AUTHOR INSTRUCTIONS

Instructions for Authors

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A. Editorial Process

Manuscripts submitted to the International Journal of Students’ Research (IJSR) must be original and should not be simultaneously under consideration, accepted, or published elsewhere. A quality compliance check is performed on all submissions to ensure adherence to journal policies and assess suitability for publication. Manuscripts deemed appropriate are then subjected to a double-blind peer review process, in which at least two independent expert reviewers evaluate the work while both authors and reviewers remain anonymous. While authors may suggest two to three potential reviewers during submission, the final choice rests solely with the editorial team. Accepted manuscripts undergo professional copyediting for grammar, style, and format. Page proofs are sent to the corresponding author, who is expected to return corrections within three days.

 

B. Authorship Criteria

Authorship is based on substantial contributions to all three of the following:

  1. Conception/design, data acquisition, or data analysis and interpretation
  2. Drafting or critically revising the article for important intellectual content
  3. Final approval of the version to be published

Participation limited to funding acquisition, general supervision, or data collection alone does not qualify for authorship.

The order of authors should reflect relative contribution and can only be changed post-submission with written consent from all authors.

 

C. Manuscript Submission

All manuscripts must be submitted via the online portal: https://ijsronline.net/index.php/home/about/submissions

  • Registration (free) is required for first-time users.
  • Authors can track their manuscripts through the online portal.
  • No fees are charged for submission or editorial processing.
  • For assistance, contact: contact@ijsronline.net.

Submissions not conforming to the guidelines in these Author Instructions will be returned for technical correction before peer review.

 

D. Manuscript File Requirements

Submissions should include the following files:

D1. Title Page (separate file)

Title Page

Authors are requested to use the above template for the title page. Must include:

  • Type of manuscript (e.g., Research Article, Short Communication, Case Report/Series, Review, Letter, Clinical Images, Elective Report, Conference Abstracts, etc.)
  • Title
  • Author details (name, highest degree, department, institution, university if applicable, city/country, email)
Example format
Jane Doe, MD
Department of Endocrinology
Institution of Medicine, University of [Name]
New York City, NY, USA abujaktamimi@uon.edu
  • Counts: total pages, word counts (abstract if applicable, and main text), total number of figures/tables.
  • Competing Interests: disclose any potential conflicts related to institutions, products, or entities mentioned in the work or that could influence outcomes. If none: “The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.”
  • Funding sources: list all support (grants, equipment, drugs, other resources). If none: “Sources of Funding: None.”
  • Authors’ contributions: describe each author’s role (e.g., concept, study design, intellectual content, literature search, clinical/experimental studies, data acquisition/analysis, statistics, manuscript drafting/editing/review). (This will be published with the article.)
  • Acknowledgements: non-authorship contributions (departmental support, technical help, financial/material support). Include only on the Title Page, not in the blinded file.
  • Clinical trial registration (if applicable): registry name, registration number, and URL.
  • Statement of Authorship and Approval: confirm all authors meet criteria, have read/approved the manuscript, and affirm it represents honest, original work.
  • Corresponding author: full name, institutional address, email, and telephone; responsible for revisions and final proof approval.

D2. Blinded Article File

Prepare the manuscript using the appropriate template for its article type. Download the correct template:

The blinded file must contain the complete manuscript text, beginning with the Abstract (if applicable) and ending with the References (including tables). Submissions not prepared using the correct template will be returned for correction.

To maintain anonymity during double-blind peer review, do not include any identifying details (author names, initials, institutional affiliations, or acknowledgements). Page headers or running titles may include only the manuscript title. Non-compliant submissions will be returned for revision.

D3. Images

Submit high-quality color images in JPEG, TIFF, or PNG format, each file under 2 MB. You may reduce file size by adjusting dimensions (recommended up to 1600 × 1200 pixels or 5–6 inches). Do not zip image files. Include legends for all figures at the end of the main article file. For composite figures, label each panel with a capital Roman letter (e.g., 5A, 5B) at the lower-left corner.

 

E. Preparation of Manuscripts

Manuscripts must be prepared in accordance with the ICMJE Uniform Requirements (October 2008) and written in American English. Specific IJSR requirements are summarized below.

E1. Types of Manuscripts Accepted

Original / Research Articles
  • Word limit: up to 3500 words (excluding abstract, tables, and references); ≤60 references.
  • Sections: Abstract (structured, 250 words), Keywords, Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, References, Tables, Figure Legends.
  • Methodology must describe ethics approval (if applicable), study design, participant selection/description, outcome measures, and statistical methods.
  • Report absolute numbers and percentages; avoid repeating full table/figure data in text.
  • Discussion: key findings, strengths/limitations, interpretation vs. existing evidence, implications for practice/policy, controversies, future directions. Clearly label any new hypotheses.
Review Articles
  • Word limit: up to 3000 words; unstructured abstract ≤250 words; ≤90 references.
  • Accepted formats: systematic reviews/meta-analyses (include search/selection/synthesis methods and PRISMA where applicable), scoping reviews, narrative reviews, qualitative reviews, state-of-the-art reviews, mini-reviews.
  • Clearly state the review type and methods used (as applicable).
Case Reports / Case Series
  • Word limit: up to 1000 words (excluding abstract and references); ≤15 references.
  • Sections: Abstract (unstructured), Keywords, Introduction, Case Presentation, Discussion, References, Tables, Legends.
  • Prioritize clear educational value and clinical significance.
Short Communications
  • Word limit: up to 1500 words (excluding abstract and references); ≤15 references.
  • Sections: Abstract (structured, ≤150 words), Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, References, Tables, Legends.
  • For preliminary data, novel methodologies, or concise noteworthy observations.
Clinical Images
  • Word limit: up to 400 words; ≤5 references.
  • Figures: 1–3 high-resolution images with legends.
  • Structure: brief introduction (1–2 sentences), description of findings, educational value/discussion, references.
Letter to the Editor
  • Word limit: up to 500 words; ≤5 references.
  • Short, decisive observations or comments—preferably on articles published in IJSR.
Elective / Clerkship Reports
  • Word limit: up to 2000 words; ≤15 references.
  • Suggested structure: Introduction, Description of Elective/Clerkship, Reflections/Learning Outcomes, References. (Abstract not required.)
Other Categories (by invitation only)
  • Editorials, Guest Editorials, Expert Speaks, Feature Articles, Commentaries, Opinions.
  • Word limit: up to 2000 words (unless otherwise specified by the Editor). Abstract not mandatory.

E2. References

IJSR follows the Vancouver style. Number references in the order first cited in the text (not alphabetically). In the text, tables, and figure legends, cite using Arabic numerals in square brackets placed after punctuation. Abbreviate journal titles according to Index Medicus.

General format: Surname (Family/Last Name) of the first author followed by initials, then surnames and initials of subsequent authors up to six; if there are more than six authors, list the first three followed by “et al.”. Title of the article. Abbreviated journal name. Year;Volume(Issue):Pages.

Examples
Articles in Journals
  1. Parija SC, Ravinder PT, Shariff M. Detection of hydatid antigen in the fluid samples from hydatid cysts by co-agglutination. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1996;90(1):255–6.
  2. Roddy P, Goiri J, Flevaud L, Palma PP, Morote S, Lima N, et al. Field evaluation of a rapid immunochromatographic assay for detection of Trypanosoma cruzi infection by use of whole blood. J Clin Microbiol. 2008;46(3):2023–30.
Webpages

Atherton J. Behaviour modification [Internet]. 2010 [updated 2010 Feb 10; cited 2010 Apr 10]. Available from: http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/behaviour_mod.htm

Book

Speroff L, Fritz MA. Clinical Gynaecologic Endocrinology and Infertility. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005. Chapter 29, Endometriosis; p.1103–33.

E3. Tables

  • Self-explanatory; do not duplicate text.
  • Maximum size: ≤10 columns and ≤25 rows.
  • Number consecutively as cited; supply a brief title.
  • Place explanatory notes in footnotes (not headings); explain non-standard abbreviations.
  • Borrowed/adapted tables require permission and acknowledgment. Footnote symbols: *, †, ‡, §, ||, ¶, **, ††, ‡‡.
  • Provide tables with legends at the end of the manuscript, after References.

E4. Illustrations (Figures)

  • Number consecutively in the order cited.
  • Labels/symbols must be clear, uniform, and legible when reduced.
  • Titles and detailed explanations go in the figure legends, not on figures.
  • Legends: double-spaced, ≤40 words; explain symbols and methods (e.g., staining/magnification).
  • Graphs/plots must be accompanied by underlying numerical data.
  • Remove extraneous background; obtain consent for identifiable photographs.
  • Previously published figures require acknowledgment and written permission.
  • Final print figures: ≥300 dpi, 1800 × 1600 px, submitted as JPEG, TIFF, or PNG.
  • The journal may crop, rotate, resize, or adjust figures for clarity and consistency.

E5. Permissions

Authors are responsible for obtaining written permission to reproduce copyrighted material (figures, tables, text extracts). Copies of permission letters must accompany the submission. Provide copies of related previously published or concurrently submitted manuscripts where relevant.

E6. Protection of Patients’ Rights to Privacy

Do not include identifying information in text, images, or data unless essential and written informed consent has been obtained from the patient (or parent/guardian, as applicable). Remove names from all figures. When consent is obtained, state this within the manuscript.

E7. Revised Manuscripts

Submit revisions online using the same process as initial submission. The “First Page” and “Covering Letter” files are not required at this stage. Include reviewers’ comments with a detailed point-by-point response at the beginning of the revised file. Clearly mark all edits (underline or color) and also provide a clean version without marked changes.

 

F. Copyright and Licensing ©️

All content published in the International Journal of Students’ Research (IJSR) is protected under Indian and international copyright laws. However, the journal grants all users a free, irrevocable, worldwide, and perpetual license to access, copy, use, distribute, perform, and display published work publicly, and to create and distribute derivative works in any digital medium for reasonable non-commercial purposes, provided proper attribution of authorship and ownership is maintained. Authors and readers may also produce a limited number of printed copies for personal, non-commercial use.

Unless otherwise stated, all content is published under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) license. See license terms: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ .

 

G. Disclaimer ⚠️

The views and opinions expressed in the journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the International Journal of Students’ Research, its Editorial Board, or the Publisher. Publication of an article does not imply endorsement by the journal.

Neither IJSR, its publishers, nor any party involved in producing or delivering the journal content assumes responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information presented, and they shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from the use of the published material.

The journal does not guarantee that all information contained within its pages is error-free or complete. Readers are encouraged to verify the content independently and consult additional sources where appropriate.