Submissions

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Submission Preparation Checklist

As part of the submission process, authors are required to check off their submission's compliance with all of the following items, and submissions may be returned to authors that do not adhere to these guidelines.
  • The submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration (or an explanation has been provided in Comments to the Editor).
  • References must be in AMA format.
  • The text is double-spaced; uses a 12-point font; employs italics, rather than underlining (except with URL addresses); and all illustrations, figures, and tables are placed within the text at the appropriate points, rather than at the end.
  • The text adheres to the stylistic and bibliographic requirements outlined in the Author Guidelines, which is found in About the Journal.

Author Guidelines

Manuscripts must be written in English.

Manuscripts must be saved in a Word document, RTF, or Word Perfect (.doc or .docx).  Do not submit the document as a PDF.  Figures must be saved as separate files (.gif, .jpg, .tif, png).

Abbreviations must be defined when first used in the abstract and in the body of the manuscript.

As a general rule, abbreviations should be used when a term is used at least 5 times in the manuscript:

The Title Page should include the following information:

A running head (abbreviated title) not to exceed 70 characters (including spaces)

Manuscript word count

Table and figure count

Names of all authors in order of contribution

Name, address, and email address of the corresponding author

Names of the authors' institutions

A statement of funding sources that supported the work

 A statement of conflicts of interest disclosures.

Body of the Manuscript

Please use the IMRAD formation (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) subheadings.

References and Acknowledgements should be placed at the end of the manuscript.

Please use 12 point font. Arial or Times New Roman is the preferred fonts for manuscript submission.

Results must be presented in the same order of importance as described in the Methods section.

Effect sizes and confidence intervals must be included with tests of statistical significance.

Report the alpha level, whether the hypothesis was directional (one or two-sided), and the statistical package used for analysis

Tables and Figures

In order to ensure the articles receive a suitable evaluation in the review process, authors are encouraged to provide the data as soon as possible.  All figures and tables must be submitted as an attachment in a .png or .jpeg format. Tables and figures should not be placed in the body of the manuscript.  The authors should designate within the manuscript body the approximate location for the table (e.g., Insert Table 1 about here).

Tables and figures must be referred to in the text as follows: Figure 1, Figures 2-4 (when bracketed, Fig. 1, Figs. 2-4).  Each table and figure must include a legend that explains its purpose without reference to the text.  

Color figures are welcomed and are published free of charge.

Authors are responsible to obtain permission to reproduce previously published figures or tables.

 

Abstracts of Interest

Abstract Guidelines:

Abstracts should not be more than 250 words. It should include the following headings:

Background:

1-2 sentences describing the problem being addressed in the study and its relevance to clinical practice, public health, forensic science, pharmacology, medical education or biomedical sciences.

Methods:

Discuss how the study was performed

Results:

Include salient results

Conclusions:

Describe what the authors concluded from the results

Tables should be double spaced (including footnotes) and should all be titled.

Figures that are included may be modified or redrawn after submission to this journal in order to meet specifications for publication.

Acknowledgements: Acknowledge the funding agency, program or institution

Literature cited: Cite resources in alphabetical order and follow the AMA format.

Photographs should not be identifiable or they must have permission from the subject to be used.

The presenting author must ensure that all co-authors are aware of the content of the abstract before submission. The presenting author should be the first author. Submitted abstracts should include NON-PUBLISHED data. Previously published abstracts should not be submitted. Abstracts and posters presented at conferences are not considered by OSU to be “prior publication.

To increase the visibility of your research, you have the option to upload an electronic version of your poster in PDF format.

Athletic Training

Athletic Training

This section is dedicated to the following areas of athletic training:

  • Evidence-based practice
  • Clinical applications
  • Prevention and treatment of sports-related injuries
  • Professional practices
  • Athletic training education

Research Report*: (Word Limit 4,000) Research reports describe experimental or observational investigations that used formal methods for data collection and reporting of results of studies directed towards Athletic Training. A research report should include the following sections: Title Page, Abstract (1-2 sentences setting context, 1 sentence to state purpose, 1-2 sentences that give an overview of main results, and 1-2 sentences of interpretation), Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, References, Tables, and Figures.  Author information should be provided in a separate document with manuscript title, author name(s) (including middle initials), and credentials of the author(s).

Case Report*:  (Word Limit 3,000)  Discusses novel insights into conditions and/or management strategies of a single patient.  A Case Report should include the following sections:  Title Page, Abstract (1-2 sentences presenting the case, 1-2 sentences describing the intervention, 1-2 sentences that give an overview of the outcome, 1-2 sentences of interpretation), Introduction, Case Presentation (guided by a PICO question), Discussion, Clinical Bottom Line, and References.

Critically Appraised Topic*: (World Limit 2,000)  A CAT is a brief (~3-8 sources) systematic review and critique of the current and best available evidence to answer a clinically focused question. A CAT should include the following sections:  Introduction/Clinical Scenario, Focused Clinical Question, Search Strategy, Evidence Quality Assessment, Results of Search (summary of search, best evidence appraised, and key findings), Results of Evidence Quality Assessment, Clinical Bottom Line, and Implications for Practice, Education, and Future Research.

Critically Appraised Paper (CAP)-Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses*:  (Word Limit 2,000) Provides analysis of a reference study via a critique of the methods and results, while also providing critical appraisal and potential for incorporation into clinical decision-making. It should include the following sections:  Title (must include: a critically appraised paper in the title), AMA reference, Clinical Bottom Line, Focused Clinical Question, Search Terms, Study Design, Data Sources, Study Selection, Data Extraction, Methodological Assessment, The Evidence, and Commentary.

CAP- Therapy*: (Word Limit 2,000) Provides analysis of a reference study via a critique of the methods and results, while also providing critical appraisal and potential for incorporation into clinical decision-making.  It should include the following sections:  Title (must include: a critically appraised paper in the title), AMA reference, Clinical Bottom Line, Focused Clinical Question, Search Terms, Study Design, Allocation, The Study Patients, Homogeneity, Blinding, Intervention, Outcomes, Follow-Up and Intention-to-Treat, The Evidence, Commentary.

CAP- Diagnosis*:  (Word Limit 2,000) Provides analysis of a reference study via a critique of the methods and results, while also providing critical appraisal and potential for incorporation into clinical decision-making.  It should include the following sections: Title (must include: a critically appraised paper in the title), AMA reference, Clinical Bottom Line, Focused Clinical Question, Search Terms, Study Design and Blinding, Target Disorder, Diagnostic Test and Gold Standard, Independence, Verification Bias, The Study Patients, Spectrum Bias, The Evidence, Commentary.

* Adapted from the International Journal of Athletic Training and Therapy Author Guidelines

Medical Education

Medical Education (1,000 word limit)

Medical education submissions will include original research, systematic reviews, educational innovation, and brief reports.  Published articles will include current topics relevant nationally to medical school training, post-graduate medical education, and continuing medical education. Submissions should include a statement of the value and utility of the report to medical education, an account of prior research and knowledge regarding the topic, and a description of the gap of evidence or gap in current practice.

Original research studies will assess topics related to curriculum, teaching methodologies, remediation, and assessment structure. Systematic reviews will be chosen on topics of interest for medical educators, and will follow the Systematic Reviews guidelines listed previously (including submission of a PRISMA Checklist).  Educational innovation articles will detail a new technique or approach that has been implemented and evaluated in medical education. The innovation description should be detailed and include practicality information, such as cost and expected time frame for implementation.  Brief reports will describe a medical education curriculum topic or issue, teaching methodology assessment, or summary of a best practice with implementation.

Manuscript Preparation

  • Manuscripts must be written in English. 
  • Manuscripts must be saved in a Word document, RTF or Word Perfect (.doc or .docx). Do not submit the document as a PDF. Â Figures must be saved as separate files (.gif, .jpg, .tif, png).
  • Abbreviations must be defined when first used in the abstract and in the body of the manuscript.
  • As a general rule, abbreviations should be used when a term is used at least 5 times in the manuscript.

Title Page should include the following information

  • A running head (abbreviated title) not to exceed 70 characters (including spaces)
  • Manuscript word count
  • Table and figure count
  • Names of all authors in order of contribution
  • Name, address, and email address of the corresponding author
  • Names of the authors’ institutions
  • A statement of funding sources that supported the work
  • A statement of conflicts of interest disclosures

Body of the Manuscript

  • Please use the IMRAD formation (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) subheadings.
  • References and Acknowledgements should be placed at the end of the manuscript.
  • Please use 12 point font.  Arial and Times New Roman are the preferred fonts for manuscript submission.
  • Results must be presented in the same order of importance as described in the Methods section.
  • Effect sizes and confidence intervals must be included with the test of statistical significance.
  • Report the alpha level, whether the hypothesis was directional (one or two-sided) and the statistical package used for analysis

Tables and Figures

  • Tables should be placed at the end of the manuscript, with each table on a separate page. Tables should not be placed in the body of the manuscript.  Authors should designate within the manuscript body the approximate location for the table (e.g., Insert Table 1 about here).
  • Figures must be submitted as separate files.
  • Tables and figures must be referred to in the text as follows: Figure 1, Figures 2-4 (when bracketed, Fig. 1, Figs. 2-4).  Each table and figure must include a legend that explains its purpose without reference to the text.  
  • Color figures are welcomed and are published free of charge.
  • Authors are responsible to obtain permission to reproduce previously published figures or tables.

References

  • References should follow the ---- format (AMA).  Examples are provided below (can this be linked?)
  • Insert journal article example
  • Insert book chapter example
  • Insert book example
  • Insert website

Manuscript Submission

  • All manuscripts must be submitted online (link here). Â New users must first register to create an account.  An author's consent form must accompany new submissions (form below).

Declarations

  • Original publication:  Submission of a manuscript will be held to imply that it contains original unpublished work and is not being submitted for publication elsewhere at the same time. The author must supply a full statement to the Editor about all submissions and previous reports that might be regarded as the redundant or duplicate publication of the same or very similar work. Oklahoma State Medical Proceedings employs a plagiarism detection system. By submitting your manuscript, you accept that your manuscript may be screened for plagiarism against previously published works.
  • Conflicts of Interest: Authors are responsible for disclosing all financial and personal relationships between themselves and others that might be perceived by others as biasing their work. To prevent ambiguity, authors must state explicitly whether potential conflicts do or do not exist.
  • Ethics:  When reporting experiments on humans, you must indicate whether the procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional or regional) and with the Declaration of Helsinki of 1975, as revised in 1983. Do not use patients’ names, initials, or hospital numbers, especially in illustrative material. A statement describing explicitly the ethical background to the studies being reported should be included in all manuscripts in the Methods section. An ethics committee or institutional review board approval should be stated. Patients have a right to privacy that should not be infringed without informed consent. Identifying information should not be published in written descriptions, photographs, and pedigrees unless the information is essential for scientific purposes and the patient (or parent or guardian) gives written informed consent for publication. Identifying details should be omitted if they are not essential, but patient data should never be altered or falsified in an attempt to attain anonymity. Complete anonymity is difficult to achieve and informed consent should be obtained if there is any doubt.
  • Authorship: We adhere to ICMJE’s criteria for authorship.  All persons designated as authors should qualify for authorship, and all those who qualify should be listed. Each author should have participated sufficiently in the work to take public responsibility for appropriate portions of the content. One or more authors should take responsibility for the integrity of the work as a whole, from inception to published article. Authorship credit should be based only on (i) substantial contributions to conception and design, or acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; (ii) drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content and (iii) final approval of the version to be published. Conditions (i), (ii) and (iii) must all be met. Acquisition of funding, the collection of data, or general supervision of the research group, by themselves, do not justify authorship. All others who contributed to the work who are not authors should be named in the Acknowledgments section.

Healthcare Administration

Health Policy, Healthcare Administration and Health Economics  

This section is dedicated to the following areas of health policy, healthcare administration and health economics: 

  • Economic analysis and impact of all aspects of healthcare interventions
  • Economic analysis of health policy initiatives
  • Evaluation of economics methodologies
  • Analysis of pricing and reimbursement systems
  • Conceptual innovations in Healthcare Policy
  • Conceptual innovations in Healthcare Economics
  • Conceptual innovations in Healthcare Administration

Review Article: (Word limit 6,000). Provides an authoritative, balanced, comprehensive, fully referenced and critical review of the literature on topics related to Health Policy, Healthcare Administration and Health Economics.  Reviews should be systematic, include all relevant data, and should not be overly influenced by the opinions and biases of the authors.

Conceptual Paper: (Word limit 3,500). These papers will not be based on research but will develop hypotheses or concepts. The papers are likely to be discursive and will cover philosophical and/or technical discussions and comparative studies of others' work and thinking Health Policy, Healthcare Administration and Health Economics.

Practical Application: (Word limit 3,500). Reviews and explores the practicalities of implementing/using particular economic methodologies to address problems in Health Policy, Healthcare Administration and Health Economics. The paper should either focus on one particular method and review its advantages and disadvantages, or focus more on a particular decision problem and review the various methods that might help inform the problem.

Systematic Review: (Word limit 6,000). Collates all empirical evidence that fits pre-specified eligibility criteria to answer a specific research question. It uses explicit, systematic methods that are selected with a view to minimizing bias, thus providing reliable findings from which conclusions can be drawn and decisions made.

Research Articles: (Word limit 4,000) Research articles describe experimental or observational investigations that used formal methods for data collection and reporting of results of studies directly related to Health Policy, Healthcare Administration and Health Economics.

Editorial/Commentary: (Word limit 1,500).  These manuscripts are descriptive and intended to stimulate reflection and dialogue about issues in Health Policy, Healthcare Administration and Health Economics.  Manuscripts in this category are subject to peer and/or editorial review.

Medical

Clinical Trials (3,000 word limit)

Clinical trials must conform to ethical standards. A statement in the Methods section of each manuscript must be made by trialists indicating that institutional review board oversight was obtained. The approving institutional review board must be named.

Clinical trials are required to be prospectively registered to be published in Proceedings. The clinical trial registry, the registration number, and date of registration must be recorded in the Methods section of the manuscript.  If alterations to study design, endpoints, or data analysis plans were made by trialists, these changes must also be addressed in the manuscript noting the rationale for these changes.  Qualifying trial registries include ClinicalTrials.gov or primary registries approved by the World Health Organization (see http://www.who.int/ictrp/network/primary/en/)

Randomized controlled trials are required to follow the CONSORT statement to ensure completeness of reporting study information.  The CONSORT checklist must be submitted at the time of manuscript submission.  Non-randomized trials should be reported according to relevant

It is encouraged that completed trials be submitted. Manuscripts submitted with outcomes from a portion of the trial may be considered with an appropriate rationale.  In such cases, trialists should consult with the Editors-in-Chief prior to submission.

Industry-sponsored trials should consult Mansi et. al when preparing the manuscript (Mansi BA, Clark J, David FS et al. Ten recommendations for closing the credibility gap in reporting industry-sponsored clinical research: a joint journal and pharmaceutical industry perspective. Mayo Clin Proc 2012;87:424–9)

Systematic Reviews with or without meta-analysis (3,500 word limit)

Prospective registration of systematic reviews in PROSPERO or other registries is highly encouraged.  Registered reviews should list the registration number in the Methods section of the manuscript.  An alternative option to registration is to publish the systematic review protocol.  In cases where systematic reviewers published a protocol, the citation should be provided in the Methods section of the manuscript.

Deviations, if any, from the registration or protocol must be described in the Methods sections as well as the rationale for these changes.

Systematic reviews that were not prospectively registered or protocol published must provide the reason for not doing so in the cover letter.

Systematic reviews are required to follow the PRISMA or MOOSE reporting guidelines.  A PRISMA Checklist must be submitted at the time of manuscript submission.

Case Reports/Case Series (2,000 word limit)

Case reports or case series should report on cases that present unreported or unusual adverse effects, unexpected presentations of a disease, new variations in disease processes, unexpected associations between disease and symptoms, unexpected events that occur during treatment, diagnosis or treatment of new diseases, or new insight regarding the possible pathogenesis of a disease or adverse event.  Case reports/series should strive to be hypothesis generating to lay a foundation for more extensive research investigations.

Case reports/case series are required to follow CARE reporting guidelines and provide a CARE checklist at the time of manuscript submission.

Case reports/case series must conform to ethical standards. A statement in the Methods section of each manuscript must be made by authors indicating that institutional review board oversight was obtained (or whether approval was waived--do we really want this in here, typically case studies do not need IRB approval).  The approving institutional review board must be named.

Quality Improvement Studies (3,000 words)

Quality Improvement studies should be written in accordance with SQUIRE 2.0 guidelines. The authors should consider every item and decide whether all are relevant to include for the particular study.

Economic Evaluation Studies (including cost consequences analysis, cost-minimization analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, and cost-benefit analysis)

Economic evaluation studies should follow the CHEERS reporting guidelines. The authors should provide the CHEERS checklist at the time of submission.

Pharmacotherapy

This section is dedicated to the following areas of pharmacy:

  • Pharmacotherapy and outcome research
  • Clinical pharmacy
  • Pharmacoepidemiology
  • Pharmacoeconomics
  • Pharmaceutical care
  • Clinical use of medicines, medical devices, and laboratory tests
  • Information on medicines and medical devices information
  • Pharmacy services research
  • Medication management
  • Other clinical aspects of pharmacy

We recommend a 3000 word limit for this section. The types of articles we will consider for this special section include the following:

Reviews. Reviews are comprehensive, well-referenced descriptive papers on teaching, clinical practice, or research topics directly related to pharmacy practice. Reviews should be systematic, include all relevant data, and should not be overly influenced by the opinions and biases of the authors.

Research Articles. Research articles describe experimental or observational investigations that used formal methods for data collection and reporting of results of studies directly related to pharmacy.

Briefs. Research Briefs are small scale studies or pilot works of interest to others with limited outcomes data. The concept should be timely and significant. Peer review and IRB approval are required for both categories of briefs.

Commentaries. These manuscripts are descriptive and intended to stimulate reflection and dialogue about issues in pharmacy practice (includes previous categories of Statements, Special Articles, and Viewpoints). Manuscripts in this category are subject to peer and/or editorial review.

Biomedical Sciences

Guidelines for Biomedical Section

This section is dedicated to publications that address any aspect of basic or translational biomedical research.

Research Article: This format is used to present a novel and substantial research study in which the findings and discussion provide a meaningful advancement to the field. The major sections include: Abstract, Introduction, Methods and Materials, Results, Discussion, and References. Word limit (including references) is 7,000; the number of references is limited to 60 and no more than 8 figures/tables are allowed.

Brief Report: This format is used to present a novel and concise research study that provides timely and significant advancement to the field. Typically, the brief report is presented in a manner and scope that is readily appreciated and interpreted by a diverse audience. Please note, this is not a format for presenting preliminary findings. The major sections include Abstract, Introduction, Methods and Materials, Results, Discussion, and References. Word limit (including references) is 3,500; the number of references is limited to 40 and no more than 3 figures/tables are allowed.

Review Articles: This format is used to provide an authoritative and scholarly survey of a particular research field that also includes the most recent developments in that field. It is important that the information be presented in a balanced manner and that controversial topics be handled in a consistent manner. Importantly though, this balanced presentation should not discourage the author(s) from posing a specific viewpoint. Word limit (including references) is 10,000; the number of references is limited to 100 and the article must contain at least 2 figures/tables.

Forensics

This section is dedicated to the science that supports the investigation and prosecution/defense of criminal acts. Written works in the following topic areas could be considered of interest to a broad readership and therefore eligible for publication:

  • Works discussing forensic chemistry (toxicology, drugs, explosives, etc.).
  • Works discussing forensic biology or genetics.
  • Works discussing forensic pathology.
  • Works exploring psychology as a forensic tool.
  • Works discussing new approaches to forensic science education and training.

Types of manuscripts considered:

Review Article: (Word limit 6,000). Provides a comprehensive, fully referenced, and accurate review of the literature on current topics relevant to forensic science. Historical reviews discussing the evolution of a forensic discipline would be acceptable for consideration.  Reviews should be systematic, include all relevant data, and should not be overly influenced by the opinions and biases of the authors.

Practical Application: (Word limit 3,500). Reviews and explores the practicalities of implementing existing technologies or methodologies in new ways or the implementation of new technologies to challenges in the forensic sciences. Manuscripts should be focused on a challenge that exists in the field and how a particular method or approach might help address the challenge.

Research Articles: (Word limit 4,000) Research articles describe experimental or observational investigations that used formal methods for data collection and reporting of results in response to a research question with forensic relevance.

Editorial/Commentary: (Word limit 1,500). These manuscripts are descriptive and intended to stimulate reflection and dialogue about issues of interest to a broad audience in forensic science, education, and training.  Manuscripts in this category are subject to peer and/or editorial review.

Public Health

Public Health

We welcome papers on the theory and practice of the whole spectrum of public health across ecological levels, with a particular focus on the translation of science into action.

This includes but is not limited to:

  • Public health arguments grounded in critical analysis
  • Evaluation of proximal and distal determinants of health behavior
  • Reports on the development and tailoring of evidence-based public health programs
  • Reports on initiatives with the potential to advance the public’s health
  • Reports on methods to identify and address the root causes of health disparities

Review Article: (Word limit 6,000). Provides an authoritative, balanced, comprehensive, fully referenced and critical review of the literature on topics related to public health.  Reviews should be systematic, include all relevant data, and should not be overly influenced by the opinions and biases of the authors.

Practical Application: (Word limit 3,500). Reviews and explores the practicalities of implementing/using particular methodologies to address problems in public health. The paper should either focus on one particular method and review its advantages and disadvantages, or focus more on a particular decision problem and review the various methods that might help inform the problem.

Systematic Review: (Word limit 6,000). Collates all empirical evidence that fits pre-specified eligibility criteria to answer a specific research question. It uses explicit, systematic methods that are selected with a view to minimizing bias, thus providing reliable findings from which conclusions can be drawn and decisions made.

Research Articles: (Word limit 5,000) Research articles describe experimental or observational investigations that used formal methods for data collection and reporting of results of studies directly related to public health.

Editorial/Commentary: (Word limit 1,500).  These manuscripts are descriptive and intended to stimulate reflection and dialogue about issues in public health. Manuscripts in this category are subject to peer and/or editorial review.

FORMAT

The material should be assembled in the following order:

1. Cover Letter. The senior author must sign the letter. A statement must be included stating that the content has neither been published nor is simultaneously being considered for publication elsewhere. Author’s address, telephone number, fax number, and E-mail address should be included.

2. Title Page. The first title page should contain the title, list of authors with degrees and affiliations, sources of support, phone number, and E-mail address of the corresponding author to whom proofs and correspondence are to be sent. A second title page should contain only the title for purposes of mailing for blind review.

3. Acknowledgments. The acknowledgments should appear on a separate page. Acknowledgments should not appear elsewhere in the manuscript.

4. Abstract. The abstract and keywords should be on a separate page following the acknowledgment page. The abstract should be limited to 150 words or fewer. It must be factual and comprehensive. Abbreviations and general statements (e.g., the significance of the results is discussed) should be avoided. The authors are requested to provide up to six keywords or phrases.

5. The main body of the manuscript. The main body of the manuscript should contain the introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusions.

6. References. Authors are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of their references and for correct text citation.

7. Tables.

8. Figures. Figures must be submitted separately as graphic files, in the highest possible resolution. Figure caption text should be included in the article’s Microsoft Word file. All figures must be readable in black and white.

There should be no more than four tables and/or figures. All papers submitted must conform to high ethical considerations and should be written in non- sexist language. Authors should not include their names or any author identification anywhere in the body of the manuscript to facilitate the blind review process. 

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