Author Guidelines & Submission Policies
AUTHOR GUIDELINES AND SUBMISSION POLICIES:
(INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHOR)
The Journal of Medical and Allied Sciences, Hyderabad (JMASH) adheres to the guidelines set forth by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), following their “Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals.” Authors submitting manuscripts to JMASH must ensure their work has not been previously published or submitted elsewhere. Duplicate submissions are considered unethical and may be reported to relevant regulatory authorities like the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) and Higher Education Commission (HEC).
Preliminary findings presented as abstracts or conference proceedings may be submitted, provided they have not been published in full elsewhere. A copy of the prior abstract or presentation must accompany the manuscript for editorial review.
Manuscript Submission:
Authors must submit manuscripts directly through the journal's online portal: https://www.jmash.pk/index.php/jmash. Only the corresponding author should handle submissions, and the system will issue an automatic acknowledgment upon successful upload. Any submission-related queries can be addressed to zulfikar229@hotmail.com.
A completed author certification form is required for publication. Once submitted, the authorship order is considered final. Delays in submitting this form will directly impact the processing timeline.
For all research submissions, an official ethics approval or exemption letter on institutional letterhead with a reference number and date is mandatory. Without this, manuscripts will not be considered.
Authorship Policy:
Authors must list all contributors with their affiliations and contact information at submission. Contributions must meet ICMJE’s four authorship criteria, including meaningful participation in study conception, data analysis, drafting, final approval, and accountability for the work. Practices like ghost or honorary authorship are strictly prohibited.
Publication Charges:
Publication fees are applicable upon acceptance and vary depending on manuscript type and authors’ geographic location. Editorials and letters commenting on JMASH articles may be exempt from charges. Details on fee categories are provided on the journal’s website.
Manuscript Preparation and Formatting:
Submissions should be in MS Word, typed in double spacing, single-column, using a 12-point font. British English is required. The manuscript should follow this order: title page, abstract, keywords, main text, references, tables, and figures with captions. Avoid excessive subheadings except in the abstract. Only essential acknowledgments are permitted.
Types of Submissions Accepted:
Original Research: Clinical trials, meta-analyses, cohort studies, etc. (2500–3000 words; up to 35 references).
Clinical Practice Articles: Observational case series (1500–2000 words).
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses: Comprehensive reviews with statistical analyses (3500–4000 words).
Evidence-Based Reports: Minimum 15 cases (1000-1500 words).
Clinical Audits, Surveys, and Medical Education Reports: Standardized formats aligned with original articles (1500–2000 words).
Short Communications & Articles: Focused reports (1000–2000 words).
Viewpoints, Commentaries, Debates: Opinion pieces with referenced support (1500–2000 words).
Letters to the Editor: Brief reports or comments (up to 500 words).
Updates & New Techniques: Innovations or technical notes with practical implications.
Submissions older than three years may be declined unless deemed significant by the editorial board.
Initial Screening & Peer Review:
All submissions undergo internal editorial review for format and statistical integrity, followed by double-blind peer review by subject experts. Manuscripts are sent sequentially to reviewers with a typical response time of three weeks. Disputes are escalated to the Chief Editor.
Text Structure:
Except for certain categories like letters and short communications, manuscripts must include:
Structured Abstract (250 words max): Including objectives, design, methodology, results, and conclusions.
Graphical Abstract: A unique, unpublished visual summary.
Introduction: Brief background leading to study objectives.
Methodology: Clear study design, participant details, methods, and statistical analysis.
Results: Logical presentation with key findings highlighted.
Discussion: Interpretation of results, literature comparison, and study limitations.
Conclusion: Main takeaways relevant to the study objectives.
Declarations:
Authors must transparently declare conflicts of interest, funding sources, patient consent (if applicable), and any relevant disclosures.
References:
All references should follow Vancouver style, cited in numerical order, with DOIs where available. Self-citations should be minimized, and references verified against the original source.
Figures, Tables, and Illustrations:
Figures must be high-resolution (300 dpi), with legends and sequential numbering. Graphs should be created in compatible formats like Excel. Abbreviations and statistical units should be explained where necessary.
Language and Style:
Manuscripts must be written in clear British English, third-person perspective, and past tense. Authors are responsible for professional editing prior to submission.
Copyright & Licensing:
JMASH retains copyright on published works, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License, allowing sharing with proper citation. Manuscripts must be original and exclusive to JMASH at submission.
Plagiarism and Misconduct Policy:
JMASH strictly follows plagiarism guidelines by ICMJE, PMDC, and HEC. All manuscripts are screened using Turnitin, with a similarity threshold of 19%. Cases of plagiarism, falsification, duplicate submission, or data fabrication may result in manuscript rejection, author blacklisting, and institutional reporting.
The journal prohibits AI-generated text and polished content created through digital tools.
Re-Publication and Permissions:
Authors must obtain permission for any reused material, including previously published images or tables. Patient consent must be secured for identifiable content. Any potential conflicts of interest, including industry affiliations, must be disclosed.
SUBMISSION CHECKLIST
Before submitting your manuscript to the Journal of Medical and Allied Sciences, Hyderabad (JMASH), please ensure that your submission meets the following requirements. Detailed instructions are available in the Author Submission Guidelines on the journal’s website.
Title Page:
Full manuscript title
Complete names of all authors with affiliations
Name and contact details (postal address, telephone, and email) of the corresponding author (mandatory)
Designated author for reprint requests, if different
Complete addresses of all contributing authors
Abstract:
Provide a structured or unstructured abstract as per journal guidelines
Keywords / MeSH Terms:
Include appropriate keywords or Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Main Manuscript Sections:
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Conflict of Interest Declaration:
Clearly state any potential conflicts of interest:
Funding Disclosure:
Mention any sources of financial support:
Acknowledgements:
Acknowledge contributors who do not meet authorship criteria:
References:
List all references in Vancouver style:
Arrange references in the order they appear in the text
Tables:
Label tables clearly and number them sequentially
Place all tables at the end of the manuscript text (not within the main sections)
Figures
Number all figures and provide clear legends
Upload figures separately in high resolution on the journal’s online submission system
Supplementary Files (if applicable)
Submit any additional documents or supplementary material as required
AUTHORSHIP CRITERIA
As per ICMJE guidelines the authorship should be based on the following criteria.
1. Substantial contributions to conception and design, or acquisition of data, or analysis & interpretation of data.
2. Drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content.
3. Final approval of the version to be published. All those who meet the above three conditions are eligible to be included as Authors in the manuscript.
4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the
Accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. When a large multicenter group has conducted the work, the group should identify the individuals who accept direct responsibility for the manuscript. These individuals should fully meet the criteria for authorship/contributor ship defined above. Acquisition of funding, collection of data, general supervision of the research group does not qualify any one to be an author. All contributors who do not meet the criteria for authorship should be listed in the acknowledgment section.
AUTHORSHIP AND COPYRIGHT DECLARATION
We, the undersigned authors, hereby declare and confirm the following regarding our manuscript titled:
“__________________________________” which we have submitted for consideration in the Journal of Medical and Allied Sciences, Hyderabad (JMASH) — an online, peer-reviewed, open-access journal:
The submitted manuscript is original and has not been published in any other journal.
If accepted for publication in JMASH, this article will not be submitted or published in any other national or international journal.
We hereby transfer the copyright of this manuscript to the Journal of Medical and Allied Sciences, Hyderabad (JMASH), including all rights related to reproduction, distribution, and publication.
The submitted article type is (please tick the appropriate option):
☐ Original Research Article
☐ Case Report
☐ Review Article
☐ other (please specify): ________________________
We affirm that the individuals listed as authors have made significant contributions to the work and that no person not listed as an author will later claim authorship of this manuscript.
We agree to the authorship order as stated below and confirm that all authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.
S. No Author’s Full Name with
Designation & Institution / afflation Contributions to the Paper(Give Brief Description of the Role of
Each Author Separately) Authors
Signature
1
2
3
4
5
6
Important Instructions for Authors:
Individual Signatures Required:
Each author listed in the manuscript must personally sign this declaration form in the sequence mentioned above.
If an author is unavailable due to relocation or untraceable contact, the senior (corresponding) author may sign on their behalf, assuming full responsibility for the submission on behalf of that author.
Authorship Changes:
No changes to the order, addition, or removal of authors will be allowed after submission without prior approval from the Editor-in-Chief.
Any request for a change in authorship must be accompanied by a valid written explanation and consent from all authors involved.
GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING MEDICAL RESEARCH FINDINGS:
Authors submitting manuscripts to the Journal of Medical and Allied Sciences, Hyderabad (JMASH) are encouraged to adhere to internationally recognized reporting guidelines to ensure clarity, transparency, and scientific rigor in their work. Depending on the study type, authors should follow the relevant checklist or guideline from the following widely accepted standards:
PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses)
For systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
www.prisma-statement.org
CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials)
For randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
www.consort-statement.org
STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology)
For observational studies, including cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies.
www.strobe-statement.org
MOOSE (Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology)
For meta-analyses of observational studies.
www.consort-statement.org/downloads
STARD (Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies)
For studies assessing the accuracy of diagnostic tests.
www.stard-statement.org
SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials)
For the preparation and reporting of clinical trial protocols.
www.spirit-statement.org
CARE (Case Report Guidelines)
For case reports and case series submissions.
www.care-statement.org/checklist
Authors are encouraged to review these guidelines and submit the relevant checklist along with their manuscript, where applicable. This helps maintain the high reporting standards expected by JMASH and enhances the scientific value of published research.
PUBLICATION ETHICS AND BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES (ADOPTED FROM COPE):
The Journal of Medical and Allied Sciences, Hyderabad (JMASH) is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics. We endorse the guidelines provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), which serve as a global reference for ethical publishing practices in medical research. These guidelines are intended to promote integrity, transparency, and fairness for authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers.
Key Ethical Principles and Best Practices:
1. Study Design and Ethical Approval:
Research must be scientifically sound, ethically justified, and methodologically appropriate.
All studies involving human participants, medical records, or biological samples require prior approval from a recognized ethics committee.
Informed consent must be obtained whenever possible; where not feasible, ethical committee approval is essential.
Animal research must comply with institutional, national, and international ethical standards.
All protocols should be well-defined, and statistical considerations like sample size and power analysis should be addressed at the design stage.
2. Data Analysis and Integrity:
Data must be honestly obtained, recorded, and analyzed.
Full transparency of data sources, analysis methods, exclusions, and post hoc analyses is mandatory.
Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data constitutes serious misconduct.
Any potential bias should be openly discussed in the manuscript.
3. Authorship and Contributor Responsibility:
Authorship should reflect significant intellectual contribution to the study design, data interpretation, and manuscript writing.
All authors must approve the final manuscript and accept public responsibility for its content.
The order of authorship should be agreed upon at the start of the project; changes post-submission require justified approval from the Editor-in-Chief.
Individuals not meeting authorship criteria should be acknowledged appropriately.
4. Conflict of Interest Disclosure:
All authors, editors, and reviewers must disclose any financial, personal, or professional conflicts of interest.
Editors and reviewers should recuse themselves from handling submissions where a conflict exists.
If in doubt, full disclosure is required.
5. Peer Review Process:
The peer review process is confidential, unbiased, and aimed at enhancing manuscript quality.
Reviewers are expected to provide honest, constructive, and timely feedback.
Editors retain the final responsibility for acceptance or rejection based on the manuscript's merit.
6. Redundant Publication and Plagiarism:
Submitting identical or substantially overlapping content to more than one journal without disclosure is prohibited.
Plagiarism in any form textual, data, or conceptual is unacceptable and subject to strict action.
Authors must ensure proper citation of all sources and seek permission where required.
7. Editorial Responsibilities:
Editors act as custodians of the journal’s integrity, making decisions based solely on academic merit.
Editors must handle suspected misconduct with due diligence and confidentiality.
Corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern will be issued when necessary.
8. Media Relations and Public Communication:
Authors must ensure responsible communication of their research findings to the media, highlighting the distinction between evidence and speculation.
Preliminary findings presented at conferences should not be prematurely publicized without appropriate context.
9. Advertising Policy:
Editorial content decisions are independent of advertising or financial considerations.
Misleading advertisements will be rejected, and all advertising material is subject to ethical scrutiny.
Handling Misconduct
Serious Misconduct (e.g., data fabrication, falsification, plagiarism)
Editors are obliged to investigate and may refer cases to institutional authorities or regulatory bodies.
Serious cases may result in formal retraction, reporting to relevant bodies, or public notification with legal consultation.
Minor Misconduct (e.g., authorship disputes, undeclared conflicts)
Addressed through clarification, education, or formal warnings.
Repeat offenses may escalate to institutional involvement or sanctions.
Sanctions for Misconduct
Depending on the severity, the following actions may be taken:
Issuance of a warning or explanation letter.
Notification to the authors’ institutions or funding agencies.
Publication of corrections, retractions, or editorials detailing the misconduct.
Banning of future submissions from offending authors or institutions.
Reporting to licensing or professional regulatory authorities where applicable.
