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Author Instructions
The McGill Journal of Medicine (MJM) provides an international
forum for student contributions to the field of medicine. We
publish student research ranging from basic laboratory science
to clinical work to humanities analyses of medicine in society
to medically related artwork. Our goal is to reach our broad
international readership with multiple perspectives of medicine.
The McGill Journal of Medicine currently accepts submissions
of the following types: original articles, review articles,
letters, research letters, case reports, “crossroads”
articles in the humanities, as well as artwork. These are defined
below. All submissions must adhere to the following three criteria
where applicable:
Authorship
The student must be first author. Authors should have participated
sufficiently in the work to take public responsibility for the
content. Editors may require contributors to justify the assignment
of authorship. Manuscripts submitted to the MJM must contain
original work not previously published elsewhere.
All authors are required to attach the following information
with their submission:
Full Name(s)
Degree(s) expected or obtained and current position
Institution(s) of work/study
Email Address
Mailing Address
Phone number (optional)
Current research interests, goals and/or expectations (optional)
Manuscript Style
The MJM conforms to the style defined in the CBE Style Manual,
5th ed., Council of Biology Editors, Inc., Bethesda, MD, 1983.
Typing
Manuscripts must be in the English language, typed double spaced
in an 8.5"x11" format with 1" margins all around,
in 12-point font.
Types of Articles
Original Articles
Original articles represent the communication of medical research
to the community. It is highly appropriate to submit original
articles containing basic laboratory science, clinical and/or
epidemiologic science, or other types of research such as
social psychology or economics related to medicine.
Original articles must follow a specific format. Each required
component should begin on a new and numbered page, in the
following sequence: Title page; abstract and key words; text
(introduction, methods, results, and discussion each starting
on a separate page); acknowledgements; references; tables
and illustrations (each complete with title, table footnotes
and illustration legends on a separate page).
Abstract and Keywords
The abstract should be no more than 240 words and should
contain the following: the purpose of the study, basic procedures,
main findings, and the principal conclusions. The abstract
must be self-contained. Below the abstract provide, and
identify as such, 3 to 10 key words. If possible, use medical
subject headings (MeSH) of Index Medicus, National Library
of Medicine, USA.
Text
The text for original articles should not exceed 5000 words
and should be divided into its appropriate components. Footnotes
should be kept to a minimum and should be indicated in the
text as lowercase superscript letters.
Introduction
State clearly the purpose of the article, summarize the
rationale for the study or observation, and give pertinent
references. Do not include data or conclusions from the
work being reported.
Methods
Describe your selection of the observational or experimental
subjects clearly (patients or experimental animals, including
controls). Describe the experimental design, the methods,
the apparatus (manufacturer's name and address in parentheses),
and procedures in sufficient detail to allow other workers
to reproduce the study. Give references to established methods,
including statistical methods; describe new or substantially
modified methods, give reasons for using them, and evaluate
their limitations. Identify precisely all drugs and chemicals
used, including generic name(s), dose(s), and route(s) of
administration.
Studies using human subjects must be conducted in accordance
with the guidelines outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki
of 1975. In all experiments, it should be documented that
informed consent was obtained from the subjects. Do not
use patients' names, initials, or hospital numbers. All
studies involving the use of animals must be conducted in
accordance with the highest standards of humane animal care,
and in accordance with the institution's internal regulations.
Results
Present your results in a logical sequence in the text,
tables, and illustrations. Do not repeat in the text all
the data in the tables or illustrations; emphasize or summarize
only important observations.
Discussion
The discussion should focus on the interpretation and significance
of the findings. State the implications of the findings
and their limitations, including possibilities for future
research. Relate the observations to other relevant studies.
Acknowledgements
One or more statements should acknowledge (i) contributions
that do not justify authorship; (ii) technical help; (iii)
financial and material support.
References
Reference citations should appear in numerical order in
parentheses throughout the text and listed in their order
of appearance. Papers accepted but not yet published may
appear with the name of the journal followed by the words
"In press".
Journal Articles
List all authors when six or less; otherwise list only first
three and add et al. First author's last name, initials,
second author's last name, initials, etc. Title of article.
Name of Journal Volume: inclusive pages; Year.
Example:
1. Bunny B, Coyote WE, Le Pew P, et al. Impact Trauma and
Subdural Hematoma. McGill Journal of Medicine 3:1-6; 1994
Books
Authors' names as above. Title of chapter. In: Editor
Name(s), editor(s). Title of book. City, State: Publisher,
Year.
Example:
2. Bunny B, Coyote WE, LePew P. Subdural Hematomas. In:
Jones J, editor. Head Injuries. New York, AZ: Acme Publishers,
1994.
Tables
Tables, no more than four, must be submitted typewritten.
Each table must be constructed as simply as possible. Number
tables consecutively with arabic numerals in the order of
their first citation in the text and supply a brief title
for each. Explain in footnotes all non-standard abbreviations.
Footnote symbols should appear in lowercase superscript
letters.
Illustrations
Figures and legends, no more than six, should contain sufficient
information so that each figure is intelligible without
reference to the text. Figures are usually 5"x7"
but no larger than 8"x10", and printed on high
quality paper. Photographs should be glossy 5"x7"
in black and white. Authors may submit color prints but
must bear the extra costs. Identify each figure on its reverse
side with the name of the first author and the figure number
using a soft pencil or adhesive labels. Supply each figure
legend (with figure title and figure number) on a separate
page.
Research Letters
A research letter is a brief scientific communication that
presents original data in an intermediate fashion between
an abstract and an article. It must be more extensive and
informative than an abstract (up to three double-spaced pages,
not including references). This allows space for an explanatory
introduction and a short discussion on the data, which are
not normally contained in abstracts. The research letter is
an appropriate, self-sufficient format to present concise
research data without tables or figures, in those cases where
the amount of data, the length required for the description
of methods and the discussion and conclusions driven from
results are not sufficient to fulfill an article. It must
contain the usual sections in scientific papers (introduction,
methods, results, discussion, summary and conclusions), and
a short number of selected references (seven maximum). Within
this general structure, the writing style can be flexible
and does not need subtitled paragraphs. A maximum of three
figures are permitted. The purpose of an abstract is to summarize
an article, or to anticipate partial results in scientific
meetings. MJM does not publish separate abstracts.
Review Articles
MJM review articles are intended to communicate to a broad
audience. Review articles should synthesize currently published
research and add new insights into the implications of such
work. MJM review articles must follow the same format as original
articles, except in the text, wherein the structure will be
left to the author’s discretion, and the word count
should not exceed 3500 words. It is highly appropriate for
review articles to be submitted concerning issues surrounding
basic medical science and clinical medical science. Articles
concerning other areas of medicine such as the humanities
may be appropriate here if they are of a scientific and/or
experimental nature. Other articles are welcome but may be
more suited for the “Crossroads” section of the
MJM.
Review articles favoured by the MJM are those which have
impressive writing style as well as excellent content.
Letters
Letters to the MJM are intended to make commentary on issues
surrounding medicine. They need not have any specific format
and do not need to authored by a student. Please note that
letters may be edited by the MJM Editorial Board prior to
publication.
Case Reports
Case reports should document a single interesting case that
would provide important learning points for students in medical
fields. The MJM favours reports which use good illustrations
and follow the following specific format:
Introduction
Use one paragraph to briefly describe the salient clinical
features of the disease being addressed (e.g. epidemiological
background of the disease, unique presentations/signs/symptoms
)
The Case
Presentation of the case should include pertinent information
according to the the format of a typical case report . This
includes the chief/presenting complaint, the pertinent history,
medications, habits, allergies, history of present illness,
family history, personal history, systems review, clinical
examination, laboratory investigations, and other diagnostic
tests or studies performed (e.g. radiology, biopsy, etc.).
Discussion
Discussion of the case should seek to enlighten the reader
about the approaches used toward the clinical scenario presented,
to highlight recent advancements in the field of diagnosis
and treatment of the condition, and to generally include
points of clinical learning.
Acknowledgements, References, Illustrations
These should follow the format and limitations listed under
“Original Article”.
Please note that consent for publication of a case report
in print or electronically must be obtained from the patient
or, if this is not possible, the next of kin before submission.
Please use generic drug names wherever possible.
Crossroads
The intent of the “Crossroads” section of the
MJM is to promote ways of knowing in medicine that are not
solely scientific. Crossroads articles are expository essays
on subjects exploring the relationship between medicine and
the humanities (visual arts, literature, history, philosophy,
etc.); essays should combine research with original argument;
it should be submitted in the format of title, text, references
(footnotes, according to the MLA Handbook). The structure
of the article is left up to the author, but the work should
not exceed 5000 words.
Artwork
The MJM would like to publish original artwork relating to
medicine. Prospective authors should note that the art will
be reproduced on journal-quality paper and that the work may
be edited for size. Submissions in both black and white as
well as colour are welcome, however, authors must bear the
extra costs of colour reproduction. The MJM does not guarantee
the return of any submitted artwork.
Submission
of Manuscripts
On diskette: The McGill Journal of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,
McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal,
QC, Canada, H3G 1Y6, telephone: (514)398-6987.
By e-mail: The MJM only
takes submission in either Word or Word-compatible format (preferably)
or in Adobe PDF format. Also, authors will be required to sign
a copyright transfer agreement. Authors will be expected to
return edited proofs within 3 weeks. The peer-review can take
up to 4 months in duration. Please contact the
MJM for the status of your submission.
Please indicate in your email or letter:
- The email address and phone number at which the author can
be reached and
the address to which all correspondance should be sent.
- That the submitted manuscript has not been or will be submitted
to, or published, in any other journal.
- A brief description (1-2 sentences) of each of the author,
including the degrees obtained.
Questions Related to Submitting Manuscripts
Email is the best contact method: mjm.med@mcgill.ca.
We endeavour to respond quickly to all queries.
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