describe the strengths and limitations of your methods and what the reader should take into account when interpreting your results.
  • Implications or recommendations: State the implications of your study or recommendations for future research (questions that remain unanswered), policy or practice. Make sure that the recommendations flow directly from your findings.

Conclusion: Provide a brief conclusion that summarises the results and their meaning or significance in relation to each objective of the study.

 

Acknowledgements: Those who contributed to the work but do not meet our authorship criteria should be listed in the Acknowledgments with a description of the contribution. Authors are responsible for ensuring that anyone named in the Acknowledgments agrees to be named. Refer to the acknowledgement structure guide on our Formatting Requirements page.

 

Also provide the following, each under their own heading:

  • Competing interests: This section should list specific competing interests associated with any of the authors. If authors declare that no competing interests exist, the article will include a statement to this effect: The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationship(s) that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article. Read our policy on competing interests.
  • Author contributions:  All authors must meet the criteria for authorship as outlined in the authorship policy and author contribution statement policies.
  • Funding: Provide information on funding if relevant
  • Data availability: All research articles are encouraged to have a data availability statement.
  • Disclaimer: A statement that the views expressed in the submitted article are his or her own and not an official position of the institution or funder.

References: Authors should provide direct references to original research sources whenever possible. References should not be used by authors, editors, or peer reviewers to promote self-interests. Refer to the journal referencing style downloadable on our Formatting Requirements page.

 

 

 

INPAGE MENU

  • Style and format
  • References
  • Permission to use copyright material
Ethical considerations structure
  • Ethical considerations
Acknowledgements structure
  • Acknowledgements
  • Competing interests
  • Author contributions
  • Funding information
  • Data availability statement
  • Disclaimer

 

Style and format


File format

  • Manuscript files can be in the following formats: DOC, DOCX, or RTF. Microsoft Word documents should not be locked or protected.
  • LaTeX documents (.tex) should be converted into Microsoft Word (.doc) before submission online.
  • Rich Text Format (RTF): Users of other word processing packages should save or convert their files to RTF before uploading. Many free tools are available that will make this process easier.

Length

Manuscripts should adhere to the author guidelines of the journal. There are restrictions on word count, number of figures, or amount of supporting information.

 

Font

Use a standard font size and any standard font family.

 

Special characters

Do not use the font named ‘Symbol’. To add symbols to the manuscript, use the Insert → Symbol function in your word processor or paste in the appropriate Unicode character. Refer to our AOSIS house style guide on mathematical and Unicode font guidelines.

 

Headings

Ensure that formatting for headings is consistent in the manuscript. Limit manuscript sections and sub-sections to four heading levels. To avoid confusion during the review and production process, ensure that the different heading levels used in your work are visually distinct from one another. The simplest way to achieve this is to use different font sizes and/or a combination of bold/italics for different heading levels.

 

Keywords

Identify eight keywords that represent the content of your manuscript and are specific to your field or sub-field. Test your keywords: when you enter your keywords into the various journal and academic databases like Google Scholar, do the results include papers similar to your topic? If not, revise the terms until they do.

 

Layout and spacing

Manuscript text should have a 1.5 line spacing.

 

Page and line numbers

Include page numbers and line numbers in the manuscript file. Use continuous line numbers (do not restart the numbering on each page).

 

Footnotes

Footnotes are not ideal. If your manuscript contains footnotes, move the information into the main text or the reference list, depending on the content.

 

Language

Manuscripts must be written in British English, according to the Oxford English Dictionary (avoid Americanisms [e.g. use ‘s’ and not ‘z’ spellings], and set your version of Microsoft Word default language to UK English). Refer to the AOSIS house style guide for more information.

 

Abbreviations

Define abbreviations upon first appearance in the text. Do not use non-standard abbreviations unless they appear at least three times in the text. Keep abbreviations to a minimum.

 

Illustrations

Illustrations fall into two categories:

  • Figures: Photographs, drawings, diagrams, graphs, flowcharts, maps, etc.
  • Tables and/or Boxes: Text and/or numbers arranged in orderly columns and rows.

Every time a Figure, Table and/or Box is presented in your manuscript, it should be referred to three times:

  • In a legend, which includes a number, a title, and its source. The legend is placed below a Figure and above a Table and/or Box. The source section should consist of the in-text citation, creator or owner and its year of creation, and any other attribution required as stipulated by the permission received (person and place) to reproduce.
  • In the body of your written manuscript. You should include an in-text citation and a sentence or two about the image explaining what it illustrates and why it is there.
  • As a reference entry within your reference list.

 

AOSIS house style

The manuscript must adhere to the AOSIS house style guide.

 

References


Referencing style guide

The manuscript must adhere to the Vancouver referencing style.

 

Permission to use copyright material


The following information will assist you in understanding your responsibilities and in requesting permission to reproduce copyrighted material in your work. All permissions granted must be submitted to the journal together with your manuscript, and you must ensure that a clearly written source accompanies the work.

 

Your responsibilities

As the author, you are responsible for obtaining permission and paying any fees to use the third-party copyrighted material that your manuscript contains.

 

Material that will need clearance

Content not in the public domain or freely available to use under a license such as a creative commons license will require clearance. It includes the use of photographs, figures, maps, tables, cartoons, advertisements, epigraphs and quotations that are over the limits referred to under ‘Modification/adaptation of figures and tables’.

 

Web material

Image or text material on the Web may not be the intellectual property of the site hosting it. You must always identify the original copyright source and obtain explicit permission. Take particular care with photographs obtained from websites, blogs, Google image searches, YouTube, Wikimedia, etc.

 

Material previously published by you or your colleague

Check the contract with the other publisher to see whether, and under what conditions, the material can be reused in this AOSIS publication. If in any doubt, permission must be obtained.

 

Images of, or information about, identifiable individuals

It is your responsibility to obtain consent from patients and other individuals for the use of information, images, audio files, and video clips from which they may be identified. Bear in mind the following points:

  • Masking a person’s eyes is not an adequate or acceptable means of rendering an image anonymous.
  • People may still be recognizable to individuals or their families, even if head/shoulders are not included.
  • People may recognize themselves from clinical descriptions or case reports.

Modification/adaptation of figures and tables

Use the original figure as first published where appropriate. However:

  • No clearance is required if you create figures or tables using factual data from copyrighted material.
  • No clearance is required if, after you have created a single figure or table using data from two or more figures or tables, no single source comprises more than 75% of the new figure or table.
  • No clearance is required if, after you have created a new figure or table by adding your own data to an existing figure or table, your data comprises more than 25% of the new figure or table.
  • Clearance is required if you create a figure or table using parts from two or more third-party sources, and each part contains more than 75% of the content of the original figure/table part.

Quotations

For prose, permission is required for single quotations of over 400 words or multiple quotations from the same source that cumulatively total more than 800 words. But note that, even if below these limits, permissions must be cleared for quotations that represent the ‘heart of the work’ or a substantial portion of the overall original source material.

 

Clear before you submit your final manuscript

Permissions must be cleared before the final version of your manuscript is submitted for publication. If permission cannot be obtained, you should find an alternative or remove the material. Provide electronic copies of all consent forms obtained when you submit your final manuscript, numbered and named accordingly.

 

Ethical considerations


This section should include the statements of compliance with standards of research involving either animal or human involvement. If your study involves human subjects and/or animals, and if your manuscript includes case reports/case series, you need to provide the following:

  • Authors must provide the name of the ethical approval committee/Institutional Review Board they have obtained consent from and approval number/ID.
  • Authors should specifically mention if a waiver was obtained for the study and the reason for the waiver. They should confirm that the study was conducted in accordance with Helsinki Declaration as revised in 2013.
  • Authors must state that written informed consent was obtained from the participants of the study (and the relevant document(s) must be provided when requested by the journal). If verbal informed consent was obtained, the reason(s) for the absence of written consent must be provided.
  • For case reports/case series involving minor subjects/children/infants, authors should confirm that the statements of written informed consent from legally authorized representatives/parents/guardians are available; if verbal informed consent was obtained, reasons for this must be mentioned.
  • Since patients have a right to privacy, identifying information (including patients’ images, names, initials, or hospital numbers) should not be included in recordings, written descriptions, or photographs unless the information is essential for scientific purposes. In any case, written informed consent from the patient must be obtained for publication of these graphics in print and electronic form. If such consent has not been obtained, personal details of patients in any part of the paper and in any supplementary materials (including illustrations) must be removed before submission.

Subject

Scenario

Suggested statement of compliance

Animals: Include the statement of compliance with standards of research involving animals.

If your work includes animals, it is necessary to have a statement of compliance with research standards involving animals.

 

All procedures performed in studies involving animals followed all international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals.

If you publish an article and there are reasons to believe that you could have used animals but did not.

 

This article does not contain any studies involving animals performed by any of the authors.

Humans: Include the statement of compliance with standards of research involving humans.

If your work does not include humans as subjects, you may finish the ethical statement to include.

 

This article does not contain any studies involving human participants performed by any of the authors.

If your work involves humans as a subject, you had to receive ethics approval.

 

An application for full ethical approval was made to the [committee/Institutional Review Board] and ethics consent was received on [date]. The ethics approval number is [full ethics approval number].

 

If your work involves humans as a subject, but you received an ethics waiver.

 

An application for full ethical approval was made to the [committee/Institutional Review Board] and ethics consent was received on [date]. The ethics waiver number is [full number]. The [committee/Institutional Review Board] issued an ethics waiver for the study because [reason for the ethics waiver].

 

Additional statements: If your work involves humans, it is necessary to include one of the above and the following two additional statements.

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.a

 

Informed Consent: [Written/Verbal] informed consent was obtained from all individual participants involved in the study. [If verbal informed consent was obtained, the reason(s) for the absence of written consent must be provided.]

 

a, Do keep in mind: The necessary and sufficient condition is to conduct research in accordance with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration. If your institution has no department that deals with ethics, then you should not mention institutional standards. If your country has no committee that deals with ethics, then you should not mention national standards.

 

Acknowledgements structure


Acknowledgements

The acknowledgement section follows the conclusions section and addresses formal, required statements of gratitude and required disclosures. It includes listing those who contributed to the work but did not meet authorship criteria, with the corresponding description of the contribution. Acknowledge anyone who provided intellectual assistance, technical help (including with writing and editing), or special equipment and/or materials. Authors are responsible for ensuring that anyone named in the Acknowledgements agrees to be named.

 

Also provide the following, each under their own subheading:

  • Competing interests
  • Author contributions
  • Funding information
  • Data availability statement
  • Disclaimer

Competing interests

This section should list specific competing interests associated with any of the authors. If authors declare that no competing interests exist, the article will include a statement to this effect. Read our policy on competing interests.

 

The following are examples of competing interest statements. If you use one of the examples, you should modify it to fit your specific relationship.

 

Scenario

Suggested competing interest statements

Example 1

The [author/authors] declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.

Example 2

The author reported that they [have a financial and/or business interests in] [are a consultant to] [received funding from] a company that may be affected by the research reported in the enclosed publication. They have disclosed those interests fully and have in place an approved plan for managing any potential conflicts arising from [that involvement].

Example 3

[initials] developed the theoretical formalism, performed the analytic calculations and performed the numerical simulations. Both [initials] and [initials] contributed to the final version of the manuscript. [initials] supervised the project.

Example 4

[initials] and [initials] conceived and planned the experiments. [initials] and [initials] carried out the experiments. [initials] and [initials] planned and carried out the simulations. [initials] and [initials] contributed to sample preparation. [initials] and [initials] contributed to the interpretation of the results.[initials] took the lead in writing the manuscript. All authors provided critical feedback and helped shape the research, analysis and manuscript.

Example 5

[initials] and [initials] designed the model and the computational framework and analysed the data. [initials] and [initials] carried out the implementation. [initials] performed the calculations. [initials] and [initials] wrote the manuscript with input from all authors. [initials] and [initials] conceived the study and were in charge of overall direction and planning.

Example 6

[initials] designed and performed the experiments, derived the models and analysed the data. [initials] assisted with [specify] measurements and [initials] helped carry out the [specify] simulations. [initials] and [initials] wrote the manuscript in consultation with [initials] and [initials].

Example 7

[initials] devised the project, the main conceptual ideas and proof outline. [initials] worked out almost all of the technical details, and performed the numerical calculations for the suggested experiment. [initials] worked out the bound for quantum mechanics, with help from [initials]. [initials] verified the numerical results of the [specify] by an independent implementation. [initials] and [initials] proposed the [specify] experiment in discussions with [initials]. [initials] and [initials] wrote the manuscript.

Example 8

[initials] and [initials] designed the study. [initials] and [initials] performed the [specify] experiments. [initials] and [initials] performed [specify] simulations. [initials] and [initials] expressed and purified all proteins. [initials] and [initials] analysed the data. [initials] and [initials] wrote the paper with input from all authors.

Example 9

[initials] and [initials] designed and directed the project; [initials] and [initials] performed the experiments. [initials]  and [initials] analysed spectra. [initials] and [initials] made the simulations. [initials] developed the theoretical framework. [initials] and [initials] wrote the article.

Example 10 - Funding

The [author/authors], [initials], of this publication receives research funding from [entity], which is developing products related to the research described in this publication. In addition, the [author/authors] serves as a consultant to [entity] and receives compensation for these services. The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by the [university name/institution name] in accordance with its policy on objectivity in research.

Example 11 - Support

 

 

The [author/authors], [initials], of this publication receives research support from [name of research sponsor] with an equipment loan from [entity]. The [author/authors] also [has an equity interest in, serves as a consultant to, serves on an advisory board or board of directors for] [entity]. The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by the [university name/institution name] in accordance with its policy on objectivity in research.

Example 12 - Editorial Board Member for this journal (before peer review)

 

 

The [author/authors], [initials], serves as an editorial board [member/members] of this journal. [initials] has no other competing interests to declare.

Example 13 - Editorial Board Member for this journal (after peer review)

 

 

The [author/authors] declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article. The [author/authors], [initials], serves as an editorial board [member/members] of this journal. The peer review process for this submission was handled independently, and the [author/authors] had no involvement in the editorial decision-making process for this manuscript. The [author/authors] has no other competing interests to declare.

Author contributions

All authors must meet the criteria for authorship as outlined in the authorship policy and author contribution statement policies.

 

The following are examples of an author contribution statement. If you use one of the examples, you should modify it to fit your specific relationship.

 

Scenario

Suggested author contribution statements

Example 1

[initials] and [initials] conceived of the presented idea. [initials] developed the theory and performed the computations. [initials] and [initials] verified the analytical methods. [initials] encouraged [initials] to investigate [a specific aspect] and supervised the findings of this work. All authors discussed the results and contributed to the final manuscript.

Example 2

[initials] and [initials] carried out the experiment. [initials] wrote the manuscript with support from [initials]. [initials] and [initials] fabricated the [specify] sample. [initials] and [initials] helped supervise the project. [initials] and [initials] conceived the original idea. [initials] supervised the project.

Example 3

[initials] developed the theoretical formalism, performed the analytic calculations and performed the numerical simulations. Both [initials] and [initials] authors contributed to the final version of the manuscript. [initials] supervised the project.

Example 4

[initials] and [initials] conceived and planned the experiments. [initials] and [initials] carried out the experiments. [initials] and [initials] planned and carried out the simulations. [initials] and [initials] contributed to sample preparation. [initials] and [initials] contributed to the interpretation of the results. [initials] took the lead in writing the manuscript. All authors provided critical feedback and helped shape the research, analysis and manuscript.

Example 5

[initials] and [initials] designed the model and the computational framework and analysed the data. [initials] and [initials] carried out the implementation. [initials] performed the calculations. [initials] and [initials] wrote the manuscript with input from all authors. [initials] and [initials] conceived the study and were in charge of overall direction and planning.

Example 6

[initials] designed and performed the experiments, derived the models and analysed the data. [initials] assisted with [specify] measurements and [initials] helped carry out the [specify] simulations. [initials] and [initials] wrote the manuscript in consultation with [initials] and [initials].

Example 7

[initials] devised the project, the main conceptual ideas and proof outline. [initials] worked out almost all of the technical details, and performed the numerical calculations for the suggested experiment. [initials] worked out the bound for quantum mechanics, with help from [initials]. [initials] verified the numerical results of the [specify] by an independent implementation. [initials] and [initials] proposed the [specify] experiment in discussions with [initials]. [initials] and [initials] wrote the manuscript.

Example 8

[initials] and [initials] designed the study. [initials] and [initials] performed the [specify] experiments. [initials] and [initials] performed [specify] simulations. [initials] and [initials] expressed and purified all proteins. [initials] and [initials] analysed the data. [initials] and [initials] wrote the paper with input from all authors.

Example 9

[initials] and [initials] designed and directed the project. [initials] and [initials] performed the experiments. [initials] and [initials] analysed spectra. [initials] and [initials] made the simulations. [initials] developed the theoretical framework. [initials] and [initials] wrote the article.

Example 10

[initials] and [initials] performed the measurements, [initials] and [initials] were involved in planning and supervised the work, [initials] and [initials] processed the experimental data, performed the analysis, drafted the manuscript and designed the figures. [initials] and [initials] performed the [specify] calculations. [initials] and [initials] manufactured the samples and characterised them with [specify], [initials] performed the [specify] characterisation. [initials] aided in interpreting the results and worked on the manuscript. All authors discussed the results and commented on the manuscript.

Example 11

[initials] and [initials] contributed to the design and implementation of the research, to the analysis of the results and to the writing of the manuscript.

Funding information

All research articles should have a funding acknowledgement statement included in the manuscript in the form of a sentence under a separate heading entitled ‘Funding information’. The funding agency should be written out in full, followed by the grant number in square brackets.

 

The following are examples of a funding statement. If you use one of the examples, you should modify it to fit your specific relationship.

 

Scenario

Suggested funding statements

Example 1

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the [research, authorship, and/or publication of this article]. This work was supported by the Medical Research Council (grant number: [specify]).

Example 2

This work was supported by the [entity/organisation/trust] (grant number: [specify]), the [fund/institution] (grant number: [specify]) and the [council] (grant number: [specify]).

Example 3

The [author/authors] received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Data availability statement

All research articles should have a data availability statement included in the manuscript in the form of a sentence under a separate heading entitled ‘Data availability statement’.

 

The following are examples of a data availability statement. If you use one of the examples, you should modify it to fit your specific relationship.

 

Availability of data

Suggested data availability statements

Data openly available in a public repository that issues datasets with DOIs

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in [repository name e.g ‘figshare’] at http://doi.org/[doi], reference number [reference number].

Data openly available in a public repository that does not issue DOIs

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in [repository name] at [URL], reference number [reference number].

Data derived from public domain resources

The data that support the findings of this study are available in [repository name] at [URL/DOI], reference number [reference number]. These data were derived from the following resources available in the public domain: [list resources and URLs]

Data available within the article or its supplementary materials

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.

Data generated at a central, large-scale facility, available upon request

Raw data were generated at [facility name]. Derived data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [initials], on reasonable request.

Embargo on data due to commercial restrictions

The data that support the findings will be available in [repository name] at [URL / DOI link] following a [6 month] embargo from the date of publication to allow for the commercialisation of research findings.

Data available on request due to privacy/ethical restrictions

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, [initials]. The data are not publicly available due to [restrictions, e.g. their containing information that could compromise the privacy of research participants].

Data subject to third party restrictions

The data that support the findings of this study are available [from] [third party]. Restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under licence for this study. Data are available [from the authors / at URL] with the permission of [third party].

Data available on request from the authors

The data that support the findings of this study are not openly available due to [reasons of sensitivity, e.g. human data] and are available from the corresponding author, [author initials], upon reasonable request [include information on the data’s location, e.g. in a controlled access repository where relevant].

Data sharing not applicable – no new data generated

Data sharing is not applicable to this article, as no new data were created or analysed in this study.

Disclaimer

A statement that the views expressed in the submitted article are his or her own and not an official position of the institution or funder.

 

Scenario

Suggested disclaimer statement

Example 1

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the [author/authors] and are the product of professional research. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any affiliated institution, funder, agency, or that of the publisher. The [author/authors] are responsible for this article's results, findings, and content.

 

 

Blinding your manuscript

Submission checklist

Before you begin the submission process, here are some checks to consider helping you prepare and to ensure you will include everything we will need to process a complete submission.

 

Before you consider this journal, it is essential to acknowledge that:

 

Quick check for your submissions


Check 1: Are you able to cover the cost of publishing
The publication costs for members of the South African Academy of Family Physicians receives financial support with an annual limit. Only members, therefore, benefit from this subsidy. You can find details about the society membership and charges via the ‘Publication fees’ link that appears on every journal website.

 

Check 2: Tailor your article for this journal
Make sure your manuscript is the right fit for the journal by reviewing the focus and scope. Determine whether the journal has the best fit for the most relevant aspect of your article. Examine the types of articles considered for publication by this journal, and align your manuscript to these requirements.

 

Check 3: Checking copyright issues
Do not self-plagiarise by ensuring that your manuscript has no relationship to previous research you published. If an article relationship does exist with previously published research, verify whether you require copyright permission for extensive quotations or paraphrasing. It is your responsibility to have gotten written permission for the reproduction of any images/ figures/tables before submitting your manuscript. Please read our policy permission to use copyright material.

 

Check 4: Maintain clear, concise, and accessible writing
Confirm that the entire manuscript is organised and neatly prepared, spell-checked, and adhere to the formatting requirements stipulated in our submission guidelines: 

  • Have you stuck to the article length specified in the journal's instructions for authors?
  • Have you included an abstract and keywords, highlighting your article's key points?
  • Are all references made to the literature included in your references section?
  • Are the references correctly formatted following the style of the journal?
  • Is your article formatted to the style required by the journal?

 

Check 5: Anonymise your manuscript
The journal follows a double-blinded peer-review process, and you need to make your manuscript anonymous. This is to ensure that reviewers would not be able to identify you, your co-authors, or the institution where the research was carried out, ensuring that the review process is as objective as possible. Don’t know how to make your article anonymous, follow these instructions.

 

Check 6: Complete our cover page
The cover letter contains all the information we will need to process your submission upon acceptance, which includes the author account information. The cover letter must be completed in full. We require authors to have ORCID iDs, which can only be assigned by the ORCID Registry. Registering an ORCID profile is free of charge. Submit the complete cover page in Step 4 of the submission process.

 

Check 7: Your final manuscript files

Authors are requested to submit two versions of their manuscript: 

  • An anonymise (blinded) manuscript without any author names and affiliations in the text or on the title page (see Check 5 above). Self-identifying citations and references in the article text should either be avoided or left blank. Submit the unblinded manuscript in Step 2 of the submission process.
  • The full version of your manuscript, with all elements disclosed. All elements and information need to reflect in the manuscript and nothing anonymised. Submit the full manuscript in Step 4 of the submission process.

 

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