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Submitting a medical manuscript to a journal can be an daunting and frustrating experience. Years of hard work culminate in this critical moment, where the risk of desk rejections due to formatting or delays at the editorial looms over the weary researcher. This process can be time-consuming and discouraging, but there are ways to minimize these hurdles and improve your chances of success.

The Challenges with Formatting a Manuscript Submission

The journey of submitting a manuscript to a journal is fraught with challenges. Each journal has its own set of instructions, which can be highly variable and often unclear. To make matters worse, what a journal lists on its website as requirements can sometimes differ from what is expected. This inconsistency can lead to unnecessary delays and frustration.

Key Points for Formatting Your Manuscript

To help you navigate the intricacies of journal submission, here are some critical areas to focus on:

1. Title Page

The title page is the most variable section of a manuscript. Different journals have different requirements, including title length requirements, the need for a running title, author information, affiliation requirements, acknowledgements, and disclosures. Pay particular attention to the title page which is a common area for formatting errors.

2. Headings

Both the abstract and the main manuscript headings can vary significantly between journals (e.g. Introduction vs. Background). Make sure to check and align your headings with the journal's specific guidelines.

3. Abstract

The abstract is a crucial part of your manuscript. Ensure it is structured correctly, adheres to the specified length, and includes the necessary headings. Most journals require a structured abstract, however, if it is unclear, clarify with the journal desk.

4. Acknowledgements

Placement and wording of acknowledgements can vary; some journals require them on the title page, while others prefer them after the main body of the manuscript. Verify the specific requirements for each submission.

5. Key Statements

Many journals require specific statements within the manuscript body, such as ethics approvals, adherence to reporting guidelines, and data sharing statements. Double check to make sure these sometimes hidden items are included. Or, include them routinely in all of your manuscript submissions.

6. References

Using a reference manager is essential. If you are looking for a free one, Zotero is free and easy to use. Journals often provide examples rather than clear instructions for reference styles (e.g. APA, NEJM). For the journals that just provide examples, you can input reference examples into ChatGPT to quickly identify the corresponding style (e.g. Vancouver).

7. Figures

Determine whether figures should be included within the manuscript text or submitted separately. This can vary significantly between journals.

8. Tables

Similar to figures, check if tables need to be embedded in the manuscript or uploaded as separate files.

9. Supplemental Material

Clarify whether supplemental materials should be included within the manuscript or submitted as separate documents. Proper handling of supplemental material can enhance the comprehensiveness of your submission.

 

The time cost of manuscript formatting

The variability and complexity of these requirements leads to a significant waste of time, with some studies estimating up to 14 hours spent per manuscript on formatting alone. Not to mention the time-cost of rejected manuscripts, which can delay the publication of your paper by weeks.

This is where Resub comes in. Our automated manuscript formatting platform takes care of identifying the journal requirements and formatting your paper to meet their needs. We flag any items that are missing and provide a submission checklist to help your manuscript effortlessly find a home.

Interested in saving hours during the submission project? Try a free trial of Resub to capitalize on the value of your time.

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