987-Article Text-3985-1-10-20080714

Special Article
Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical

Journals: Writing and Editing for Biomedical Publication
Updated October 2007
Authors: The International Committee of Medical Journal Editor (ICMJE) participating journals
and organizations and their representatives include Annals of Internal Medicine, British Medical
Journal, Canadian Medical Association Journal, Croatian Medical Journal, Journal of the American
Medical Association, The Dutch Medical Journal (Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde), New
England Journal of Medicine, New Zealand Medical Journal, The Lancet, The Medical Journal of
Australia, Tidsskrift for Den Norske Laegeforening, Journal of the Danish Medical Association
(Ugeskrift for Laeger), and the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Bangladesh Society of Physiologist (BSP) publishing this Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts
Submitted to Biomedical Journals: Writing and Editing for Biomedical Publication - Updated October
2007 as a special article on good faith; as the ICMJE welcomes any organizations to reprint this
document for non-profit educational purposes only.
J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

http://www.banglajol.info/index.php/JBSP
I. Statement of Purpose 2. Potential Conflicts of Interest

A. About the Uniform Requirements Related to Project Support
B. Potential Users of the Uniform 3. Potential Conflicts of Interest
Requirements Related to Commitments of
C. How to Use the Uniform Requirements Editors, Journal Staff, or
Reviewers
II. Ethical Considerations in the Conduct and
Reporting of Research E. Privacy and Confidentiality
A. Authorship and Contributorship 1. Patients and Study Participants
1. Byline Authors
2. Authors and Reviewers
2. Contributors Listed in
Acknowledgements F. Protection of Human Subjects and
Animals in Research
B. Editorship
1. The Role of the Editor III. Publishing and Editorial Issues Related
2. Editorial Freedom to Publication in Biomedical Journals
C. Peer Review A. Obligation to Publish Negative Studies
D. Conflicts of Interest B. Corrections, Retractions, and
1. Potential Conflicts of Interest “Expressions of Concern”
Related to Individual Authors’
Commitments C. Copyright
J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88. 60

Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journal Special Article
D. Overlapping Publications 10. Tables

1. Duplicate Submission 11. Illustrations (Figures)
2. Redundant Publication 12. Legends for Illustrations (Figures)
3. Acceptable Secondary Publication
13. Units of Measurement
4. Competing Manuscripts based on
the Same Study 14. Abbreviations and Symbols
a. Differences in Analysis or B. Sending the Manuscript to the Journal
Interpretation
V. References
b. Differences in Reported
Methods or Results A. Print References Cited in this Document
5. Competing Manuscripts Based on B. Other Sources of Information Related to
the Same Database Biomedical Journals
E. Correspondence VI. About the International Committee of
F. Supplements, Theme Issues, and Medical Journal Editors
Special Series
VII. Authors of the Uniform Requirements
G. Electronic Publishing
H. Advertising VIII. Use, Distribution, and Translation of the
Uniform Requirements
I. Medical Journals and the General Media
J. Obligation to Register Clinical Trials IX. Inquiries
IV. Manuscript Preparation and Submission

A. Preparing a Manuscript for Submission I. Statement of Purpose
to Biomedical Journals I. A. About the Uniform Requirements
a. General Principles A small group of editors of general medical
b. Reporting Guidelines for Specific Study journals met informally in Vancouver, British
Designs Columbia, in 1978 to establish guidelines for the
2. Title page format of manuscripts submitted to their journals.
3. Conflict of Interest Notification The group became known as the Vancouver
Page Group. Its requirements for manuscripts,
4. Abstract and Key Words including formats for bibliographic references
5. Introduction developed by the National Library of Medicine,
6. Methods were first published in 1979. The Vancouver
a. Selection and Description of Group expanded and evolved into the
Participants International Committee of Medical Journal
b. Technical Information Editors (ICMJE), which meets annually. The
c. Statistics ICMJE gradually has broadened its concerns to
include ethical principles related to publication
7. Results
in biomedical journals.
8. Discussion
9. References The ICJME has produced multiple editions of
the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts
a. General Considerations Related
Submitted to Biomedical Journals. Over the
to References
years, issues have arisen that go beyond
b. Reference Style and Format manuscript preparation, resulting in the

Special Article Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journal
development of a number of Separate Statements improving, and publishing manuscripts in

on editorial policy. The entire Uniform biomedical journals and the relationships
Requirements document was revised in 1997; between editors and authors, peer reviewers, and
sections were updated in May 1999 and May the media. The latter sections address the more
2000. In May 2001, the ICMJE revised the technical aspects of preparing and submitting
sections related to potential conflict of interest. manuscripts. The ICMJE believes the entire
In 2003, the committee revised and reorganized document is relevant to the concerns of both
the entire document and incorporated the authors and editors.
Separate Statements into the text. The committee
The Uniform Requirements can provide many
prepared this revision in 2005.
other stakeholders—peer reviewers, publishers,
The total content of the Uniform Requirements the media, patients and their families, and general
for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical readers—with useful insights into the biomedical
Journals may be reproduced for educational, not- authoring and editing process.
for-profit purposes without regard for copyright;
the committee encourages distribution of the I. C. How to Use the Uniform Requirements
material. The Uniform Requirements state the ethical
principles in the conduct and reporting of
Journals that agree to use the Uniform research and provide recommendations relating
Requirements are encouraged to state in their to specific elements of editing and writing. These
instructions to authors that their requirements are recommendations are based largely on the shared
in accordance with the Uniform Requirements experience of a moderate number of editors and
and to cite this version. Journals that wish to be authors, collected over many years, rather than
listed on http://www.icmje.org/ as a publication on the results of methodical, planned
that follows the Uniform Requirements should investigation that aspires to be “evidence-based.”
contact the ICMJE secretariat office. Wherever possible, recommendations are
The ICMJE is a small working group of general accompanied by a rationale that justifies them;
medical journals not an open membership as such, the document serves an educational
organization. Occasionally, the ICMJE will invite purpose.
a new member or guest when the committee feels
Authors will find it helpful to follow the
that the new journal or organization will provide
recommendations in this document whenever
a needed perspective that is not already available
within the existing committee. Open membership possible because, as described in the
organizations for editors and others in biomedical explanations, doing so improves the quality and
publication include the World Association of clarity of reporting in manuscripts submitted to
Medical Editors http://www.wame.org/ and the any journal, as well as the ease of editing. At the
Council of Science Editors http://www.council same time, every journal has editorial
ofscienceeditors/. requirements uniquely suited to its purposes.
Authors therefore need to become familiar with
I.B. Potential Users of the Uniform Requirements
the specific instructions to authors published by
The ICMJE created the Uniform Requirements the journal they have chosen for their
primarily to help authors and editors in their manuscript—for example, the topics suitable for
mutual task of creating and distributing accurate, that journal, and the types of papers that may be
clear, easily accessible reports of biomedical submitted (for example, original articles, reviews,
studies. The initial sections address the ethical or case reports)—and should follow those
principles related to the process of evaluating, instructions. The Mulford Library at the Medical
62 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

College of Ohio maintains a useful compendium • When a large, multi-center group has
of instructions to authors. conducted the work, the group should
identify the individuals who accept direct
II. Ethical Considerations in the Conduct responsibility for the manuscript (3).
and Reporting of Research These individuals should fully meet the
II.A Authorship and Contributorship criteria for authorship/contributorship
defined above and editors will ask these
II.A.1. Byline Authors individuals to complete journal-specific
An “author” is generally considered to be author and conflict of interest disclosure
someone who has made substantive intellectual forms. When submitting a group author
contributions to a published study, and manuscript, the corresponding author
biomedical authorship continues to have should clearly indicate the preferred
important academic, social, and financial citation and should clearly identify all
implications. (1) In the past, readers were rarely individual authors as well as the group
provided with information about contributions name. Journals will generally list other
to studies from those listed as authors and in members of the group in the
acknowledgments. (2) Some journals now acknowledgements. The National
request and publish information about the Library of Medicine indexes the group
contributions of each person named as having name and the names of individuals the
participated in a submitted study, at least for group has identified as being directly
original research. Editors are strongly responsible for the manuscript.
encouraged to develop and implement a • Acquisition of funding, collection of
contributorship policy, as well as a policy on data, or general supervision of the
identifying who is responsible for the integrity research group, alone, does not justify
of the work as a whole. authorship.
While contributorship and guarantorship policies • All persons designated as authors should
obviously remove much of the ambiguity qualify for authorship, and all those who
surrounding contributions, it leaves unresolved qualify should be listed.
the question of the quantity and quality of
• Each author should have participated
contribution that qualify for authorship. The
sufficiently in the work to take public
International Committee of Medical Journal
responsibility for appropriate portions of
Editors has recommended the following criteria
for authorship; these criteria are still appropriate the content.
for those journals that distinguish authors from Some journals now also request that one or more
other contributors. authors, referred to as “guarantors,” be identified
• Authorship credit should be based on 1) as the persons who take responsibility for the
substantial contributions to conception integrity of the work as a whole, from inception
and design, or acquisition of data, or to published article, and publish that information.
analysis and interpretation of data; 2) Increasingly, authorship of multi-center trials is
drafting the article or revising it critically attributed to a group. All members of the group
for important intellectual content; and 3) who are named as authors should fully meet the
final approval of the version to be above criteria for authorship/contributorship.
published. Authors should meet The group should jointly make decisions about
conditions 1, 2, and 3. contributors/authors before submitting the

manuscript for publication. The corresponding publication of a reliable and readable journal,
author/guarantor should be prepared to explain produced with due respect for the stated aims of
the presence and order of these individuals. It is the journal and for costs. The functions of owners
not the role of editors to make authorship/ and editors, however, are different. Owners have
contributorship decisions or to arbitrate conflicts the right to appoint and dismiss editors and to
related to authorship. make important business decisions in which
editors should be involved to the fullest extent
II.A.2. Contributors Listed in Acknowledgments
possible. Editors must have full authority for
All contributors who do not meet the criteria for
determining the editorial content of the journal.
authorship should be listed in an
This concept of editorial freedom should be
acknowledgments section. Examples of those
resolutely defended by editors even to the extent
who might be acknowledged include a person
of their placing their positions at stake. To secure
who provided purely technical help, writing
this freedom in practice, the editor should have
assistance, or a department chair that provided
direct access to the highest level of ownership,
only general support. Editors should ask
not only to a delegated manager.
corresponding authors to declare whether or not
they had assistance with study design, data Editors of medical journals should have a
collection, data analysis, or manuscript contract that clearly states the editor’s rights and
preparation. If such assistance was available, the duties in addition to the general terms of the
authors should disclose the identity of the people appointment and that defines mechanisms for
that provided this assistance and the entity that resolving conflict.
supported it in the published article. Financial An independent editorial advisory board may be
and material support should also be useful in helping the editor establish and maintain
acknowledged. editorial policy.
Groups of persons who have contributed II.B.2. Editorial Freedom
materially to the paper but whose contributions
do not justify authorship may be listed under a The ICMJE adopts the World Association of
heading such as “clinical investigators” or Medical Editors’ definition of editorial freedom
“participating investigators,” and their function . This definition states that editorial freedom or
or contribution should be described—for independence is the concept that editors-in chief
example, “served as scientific advisors,” should have full authority over the editorial
“critically reviewed the study proposal,” content of their journal. Journal owners should
“collected data,” or “provided and cared for study not interfere in the evaluation; selection or editing
patients.” of individual articles either directly or by creating
an environment that strongly influences
Because readers may infer their endorsement of decisions. Editors should base decisions on the
the data and conclusions, all persons must give validity of the work and its importance to the
written permission to be acknowledged. journal’s readers not on the commercial success
of the journal. Editors should be free to express
critical but responsible views about all aspects
II.B Editorship
of medicine without fear of retribution, even if
II.B.1. The Role of the Editor these views might conflict with the commercial
The editor of a journal is the person responsible goals of the publisher. Editors and editors’
for its entire content. Owners and editors of organizations have the obligation to support the
medical journals have a common endeavor—the concept of editorial freedom and to draw major

transgressions of such freedom to the attention consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid
of the international medical, academic, and lay expert testimony) are the most easily identifiable
communities. conflicts of interest and the most likely to
undermine the credibility of the journal, the
II.C. Peer Review authors, and of science itself. However, conflicts
Unbiased, independent, critical assessment is an can occur for other reasons, such as personal
intrinsic part of all scholarly work, including the relationships, academic competition, and
scientific process. Peer review is the critical intellectual passion.
assessment of manuscripts submitted to journals
by experts who are not part of the editorial staff. All participants in the peer review and publication
Peer review can therefore be viewed as an process must disclose all relationships that could
important extension of the scientific process. be viewed as presenting a potential conflict of
Although its actual value has been little studied, interest. Disclosure of these relationships is also
and is widely debated (4), peer review helps important in connection with editorials and
editors decide which manuscripts are suitable for review articles, because it is can be more difficult
their journals, and helps authors and editors in to detect bias in these types of publications than
their efforts to improve the quality of reporting. in reports of original research. Editors may use
A peer reviewed journal is one that submits most information disclosed in conflict of interest and
of its published research articles for outside financial interest statements as a basis for
review. The number and kind of manuscripts sent editorial decisions. Editors should publish this
for review, the number of reviewers, the information if they believe it is important in
reviewing procedures, and the use made of the judging the manuscript.
reviewers’ opinions may vary. In the interests of II.D.1. Potential Conflicts of Interest Related
transparency, each journal should publicly to Individual Authors’ Commitments
disclose its policies in its instructions to authors.
When authors submit a manuscript, whether an
II.D. Conflicts of Interest article or a letter, they are responsible for
Public trust in the peer review process and the disclosing all financial and personal relationships
credibility of published articles depend in part that might bias their work. To prevent ambiguity,
on how well conflict of interest is handled during authors must state explicitly whether potential
writing, peer review, and editorial decision conflicts do or do not exist. Authors should do
so in the manuscript on a conflict of interest
making. Conflict of interest exists when an author
notification page that follows the title page,
(or the author’s institution), reviewer, or editor
providing additional detail, if necessary, in a
has financial or personal relationships that cover letter that accompanies the manuscript.
inappropriately influence (bias) his or her actions (See Section IV.A.3. Conflict of Interest
(such relationships are also known as dual Notification Page)
commitments, competing interests, or competing
Authors should identify Individuals who provide
loyalties). These relationships vary from those
writing or other assistance and disclose the
with negligible potential to those with great funding source for this assistance.
potential to influence judgment, and not all
relationships represent true conflict of interest. Investigators must disclose potential conflicts to
study participants and should state in the
The potential for conflict of interest can exist
manuscript whether they have done so.
whether or not an individual believes that the
relationship affects his or her scientific judgment. Editors also need to decide when to publish
Financial relationships (such as employment, information disclosed by authors about potential

conflicts. If doubt exists, it is best to err on the interest, for example, those who work in the same
side of publication. department or institution as any of the authors.
Authors often provide editors with the names of
II.D.2. Potential Conflicts of Interest Related
persons they feel should not be asked to review
to Project Support
a manuscript because of potential conflicts of
Increasingly, individual studies receive funding interest, usually professional. When possible,
from commercial firms, private foundations, and authors should be asked to explain or justify their
government. The conditions of this funding have concerns; that information is important to editors
the potential to bias and otherwise discredit the in deciding whether to honor such requests.
research.
Reviewers must disclose to editors any conflicts
Scientists have an ethical obligation to submit
of interest that could bias their opinions of the
creditable research results for publication.
Moreover, as the persons directly responsible for manuscript, and they should disqualify
their work, researchers should not enter into themselves from reviewing specific manuscripts
agreements that interfere with their access to the if they believe it to be appropriate. As in the case
data and their ability to analyze it independently, of authors, silence on the part of reviewers
to prepare manuscripts, and to publish them. concerning potential conflicts may mean either
Authors should describe the role of the study that such conflicts exist that they have failed to
sponsor(s), if any, in study design; in the disclose, or that conflicts do not exist. Reviewers
collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; must therefore also be asked to state explicitly
in the writing of the report; and in the decision to whether conflicts do or do not exist. Reviewers
submit the report for publication. If the must not use knowledge of the work, before its
supporting source had no such involvement, the
publication, to further their own interests.
authors should so state. Biases potentially
introduced when sponsors are directly involved Editors who make final decisions about
in research are analogous to methodological manuscripts must have no personal, professional,
biases of other sorts. Some journals, therefore, or financial involvement in any of the issues they
choose to include information about the sponsor’s might judge. Other members of the editorial staff,
involvement in the methods section. if they participate in editorial decisions, must
Editors may request that authors of a study funded provide editors with a current description of their
by an agency with a proprietary or financial financial interests (as they might relate to editorial
interest in the outcome sign a statement such as, judgments) and disqualify themselves from any
“I had full access to all of the data in this study decisions where they have a conflict of interest.
and I take complete responsibility for the integrity Editorial staff must not use the information
gained through working with manuscripts for
of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.”
private gain. Editors should publish regular
Editors should be encouraged to review copies
disclosure statements about potential conflicts of
of the protocol and/or contracts associated with
interests related to the commitments of journal
project-specific studies before accepting such
staff.
studies for publication. Editors may choose not
to consider an article if a sponsor has asserted II.E. Privacy and Confidentiality
control over the authors’ right to publish. II. E.1. Patients and Study Participants
II.D.3. Potential Conflicts of Interest Related to Patients have a right to privacy that should not
Commitments of Editors, Journal Staff, or Reviewers be infringed without informed consent.
Editors should avoid selecting external peer Identifying information, including patients’
reviewers with obvious potential conflicts of names, initials, or hospital numbers, should not

be published in written descriptions, the authors and reviewers. This includes requests
photographs, and pedigrees unless the to use the materials for legal proceedings.
information is essential for scientific purposes
Editors must make clear to their reviewers that
and the patient (or parent or guardian) gives
manuscripts sent for review are privileged
written informed consent for publication.
communications and are the private property of
Informed consent for this purpose requires that
the authors. Therefore, reviewers and members
a patient who is identifiable be shown the
of the editorial staff must respect the authors’
manuscript to be published. Authors should
rights by not publicly discussing the authors’
disclose to these patients whether any potential
work or appropriating their ideas before the
identifiable material might be available via the
manuscript is published. Reviewers must not be
Internet as well as in print after publication.
allowed to make copies of the manuscript for their
Identifying details should be omitted if they are files and must be prohibited from sharing it with
not essential. Complete anonymity is difficult to others, except with the permission of the editor.
achieve, however, and informed consent should Reviewers should return or destroy copies of
be obtained if there is any doubt. For example, manuscripts after submitting reviews. Editors
masking the eye region in photographs of patients should not keep copies of rejected manuscripts.
is inadequate protection of anonymity. If
Reviewer comments should not be published or
identifying characteristics are altered to protect
otherwise made public without permission of the
anonymity, such as in genetic pedigrees, authors
reviewer, author, and editor.
should provide assurance that alterations do not
distort scientific meaning and editors should so Opinions differ on whether reviewers should
note. remain anonymous. Authors should consult the
information for authors of the journal they have
The requirement for informed consent should be
chosen to learn whether the reviews are
included in the journal’s instructions for authors.
anonymous. When comments are not signed the
When informed consent has been obtained it reviewers’ identity must not be revealed to the
should be indicated in the published article. author or anyone else without the reviewer’s
II.E.2. Authors and Reviewers permission.
Manuscripts must be reviewed with due respect Some journals publish reviewers’ comments with
for authors’ confidentiality. In submitting their the manuscript. No such procedure should be
adopted without the consent of the authors and
manuscripts for review, authors entrust editors
reviewers. However, reviewers’ comments
with the results of their scientific work and
should be sent to other reviewers of the same
creative effort, on which their reputation and manuscript, which helps reviewers learn from the
career may depend. Authors’ rights may be review process, and reviewers may be notified
violated by disclosure of the confidential details of the editor’s decision.
of the review of their manuscript. Reviewers also
have rights to confidentiality, which must be II.F. Protection of Human Subjects and
respected by the editor. Confidentiality may have Animals in Research
to be breached if dishonesty or fraud is alleged When reporting experiments on human subjects,
but otherwise must be honored. authors should indicate whether the procedures
Editors must not disclose information about followed were in accordance with the ethical
manuscripts (including their receipt, content, standards of the responsible committee on human
status in the reviewing process, criticism by experimentation (institutional and national) and
reviewers, or ultimate fate) to anyone other than with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised

in 2000 (5). If doubt exists whether the research research. The latter require no corrections or
was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki withdrawals.
Declaration, the authors must explain the The second type of difficulty is scientific fraud.
rationale for their approach, and demonstrate that If substantial doubts arise about the honesty or
the institutional review body explicitly approved integrity of work, either submitted or published,
the doubtful aspects of the study. When reporting it is the editor’s responsibility to ensure that the
experiments on animals, authors should be asked question is appropriately pursued, usually by the
to indicate whether the institutional and national authors’ sponsoring institution. However, it is not
guide for the care and use of laboratory animals ordinarily the task of editors to conduct a full
was followed. investigation or to make a determination; that
responsibility lies with the institution where the
III. Publishing and Editorial Issues Related work was done or with the funding agency. The
to Publication in Biomedical Journals editor should be promptly informed of the final
decision, and if a fraudulent paper has been
III.A. Obligation to Publish Negative Studies
published, the journal must print a retraction. If
Editors should consider seriously for publication this method of investigation does not result in a
any carefully done study of an important satisfactory conclusion, the editor may choose
question, relevant to their readers, whether the to conduct his or her own investigation. As an
results are negative (that is, convincingly allow alternative to retraction, the editor may choose
the null hypothesis to be accepted) or positive to publish an expression of concern about aspects
(that is, allow the null hypothesis to be rejected). of the conduct or integrity of the work.
Failure to submit or publish negative studies, in
The retraction or expression of concern, so
particular, contributes to publication bias. Many
labeled, should appear on a numbered page in a
studies that purport to be negative are, in fact,
prominent section of the print journal as well as
inconclusive; publication of inconclusive studies
in the online version, be listed in the contents
is problematic, since they add little to biomedical
page, and include in its heading the title of the
knowledge and consume journal resources.
original article. It should not simply be a letter
III.B. Corrections, Retractions and to the editor. Ideally, the first author should be
“Expressions of Concern” the same in the retraction as in the article,
although under certain circumstances the editor
Editors must assume initially that authors are
may accept retractions by other responsible
reporting work based on honest observations.
persons. The text of the retraction should explain
Nevertheless, two types of difficulty may arise.
why the article is being retracted and include a
First, errors may be noted in published articles full original citation reference to it.
that require the publication of a correction or The validity of previous work by the author of a
erratum of part of the work. The corrections fraudulent paper cannot be assumed. Editors may
should appear on a numbered page, be listed in ask the author’s institution to assure them of the
the contents page, include the complete original validity of earlier work published in their journals
citation, and link to the original article and vice or to retract it. If this is not done editors may
versa if online. It is conceivable that an error choose to publish an announcement expressing
could be so serious as to vitiate the entire body concern that the validity of previously published
of the work, but this is unlikely and should be work is uncertain.
handled by editors and authors on an individual
basis. Such an error should not be confused with III.C. Copyright
inadequacies exposed by the emergence of new Many biomedical journals ask authors to transfer
scientific information in the normal course of copyright to the journal. However, an increasing

number of “open access” journals do not require The bases of this position are international
authors to transfer copyright to the journal. copyright laws, ethical conduct, and cost-
Editors should make their position on copyright effective use of resources. Duplicate publication
transfer clear to authors and to others who might of original research is particularly problematic,
be interested in using editorial content from their since it can result in inadvertent double counting
journals. The copyright status of articles in a or inappropriate weighting of the results of a
given journal can vary: some content cannot be single study, which distorts the available
copyrighted (articles written by employees of the evidence.
U.S. and some other governments in the course
Most journals do not wish to receive papers on
of their work, for example); editors may agree to
work that has already been reported in large part
waive copyright on others; still others may be
in a published article or is contained in another
protected under serial rights (that is, use in
paper that has been submitted or accepted for
publications other than journals, including
publication elsewhere, in print or in electronic
electronic publications, is permitted).
media. This policy does not preclude the journal
III.D. Overlapping Publications considering a paper that has been rejected by
another journal, or a complete report that follows
III.D.1. Duplicate Submission publication of a preliminary report, such as an
Most biomedical journals will not consider abstract or poster displayed at a professional
manuscripts that are simultaneously being meeting. Nor does it prevent journals considering
considered by other journals. Among the a paper that has been presented at a scientific
principal considerations that have led to this meeting but not published in full or that is being
policy are: 1) the potential for disagreement when considered for publication in a proceedings or
two (or more) journals claim the right to publish similar format. Press reports of scheduled
a manuscript that has been submitted meetings will not usually be regarded as breaches
simultaneously to more than one; and 2) the of this rule, but additional data or copies of tables
possibility that two or more journals will and illustrations should not amplify such reports.
unknowingly and unnecessarily undertake the The ICMJE does not consider results posted in
work of peer review and editing of the same clinical trials registries as previous publications
manuscript, and publish same article. if the results are presented in the form of a brief
However, editors of different journals may decide structured abstract or table. The results registry
to simultaneously or jointly publish an article if should either cite the full publication or include
they believe that doing so would be in the best a statement that indicates that the report has not
interest of the public’s health. been published in a peer reviewed journal.
When submitting a paper, the author must always
III.D.2. Redundant Publication
make a full statement to the editor about all
Redundant (or duplicate) publication is
submissions and previous reports (including
publication of a paper that overlaps substantially
meeting presentations and posting of results in
with one already published in print or electronic
registries) that might be regarded as redundant
media.
or duplicate publication of the same or very
Readers of primary source periodicals, whether similar work. The author must alert the editor if
print or electronic, deserve to be able to trust that the manuscript includes subjects about which the
what they are reading is original unless there is a authors have published a previous report or have
clear statement that the article is being submitted a related report to another publication.
republished by the choice of the author and editor. Any such report must be referred to and

referenced in the new paper. Copies of such photocopy, reprint, or manuscript of the
material should be included with the submitted primary version.
paper to help the editor decide how to handle the
2. The priority of the primary publication is
matter.
respected by a publication interval of at least
If redundant or duplicate publication is attempted one week (unless specifically negotiated
or occurs without such notification, authors otherwise by both editors).
should expect editorial action to be taken. At the
3. The paper for secondary publication is
least, prompt rejection of the submitted
intended for a different group of readers; an
manuscript should be expected. If the editor was
abbreviated version could be sufficient.
not aware of the violations and the article has
already been published, then a notice of 4. The secondary version faithfully reflects the
redundant or duplicate publication will probably data and interpretations of the primary
be published with or without the author’s version.
explanation or approval. 5. The footnote on the title page of the
Preliminary reporting to public media, secondary version informs readers, peers,
governmental agencies, or manufacturers, of and documenting agencies that the paper has
scientific information described in a paper or a been published in whole or in part and states
letter to the editor that has been accepted but not the primary reference. A suitable footnote
yet published violates the policies of many might read: “This article is based on a study
journals. Such reporting may be warranted when first reported in the [title of journal, with full
the paper or letter describes major therapeutic reference].”
advances or public health hazards such as serious Permission for such secondary publication should
adverse effects of drugs, vaccines, other be free of charge.
biological products, or medicinal devices, or
6. The title of the secondary publication should
reportable diseases. This reporting should not
indicate that it is a secondary publication
jeopardize publication, but should be discussed
(complete republication, abridged
with and agreed upon by the editor in advance. republication, complete translation, or
abridged translation) of a primary
III.D.3. Acceptable Secondary Publication
publication. Of note, the National Library
Certain types of articles, such as guidelines of Medicine does not consider translations
produced by governmental agencies and to be “republications,” and does not cite or
professional organizations, may need to reach the index translations when the original article
widest possible audience. In such instances, was published in a journal that is indexed in
editors sometimes choose deliberately to publish MEDLINE.
material that is also being published in other
journals, with the agreement of the authors and III.D.4. Competing Manuscripts Based on the
the editors of those other journals. Secondary Same Study
publication for various other reasons, in the same Publication of manuscripts to air co-investigators
or another language, especially in other countries,
disputes may waste journal space and confuse
is justifiable, and can be beneficial, provided all
readers. On the other hand, if editors knowingly
of the following conditions are met.
publish a manuscript written by only some of a
1. The authors have received approval from the collaborating team, they could be denying the
editors of both journals; the editor concerned rest of the team their legitimate co authorship
with secondary publication must have a rights; they could also be denying the journal’s

readers access to legitimate differences of III.D.5. Competing Manuscripts Based on the

opinion about the interpretation of a study. Same Database
Editors sometimes receive manuscripts from
Two kinds of competing submissions are
separate research groups that have analyzed the
considered: submissions by coworkers who
same data set, e.g., from a public database. The
disagree on the analysis and interpretation of their
manuscripts may differ in their analytic methods,
study, and submissions by coworkers who
conclusions, or both. Each manuscript should be
disagree on what the facts are and which data
considered separately. Where interpretations of
should be reported.
the same data are very similar, it is reasonable
Setting aside the unresolved question of but not necessary for editors to give preference
ownership of the data, the following general to the manuscript that was received earlier.
observations may help editors and others dealing However, editorial consideration of multiple
with these problems. submissions may be justified in this circumstance,
and there may even be a good reason for
III. D.4.a. Differences in Analysis or publishing more than one manuscript because
Interpretation different analytical approaches may be
If the dispute centers on the analysis or complementary and equally valid.
interpretation of data, the authors should submit
a manuscript that clearly presents both versions. III.E. Correspondence
The difference of opinion should be explained The corresponding author/guarantor will have
in a cover letter. The normal process of peer and primary responsibility for correspondence with
editorial review of the manuscript may help the the journal, but the ICMJE recommends that
editors should send a copy of any correspondence
authors to resolve their disagreement regarding
to all listed authors.
analysis or interpretation.
Biomedical journals should provide its
If the dispute cannot be resolved and the study
readership with a mechanism for submitting
merits publication, both versions should be
comments, questions, or criticisms about
published. Options include publishing two papers
published articles, as well as brief reports and
on the same study, or a single paper with two
commentary unrelated to previously published
analyses or interpretations. In such cases it would
articles. This will likely but not necessarily, take
be appropriate for the editor to publish a
the form of a correspondence section or column.
statement outlining the disagreement and the
The authors of articles discussed in
journal’s involvement in attempts to resolve it.
correspondence should be given an opportunity
to respond, preferably in the same issue in which
III.D.4. b. Differences in Reported Methods
the original correspondence appears. Authors of
or Results
correspondence should be asked to declare any
If the dispute centers on differing opinions of
competing or conflicting interests.
what was actually done or observed during the
study, the journal editor should refuse publication Published correspondence may be edited for
until the disagreement is resolved. Peer review length, grammatical correctness, and journal
cannot be expected to resolve such problems. If style. Alternatively, editors may choose to publish
there are allegations of dishonesty or fraud, correspondence unedited for length or style, as
editors should inform the appropriate authorities; for example in rapid response sections on the
authors should be notified of an editor’s intention Internet; the journal should declare its editorial
to report a suspicion of research misconduct. practice in this regard. Authors should approve

editorial changes that alter the substance or tone 1. The journal editor must take full
of a letter or response. responsibility for the policies,
practices, and content of supplements,
Although editors have the prerogative to sift out
including complete control of the
correspondence material that is irrelevant,
decision to publish all portions of the
uninteresting, or lacking in cogency, they have a
supplement. Editing by the funding
responsibility to allow a range of opinion to be
organization should not be permitted.
expressed. The correspondence column should
not be used merely to promote the journal’s or 2. The journal editor must take full
the editors’ point of view. In all instances, editors responsibility for the policies,
must make an effort to screen out discourteous, practices, and content of supplements,
inaccurate, or libelous statements, and should not including complete control of the
allow ad hominem arguments intended to decision to publish all portions of the
discredit opinions or findings. supplement. Editing by the funding
organization should not be permitted.
In the interests of fairness and to keep
correspondence within manageable proportions, 3. The journal editor must retain the
journals may want to set time limits for authority to send supplement
responding to articles and correspondence, and manuscripts for external peer review
for debate on a given topic. Journals should also and to reject manuscripts submitted for
decide whether they would notify authors when the supplement. These conditions
correspondence bearing on their published work should be made known to authors and
is going to appear in standard or rapid response external supplement editors before
sections. Journals should also set policy with beginning editorial work on the
regard to the archiving of unedited supplement.
correspondence that appears on line. These
4. The journal editor must approve the
policies should be published both in print and
appointment of any external editor of
electronic versions of the journal.
the supplement and take responsibility
III.F. Supplements, Theme Issues, and for the work of the external editor.
Special Series 5. The sources of funding for the research,
Supplements are collections of papers that deal publication, and the products the
with related issues or topics, are published as a funding source make that are
separate issue of the journal or as part of a regular considered in the supplement should be
issue, and are usually funded by sources other clearly stated and prominently located
than the journal’s publisher. Supplements can in the supplement, preferably on each
serve useful purposes: education, exchange of page. Whenever possible, funding
research information, ease of access to focused should come from more than one
content, and improved cooperation between sponsor.
academic and corporate entities. Because funding
6. Advertising in supplements should
sources can bias the content of supplements
follow the same policies as those of the
through the choice of topics and viewpoints,
rest of the journal.
journals should consider adopting the following
principles. These same principles apply to theme 7. Journal editors must enable readers to
issues or special series that have external funding distinguish readily between ordinary
and/or guest editors. editorial pages and supplement pages.

8. Journal editors and supplement editors Journals thus should exercise caution in linking
must not accept personal favors or to other sites; when users are linking to another
personal remuneration from sponsors site, it may be helpful to provide an explicit
of supplements. message to that they are leaving the journal’s site.
If links to other sites are posted as a result of
9. Secondary publication in supplements
financial considerations, such should be clearly
(republication of papers previously
indicated. All dates of content posting and
published elsewhere) should be clearly
updating should be indicated. In electronic layout
identified by the citation of the original
as in print, advertising and promotional messages
paper. Supplements should avoid
should not be juxtaposed with editorial content,
redundant or duplicate publication.
and commercial content should be clearly
Supplements should not republish
identifiable as such.
research results, but the republication
of guidelines or other material in the Electronic publication is an area that is in flux.
public interest might be appropriate. Editors should develop, make available to
authors, and implement policies on issues unique
10. The principles of authorship and
to electronic publishing. These issues include
potential conflict of interest disclosure
archiving, error correction, version control, and
articulated elsewhere in this document
choice of the electronic or print version of the
should apply to supplements.
journal as the journal of record, publication of
III.G. Electronic Publishing ancillary material, and electronic publication.
Most biomedical journals are now published in In no instance should a journal remove an article
electronic as well as print versions, and some are from its website or archive. If an article needs to
published in electronic form only. Electronic be corrected or retracted, the explanation must
publishing (which includes the Internet) is be labeled appropriately and communicated as
publishing. In the interests of clarity and soon as possible on a citable page in a subsequent
consistency, the medical and health information issue of the journal.
published on the Internet should follow the
recommendations in this document whenever Preservation of electronic articles in a permanent
possible. archive is essential for the historical record.
Access to the archive should be immediate and
The nature of electronic publication requires it should be controlled by a third party, such as a
some special considerations, both within and library, instead of a publisher. Deposition in
beyond this document. At a minimum, websites multiple archives is encouraged.
should indicate the following: names, appropriate
credentials, affiliations, and relevant conflicts of III.H. Advertising
interest of editors, authors, and contributors; Most medical journals carry advertising, which
documentation and attribution of references and generates income for their publishers, but
sources for all content; information about advertising must not be allowed to influence
copyright; disclosure of site ownership; and editorial decisions. Journals should have formal,
disclosure of sponsorship, advertising, and explicit, written policies for advertising in both
commercial funding. print and electronic versions; website advertising
policy should parallel policy for the print version
Linking from one health or medical Internet site as much as possible. Editors must have full and
to another may be perceived as an implicit final authority for approving advertisements and
recommendation of the quality of the second site. enforcing advertising policy.

Where independent bodies for reviewing these complementary interests. Doctors in

advertising exist editors should make use of their practice need to have reports available in full
judgments. Readers should be able to distinguish detail before they can advise their patients about
readily between advertising and editorial the reports’ conclusions. Moreover, media reports
material. The juxtaposition of editorial and of scientific research before the work has been
peer reviewed and fully published may lead to
advertising material on the same products or
the dissemination of inaccurate or premature
subjects should be avoided. Interleafing
conclusions.
advertising pages within articles discourages
readers by interrupting the flow of editorial An embargo system has been established in some
content, and should be discouraged. Advertising countries to prevent publication of stories in the
should not be sold on the condition that it will general media before the original paper on which
appear in the same issue as a particular article. they are based appears in the journal. The
embargo creates a “level playing field,” which
Journals should not be dominated by advertising,
most reporters appreciate since it minimizes the
but editors should be careful about publishing
pressure on them to publish stories which they
advertisements from only one or two advertisers,
have not had time to prepare carefully.
as readers may perceive that these advertisers
Consistency in the timing of public release of
have influenced the editor.
biomedical information is also important in
Journals should not carry advertisements for minimizing economic chaos, since some articles
products that have proved to be seriously harmful contain information that has great potential to
to health—for example, tobacco. Editors should influence financial markets.
ensure that existing regulatory or industry
On the other hand, the embargo system has been
standards for advertisements specific to their
challenged as being self-serving of journals’
country are enforced, or develop their own
interests, and impeding the rapid dissemination
standards. The interests of organizations or
of scientific information.
agencies should not control classified and other
non-display advertising, except where required Editors may find the following recommendations
by law. Finally, editors should consider all useful as they seek to establish policies on these
criticisms of advertisements for publication. issues.
• Editors can foster the orderly
III. I. Medical Journals and the General Media
transmission of medical information
The public’s interest in news of medical research
from researchers, through peer-
has led the popular media to compete vigorously
reviewed journals, to the public. This
to get information about research as soon as
can be accomplished by an agreement
possible. Researchers and institutions sometimes with authors that they will not publicize
encourage the reporting of research in the non- their work while their manuscript is
medical media before full publication in a under consideration or awaiting
scientific journal by holding a press conference publication and an agreement with the
or giving interviews. media that they will not release stories
The public is entitled to important medical before publication in the journal, in
information without unreasonable delay, and return for which the journal will
editors have a responsibility to play their part in cooperate with them in preparing
this process. Biomedical journals are published accurate stories.
primarily for their readers, but the general public • Editors need to keep in mind that an
has a legitimate interest in their content; an embargo system works on the honor
appropriate balance should therefore guide system; no formal enforcement or
journals’ interaction with the media between policing mechanism exists. The

decision of any significant number of • Editors, authors, and the media should
media outlets, or of biomedical journals, apply the above stated principles to
not to respect the embargo system material released early in electronic
would therefore lead to its rapid versions of journals.
dissolution.
III.J. Obligation to Register Clinical Trials
• Very little medical research has such The ICMJE believes that it is important to foster
clear and urgently important clinical a comprehensive, publicly available database of
implications for the public’s health that clinical trials. The ICMJE defines a clinical trial
the news must be released before full as any research project that prospectively assigns
publication in a journal. In such human subjects to intervention or concurrent
exceptional circumstances, however, comparison or control groups to study the cause-
appropriate authorities responsible for and-effect relationship between a medical
public health should make the decision intervention and a health outcome. Medical
and should be responsible for the interventions include drugs, surgical procedures,
advance dissemination of information devices, behavioral treatments, process-of-care
to physicians and the media. If the changes, and the like.
author and the appropriate authorities
The ICMJE member journals will require, as a
wish to have a manuscript considered
condition of consideration for publication in their
by a particular journal, the editor should
journals, registration in a public trials registry. The
be consulted before any public release.
details of this policy are contained in a series of
If editors accept the need for immediate
editorials (see editorials), under Frequently Asked
release, they should waive their policies
Questions. The ICMJE encourages editors of other
limiting prepublication publicity.
biomedical journals to adopt similar policy.
• Policies designed to limit
The ICMJE does not advocate one particular
prepublication publicity should not
registry, but its member journals will require
apply to accounts in the media of
authors to register their trial in a registry that
presentations at scientific meetings or
meets several criteria. The registry must be
to the abstracts from these meetings (see
accessible to the public at no charge. It must be
Redundant Publication). Researchers
open to all prospective registrants and managed
who present their work at a scientific
by a not-for-profit organization. There must be a
meeting should feel free to discuss their
mechanism to ensure the validity of the
presentations with reporters, but they
registration data, and the registry should be
should be discouraged from offering
electronically searchable. An acceptable registry
more detail about their study than was
presented in their talk. must include at minimum the data elements in
the following table. Trial registration with
• When an article is soon to be published, missing fields or fields that contain uninformative
editors should help the media prepare terminology is inadequate.
accurate reports by providing news
releases, answering questions, The ICMJE recommends that journals publish
supplying advance copies of the journal, the trial registration number at the end of the
or referring reporters to the appropriate Abstract. The ICMJE also recommends that,
experts. Most responsible reporters find whenever a registration number is available,
this assistance should be contingent on authors list the registration number the first time
the media’s cooperation in timing their they use a trial acronym to refer to either the trial
release of stories to coincide with the they are reporting or to other trials that they
publication of the article. mention in the manuscript.

Minimal Registration Data Set*

Item Comment
1. Unique trial The unique trial number will be established be the primary registering entity (the registry).
number
2. Trial registration The date of registration will be established by the primary registering entity.
date
3. Secondary IDs May be assigned by sponsors or other interested parties (there may be none).
4. Funding Name of the organization(s) that provided funding for the study.
source(s)
5. Primary The main entity responsible for performing the research.
sponsor
6. Secondary The secondary entities, if any, responsible for performing the research.
sponsor(s)
7. Responsible Public contact person for the trial, for patients interested in participating.
contact person
8. Research contact Person to contact for scientific inquiries about the trial.
person
9. Title of Brief title chosen by the research group (can be omitted if the researchers wish).
the study
10. Official scientific This title must include the name of the intervention, the condition being
title of the study studied, and the outcome (e.g., The International Study of Digoxin and Death
from Congestive Heart Failure).
11. Research Has the study at the time of registration received appropriate ethics committee approval
ethics review (yes/no)? (It is assumed that all registered trials will be approved by an ethics board
before commencing.)
12. Condition The medical condition being studied (e.g., asthma, myocardial infarction, depression).
13. Intervention(s) A description of the study and comparison/control intervention(s) (For a drug or other
product registered for public sale anywhere in the world, this is the generic name; for an
unregistered drug the generic name or company serial number is acceptable). The duration
of the intervention(s) must be specified.
14. Key inclusion Key patient characteristics that determine eligibility for participation in the study.
and exclusion
criteria
15. Study type Database should provide drop-down lists for selection. This would include choices for
randomized vs. non-randomized, type of masking (e.g., double-blind, single-blind), type
of controls (e.g., placebo, active), and group assignment, (e.g., parallel, crossover,
factorial).
16. Anticipated Estimated enrollment date of the first participant.
trial start date
17. Target sample The total number of subjects the investigators plan to enroll before closing the trial to
size new participants.
18. Recruitment Is this information available (yes/no) (If yes, link to information).
status
19. Primary The primary outcome that the study was designed to evaluate Description should include
outcome the time at which the outcome is measured (e.g., blood pressure at 12 months)
20. Key secondary The secondary outcomes specified in the protocol. Description should include time of
outcomes measurement (e.g., creatinine clearance at 6 months).

Initiative Type of study Source

CONSORT randomized controlled trials http://www.consort-statement.org/
STARD studies of diagnostic accuracy http://www.consort-statement.org/
stardstatement.htm
QUOROM systematic reviews and meta-analyses http://www.consort-statement.org/Initiatives/
MOOSE/moose.pdf
STROBE observational studies in epidemiology http://www.strobe-statement.org/
MOOSE meta-analyses of observational http://www.consort-statement.org/Initiatives/
studies in epidemiology MOOSE/moose.pdf
IV.A.2. Title Page a statement that reprints will not be available

from the authors.
The title page should carry the following
information: 7. Source(s) of support in the form of grants,
equipment, drugs, or all of these.
1. The title of the article. Concise titles are
easier to read than long, convoluted ones. 8. A running head. Some journals request a
Titles that are too short may, however, lack short running head or foot line, usually of
important information, such as study design no more than 40 characters (count letters and
(which is particularly important in spaces) at the foot of the title page. Running
identifying randomized controlled trials). heads are published in most journals, but are
Authors should include all information in the also sometimes used within the editorial
title that will make electronic retrieval of the
office for filing and locating manuscripts.
article both sensitive and specific.
9. Word counts. A word count for the text only
2. Authors’ names and institutional affiliations.
(excluding abstract, acknowledgments,
Some journals publish each author’s highest
figure legends, and references) allows
academic degree(s), while others do not.
editors and reviewers to assess whether the
3. The name of the department(s) and information contained in the paper warrants
institution(s) to which the work should be the amount of space devoted to it, and
attributed. whether the submitted manuscript fits within
4. Disclaimers, if any. the journal’s word limits. A separate word
count for the Abstract is also useful for the
5. Corresponding authors. The name, mailing same reason.
address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-
mail address of the author responsible for 10. The number of figures and tables. It is
correspondence about the manuscript (the difficult for editorial staff and reviewers to
“corresponding author;” this author may or tell if the figures and tables that should have
may not be the “guarantor” for the integrity accompanied a manuscript were actually
of the study as a whole, if someone is included unless the numbers of figures and
identified in that role. The corresponding tables that belong to the manuscript are noted
author should indicate clearly whether his on the title page.
or her e-mail address is to be published.
IV.A.3. Conflict of Interest Notification Page
6. The name and address of the author to whom To prevent the information on potential conflict
requests for reprints should be addressed or of interest for authors from being overlooked or

misplaced, it is necessary for that information to IV.A.5. Introduction

be part of the manuscript. It should therefore also Provide a context or background for the study
be included on a separate page or pages (i.e., the nature of the problem and its
immediately following the title page. However, significance). State the specific purpose or
individual journals may differ in where they ask research objective of, or hypothesis tested by,
authors to provide this information and some the study or observation; the research objective
journals do not send information on conflicts of is often more sharply focused when stated as a
interest to reviewers. (See Section II.D. Conflicts question. Both the main and secondary objectives
of Interest) should be made clear, and any pre-specified
subgroup analyses should be described. Give
IV.A.4. Abstract and Key Words only strictly pertinent references and do not
An abstract (requirements for length and include data or conclusions from the work being
structured format vary by journal) should follow reported.
the title page. The abstract should provide the
context or background for the study and should IV.A.6. Methods
state the study’s purposes, basic procedures The Methods section should include only
(selection of study subjects or laboratory animals, information that was available at the time the plan
observational and analytical methods), main or protocol for the study was written; all
findings (giving specific effect sizes and their information obtained during the conduct of the
statistical significance, if possible), and principal study belongs in the Results section.
conclusions. It should emphasize new and
important aspects of the study or observations. IV.A.6.a. Selection and Description of
Participants
Because abstracts are the only substantive portion Describe your selection of the observational or
of the article indexed in many electronic experimental participants (patients or laboratory
databases, and the only portion many readers animals, including controls) clearly, including
read, authors need to be careful that abstracts eligibility and exclusion criteria and a description
reflect the content of the article accurately. of the source population. Because the relevance
Unfortunately, many abstracts disagree with the of such variables as age and sex to the object of
text of the article (6). The format required for research is not always clear, authors should
structured abstracts differs from journal to explain their use when they are included in a study
journal, and some journals use more than one report; for example, authors should explain why
structure; authors should make it a point prepare only subjects of certain ages were included or
their abstracts in the format specified by the
why women were excluded. The guiding
journal they have chosen.
principle should be clarity about how and why a
Some journals request that, following the study was done in a particular way. When authors
abstract, authors provide, and identify as such, 3 use variables such as race or ethnicity, they should
to 10 key words or short phrases that capture the define how they measured the variables and
main topics of the article. These will assist justify their relevance.
indexers in cross-indexing the article and may
be published with the abstract. Terms from the IV.A.6.b. Technical information
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) list of Index Identify the methods, apparatus (give the
Medicus should be used; if suitable MeSH terms manufacturer’s name and address in parentheses),
are not yet available for recently introduced and procedures in sufficient detail to allow other
terms, present terms may be used. workers to reproduce the results. Give references

to established methods, including statistical When data are summarized in the Results section,
methods (see below); provide references and give numeric results not only as derivatives (for
brief descriptions for methods that have been example, percentages) but also as the absolute
published but are not well known; describe new numbers from which the derivatives were
or substantially modified methods, give reasons calculated, and specify the statistical methods
for using them, and evaluate their limitations. used to analyze them. Restrict tables and figures
Identify precisely all drugs and chemicals used, to those needed to explain the argument of the
including generic name(s), dose(s), and route(s) paper and to assess its support. Use graphs as an
of administration. alternative to tables with many entries; do not
duplicate data in graphs and tables. Avoid non-
Authors submitting review manuscripts should
technical uses of technical terms in statistics, such
include a section describing the methods used
as “random” (which implies a randomizing
for locating, selecting, extracting, and
device), “normal,” “significant,” “correlations,”
synthesizing data. These methods should also be
and “sample.”
summarized in the abstract.
Where scientifically appropriate, analyses of the
IV.A.6.c. Statistics data by variables such as age and sex should be
Describe statistical methods with enough detail included.
to enable a knowledgeable reader with access to
the original data to verify the reported results.
When possible, quantify findings and present IV.A.8. Discussion
them with appropriate indicators of measurement Emphasize the new and important aspects of the
error or uncertainty (such as confidence study and the conclusions that follow from them.
intervals). Avoid relying solely on statistical Do not repeat in detail data or other material
hypothesis testing, such as the use of P values, given in the Introduction or the Results section.
which fails to convey important information For experimental studies it is useful to begin the
about effect size. References for the design of discussion by summarizing briefly the main
the study and statistical methods should be to findings, then explore possible mechanisms or
standard works when possible (with pages explanations for these findings, compare and
stated). Define statistical terms, abbreviations, contrast the results with other relevant studies,
and most symbols. Specify the computer software state the limitations of the study, and explore the
used. implications of the findings for future research
IV.A.7. Results and for clinical practice.
Present your results in logical sequence in the Link the conclusions with the goals of the
text, tables, and illustrations, giving the main or study but avoid unqualified statements and
most important findings first. Do not repeat in conclusions not adequately supported by the
the text all the data in the tables or illustrations; data. In particular, authors should avoid
emphasize or summarize only important making statements on economic benefits and
observations. Extra or supplementary materials costs unless their manuscript includes the
and technical detail can be placed in an appendix appropriate economic data and analyses.
where it will be accessible but will not interrupt Avoid claiming priority and alluding to work
the flow of the text; alternatively, it can be that has not been completed. State new
published only in the electronic version of the hypotheses when warranted, but clearly label
journal. them as such.

IV.A.9. References retraction. For articles published in journals

IV.A.9.a. General Considerations Related to indexed in MEDLINE, the ICMJE considers
References PubMed the authoritative source for information
Although references to review articles can be an about retractions. Authors can identify retracted
efficient way of guiding readers to a body of articles in MEDLINE by using the following
literature, review articles do not always reflect search term, where pt in square brackets stands
original work accurately. Readers should for publication type: Retracted publication [pt]
therefore be provided with direct references to in PubMed.
original research sources whenever possible. On IV.A.9.b. Reference Style and Format
the other hand, extensive lists of references to
The Uniform Requirements style is based largely
original work on a topic can use excessive space
on an ANSI standard style adapted by the
on the printed page. Small numbers of references
National Library of Medicine (NLM) for its
to key original papers will often serve as well as
databases. Authors should consult National
more exhaustive lists, particularly since
Library of Medicine’s Citing Medicine for
references can now be added to the electronic
information on NLM’s recommended citation
version of published papers, and since electronic
formats for a variety of reference types.
literature searching allows readers to retrieve
published literature efficiently. References should be numbered consecutively
in the order in which they are first mentioned in
Avoid using abstracts as references. References
the text. Identify references in text, tables, and
to papers accepted but not yet published should
legends by Arabic numerals in parentheses.
be designated as “in press” or “forthcoming”;
References cited only in tables or figure legends
authors should obtain written permission to cite
should be numbered in accordance with the
such papers as well as verification that they have sequence established by the first identification
been accepted for publication. Information from in the text of the particular table or figure. The
manuscripts submitted but not accepted should titles of journals should be abbreviated according
be cited in the text as “unpublished observations” to the style used in Index Medicus. Consult the
with written permission from the source. list of Journals Indexed for MEDLINE, published
annually as a separate publication by the National
Avoid citing a “personal communication” unless
Library of Medicine. The list can also be obtained
it provides essential information not available
through the Library’s web site. Journals vary on
from a public source, in which case the name of whether they ask authors to cite electronic
the person and date of communication should be references within parentheses in the text or in
cited in parentheses in the text. For scientific numbered references following the text. Authors
articles, authors should obtain written permission should consult with the journal that they plan to
and confirmation of accuracy from the source of submit their work to.
a personal communication.
IV.A.10. Tables
Some journals check the accuracy of all reference
Tables capture information concisely, and display
citations, but not all journals do so, and citation
it efficiently; they also provide information at any
errors sometimes appear in the published version
desired level of detail and precision. Including
of articles. To minimize such errors, authors
data in tables rather than text frequently makes it
should therefore verify references against the
possible to reduce the length of the text.
original documents. Authors are responsible for
checking that none of the references cite retracted Type or print each table with double spacing on
articles except in the context of referring to the a separate sheet of paper. Number tables

consecutively in the order of their first citation Although some journals redraw figures, many do
in the text and supply a brief title for each. Do not. Letters, numbers, and symbols on Figures
not use internal horizontal or vertical lines. Give should therefore be clear and even throughout,
each column a short or abbreviated heading. and of sufficient size that when reduced for
Authors should place explanatory matter in publication each item will still be legible. Figures
footnotes, not in the heading. Explain in footnotes should be made as self-explanatory as possible,
all nonstandard abbreviations. For footnotes use since many will be used directly in slide
the following symbols, in sequence: presentations. Titles and detailed explanations
belong in the legends, however, not on the
*,†,‡,§,||,¶,**,††,‡‡
illustrations themselves.
Identify statistical measures of variations, such
Photomicrographs should have internal scale
as standard deviation and standard error of the
markers. Symbols, arrows, or letters used in
mean.
photomicrographs should contrast with the
Be sure that each table is cited in the text. background.
If you use data from another published or If photographs of people are used, either the
unpublished source, obtain permission and subjects must not be identifiable or their pictures
acknowledge them fully. must be accompanied by written permission to
Additional tables containing backup data too use the photograph (see Section III.D.4.a).
extensive to publish in print may be appropriate Whenever possible permission for publication
for publication in the electronic version of the should be obtained.
journal, deposited with an archival service, or Figures should be numbered consecutively
made available to readers directly by the authors. according to the order in which they have been
In that event an appropriate statement will be first cited in the text. If a figure has been
added to the text. Submit such tables for published, acknowledge the original source and
consideration with the paper so that they will be submit written permission from the copyright
available to the peer reviewers. holder to reproduce the material. Permission is
required irrespective of authorship or publisher
IV.A.11. Illustrations (Figures)
except for documents in the public domain.
Figures should be either professionally drawn and
photographed, or submitted as photographic For illustrations in color, ascertain whether the
quality digital prints. In addition to requiring a journal requires color negatives, positive
version of the figures suitable for printing, some transparencies, or color prints. Accompanying
journals now ask authors for electronic files of drawings marked to indicate the region to be
figures in a format (e.g., JPEG or GIF) that will reproduced might be useful to the editor. Some
produce high quality images in the web version journals publish illustrations in color only if the
of the journal; authors should review the images author pays for the extra cost.
of such files on a computer screen before
Authors should consult the journal about
submitting them, to be sure they meet their own
requirements for figures submitted in electronic
quality standard.
formats.
For x-ray films, scans, and other diagnostic
images, as well as pictures of pathology IV.A.12. Legends for Illustrations (Figures)
specimens or photomicrographs, send sharp, Type or print out legends for illustrations using
glossy, black-and-white or color photographic double spacing, starting on a separate page, with
prints, usually 127 x 173 mm (5 x 7 inches). Arabic numerals corresponding to the

illustrations. When symbols, arrows, numbers, out for review). When submitting a manuscript
or letters are used to identify parts of the electronically, authors should consult with the
illustrations, identify and explain each one clearly instructions for authors of the journal they have
in the legend. Explain the internal scale and chosen for their manuscript.
identify the method of staining in
If a paper version of the manuscript is submitted,
photomicrographs.
send the required number of copies of the
IV.A.13. Units of Measurement manuscript and figures; they are all needed for
Measurements of length, height, weight, and peer review and editing, and editorial office staff
volume should be reported in metric units (meter, cannot be expected to make the required copies.
kilogram, or liter) or their decimal multiples. Manuscripts must be accompanied by a cover
Temperatures should be in degrees Celsius. letter, which should include the following
Blood pressures should be in millimeters of information.
mercury, unless other units are specifically • A full statement to the editor about all
required by the journal. submissions and previous reports that
Journals vary in the units they use for reporting might be regarded as redundant
hematological, clinical chemistry, and other publication of the same or very similar
measurements. Authors must consult the work. Any such work should be referred
information for authors for the particular journal to specifically, and referenced in the
and should report laboratory information in both new paper. Copies of such material
the local and International System of Units (SI). should be included with the submitted
Editors may request that the authors before paper, to help the editor decide how to
publication add alternative or non-SI units, since handle the matter.
SI units are not universally used. Drug • A statement of financial or other
concentrations may be reported in either SI or relationships that might lead to a
mass units, but the alternative should be provided conflict of interest, if that information
in parentheses where appropriate. is not included in the manuscript itself
or in an authors’ form
IV.A.14. Abbreviations and Symbols
Use only standard abbreviations; the use of non- • A statement that the manuscript has
standard abbreviations can be extremely been read and approved by all the
confusing to readers. Avoid abbreviations in the authors, that the requirements for
title. The full term for which an abbreviation authorship as stated earlier in this
stands should precede its first use in the text document have been met, and that each
unless it is a standard unit of measurement. author believes that the manuscript
represents honest work, if that
IV.B Sending the Manuscript to the Journal information is not provided in another
An increasing number of journals now accept form (see below); and
electronic submission of manuscripts, whether • The name, address, and telephone
on disk, as attachments to electronic mail, or by number of the corresponding author,
downloading directly onto the journal website. who is responsible for communicating
Electronic submission saves time as well as with the other authors about revisions
postage costs, and allows the manuscript to be and final approval of the proofs, if that
handled in electronic form throughout the information is not included on the
editorial process (for example, when it is sent manuscript itself.

The letter should give any additional information 5. World Medical Association Declaration of
that may be helpful to the editor, such as the type Helsinki: ethical principles for medical
or format of article in the particular journal that research involving human subjects. JAMA.
the manuscript represents. If the manuscript has 2000 Dec 20;284(23):3043-5.
been submitted previously to another journal, it
is helpful to include the previous editor’s and 6. Pitkin RM, Branagan MA, Burmeister LF.
reviewers’ comments with the submitted Accuracy of data in abstracts of published
manuscript, along with the authors’ responses to research articles. JAMA. 1999 Mar 24-
those comments. Editors encourage authors to 31;281(12):1110-1.
submit these previous communications and doing
so may expedite the review process. B. Other Sources of Information Related to
Biomedical Journals
Many journals now provide a pre-submission
checklist that assures that all the components of World Association of Medical Editors (WAME)
the submission have been included. Some Council of Science Editors (CSE)
journals now also require that authors complete European Association of Science Editors (EASE)
checklists for reports of certain study types (e.g., Cochrane Collaboration
the CONSORT checklist for reports of
randomized controlled trials). Authors should The Mulford Library, Medical College of Ohio
look to see if the journal uses such checklists, Committee on Publication Ethics
and send them with the manuscript if they are
requested. VI. About The International Committee of
Medical Journal Editors
Copies of any permission to reproduce published
The International Committee of Medical Journal
material, to use illustrations or report information
about identifiable people, or to name people for Editors (ICMJE) is a group of general medical
their contributions must accompany the journal editors whose participants meet annually
manuscript. and fund their work on the Uniform
Requirements for Manuscripts. The ICMJE
V. References
invites comments on this document and
A. References Cited in this Document suggestions for agenda items.
1. Davidoff F for the CSE Task Force on
Authorship. . Who’s the Author? Problems VII. Authors of the Uniform Requirements
with Biomedical Authorship, and Some for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical
Possible Solutions. Science Editor. 2000 Jul- Journals
Aug;23 (4):111-9. The ICMJE participating journals and
2. Yank V, Rennie D. Disclosure of researcher organizations and their representatives who
contributions: a study of original research approved the revised Uniform Requirements for
articles in The Lancet. Ann Intern Med. 1999 Manuscripts in July 2005 include Annals of
Apr 20;130(8):661-70. Internal Medicine, British Medical Journal,
3. Flanagin A, Fontanarosa PB, DeAngelis CD. Canadian Medical Association Journal,
Authorship for research groups. JAMA. Croatian Medical Journal, Journal of the
2002;288:3166-8. American Medical Association, The Dutch
4. F Godlee, T Jefferson. Peer Review in Medical Journal (Nederlands Tijdschrift voor
Health Sciences. London: BMJ Books, Geneeskunde), New England Journal of
1999. Medicine, New Zealand Medical Journal, The

Lancet, The Medical Journal of Australia, permission from the ICMJE. However, the
Tidsskrift for Den Norske Laegeforening, Journal ICMJE requests that such individuals or
of the Danish Medical Association (Ugeskrift for organizations provide the ICMJE secretariat with
Laeger), and the U.S. National Library of the citation for that reprint or translation so that
Medicine. the ICMJE can keep a record of such versions of
the document.
VIII. Use, Distribution, and Translation of
the Uniform Requirements IX. Inquiries
Users may print, copy, and distribute this Before sending an inquiry, please consult
document without charge for not-for-profit, Frequently Asked Questions at http://
educational purpose. The ICMJE does not stock www.icmje.org/. Inquiries about the Uniform
paper copies (reprints) of this document. Requirements should be sent to Christine Laine,
The ICMJE policy is for interested organizations MD, MPH at the ICMJE Secretariat office,
to link to the official English language document American College of Physicians, 190 N.
at http://www.icmje.org/. The ICMJE does not Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA
endorse posting of the document on web sites 19106-1572, USA. fax 215-351-2644; e-mail
other than http://www.icmje.org/. claine@acponline.org. Please do not direct
inquiries about individual journal styles or
The ICMJE welcomes organizations to reprint policies to the ICMJE secretariat office.
or translate this document into languages other
than English for non-profit purposes. However, International Committee of Medical Journal
the ICMJE does not have the resources to Editors Uniform Requirements for
translate, to back translate, or to approve Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical
reprinted or translated versions of the document. Journals: Sample References
Thus, any translations should prominently
Articles in Journals
include the following statement: “This is a
1. Standard journal article
(reprint /(insert language name) language
List the first six authors followed by et al. (Note:
translation) of the ICMJE Uniform Requirements
NLM now lists all authors.)
for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical
Journals. (insert name of organization) prepared Halpern SD, Ubel PA, Caplan AL. Solid-organ
this translation with support from (insert name transplantation in HIV-infected patients. N Engl
J Med. 2002 Jul 25;347(4):284-7.
of funding source, if any). The ICMJE has neither
endorsed nor approved the contents of this As an option, if a journal carries continuous
reprint/ translation. The ICMJE periodically pagination throughout a volume (as many
updates the Uniform Requirements, so this medical journals do) the month and issue number
reprint/translation prepared on (insert date) may may be omitted.
not accurately represent the current official Halpern SD, Ubel PA, Caplan AL. Solid-organ
version at http://www.icmje.org/. The official transplantation in HIV-infected patients. N Engl
version of the Uniform Requirements for J Med. 2002;347:284-7.
Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals
is located at http://www.icmje.org/.” Optional addition of a database’s unique
identifier for the citation:
We do not require individuals or organizations Halpern SD, Ubel PA, Caplan AL. Solid-organ
that reprint or translate the Uniform transplantation in HIV-infected patients. N Engl
Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to J Med. 2002 Jul 25;347(4):284-7. Cited in
Biomedical Journals to obtain formal, written PubMed; PMID 12140307.

More than six authors: 8. Volume with part
1. Rose ME, Huerbin MB, Melick J, Marion Abend SM, Kulish N. The psychoanalytic
DW, Palmer AM, Schiding JK, et al. method from an epistemological viewpoint.
Regulation of interstitial excitatory amino Int J Psychoanal. 2002;83(Pt 2):491-5.
acid concentrations after cortical contusion
9. Issue with part
injury. Brain Res. 2002;935(1-2):40-6.
Ahrar K, Madoff DC, Gupta S, Wallace MJ,
2. Organization as author Price RE, Wright KC. Development of a
Diabetes Prevention Program Research large animal model for lung tumors. J Vasc
Group. Hypertension, insulin, and proinsulin Interv Radiol. 2002;13(9 Pt 1):923-8.
in participants with impaired glucose
10. Issue with no volume
tolerance. Hypertension. 2002;40(5):679-
Banit DM, Kaufer H, Hartford JM.
86.
Intraoperative frozen section analysis in
3. Both personal authors and an organization revision total joint arthroplasty. Clin Orthop.
as author (This example does not conform 2002;(401):230-8.
to NISO standards.)
11. No volume or issue
Vallancien G, Emberton M, Harving N, van
Outreach: bringing HIV-positive individuals
Moorselaar RJ; Alf-One Study Group.
into care. HRSA Careaction. 2002 Jun:1-6.
Sexual dysfunction in 1,274 European men
suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms. 12. Pagination in roman numerals
J Urol. 2003;169(6):2257-61. Chadwick R, Schuklenk U. The politics of
ethical consensus finding. Bioethics.
4. No author given
2002;16(2):iii-v.
21st century heart solution may have a sting
in the tail. BMJ. 2002;325(7357):184. 13. Type of article indicated as needed
Tor M, Turker H. International approaches
5. Article not in English
to the prescription of long-term oxygen
(Note: NLM translates the title into English,
therapy [letter]. Eur Respir J.
encloses the translation in square brackets,
2002;20(1):242.
and adds an abbreviated language
designator.) Lofwall MR, Strain EC, Brooner RK,
Ellingsen AE, Wilhelmsen I. Sykdomsangst Kindbom KA, Bigelow GE. Characteristics
blant medisin- og jusstudenter. Tidsskr Nor of older methadone maintenance (MM)
Laegeforen. 2002;122(8):785-7. patients [abstract]. Drug Alcohol Depend.
2002;66 Suppl 1:S105.
6. Volume with supplement
Geraud G, Spierings EL, Keywood C. 14. Article containing retraction
Tolerability and safety of frovatriptan with Feifel D, Moutier CY, Perry W. Safety and
short- and long-term use for treatment of tolerability of a rapidly escalating dose-
migraine and in comparison with loading regimen for risperidone. J Clin
sumatriptan. Headache. 2002;42 Suppl Psychiatry. 2002;63(2):169. Retraction of:
2:S93-9. Feifel D, Moutier CY, Perry W. J Clin
7. Issue with supplement Psychiatry. 2000;61(12):909-11.
Glauser TA. Integrating clinical trial data 15. Article retracted
into clinical practice. Neurology. Feifel D, Moutier CY, Perry W. Safety and
2002;58(12 Suppl 7):S6-12. tolerability of a rapidly escalating dose-

loading regimen for risperidone. J Clin 23. Chapter in a book

Psychiatry. 2000;61(12):909-11. Retraction Meltzer PS, Kallioniemi A, Trent JM.
in: Feifel D, Moutier CY, Perry W. J Clin Chromosome alterations in human solid
Psychiatry. 2002;63(2):169. tumors. In: Vogelstein B, Kinzler KW,
editors. The genetic basis of human cancer.
16. Article republished with corrections
New York: McGraw-Hill; 2002. p. 93-113.
Mansharamani M, Chilton BS. The
reproductive importance of P-type ATPases. 24. Conference proceedings
Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2002;188(1-2):22-5. Harnden P, Joffe JK, Jones WG, editors.
Corrected and republished from: Mol Cell Germ cell tumours V. Proceedings of the 5th
Endocrinol. 2001;183(1-2):123-6. Germ Cell Tumour Conference; 2001 Sep
13-15; Leeds, UK. New York: Springer;
17. Article with published erratum
2002.
Malinowski JM, Bolesta S. Rosiglitazone in
the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 25. Conference paper
critical review. Clin Ther. 2000; 22(10): Christensen S, Oppacher F. An analysis of
1151-68; discussion 1149-50. Erratum in: Koza’s computational effort statistic for
Clin Ther 2001;23(2):309. genetic programming. In: Foster JA, Lutton
E, Miller J, Ryan C, Tettamanzi AG, editors.
18. Article published electronically ahead of the
Genetic programming. EuroGP 2002:
print version
Proceedings of the 5th European Conference
Yu WM, Hawley TS, Hawley RG, Qu CK.
on Genetic Programming; 2002 Apr 3-5;
Immortalization of yolk sac-derived
Kinsdale, Ireland. Berlin: Springer; 2002.
precursor cells. Blood. 2002 Nov
p. 182-91.
15;100(10):3828-31. Epub 2002 Jul 5.
26. Scientific or technical report
Books and Other Monographs Issued by funding/sponsoring agency:
19. Personal author(s) Yen GG (Oklahoma State University, School
Murray PR, Rosenthal KS, Kobayashi GS, of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Pfaller MA. Medical microbiology. 4th ed. Stillwater, OK). Health monitoring on
St. Louis: Mosby; 2002. vibration signatures. Final report. Arlington
20. Editor(s), compiler(s) as author (VA): Air Force Office of Scientific
Gilstrap LC 3rd, Cunningham FG, Research (US), Air Force Research
VanDorsten JP, editors. Operative obstetrics. Laboratory; 2002 Feb. Report No.:
2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2002. AFRLSRBLTR020123. Contract No.:
F496209810049.
21. Author(s) and editor(s)
Breedlove GK, Schorfheide AM. Adolescent Issued by performing agency:
pregnancy. 2nd ed. Wieczorek RR, editor. Russell ML, Goth-Goldstein R, Apte MG,
White Plains (NY): March of Dimes Fisk WJ. Method for measuring the size
Education Services; 2001. distribution of airborne Rhinovirus.
22. Organization(s) as author Berkeley (CA): Lawrence Berkeley National
Royal Adelaide Hospital; University of Laboratory, Environmental Energy
Adelaide, Department of Clinical Nursing. Technologies Division; 2002 Jan. Report
Compendium of nursing research and No.: LBNL49574. Contract No.:
practice development, 1999-2000. Adelaide DEAC0376SF00098. Sponsored by the
(Australia): Adelaide University; 2001. Department of Energy.

27. Dissertation 32. Map

Borkowski MM. Infant sleep and feeding: a Pratt B, Flick P, Vynne C, cartographers.
telephone survey of Hispanic Americans Biodiversity hotspots [map]. Washington:
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Michigan University; 2002. 33. Dictionary and similar references
28. Patent Dorland’s illustrated medical dictionary.
Pagedas AC, inventor; Ancel Surgical R&D 29th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; 2000.
Inc., assignee. Flexible endoscopic grasping Filamin; p. 675.
and cutting device and positioning tool
Unpublished Material
assembly. United States patent US
34. In press
20020103498. 2002 Aug 1.
(Note: NLM prefers “forthcoming” because
Other Published Material not all items will be printed.)
Tian D, Araki H, Stahl E, Bergelson J,
29. Newspaper article
Kreitman M. Signature of balancing
Tynan T. Medical improvements lower
selection in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci
homicide rate: study sees drop in assault rate.
U S A. In press 2002.
The Washington Post. 2002 Aug 12;Sect.
A:2 (col. 4).
30. Audiovisual material Electronic Material
Chason KW, Sallustio S. Hospital 35. CD-ROM
preparedness for bioterrorism Anderson SC, Poulsen KB. Anderson’s
[videocassette]. Secaucus (NJ): Network for electronic atlas of hematology [CD-ROM].
Continuing Medical Education; 2002. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins; 2002.
31. Legal Material
Public law: 36. Journal article on the Internet
Veterans Hearing Loss Compensation Act Abood S. Quality improvement initiative in
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Healthy Children Learn Act, S. 1012, 107th Available from: http://
Cong., 1st Sess. (2001). www.nursingworld.org/AJN/2002/june/
Code of Federal Regulations: Wawatch.htm
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Hearing: Internet]. Washington: National Academy
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Special Article

Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

I. Statement of Purpose 2. Potential Conflicts of Interest

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88. 60

D. Overlapping Publications 10. Tables

IV. Manuscript Preparation and Submission

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88. 61

development of a number of Separate Statements improving, and publishing manuscripts in

62 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88. 63

64 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88. 65

66 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88. 67

68 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88. 69

70 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

readers access to legitimate differences of III.D.5. Competing Manuscripts Based on the

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88. 71

72 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88. 73

Where independent bodies for reviewing these complementary interests. Doctors in

74 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88. 75

Minimal Registration Data Set*

76 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

Initiative Type of study Source

IV.A.2. Title Page a statement that reprints will not be available

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88. 77

misplaced, it is necessary for that information to IV.A.5. Introduction

78 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88. 79

IV.A.9. References retraction. For articles published in journals

80 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

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82 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88. 83

84 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88. 85

loading regimen for risperidone. J Clin 23. Chapter in a book

86 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

27. Dissertation 32. Map

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88. 87

Resources, Inc.; c2000-01 [updated 2002 Syndromes [database on the Internet].

88 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2007 Dec;(2): 60-88.

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