Author guidelines for IUMS journals
Central instructions for authors submitting to medical and health sciences journals hosted on the IUMS platform, including article types, ethics, reporting standards, figures, AI tools, SEO and the full submission workflow.
1 About IUMS journals & scope
Central guidance for authors submitting to medical and health sciences journals hosted by IUMS.
IUMS journals publish peer-reviewed research and scholarly work across clinical medicine, basic and translational sciences, public health, epidemiology, medical education and related fields. Each journal has its own Aims & Scope, which authors should review carefully before submission.
This page provides shared author guidelines for the IUMS journals portfolio. Individual journals may specify additional requirements (for example, exact word limits, APC levels or special article types) on their own websites. In case of any difference, the journal-specific instructions take precedence.
All IUMS journals follow international best practice from ICMJE, COPE, EQUATOR and related organisations on ethics, transparency and reporting.
2 Article types & length limits
General article categories used across IUMS journals.
Each journal defines its own article types and exact limits. The following list gives typical categories and approximate ranges:
- Original research – primary quantitative or qualitative studies; structured abstract; IMRaD format; approximately 3,000–4,500 words.
- Systematic review / meta-analysis – PRISMA-compliant; protocol registration encouraged; around 4,000–6,000 words.
- Short communication / brief report – focused report of important findings; 1,500–2,500 words.
- Case report / case series – CARE-compliant; explicit patient consent; 1,500–2,500 words.
- Study protocol – SPIRIT or related guideline; typically 2,500–4,000 words.
- Narrative review / mini-review – balanced overview of the literature; 2,500–4,000 words.
- Clinical trial report – CONSORT-compliant with trial registration.
- Editorials, commentaries, letters – invited or spontaneous; usually ≤1,000–1,200 words.
Authors must always check the target journal’s “For authors” page for final word limits, reference limits and table/figure counts.
3 Reporting guidelines
Use appropriate reporting checklists for your study design.
Authors should follow recognised reporting guidelines (for example via the EQUATOR Network) appropriate to their study type, and upload the relevant checklist as a supplementary file. Common examples include:
- CONSORT – randomised controlled trials and extensions
- SPIRIT – clinical trial protocols
- PRISMA – systematic reviews & meta-analyses
- STROBE – observational studies (cohort, case–control, cross-sectional)
- STARD – diagnostic accuracy studies
- TRIPOD – prediction model development and validation
- CARE – case reports
- ARRIVE – animal research
- CHEERS – economic evaluations
The Methods section should briefly mention which guideline was followed and how (e.g. “The study was reported according to the STROBE statement.”).
5 Conflicts of interest & funding
Transparency about relationships that may influence the work.
All authors must declare any potential conflicts of interest, whether financial or non-financial. Examples include:
- research grants, consulting fees, honoraria, speaker payments;
- stock ownership, patents, royalties;
- leadership roles in organisations that could benefit from the work; or
- personal, academic, political or religious interests that could reasonably be perceived as influencing the interpretation of the results.
Declarations should appear both in the submission system and in a clearly labelled “Conflict of interest” section in the manuscript. If no conflicts exist, state: “The authors declare no conflicts of interest.”
Funding sources must be listed in a separate “Funding” section, including grant numbers and a statement on whether funders had any role in study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation or writing.
6 Ethics, consent & privacy
Requirements for human participants, animals and sensitive data.
All research involving human participants, human data or animals must comply with relevant national regulations, institutional policies and recognised international standards (for example the Declaration of Helsinki for human research).
Authors should state:
- the name of the ethics committee or institutional review board (IRB);
- the approval number or reference, where applicable; and
- how informed consent was obtained from participants or their legal guardians.
For case reports, case series and any identifiable images, authors must obtain and document consent for publication in line with the journal’s Consent & Privacy policy. This includes images, videos or audio where individuals could recognise themselves.
For animal studies, authors should confirm adherence to institutional and national guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals, and provide ethics approval details.
7 Data sharing & open science
Data availability and support for reproducible research.
Many IUMS journals encourage or require a Data Availability Statement in all research articles. This should explain:
- whether the data are publicly available (with repository name and DOI or accession number);
- whether data can be shared on reasonable request (with any conditions); or
- if data cannot be shared due to legal, ethical or contractual restrictions (with explanation).
Where possible, authors are encouraged to:
- deposit datasets, code and related materials in appropriate repositories that support FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable); and
- cite datasets and software in the reference list using DOIs and version numbers.
8 Generative AI & digital tools
How to use AI-assisted tools responsibly in writing and review.
IUMS journals follow the platform-wide policy on Generative AI & Digital Tools. In summary:
- AI tools (including large language models and image generators) cannot be listed as authors.
- Any substantive use of AI tools for drafting, editing, translation, summarisation, image creation or analysis must be clearly disclosed in an “AI & digital tools” statement in the manuscript.
- Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality and integrity of all content, including AI-assisted parts.
- Confidential materials, identifiable patient data and unpublished manuscripts must not be uploaded to public AI services, especially during peer review.
Reviewers must not submit confidential manuscripts or reviewer reports to public AI tools. Where journals use in-house tools (for example, plagiarism screening, statistics checks), these operate under confidentiality safeguards.
9 Originality, plagiarism & redundant publication
Expectations on originality and overlap with other works.
Submissions must be original and not concurrently under consideration elsewhere. Any overlap with previously published or submitted work, including translations, must be transparently declared and justified.
Journals may screen submissions using similarity-checking software. Excessive or unexplained overlap, plagiarism, text recycling or duplicate publication may lead to rejection or, where detected later, to corrections, retractions or other editorial actions following COPE guidance.
“Salami” publication (unjustified fragmentation of a single study into multiple small papers) is discouraged. If multiple related papers are planned, authors should explain the relationship between them.
10 Preprints & prior dissemination
Using preprint servers and conference presentations.
IUMS journals generally allow submission of work that has been posted as a preprint on a recognised, non-commercial server, provided that:
- the preprint is clearly disclosed in the cover letter and manuscript (with its DOI or identifier);
- the submitted manuscript is consistent with the preprint; and
- once the article is accepted, the preprint record is updated to include a link to the Version of Record and its DOI.
Conference abstracts, posters and oral presentations are usually not considered prior publication, but substantial overlap with other published or submitted work must always be declared.
11 Manuscript preparation – general format
Basic formatting and structure requirements.
Unless a specific journal states otherwise, the following general format applies:
- Language: clear, grammatical English.
- File format: Word document (.doc/.docx) or LaTeX files with a compiled PDF, as allowed by the journal.
- Layout: double-spaced text, 2.5 cm margins, numbered pages and (ideally) continuous line numbering.
- Spelling: British or American English, used consistently.
- Units: SI units wherever possible.
- Abbreviations: define at first use in the abstract and main text; avoid non-standard or excessive acronyms.
11.1 Title page
Provide a separate title page (especially for double-blind review) including:
- full article title and short running title;
- full names of all authors;
- affiliations (department, institution, city, country);
- name, email and postal address of the corresponding author;
- ORCID iDs where available;
- word count (main text), number of tables, figures and supplementary files;
- information on previous presentation or preprints, if applicable.
11.2 Abstract & keywords
Most research articles require a structured abstract (e.g. Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion) within the word limit set by the journal. Include trial registration numbers for clinical trials. Provide 3–6 keywords, preferably using MeSH or other controlled vocabularies where appropriate.
11.3 Main text
For original research, the main text typically follows the IMRaD structure:
- Introduction – context, rationale and objectives;
- Methods – design, setting, participants, data collection, interventions or exposures, outcomes, statistical analysis, ethics;
- Results – key findings, with reference to tables and figures;
- Discussion – interpretation, comparison with existing literature, strengths and limitations, implications;
- Conclusion – concise take-home message supported by the data.
Other article types (reviews, case reports, protocols, etc.) may use different headings as specified by the journal.
11.4 References
Most IUMS journals use Vancouver (numeric) style. Number references in the order they appear in the text and use standard journal title abbreviations. Include DOIs for articles and persistent identifiers for datasets and software, where available.
12 Language quality, editing & translations
Ensuring that language does not obscure the scientific message.
Manuscripts must be written in clear, concise English. The editorial office may request language improvement if the quality of English makes peer review difficult or could mislead readers.
Authors are encouraged to:
- ask a fluent English speaker or subject-matter colleague to review the manuscript before submission;
- avoid overly complex sentences, unexplained jargon and ambiguous abbreviations;
- check consistency of terminology, tense and spelling across the manuscript.
Authors may use professional language-editing or translation services before submission, especially if English is not their first language. Such services:
- must be organised and paid for by authors or their institutions;
- do not guarantee acceptance; and
- do not change the authors’ responsibility for accuracy and integrity.
Any third-party assistance (such as medical writers, translators or language editors) should be acknowledged in the manuscript, including a brief description of their role and how it was funded.
13 Tables, figures, artwork, video & audio
Technical preparation of visual and multimedia content.
13.1 Tables
Prepare each table on a separate page at the end of the manuscript or as a separate file, according to the journal’s preference. Number tables consecutively (Table 1, Table 2, …) and provide:
- a concise, descriptive title;
- clear column headings and units; and
- footnotes explaining abbreviations and any special symbols.
13.2 Figures and artwork
To ensure high-quality reproduction online and in print:
- File formats: preferred formats are TIFF, PNG, JPEG or SVG for vector graphics. Avoid low-resolution screenshots.
- Resolution: at least 300 dpi for photographs and mixed images, and 600 dpi or higher for line art, graphs and diagrams.
- Size & layout: ensure that all text and symbols remain legible at final publication size; use consistent fonts across figures.
- Colour: use colour where it adds value. Ensure adequate contrast for readers with colour-vision deficiencies and for grayscale printouts.
- Multi-panel figures: label panels (A, B, C, …) and describe each panel clearly in the legend.
Raw or original image files should be retained and made available on request, in line with research integrity best practice. Any image manipulation must be applied to the entire image, described in the Methods or figure legend when relevant, and must not misrepresent the data.
13.3 Rich media: videos and audio
Some journals accept video and audio files as part of the article or supplementary material. Where this is allowed:
- submit files in widely supported formats (e.g. MP4 for video, MP3 or WAV for audio);
- ensure adequate technical quality (clear sound, stable image, suitable resolution);
- provide a brief descriptive caption and, where appropriate, a transcript or subtitles;
- avoid including identifiable patients unless explicit written consent for publication of audio/video has been obtained.
13.4 Supplementary material
Supplementary files (e.g. additional tables, extended methods, checklists, datasets) should:
- be clearly named (e.g. “Supplementary Table S1”);
- have a short title and legend;
- use open or widely readable formats (PDF, DOCX, XLSX/CSV, MP4, etc.); and
- avoid any confidential or non-consented information.
14 Mathematical content & chemical structures
Preparing equations and chemical schemes for publication.
For manuscripts that include substantial mathematics or chemical structures, please follow these additional guidelines.
14.1 Equations and mathematics
- Use the journal’s preferred equation editor (e.g. MS Word Equation Editor or LaTeX) so that equations remain editable, not embedded as images.
- Number only those equations that are referenced in the text (e.g. Eq. (1), Eq. (2)).
- Define all symbols and variables at first use, and use consistent notation throughout.
- For complex derivations, place detailed steps in an appendix or supplementary file, keeping the main text focused on key concepts and results.
14.2 Chemical structures and reactions
- Prepare chemical structures using standard drawing software and export as high-resolution images (e.g. from ChemDraw to TIFF or PNG).
- Follow accepted conventions for bond angles, stereochemistry and atom labelling.
- Ensure reaction schemes are legible at final size and include reagents, conditions and yields where appropriate.
- For specialised data types (e.g. crystallographic data), follow the target journal’s instructions and deposit data in recognised repositories when required.
15 SEO, discoverability & article promotion
Helping readers and indexers find your work.
Well-prepared manuscripts are more easily discovered in indexing services and search engines. Authors can improve reach and impact by paying attention to titles, abstracts, keywords and metadata.
15.1 Titles
- Use an informative, specific title that reflects the main objective, outcome or population.
- Avoid vague or overly general titles and unexplained abbreviations.
- Include the study design where relevant (e.g. “randomised controlled trial”, “systematic review”, “cohort study”).
15.2 Abstracts & keywords
- Ensure that key terms and phrases that readers might search for appear naturally in the abstract.
- Select 3–6 keywords that match recognised terminology (e.g. MeSH) and are consistent with similar articles in the field.
- Avoid overly broad keywords that add little search value.
15.3 Structure & metadata
- Use clear headings and subheadings reflecting the article’s structure.
- Enter author names, affiliations, ORCID iDs, funding and trial registration numbers correctly in the submission system.
- Check that dataset DOIs, software DOIs and preprint DOIs are cited accurately in the reference list.
15.4 Responsible sharing and promotion
- After publication, share the article’s DOI and link via institutional profiles, professional networks and conferences.
- Post allowed versions (preprints, accepted manuscripts or VoRs) to repositories in line with the journal’s copyright and self-archiving policy.
- Coordinate press releases or media activity with the journal and institutional communication offices, respecting any embargoes.
Self-archiving and reuse must always follow the licence terms and embargo periods described in the Copyright, Open Access & APC policies.
16 Online submission
Steps for submitting a manuscript to an IUMS journal.
Manuscripts must be submitted via the online submission system of the chosen journal (link provided on each journal’s website). The corresponding author should:
- log in or create an account in the submission system;
- select the appropriate article type;
- enter all required metadata (title, abstract, keywords, author details, funding, ethics, conflicts of interest);
- upload:
- an anonymised main manuscript (no author names/affiliations);
- a separate title page with full author information;
- tables and figures (if separate files are requested);
- reporting guideline checklists (e.g. CONSORT, PRISMA, STROBE);
- ethics approval letters or trial registration documents if requested;
- supplementary material files; and
- a cover letter to the editor, summarising novelty and fit with the journal.
- suggest potential peer reviewers (if allowed) and declare any individuals who should not be approached because of conflicts of interest.
17 Peer review & editorial decisions
How manuscripts are assessed and decisions are made.
Most IUMS journals use double-blind peer review unless stated otherwise. The typical process includes:
- Initial checks – scope, completeness, basic ethical and technical compliance.
- Editor screening – decision to send for external review or decline without external review.
- External review – evaluation by at least two independent reviewers, where possible.
- Decision – reject, revise (minor or major) or accept.
For revised manuscripts, authors should:
- submit a clean revised manuscript;
- provide a detailed point-by-point response to reviewers document;
- highlight changes in the manuscript (e.g. using track changes or colour) if requested.
Editors may seek further reviews of revised versions. Final decisions rest with the Editor-in-Chief or designated handling editor.
18 After acceptance & proofs
What happens between acceptance and publication.
Once a manuscript is accepted:
- it enters production for copy-editing, typesetting and layout;
- page proofs are sent to the corresponding author for final checking;
- only minor corrections (typographical or formatting errors) are normally allowed at proof stage; and
- authors are expected to return corrected proofs within the timeframe indicated by the journal (for example, 48–72 hours).
After proofs are completed and any publication charge arrangements are confirmed (where applicable), the article is published online as the Version of Record with a DOI, and indexed according to the journal’s profile.
19 Open access, copyright & APCs
Key elements of the IUMS open access model.
IUMS journals are primarily open access. Specific details for each journal (licence options, article processing charges, waivers and discounts) are described on the journal websites and in the central policies:
- Copyright, open access & reuse – who holds copyright, which Creative Commons licences are used, and what reuse is allowed.
- APCs, waivers & funding – when APCs apply, typical amounts, and how waivers and discounts support authors with limited funding.
Acceptance decisions are independent of authors’ ability to pay APCs. Waiver requests are handled confidentially and separately from peer review.
20 Misconduct, corrections & complaints
How concerns are handled in line with COPE guidance.
IUMS journals follow COPE-aligned processes to handle suspected misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification, image manipulation, duplicate publication, peer-review manipulation and undisclosed conflicts of interest.
Depending on the severity and timing, possible actions include:
- rejection of the manuscript prior to publication;
- publication of a correction or clarification;
- expression of concern;
- retraction or withdrawal of the article; or
- notice of serious breaches where necessary.
Complaints about editorial processes or ethical issues should be directed to the journal’s editorial office or to the publisher’s designated contact. Appeals against editorial decisions may be considered where journals have an appeals procedure.
21 Accessibility, inclusive language & name changes
Making content accessible and respectful.
Authors are encouraged to prepare tables, figures and text with accessibility in mind:
- use adequate contrast and readable font sizes in figures;
- avoid colour combinations that are difficult for colour-blind readers;
- ensure that captions and legends provide sufficient explanation without relying solely on colour.
Use inclusive, respectful language and follow recognised guidance on reporting sex, gender and other demographic characteristics where applicable.
IUMS journals support post-publication author name changes. Authors who need to update their published name or related metadata should contact the editorial office or publisher; where feasible, records can be updated without requiring a public correction notice.
22 Submission checklist for authors
Quick checklist before you press “Submit”.
- The manuscript fits the scope and article type of the chosen journal.
- Word count, figure/table numbers and reference count meet the journal’s limits.
- Relevant reporting guidelines (CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA, etc.) have been followed and checklists uploaded.
- All listed authors meet authorship criteria, CRediT roles are assigned and ORCID iDs are provided where possible.
- Ethics approvals, trial registrations and consent statements are clearly described.
- Conflicts of interest and funding sources are fully disclosed.
- A Data Availability Statement is included, explaining where and how data can be accessed (or why not).
- Figures are high quality, tables are editable and permissions for third-party material have been obtained.
- The main manuscript is anonymised for double-blind review, with a separate title page containing author details.
- Any preprints, conference presentations or related manuscripts are transparently declared.
- The use of AI or language tools is disclosed in an “AI & digital tools” statement, if applicable.
- References are complete, consistent in style and include DOIs where available.
23 Contacts & further support
Where to get help with submissions and policies.
For journal-specific questions about scope, article types, formatting or special issues, authors should contact the editorial office of the target journal (email addresses are listed on each journal’s site).
For broader questions about policies across the IUMS journals portfolio, please contact journals@iums.ac.ir.
Guidance v1.1 – last updated April 2025. This page will be revised periodically as journal policies and external requirements evolve.