Manuscript preparation
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Use one of our manuscript templates (or copy its structure) to speed up review time substantially.
Article types and word counts
The word limits for AJSTR articles exclude content in the Acknowledgments and References sections. Supplemental materials, such as additional tables, figures, datasets, and source code, can be submitted for online-only publication. For all articles, authors are required to submit related published materials (including articles from conference proceedings) to enable reviewers to assess any overlap. These materials can be uploaded as “for review only” appendices.
Research and Applications
Research and Applications articles present original work in the formulation, implementation, or evaluation of studies using informatics. These articles may cover hypothesis-driven research, innovative applications of technology, new methodologies, or the creation and formative evaluation of models. The structured abstract should include: Objective, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. The main text should also contain Background and Significance.
• Word count: up to 4000 words
• Structured abstract: up to 250 words
• Tables: up to 4
• Figures: up to 6
• References: unlimited
Reviews
Review articles offer systematic literature reviews or concise tutorials on topics of broad interest. Systematic review articles should use the same structured abstract format as Research and Applications articles. Tutorials should include the following headings in the abstract: Objectives, Target Audience, and Scope.
• Word count: up to 4000 words
• Structured abstract: up to 250 words
• Tables: up to 4
• Figures: up to 6
• References: unlimited
Brief Communications
Brief Communications are condensed Research and Applications articles, focusing on specific approaches or preliminary evaluations of new systems or methodologies.
• Word count: up to 2000 words
• Structured abstract: up to 150 words
• Tables: up to 2
• Figures: up to 3
• References: unlimited
Case Reports
Case Reports detail an institution’s or consortium’s experience with implementing information systems or informatics methods.
• Word count: up to 2000 words
• Structured abstract: up to 150 words
• Tables: up to 2
• Figures: up to 3
• References: unlimited
Perspectives
Perspectives present views from organizations or experts on significant topics, including policies, research directions, and insights into informatics initiatives.
• Word count: up to 2000 words
• Structured abstract: up to 150 words
• Tables: up to 2
• Figures: up to 3
• References: unlimited
Correspondence
Correspondence articles include letters to the editor for clarifications or critiques, as well as author rebuttals.
• Word count: up to 1000 words
• Tables: up to 1
• Figures: up to 1
• References: up to 5
Editorials and Highlights
Editorials and Highlights are invited articles.
• Word count: up to 1000 words
• Tables: up to 1
• Figures: up to 1
• References: up to 5
Title Page
The title page should include:
• Article title
• Full name, postal address, email, and telephone number of the corresponding author
• Full name, department, institution, city, country, and academic degree of each co-author
• Up to five keywords or phrases (recommended to use MeSH terms)
• Word count (excluding title page, abstract, references, figures, and tables)
Manuscript Format
Submit the manuscript as a Word document. PDF submissions are acceptable only if using LaTeX.
Order of sections:
1. Title page
2. Abstract (do not include references)
3. Main Text organized with headings in this order: BOLD CAPS, bold lowercase, plain text, italics.
4. Tables in Word format should be embedded where first cited and numbered in sequence.
5. Acknowledgments, Competing Interests, Funding, and other statements as needed
6. Reference List
7. Images should be uploaded separately, cited in numerical order in the text, and legends should appear at the manuscript’s end.
8. Appendices should be uploaded as “Supplementary File” and cited in the text.
Remove hidden text headers/footers before submission.
Figures
Refer to OUP’s Author Resource Centre for figure preparation guidelines.
Figure Accessibility and Alt Text
Including alt text (alternative text) enhances accessibility for visually impaired readers. Alt text should provide concise descriptions of figures and be uploaded with figures, though it won’t appear in the typeset article.
Tables
• Submit tables in Word format within the text, cited in numerical order.
• Do not submit tables in Excel format.
• Tables longer than two pages will be considered as online-only supplementary material.
Multimedia Files
Enhance your article with multimedia (preferred formats: .WMF, .AVI, .FLV, .MOV, .MP4). Upload as “Supplementary File – Video.”
References
Authors must ensure reference accuracy. References should be cited in sequence, appearing after punctuation (e.g., [6]). Use a comma to separate multiple references and a hyphen for consecutive sequences (e.g., [22-25]).
Reference List Formatting
List references in order of text appearance. For references with more than three authors, list the first three and add “et al.” Journal titles should be italicized and abbreviated per Medline style.
Examples
• Journal article: Koziol-Mclain J, Brand D, Morgan D, et al. Measuring injury risk factors: question reliability in a statewide sample. Inj Prev 2000;6:148–50.
• Chapter in book: Nagin D. General deterrence: a review of the empirical evidence. In: Blumstein A, Cohen J, Nagin D, eds. Deterrence and Incapacitation. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences; 1978:95–139.
• Electronic citation: Morse SS. Factors in the emergency of infectious diseases. Emerg Infect Dis 1995 Jan-Mar;1(1). www.cdc.gov/nciod/EID/vol1no1/morse.htm (accessed 5 Jun 1998).
Language Editing
Optional language editing is available for non-native English speakers to ensure clarity for editors and reviewers. Costs for such services are borne by the author.