Author Guidelines
Authors submitting to the Annals of Biomedical Science and Engineering (ABSE) are expected to follow these comprehensive guidelines to ensure clarity, consistency, and compliance with international publication standards. The journal adheres to the COPE Core Practices, ICMJE Recommendations, and DOAJ Principles of Transparency for manuscript preparation, ethical declarations, and authorship integrity.
1. Scope and Aims
ABSE publishes high-quality research and review articles in biomedical engineering, medical devices, biomaterials, computational modeling, biomechanics, imaging technologies, and other related interdisciplinary areas. Submissions should demonstrate originality, scientific rigor, and relevance to advancing the biomedical sciences.
2. Authorship Criteria
Authorship must be based on substantial contributions to:
- Conception and design of the study.
- Data acquisition, analysis, or interpretation.
- Drafting or critically revising the manuscript for intellectual content.
- Final approval of the version to be published.
All authors must agree to be accountable for the accuracy and integrity of the work. Honorary or guest authorship is strictly prohibited. Any changes in authorship post-submission require written approval from all listed authors and the Editor-in-Chief.
3. Manuscript Types
ABSE accepts the following article categories:
- Original Research Articles — Full-length studies with novel data or methods.
- Review Articles — Comprehensive overviews synthesizing current literature.
- Short Communications — Brief but impactful studies or preliminary findings.
- Case Reports / Case Studies — Clinical or engineering applications with unique insights.
- Editorials / Opinions — Expert perspectives on emerging trends.
4. Manuscript Structure
All manuscripts should be organized as follows:
- Title Page: Article title, author names, affiliations, corresponding author contact, and ORCID IDs.
- Abstract: Structured (200–300 words) with background, methods, results, and conclusion.
- Keywords: 4–6 relevant terms for indexing.
- Introduction: Context, rationale, and study objectives.
- Materials and Methods: Experimental design, materials, statistical analysis, and ethics approval (if applicable).
- Results: Clear presentation of findings with tables and figures.
- Discussion: Interpretation, comparison, limitations, and implications.
- Conclusion: Concise summary of key findings and recommendations.
- References: Follow the Vancouver / NLM style (numbered in order of citation).
- Acknowledgments: Optional section for funding or assistance recognition.
5. File Format and Submission
Authors should submit manuscripts in Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) format through the OJS submission portal. Figures may be uploaded separately in high-resolution JPEG, PNG, or TIFF formats (minimum 300 DPI). Supplementary materials should be submitted as separate files with clear labeling.
6. Formatting Requirements
- Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt; Double-spaced text.
- Margins: 1 inch on all sides.
- Headings: Use a clear hierarchy (H1, H2, H3) consistently.
- Number all figures and tables consecutively (Figure 1, Table 1, etc.).
- Equations should be written using the Equation Editor and numbered where appropriate.
7. Figures and Tables
Figures should be self-explanatory, cited in-text, and provided with descriptive legends. Tables must include concise titles and explanatory footnotes where necessary. Avoid duplicating information between figures and tables.
8. References
All references must follow the Vancouver (NLM) citation style. Examples:
- Journal Article: Smith J, Doe R. Advances in tissue engineering. J Biomed Eng. 2024;18(2):101–110.
- Book: Brown T. Biomedical Device Design. 2nd ed. Academic Press; 2023.
- Online Resource: World Health Organization. Guidelines on Biomedical Research Ethics. https://www.who.int/ (Accessed March 2025).
9. Ethical Considerations
- Authors must declare ethical approval for studies involving humans or animals.
- Informed consent must be obtained from all participants or guardians.
- Plagiarism, data manipulation, or dual submission constitutes misconduct and may lead to rejection or retraction.
- Authors must disclose conflicts of interest and funding sources.
10. Data Availability and Reproducibility
Authors are encouraged to share data supporting their conclusions. A Data Availability Statement should specify where data can be accessed (e.g., public repository, upon request). This promotes transparency and reproducibility.
11. Supplementary Material
Additional data files, videos, or datasets supporting the article’s findings may be included as supplementary material. Authors should ensure proper labeling (e.g., “Supplementary Figure S1”) and reference them in the main text.
12. Cover Letter
All submissions should include a cover letter that briefly explains the novelty, significance, and alignment of the manuscript with ABSE’s scope. Authors should also declare that the work is original and not under review elsewhere.
13. Conflict of Interest Declaration
Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could bias their research. Conflicts of interest must be stated at the end of the manuscript or in a dedicated “Conflict of Interest” section.
14. Copyright and Licensing
All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Authors retain copyright and grant ABSE the right to distribute and archive their work.
15. Peer Review and Publication
All submissions undergo a double-blind peer review process. After acceptance, the manuscript enters production for copyediting, typesetting, and online publication. Authors receive proofs for approval before final release.
16. Publication Fees and Waivers
Publication charges apply only after acceptance. Please refer to the Charges Policy and Waiver Policy for details. No fees are charged for submission or review.
17. Appeals and Complaints
Authors may appeal editorial decisions or raise concerns regarding the peer-review process by emailing [email protected]. Appeals are reviewed by an independent committee following COPE procedures.
18. Checklist Before Submission
- Manuscript formatted per guidelines.
- All authors listed with affiliations and ORCID IDs.
- Conflict of interest and funding statements included.
- Figures and tables correctly numbered and cited.
- Cover letter attached and properly signed.
19. Policy Updates
This Author Guidelines document is periodically updated to ensure compliance with evolving editorial and ethical standards. The most recent version always applies to new submissions.
20. Contact Information
- For Submissions: [email protected]
- For Queries: [email protected]
- Editorial Office: Annals of Biomedical Science and Engineering (ABSE), USA