Submission Guidelines and Manuscript Preparation
The Annals of Biomedical Science and Engineering (ABSE) uses the Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform to manage submissions. Authors are encouraged to carefully read this guide before submitting manuscripts to ensure smooth processing and adherence to ethical and technical standards. The process described below conforms to COPE, ICMJE, and DOAJ best-practice policies for transparent and ethical publishing.
1. Preparing to Submit
- Ensure the manuscript fits within the Aims and Scope of ABSE.
- Confirm that all authors meet the authorship criteria listed in the Author Guidelines.
- Verify originality—manuscripts must not be under review elsewhere.
- Gather all supplementary files (figures, tables, data sets, ethical approvals, etc.) prior to upload.
2. Account Registration and Login
- Go to the OJS portal: www.biomedscijournal.com.
- Select “Register” and create an author account using your professional e-mail.
- Activate your account via the confirmation link sent to your inbox.
- Login and click “New Submission” from your user dashboard.
3. Submission Steps in OJS
The OJS system guides authors through a five-step process:
- Start — Choose the section (e.g., Research Article, Review, Case Report). Confirm compliance with ethical and formatting standards.
- Upload Submission — Upload the main manuscript file and any supplementary materials.
- Enter Metadata — Provide title, abstract, keywords, author details, affiliations, ORCID IDs, and funding information.
- Confirm Contributors — Add all co-authors with correct e-mail addresses; the system notifies them automatically.
- Review & Submit — Verify uploaded files, metadata accuracy, and click “Finish Submission.”
After submission, a confirmation e-mail with a unique manuscript ID will be sent to the corresponding author. Use this ID in all future correspondence.
4. Manuscript File Preparation
- File type: Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) only; PDFs are for review copies only.
- Use double spacing and 12 pt Times New Roman with 1-inch margins.
- Insert line numbers for peer review.
- Do not embed figures/tables within the main text; place them at the end or upload separately.
5. Manuscript Organization
| Section | Content Requirements |
|---|---|
| Title Page | Title (≤ 20 words), all author names, affiliations, corresponding author e-mail, and ORCID IDs. |
| Abstract | Structured, 200–300 words with sub-headings: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion. |
| Keywords | 4–6 specific terms (avoid generic words like “study” or “analysis”). |
| Introduction | State rationale, research question, and objectives. |
| Materials and Methods | Provide reproducible details: sample size, tools, software, ethics approval. |
| Results | Present clearly with numbered tables/figures; include statistical tests. |
| Discussion | Interpret results, limitations, and relevance to prior work. |
| Conclusion | Summarize main findings and implications. |
| References | Vancouver/NLM style, numbered sequentially. |
6. Figures, Tables, and Images
- Figures: JPEG or TIFF, ≥ 300 dpi, RGB color mode.
- Tables: Editable text (not images); use consistent decimal precision.
- All figures/tables must be cited in text and include legends beneath them.
- Large datasets or animations should be provided as supplementary files (≤ 100 MB each).
7. Ethical and Legal Requirements
Authors must confirm compliance with ethical standards at submission:
- Include IRB or Ethics Committee approval number for studies involving humans or animals.
- Provide informed-consent statements where applicable.
- Disclose conflicts of interest and funding sources in a dedicated section.
- All authors must approve the final version and consent to publication.
8. Plagiarism and Similarity Check
All manuscripts undergo similarity screening using plagiarism-detection software. Articles exceeding 15 % similarity (excluding references) are returned for revision or rejected according to ABSE’s Plagiarism Policy.
9. Supplementary and Data Files
Provide additional materials that enhance the research—e.g., datasets, protocols, videos. Each file should have a descriptive title and be referenced in the text. Authors may deposit large datasets in external repositories (Zenodo, Figshare, Dryad) and cite the DOI within the article.
10. Cover Letter and Declarations
Upload a cover letter addressing:
- Statement of originality and absence of duplicate submission.
- Brief description of significance and novelty.
- Confirmation that all authors meet authorship criteria.
- Conflict-of-interest and funding disclosures.
11. Review and Decision Workflow
- Editorial Screening : Manuscripts are checked for scope, formatting, and ethics.
- Peer Review : Double-blind; reviewers remain anonymous.
- Decision Notification : Authors receive “Accept,” “Minor/Major Revision,” or “Reject.”
- Revision Submission : Upload the revised file and response letter through the OJS system.
12. Proofs and Publication
After acceptance, authors receive PDF proofs for correction. Only typographical or factual errors can be modified at this stage. Final approved articles are published online with DOI and indexed within 24–48 hours.
13. Charges and Waivers
APCs apply only after final acceptance. Refer to Charges Policy and Waiver Policy for details. ABSE does not levy submission or review fees.
14. Technical Support
- File-upload errors — contact [email protected].
- OJS login/registration issues — use “Forgot Password” link or reach the webmaster.
- DOI or metadata corrections — email [email protected].
15. Common Submission Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting PDF instead of editable Word file.
- Missing author e-mails or ORCID IDs.
- Figures embedded inside text instead of uploaded separately.
- Failure to cite data sources or ethical approvals.
- Uploading multiple versions without labeling (use “v1,” “v2,” etc.).
16. Post-Publication Corrections
Authors noticing factual or typographical errors after publication should promptly contact the editorial office. Corrections, retractions, or replacements follow ABSE’s Withdrawal Policy.
17. Checklist Before Final Submission
- ✅ Manuscript formatted per guidelines.
- ✅ Abstract + Keywords included.
- ✅ Figures/tables labeled and cited.
- ✅ Ethical approval and conflict-of-interest statements added.
- ✅ Cover letter attached.
18. Policy Updates
This guide is reviewed annually and revised as needed to align with evolving OJS updates, indexing requirements, and open-access standards. Authors are encouraged to consult the latest version before each submission.
19. Contact Information
- Submission E-mail: [email protected]
- Editorial Queries: [email protected]
- Technical Support: [email protected]