Submission checklists

When making a submission, please ensure that you consult the relevant checklist below based on whether your paper is a first submission or a revised submission.

If your submission does not adhere to all of the requirements, your paper will be returned to you for changes. This will delay the processing of your submission.

This journal uses double-anonymised peer review; learn more about this policy and how you can anonymise your work.

For expanded information on all submission requirements, refer to the journal guidelines. This journal does not provide article templates.

First submission
 

Article file

This must:

  • Be uploaded in a supported file format (not PDF).

  • Contain all parts of the paper (e.g., abstract, main body, methods references) — do not separate out sections into multiple files.

  • Include an abstract that succinctly and clearly outlines the scope of the paper.

  • Include a reference list formatted in line with the journal style.

  • Be anonymised with all information identifying the authors (names, affiliations, etc) removed or redacted. Important redacted information (e.g. grant numbers, ethical approval board details, etc) can be included in a separate Cover Letter uploaded for the handling editor’s attention.

  • Contain all of the following statements in a list after the references section: 1. Competing interests; 2. Data availability; 3. Ethical approval; 4. Informed consent; 5. Author contributions. Provide sufficient detail in each statement to avoid delays in processing your paper; where the statements are not relevant (e.g. ethical approval is not required), then simply state so. Inclusion of these statements is mandatory irrespective of research type.

  • Note: Where an Editor or Editorial Board Member is on the author list, we recommend they declare this in the competing interests section on the submitted manuscript.
Research data
  • For the purposes of peer review, any data (qualitative or quantitative) generated or analysed in your study should be provided in a supplementary file or via an open repository, so that the editors and referees can assess this as part of the review process. If you cannot share your data, ensure that you explain why clearly in the data availability statement.

Figures and Tables

  • These should be provided in a supported format (not PDF).

  • Figures must be uploaded as separate files, one file per figure — and not included in the article file. 

  • Figure legends should be listed at the end of the article file.

  • Tables can be embedded in the article or uploaded separately.

Supplementary materials [if relevant] (e.g. appendices, annexes or supporting data)

  • These must be uploaded separately from the article file, and marked ‘Supplementary Information’. 

  • Datasets or large files can be deposited in an open repository, and an appropriate URL should be added to the manuscript file to enable referee access. The authors’ identities should not be identifiable from any information in the repository entry.

Cover letters (optional only)

  • These are not required as standard.

  • If you are submitting a paper for a themed Collection, please provide an explanation in a cover letter for why your research is relevant.

  • You may upload one if you need to bring to the editor’s attention important information that was redacted from the main article file.

  • If you intend to recommend potential peer reviewers for your paper, ensure you provide institutional email address for each candidate, and a full explanation in the cover letter of why each person has been nominated.

Revised submission
 

Note: For authors who have received an ‘Accept in Principle’ decision, the below guidelines apply with one exception: author information (names, affiliations, email addresses) and other identifying details (e.g., grant numbers, ethics committee names, etc) must be included in the article file).
 

Rebuttal letter

This must:

  • Contain point-by-point responses to all previous editor and referees’ comments.

  • Be anonymised and not addressed to a named person.

Revised Article file

This must:

  • Be submitted in two forms: clean (no revisions indicated) and marked up (with all substantive revisions highlighted in colour or bold text; please do not submit documents with ‘tracked changes’). 

  • Be uploaded in a supported file format (not PDF).

  • Contain all parts of the paper (e.g., abstract, main body, methods references) — do not separate out sections into multiple files.

  • Include an abstract that succinctly and clearly outlines the scope of the paper.

  • Include a reference list formatted in line with the journal style.

  • Be anonymised with all information identifying the authors (names, affiliations, etc) removed or redacted. Important redacted information (e.g. grant numbers, ethical approval board details, etc) can be included in a separate Cover Letter uploaded for the handling editor’s attention.

  • Contain all of the following statements in a list after the references section: 1. Competing interests; 2. Data availability; 3. Ethical approval; 4. Informed consent; 5. Author contributions. Please provide sufficient detail in each statement to avoid delays in processing your paper; where the statements are not relevant (e.g. ethical approval is not required), then simply state so. Inclusion of these statements is mandatory irrespective of research type.

  • Note: Where an Editor or Editorial Board Member is on the author list, we recommend they declare this in the competing interests section on the submitted manuscript.
Research data
  • For the purposes of peer review, any data (qualitative or quantitative) generated or analysed in your study should be provided in a supplementary file or via an open repository, so that the editors and referees can assess this as part of the review process. If you cannot share your data, please explain why clearly in the data availability statement.

Figures and Tables

  • These should be provided in a supported format (not PDF).

  • Figures must be uploaded as separate files, one file per figure — and not included in the article file. 

  • Figure legends should be listed at the end of the article file.

  • Tables can be embedded in the article or uploaded separately.

Supplementary materials [if relevant] (e.g. appendices, annexes or supporting data)

  • These must be uploaded separately from the article file, and marked ‘Supplementary Information’. 

  • Datasets or large files can be deposited in an open repository, and an appropriate URL should be added to the manuscript file to enable referee access. The authors’ identities should not be identifiable from any information in the repository entry.

Cover letters (optional only)

  • These are not required as standard.

  • You may upload one if you need to bring to the editor’s attention important information that was redacted from the main article file.