Preparing a Manuscript for Submission

[English] [Français]

CMAJ publishes papers that advance the understanding of medicine and health care, stimulate debate, educate and entertain.

Most submissions arrive unsolicited, and we welcome them. We also welcome queries: please pubs{at}cmaj.ca to the editor or one of the associate editors to sound out ideas for contributions. Remember that CMAJ is a general medical journal; articles must be comprehensible to interested physicians in any field.

All submissions are confidential. We strive to provide prompt peer review and a swift editorial decision. Manuscripts are usually published within 16 to 18 weeks of acceptance.

Accepted articles will be published at cmaj.ca; our journal of record and the one used by PubMed and other indexers. Some articles will also be published in print. Please advise us if your work was funded by a granting body that mandates open access publication.

 Categories of Articles
 Guidelines for Submitting Tables, Figures and Graphics
 Guidelines for Submitting Video Supplements

News articles are written by professional journalists, although ideas and news tips are most welcome. However, we do invite contributions to “Canadian dispatches from medical fronts,” a section where physicians and other health care providers provide eyewitness glimpses of the medical front, whether defined by location or intervention. Without intending to restrict options, the “front” can be defined as any unique confluence of time and event, whether in developing countries, war zones, inner-city clinics, in the North, or with a novel surgical technique or intervention. The frequency of the section will be conditional on submissions, which must not exceed 350 words or be subject to our ruthless editorial pencils. Contact the News Editor, Wayne Kondro (wayne.kondro{at}cmaj.ca)

Practice provides pragmatic, educational articles intended to be useful to practicing clinicians. Regular columns include:

• Primer articles are brief evidence-based narrative reviews designed to educate the reader on interesting, important and timely clinical topics. The articles emphasize clinical application and are based on the best evidence available. The Primer should be no more than 1800 words and have no more than 20 references. The article contains a small box of four or fewer bullet points highlighting the main message. For more information, see Author instructions for Primers.

• Cases present brief case reports that convey clear, practical lessons. Preference is given to common presentations of important rare conditions, and important unusual presentations of common problems. Articles start with a brief summary (100 words) outlining the case and its relevance to a general audience. The case presentation follows (500 words maximum) as well as a discussion of the underlying condition (1000 words maximum). Generally, up to 5 references are permitted, and visual elements (e.g., tables of the differential diagnosis, clinical features or diagnostic approach) are encouraged. Written consent from patients for publication of their story is a necessity and should accompany submissions. For more information, see Author instructions for Cases.

• What is your call? articles emphasize an area of controversy or difficulty in diagnosis, emphasis or treatment of a condition. Clinical details with images are presented along with at least two multiple choice questions. Of particular interest are questions involving steps in clinical reasoning. The answers follow each question and a brief discussion concludes the article. Written consent from patients for publication of their story is essential. The maximum word count (including questions, answers and discussion) is 1400 words. For more information, see Author instructions for What is your call? articles.

• Innovations articles highlight recent diagnostic and therapeutic innovations. These may include new devices, diagnostic tools, decision rules or therapies. Novel uses of older treatments will also be considered. The benefits of the innovation, its availability and its limitations must be highlighted clearly, but briefly. The Innovations article should be no more than 1000 words and may have up to five references. For more information, see Author instructions for Innovations.

• Clinical Images are chosen because they are particularly intriguing, classic or dramatic. Submissions of clear, appropriately labelled high-resolution images must be accompanied by a figure caption and the patient's written consent for publication. A brief explanation (300 words maximum) of the educational significance of the images with minimal references is required. For more information, see Author instructions for Clinical Images.
  
  Dr. Diane Kelsall (diane.kelsall{at}cmaj.ca) can be contacted to discuss ideas for Practice articles. Prospective authors should consider CMAJ's conflict of interest policy. For information on acceptable images, see Guidelines for Submitting Tables, Figures and Graphics.

Research

Research articles report original clinical findings of interest to a general medical audience and contribute to the international literature in their respective disciplines. Maximum length: 2500 words excluding abstract, figures, tables and references. Accepted manuscripts will be routinely shortened for the print edition of CMAJ with complete versions of the article appearing online. During the editing process, authors are encouraged to suggest ways to abridge their manuscripts.

Manuscripts should adhere to the Uniform requirements submitted to biomedical journals developed by the ICMJE and contain the following sections:

• Abstract. A clearly written abstract is crucial for the purpose of peer and editorial review of the manuscript as well as maximizing visibility from electronic databases like PubMed once the manuscript is published. The abstract should contain the following sections: Background (the rationale for the study), Methods (how the study was done), Results (the principal findings), Interpretation (a discussion of the results).
• Introduction. This section should inform the reader of the topic being studied and provide the context for the research question. The objective of the study should be clearly stated. We recommend that this section be no more than 2 paragraphs.
  Methods. We advise that authors use a narrative style avoiding jargon to describe the protocol used in their study. Authors are encouraged to include complete study protocols with their manuscripts that would appear as online appendices to their manuscripts if accepted for publication.
• Results. Wherever possible, results should be summarized in tabular format. Authors should avoid any redundant presentation of data in tables and in the text of the manuscript.
• Interpretation. This section should include 4 parts:
  1. brief summary of the main results of the study (1 paragraph)
  2. explanation for the findings; comparison and contrast of findings with other related studies in the literature (1 or 2 paragraphs)
  3. limitations of the study (1 paragraph)
  4. conclusions and future directions in the field of study (1 paragraph)

Fast tracking. Authors seeking accelerated publication should contact the editor well in advance of submitting the paper and clearly justify in writing why their research findings merit fast tracking. Manuscripts selected for fast tracking will receive peer review and an editorial decision within 14 working days of receipt. Manuscripts that are accepted for publication will be published immediately in the online version of the journal at www.cmaj.ca and in the earliest available issue of the print journal.

Randomized trials. CMAJ aims to be a primary source of randomized controlled trials. We will automatically fast track all randomized controlled trials for review; accepted manuscripts will be published within 4 weeks of submission. CMAJ requires that reports of randomized controlled trials adhere to CONSORT guidelines http://www.consort-statement.org.

CMAJ requires that protocols of randomized trials must have been registered in a clinical trial registry when patient recruitment commenced on or after July 1/2005 (for more information, see Is this clinical trial fully registered? A statement from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.)

Research letters are short reports that do not require extensive elaboration with respect to methods and results. Maximum length: 750 words, 2 tables or figures.

Case reports will only be considered as research manuscripts if the condition or events described have not been previously reported in the literature. When patients are potentially identifiable, written consent for publication of the report and for the use of patient photographs, radiographs, etc., must be obtained from patients or their surrogates.

Analysis

Analysis articles provide an original, research-based, fair perspective on an important and contentious medical, ethical, scientific or health policy issue. We are seeking compelling, thoughtful, well-argued articles with an international perspective written for a non-specialist audience.

The key requirements:

1. Articles must be a critical, reference-based analysis of the subject.
2. The maximum length is 2000 words, including references and text boxes.
3. Use no more than 20 references.
4. Include a succinct Key Point box (maximum of 4 points). NOTE: An abstract is not needed for analyses.
5. Include a section highlighting gaps in the current knowledge.
6. Where appropriate, use subheads.
7. You may include up to 3 tables, figures or illustrations (colour is welcome) which contribute substantively to the article.

Accepted articles will be published at cmaj.ca; our journal of record and the one used by PubMed and other indexers. Some articles will also be published in print.

Please advise us if your work was funded by a granting body that mandates open access publication.

Please consider CMAJ's competing interest policy.

Prospective authors may contact Barbara Sibbald <Barbara.sibbald{at}cmaj.ca> to discuss ideas or obtain detailed author's guidelines.

Commentary

There are two types of articles in this section:

1) Pieces that accompany another article in the same issue of the Journal (typically, a research paper). These commentaries aim to help readers to interpret the article to which it is linked by commenting on its strengths and weaknesses and also contextualizing the article in the relevant international literature. These commentaries are solicited.
2) Opinion pieces on controversial issues in health care or clinical medicine. Authors are encouraged to provide a lively but sound argument that supports a clear point of view. Commentaries of this nature are often solicited but we welcome unsolicited submissions and suggestions for topics. Prospective authors should consider CMAJ’s conflict of interest policy.

Maximum length for both types of commentaries: 1000 words and 10 references. Up to 2 authors are permitted.

Review

This section contains scholarly evidence-based reviews of topics relevant to clinical medicine. Both narrative and systematic reviews are welcome:

Systematic reviews (including meta-analyses) should attempt to answer a focused clinical question and adhere to accepted methodology. Maximum length: 3500 words excluding abstract, tables, figures and references.

Narrative reviews provide readers with a synthesis of the existing literature in a particular field of medicine. While narrative reviews are not required to be based on a rigourous systematic review of the literature, we expect that authors base the review on a comprehensive understanding of the existing literature. We recommend that authors use tables to summarize existing evidence from published clinical studies and reserve the text of the manuscript to provide readers with a synthesis of the evidence presented. Importantly, authors should advise readers on how to apply the existing evidence in clinical practice. Maximum length: 3500 words excluding abstract, tables, figures and references; 60 references. Up to 3 authors are permitted. Narrative review articles are generally solicited. Prospective authors should should consider CMAJ’s conflict of interest policy and may contact pubs{at}cmaj.ca to discuss proposals.

Humanities

The Humanities section gives readers room for reflection through reviews on books and the visual and performing arts, creative writing, photography and features on the philosophy and history of medicine. Book and arts reviews are mainly solicited by the editor. We welcome unsolicited poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction and especially value contributions that convey personal and professional experiences with a sense of immediacy and realism. The writing should be candid, but patient confidentiality must be respected. In general, prose manuscripts should be limited to 1000 words and poems to no more than 75 lines. Photography submissions are welcome, as are brief, illustrated items on unexplored corners of medical history. If you would like to be added to our list of book reviewers or would like to discuss ideas for contributions please contact the Deputy Editor, Humanities and Analysis, Barbara Sibbald (Barbara.sibbald{at}cmaj.ca).

Salon

Readers are invited to submit for consideration 700 word Op-Ed style articles to Salon, our back page feature. Salons began as literary gatherings in the 17th century and later expanded to include music, philosophy and politics. CMAJ’s Salon introduces health as the overarching topic of discourse. As “the place for lateral thinking about health,” the department offers a mélange of novel, lively, thoughtful and sometimes quirky ideas designed to ignite sparks of insight and stimulate thought and online discussion using our e-letters function at cmaj.ca. Health, in this context, is interpreted in the widest context possible, with potential topics ranging from environmental concerns to an exposition on the stethoscope. Salon is not a soapbox; rather its aim is “to please and educate” (Horace’s definition of the aims of poetry). For information, contact the Deputy Editor, Humanities and Analysis, Barbara Sibbald (Barbara.sibbald{at}cmaj.ca).

Guidelines for Submitting Tables, Figures and Graphics

Please indicate the file format and compression type in an email message or on the disk label (see Electronic Submission). The original file should be sent in the native format in which the application was created.

A hard copy proof of all digital art MUST be submitted for verification purposes (Editorial fax: 613 565-2382).
If the electronic file is unusable for any reason or no electronic file exists, you will be asked to supply camera-ready art or data.

DO NOT scan graphics to create an electronic file
DO NOT send clip art from an application such as Microsoft Word
DO NOT send files with embedded TIFF images

We will acknowledge receipt of your digital art submission within a few days. If you do not hear from us, please
confirm that the file has been received.

File formats accepted

• Adobe Acrobat PDF (see Distiller Settings)
• Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint (Mac 98, PC 97) Word Perfect (Mac 3.5, PC 9)
• QuarkXpress (Mac 4.1)
• Adobe Illustrator (Mac 9)
• Adobe Photoshop (Mac/PC 5.5)

If one of these file formats is not available, we will accept EPS (not scanned).

Note: TYPE 1 fonts MUST be included: embedded, or postscript screen and printer fonts, or converted to outlines.
Source files MUST be included for all images.

Image formats accepted

• GIF 300 dpi
• JPEG 300 dpi, minimum compression (photos only, no text, 300 dpi)
• TIFF (photos only, no text, 300 dpi)
• Images must be line art, grayscale or CMYK (no RGB). DO NOT colour correct.

File formats not accepted

Electronic Submission

Files can be submitted using the online manuscript submission system or in the following ways:

• as an attachment to an email (less than 1 MB)
• on a PC or MacIntosh diskette (high density, 1.44 MB)
• on a Zip disk (100 MB only), on Syquest (44 or 88 MB)
• on a CD-ROM
• by posting to an FTP site and informing us of where it may be retrieved

Guidelines for Submitting Video Supplements

Please follow these guidelines when creating video supplements to submit with your manuscript. To view examples of videos previously submitted with manuscripts see:

• www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/170/13/1915/DC1

• www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/170/12/1792/DC1

• www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/170/1/19-a/DC1

Acceptable File Formats

The following file formats are acceptable:

• WMV (Windows Media Video)
• MPEG (Motion Pictures Experts Group)
• AVI (Audio Video Interleave)
• MOV (Apple Movie)
• SWF (Flash Video)

Other file formats may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please email PubsOnline{at}cma.ca for more information.

Acceptable File Size

The maximum acceptable file size is 5 MB (through email), although smaller files are preferable as they will download faster for readers with slow internet connections. Any files over 5 MB, please put on CD and mail to:

CMAJ
c/o CMAJ Video Submissions
1867 Alta Vista Drive
Ottawa, ON K1G 3Y6

File size can be adjusted by:

• Changing the recorded screen area. An area such as 640 X 480 pixels will be larger than a more Web-friendly area such as 320 X 240 pixels.
• Shortening the length of the video (longer videos result in larger files).
• Adjusting the frame rate (number of pictures shown per second). The higher the frame rate, the smoother (and larger) the video. A frame rate of approximately 10 frames per second will show a smooth motion.
• Decreasing the audio quality. If the audio is a key component to the video file, you may need to record at a higher audio quality rate, however if the video does not require audio, you can record it at a lower rate or remove it completely.