Article Types

Article type

Article description

Abstract

Word limit, tables, figures

References

Article

Original primary research, study protocols and short- and long-term clinical trials should all be submitted in this format.

The body of the article should be organised using the same headings used in the abstract as far as possible. If the text needs subdividing further within these headings, then a second level of headings can be used. Hierarchy of headings should be made clear in the submitted article.

Structured abstract - we suggest up to 250 words, using the following headings as a guideline:

Objective/aim; Materials and Methods (including Design and Setting where applicable); Results; Discussion; Conclusions

The abstract should contain no references.

There is no strict word limit but we encourage authors to write concisely.

We suggest that articles be about 5,000 words maximum (not including figures, tables and references).

Lengthy papers or papers containing an excessive number of figures may be returned to authors for additional editing. The maximum title length is 20 words.

Max of 50 (as current as possible).

Review

This section includes literature and narrative reviews, which should assess the quality of included studies.

While systematic reviews remain the most appropriate where there is a large body of evidence that can be used to answer specific scientific questions, other reviews in this section are appropriate where the body of evidence does not allow for a systematic review or where no specific hypothesis is posed.

These could be more of a discussion and summary of recent developments in the field, and should answer broad and descriptive research questions.

Structured abstract - we suggest up to 300 words.

The abstract should contain no references.

The main body of the review (excluding abstract, tables/figures, and references) should not exceed 6,000 words.

Overly lengthy reviews containing an excessive number of display items may be returned to authors for additional editing.

The maximum title length is 20 words.

We suggest a maximum of 8 figures/tables.

No limit.