Author Guidelines
The Journal of Critical Care Research and Emergency Medicine (ISSN: 3066-7097) invites high-quality, original contributions that enhance the understanding, diagnosis, and management of patients in emergency and critical care settings. To streamline the submission, review, and publication process, authors are expected to carefully follow the guidelines outlined below. These instructions ensure that manuscripts meet the journal’s academic and ethical standards and are formatted appropriately for peer review and publication.
1. Types of Manuscripts Accepted
The journal welcomes a wide range of submission formats, each contributing uniquely to the advancement of emergency and critical care practice:
- Original Research Articles: Empirical studies reporting novel findings with well-defined methodology and statistical analysis.
- Review Articles: Comprehensive evaluations of existing literature that synthesize key findings and propose future research directions.
- Clinical Case Studies: Detailed reports of rare, complex, or instructive clinical scenarios, including diagnostics and management strategies.
- Short Communications: Brief reports of urgent findings, pilot studies, or emerging hypotheses with preliminary data.
- Technical Reports and Methodological Papers: Submissions that describe novel procedures, technologies, or protocols applicable to emergency or intensive care.
- Editorials and Expert Opinions: Insightful commentary on current issues or recently published studies in the field.
2. Manuscript Preparation
Language and Clarity:
All submissions must be written in clear, fluent English. Authors who are not native English speakers are advised to use language editing services prior to submission. The journal values precise, concise writing that communicates scientific findings effectively.
Document Format:
Manuscripts must be submitted in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx). Use double-spacing throughout the document, 1-inch margins on all sides, and a standard 12-point font (e.g., Times New Roman). Each page should be numbered consecutively.
Title:
The title should be informative, specific, and limited to 15–18 words. It must accurately reflect the content of the paper without using abbreviations or jargon.
Abstract:
Provide a structured abstract of 200–250 words. For original research, the abstract should include sections such as Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. The abstract should summarize the key elements of the study in a concise and comprehensible manner.
Keywords:
Include 4-6 relevant keywords that capture the essential concepts of the study. Keywords help in indexing and improving the article’s visibility.
Main Sections:
The manuscript should be organised under clear headings and subheadings. For most article types, the following structure is recommended:
- Introduction: Provide background, relevance, and the study objective.
- Materials and Methods: Detail the study design, setting, population, procedures, and statistical tools.
- Results: Present findings clearly with appropriate tables and figures. Avoid redundant descriptions.
- Discussion: Interpret findings, compare with existing literature, and highlight clinical implications or limitations.
- Conclusion: Offer a brief, well-supported summary of the study’s significance and recommendations.
3. References
All references must follow APA style. In-text citations should include the author’s surname and year of publication, for example: (Johnson & Smith, 2022). Use a hanging indent for all entries in the reference list.
Reference List Examples:
- Journal Article:
XX, A., & XX, K. (2020). Advances in mechanical ventilation strategies. XXX Journal Medicine, 48(4), 245-251. https://doi.org/xxxxx/xxxxxxxx
- Book:
Kumar, S. (2019). Principles of Intensive Care Practice. Academic Press.
- Website:
World Health Organization. (2023). XXXXX and trauma care. https://www.who.int/XXXXXXXXXXXX
Ensure that all references cited in the text are included in the reference list and vice versa.
4. Figures and Tables
- All figures and tables must be numbered consecutively and cited in the main text.
- Each figure and table should have a concise but descriptive title.
- Tables should be included in the manuscript file, while high-resolution figures should be uploaded separately in .jpg or .png formats.
- Captions for figures should be provided below each figure; legends for tables should appear above the table.
5. Submission Process
Online Submission:
All manuscripts must be submitted via the journal’s designated online submission portal. Authors will need to register an account and follow the submission instructions to upload their manuscript, cover letter, and any additional materials.
Cover Letter:
A cover letter must accompany each submission. It should include a brief summary of the manuscript, a statement of originality, and a declaration that the manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure:
Authors must disclose any financial relationships, affiliations, or other conflicts that could influence the interpretation of the research. A conflict-of-interest statement should be included at the end of the manuscript.
6. Peer Review and Editorial Process
All manuscripts undergo a double-blind peer review by experts in the relevant field. The editorial team first evaluates submissions for scope and formatting compliance before assigning them to reviewers. Based on reviewers’ comments, the editorial board will make one of the following decisions: accept, revise, or reject.
7. Article Processing Charges
Authors are required to pay an Article Processing Charge upon acceptance of the manuscript. The APC covers the cost of peer review, editorial handling, typesetting, and online publication. Detailed information regarding APCs will be communicated after acceptance. No charges apply at the submission stage.
8. Ethical Considerations
- Research involving human or animal subjects must include a statement of ethical approval from an appropriate review board.
- Patient consent must be obtained for case studies or identifiable information.
- Plagiarism, data falsification, or duplicate submission will result in immediate rejection or retraction.
9. Copyright and Licensing
Authors retain full copyright over their published work. Articles will be published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license, which permits reuse, redistribution, and adaptation, provided appropriate credit is given.
10. Revision Policy
If revisions are requested, authors should submit a revised manuscript along with a detailed response to reviewer comments. Revisions must be completed within the specified deadline to avoid delays in processing.
