Guideline
Razi Journal of Medical Sciences (Razi J Med Sci)
1. General Submission Requirements
All manuscripts submitted to the Razi Journal of Medical Sciences (Razi J Med Sci) must be original, unpublished work and not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Authors are expected to adhere strictly to these guidelines. Manuscripts should be submitted through the journal's online
submission system. Prior to submission, authors are advised to review the specific requirements for each article type. Manuscripts that do not meet the submission requirements may be returned to the author without review.
2. Language Policy
Razi J Med Sci primarily publishes in English. All submissions must be written in clear, concise, and grammatically correct English. Non-native English speakers are strongly encouraged to have their manuscripts professionally edited for language proficiency before submission. Persian translations of abstracts are required for all submitted articles and will be published alongside the English abstract.
3. ORCID iD
All authors are required to have an Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID iD). The ORCID iD should be provided for each author during the manuscript submission process. This unique identifier helps to distinguish researchers and their publications.
4. Cover Letter
A cover letter must accompany every manuscript submission. The cover letter should:
* Clearly state the manuscript title and type.
* Confirm that the manuscript has not been published or submitted for publication elsewhere.
*Provide a brief summary of the study's significance and its suitability for Razi J Med Sci.
* Declare that all authors have approved the manuscript and agree with its submission to this journal.
* Suggest potential reviewers (and optionally, reviewers to exclude) if desired, along with their institutional affiliations and email addresses.
5. Article Types and Requirements
Razi J Med Sci accepts several types of articles. Authors must select the appropriate type and adhere to the specified length and structure.
5.1. Original Articles
Original articles represent a significant contribution to medical knowledge. They should report the results of original research and typically include:
* Abstract: Structured abstract (max 350 words).
* Introduction: Background, rationale, and objectives.
* Methods: Detailed description of the study design, participants, data collection, and statistical analysis.
* Results: Presentation of findings without interpretation.
* Discussion: Interpretation of results, comparison with existing literature, limitations, and implications. * Conclusion: Summary of key findings.
*Keywords: 3-5 keywords.
* Length: Up to 5000 words (excluding abstract and references).
* References: Up to 40 references.
* Tables and Figures: Up to 6 tables and figures.
5.2. Review Articles
Review articles provide a comprehensive overview of a specific topic, critically evaluating existing literature. They should be based on a thorough search and synthesis of published research.
* Abstract: Structured abstract (max 350 words).
* Introduction: Scope and objectives of the review.
* Body: Thematic organization of the literature.
* Conclusion: Summary of key findings and future directions.
* Keywords: 3-5 keywords.
* Length: Up to 5000 words (excluding abstract and references).
* References: Up to 100 references.
* Tables and Figures: Up to 8 tables and figures.
* Note: Authors planning to submit a review article are encouraged to contact the editorial office beforehand.
5.3. Case Reports
Case reports describe novel or unusual cases that offer significant learning value for clinicians and researchers.
* Abstract: Unstructured abstract (max 200 words).
* Introduction: Brief background.
* Case Presentation: Detailed description of the patient and the condition.
* Discussion: Clinical significance, comparison with similar cases, and implications.
* Conclusion: Key takeaways.
*Keywords: 3-5 keywords.
* Length: Up to 1500 words (excluding abstract and references).
* References: Up to 15 references.
* Tables and Figures: Up to 3 tables and figures.
* Informed Consent: Required from the patient (or guardian).
5.4. Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor can be in the form of:
* Comments on published articles: Concise critical analysis or discussion of recently published articles in Razi J Med Sci.
* Brief research findings: Preliminary results or observations of general interest.
* Length: Up to 800 words (excluding references).
* References: Up to 10 references.
* Note: Letters are subject to editorial review and may be shortened.
5.5. Correspondence
Brief communications on topics of general medical interest, including opinion pieces or responses to previous correspondence.
* Length: Up to 500 words. *
References: Up to 5 references.
6. Extended English Abstract
For articles where the primary language of publication is Persian (though English is preferred), an extended English abstract is mandatory. This abstract should be comprehensive, summarizing the study's background, methods, results, and conclusions in detail, and should be approximately 750-1500 words. This ensures accessibility for the international readership.
7. Reporting Guidelines
Razi J Med Sci strongly encourages authors to follow relevant reporting guidelines for their research type. These guidelines improve the transparency and accuracy of reporting. Authors should consult the EQUATOR Network (www.equator-network.org) for available guidelines (e.g., CONSORT for
randomized trials, STROBE for observational studies, PRISMA for systematic reviews, CARE for case reports). The adherence to these guidelines should be explicitly stated in the methods section.
8. References
All references must be formatted according to the Vancouver style. In-text citations should be indicated by superscript Arabic numerals in chronological order of their first appearance in the text. A reference list should be provided at the end of the manuscript. For journal articles, include authors' surnames and
initials, title of the article, abbreviated title of the journal (as indexed in MEDLINE/ PubMed), year of publication, volume, and page numbers. For books, include authors, title, edition (if not the first), place of publication, publisher, and year. Be careful to cite only published works or works in press. Personal communications should not be cited in the reference list but can be mentioned in the text with the
date.
9. Tables and Figures
Tables and figures should be presented separately at the end of the manuscript, following the reference list. Each table and figure should be numbered consecutively using Arabic numerals. * Tables: Each table should have a clear title and brief legend. Column headings should be concise. Units of measurement should be clearly indicated. * Figures: Figures should be submitted as high-resolution images (e.g., TIFF, JPEG, EPS). Each figure should have a title and a legend explaining all abbreviations and symbols. Authors must ensure that figures are legible at the intended print size.
10. Supplementary Materials
Supplementary materials, such as additional data, figures, or videos, can be submitted alongside the manuscript. These will be published online alongside the main article. Authors must clearly indicate in the manuscript where supplementary materials are referenced.
11. Declarations
The manuscript must include the following declarations:
* Author Contributions: A brief statement detailing the contribution of each author (see Section 18).
* Ethics Approval: Confirmation that ethical approval was obtained (see Section 12).
* Informed Consent: Confirmation that informed consent was obtained where applicable (see Section 13).
* Data Availability: A statement on the availability of data supporting the findings (see Section 14). * Conflict of Interest: Disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest (see Section 15).
* Funding: Statement of any funding sources (see Section 16).
* Availability of Data and MaterialsL See Section 14).
12. Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate All studies involving human participants, human material, or animals must have been performed in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/
or national research committee and with the Helsinki Declaration. Authors must provide evidence of ethical approval by an institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee. The name of the ethics committee and the approval reference number must be stated in the manuscript. For studies involving animals, appropriate guidelines for animal care and use must be followed.
* In the case of clinical trials, RCT number is also necessary.
13. Informed Consent
For studies involving human participants, written informed consent must be obtained from each participant or their legally authorized representative prior to their inclusion in the study. A statement confirming that informed consent was obtained must be included in the manuscript. For case reports, consent from the patient (or guardian) is mandatory.
14. Availability of Data and Materials
Authors are required to provide a statement on the availability of data and materials supporting the findings of their study. This statement should clearly indicate whether the data are publicly available, accessible upon reasonable request, or not available. For instance: * "All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files."
* "The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to [reason] but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request."
* "The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request."
15. Conflict of Interest
All authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that might be perceived as influencing the objectivity of the manuscript. This includes any employment, consultancy, stock ownership, honoraria, or expert testimony. If no conflict of interest exists, this should be explicitly stated. The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form is recommended.
16. Funding
Authors must clearly identify and acknowledge all sources of funding for the research presented in the manuscript, including grant numbers, if applicable. If the research was self-funded, this should be stated.
17. Authorship
Authorship should be based on substantial contributions to:
* Conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the
work; AND
* Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual
content; AND
* Final approval of the version to be published; AND
* Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to
the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
All individuals who meet these criteria should be listed as authors. Those who do not meet these criteria should be acknowledged. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all co-authors have approved the manuscript and the order of authorship.
18. Authors’ Contributions
A brief description of each author's contribution to the study must be provided. This section helps to clarify the roles and responsibilities of each author. For example: * "AA: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Writing – Original Draft. BB: Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Visualization. CC: Supervision, Review & Editing."
19. Acknowledgments
Any individuals who have made significant contributions to the research but do not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged in this section. This may include technical assistance, advice, or providing resources.
20. Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement
Razi J Med Sci is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics. We adhere to the guidelines and principles established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Authors are expected to familiarize themselves with COPE's guidelines on publication ethics. Plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication, and unethical research practices are not tolerated. Any suspected breaches of publication ethics will be investigated thoroughly and may result in manuscript rejection, retraction, and reporting to relevant institutions.
21. Peer Review Policy
Razi J Med Sci employs a double-blind peer review process. This means that both the reviewers and the authors are anonymized to each other during the review process. All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial check for scope and adherence to guidelines. Manuscripts that pass this initial check are
sent to at least two independent external reviewers with expertise in the relevant field. Reviewers are asked to evaluate the manuscript's scientific validity, originality, clarity, and significance. The editor-in-chief makes the final decision based on the reviewers' recommendations.
22. Manuscript Revision
Authors will be notified of the peer review decision. If revisions are requested, authors will be provided with reviewer comments and editorial feedback. Authors are expected to address all comments thoroughly and submit a revised manuscript, along with a point-by-point response to the reviewers' comments. Revisions should be submitted within the specified timeframe. Failure to resubmit within the deadline may be considered a withdrawal of the manuscript.
23. Appeals and Complaints
Authors who wish to appeal an editorial decision or have a complaint should submit a formal written appeal to the editor-in-chief. Appeals should clearly state the grounds for the appeal and provide supporting evidence. Complaints will be handled promptly and impartially.
24. Copyright and Open Access Policy
Razi J Med Sci is an open access journal. Upon acceptance, copyright of the published article is retained by the author(s), while the first publication rights are granted to the journal. Articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
25. Proofs
Authors will receive page proofs of their accepted manuscript for review. Proofs should be checked carefully for any typographical or grammatical errors. Any corrections must be returned to the editorial office within the specified deadline. Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the content. Major changes or additions to the text at the proof stage are generally not permitted.
26. Article Processing Charges
Razi J Med Sci currently operates a no Article Processing Charge (APC) policy. There are no fees charged to authors for the submission, review, or publication of their articles.
27. How to Access
Accepted articles will be published online on the Razi Journal of Medical Sciences website. The journal is indexed in prominent databases, including Scopus, making its content widely accessible to the global medical community.
28. Language Editing
While Razi J Med Sci strives to publish high-quality English-language manuscripts, authors are strongly encouraged to ensure their manuscript is polished and free of grammatical errors before submission. The journal does not provide professional language editing services. Authors may consider utilizing
external language editing services if they have concerns about their manuscript's English proficiency.
29. Contact Information
For any inquiries or clarifications regarding the Authors Guidelines or the submission process, please contact the editorial office: Editorial Office Razi Journal of Medical Sciences Iran University of Medical
Sciences
Email: editorial.office
razi.iums.ac.ir Website: www.razi.iums.ac.ir/en/journal
1. General Submission Requirements
All manuscripts submitted to the Razi Journal of Medical Sciences (Razi J Med Sci) must be original, unpublished work and not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Authors are expected to adhere strictly to these guidelines. Manuscripts should be submitted through the journal's online
submission system. Prior to submission, authors are advised to review the specific requirements for each article type. Manuscripts that do not meet the submission requirements may be returned to the author without review.
2. Language Policy
Razi J Med Sci primarily publishes in English. All submissions must be written in clear, concise, and grammatically correct English. Non-native English speakers are strongly encouraged to have their manuscripts professionally edited for language proficiency before submission. Persian translations of abstracts are required for all submitted articles and will be published alongside the English abstract.
3. ORCID iD
All authors are required to have an Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID iD). The ORCID iD should be provided for each author during the manuscript submission process. This unique identifier helps to distinguish researchers and their publications.
4. Cover Letter
A cover letter must accompany every manuscript submission. The cover letter should:
* Clearly state the manuscript title and type.
* Confirm that the manuscript has not been published or submitted for publication elsewhere.
*Provide a brief summary of the study's significance and its suitability for Razi J Med Sci.
* Declare that all authors have approved the manuscript and agree with its submission to this journal.
* Suggest potential reviewers (and optionally, reviewers to exclude) if desired, along with their institutional affiliations and email addresses.
5. Article Types and Requirements
Razi J Med Sci accepts several types of articles. Authors must select the appropriate type and adhere to the specified length and structure.
5.1. Original Articles
Original articles represent a significant contribution to medical knowledge. They should report the results of original research and typically include:
* Abstract: Structured abstract (max 350 words).
* Introduction: Background, rationale, and objectives.
* Methods: Detailed description of the study design, participants, data collection, and statistical analysis.
* Results: Presentation of findings without interpretation.
* Discussion: Interpretation of results, comparison with existing literature, limitations, and implications. * Conclusion: Summary of key findings.
*Keywords: 3-5 keywords.
* Length: Up to 5000 words (excluding abstract and references).
* References: Up to 40 references.
* Tables and Figures: Up to 6 tables and figures.
5.2. Review Articles
Review articles provide a comprehensive overview of a specific topic, critically evaluating existing literature. They should be based on a thorough search and synthesis of published research.
* Abstract: Structured abstract (max 350 words).
* Introduction: Scope and objectives of the review.
* Body: Thematic organization of the literature.
* Conclusion: Summary of key findings and future directions.
* Keywords: 3-5 keywords.
* Length: Up to 5000 words (excluding abstract and references).
* References: Up to 100 references.
* Tables and Figures: Up to 8 tables and figures.
* Note: Authors planning to submit a review article are encouraged to contact the editorial office beforehand.
5.3. Case Reports
Case reports describe novel or unusual cases that offer significant learning value for clinicians and researchers.
* Abstract: Unstructured abstract (max 200 words).
* Introduction: Brief background.
* Case Presentation: Detailed description of the patient and the condition.
* Discussion: Clinical significance, comparison with similar cases, and implications.
* Conclusion: Key takeaways.
*Keywords: 3-5 keywords.
* Length: Up to 1500 words (excluding abstract and references).
* References: Up to 15 references.
* Tables and Figures: Up to 3 tables and figures.
* Informed Consent: Required from the patient (or guardian).
5.4. Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor can be in the form of:
* Comments on published articles: Concise critical analysis or discussion of recently published articles in Razi J Med Sci.
* Brief research findings: Preliminary results or observations of general interest.
* Length: Up to 800 words (excluding references).
* References: Up to 10 references.
* Note: Letters are subject to editorial review and may be shortened.
5.5. Correspondence
Brief communications on topics of general medical interest, including opinion pieces or responses to previous correspondence.
* Length: Up to 500 words. *
References: Up to 5 references.
6. Extended English Abstract
For articles where the primary language of publication is Persian (though English is preferred), an extended English abstract is mandatory. This abstract should be comprehensive, summarizing the study's background, methods, results, and conclusions in detail, and should be approximately 750-1500 words. This ensures accessibility for the international readership.
7. Reporting Guidelines
Razi J Med Sci strongly encourages authors to follow relevant reporting guidelines for their research type. These guidelines improve the transparency and accuracy of reporting. Authors should consult the EQUATOR Network (www.equator-network.org) for available guidelines (e.g., CONSORT for
randomized trials, STROBE for observational studies, PRISMA for systematic reviews, CARE for case reports). The adherence to these guidelines should be explicitly stated in the methods section.
8. References
All references must be formatted according to the Vancouver style. In-text citations should be indicated by superscript Arabic numerals in chronological order of their first appearance in the text. A reference list should be provided at the end of the manuscript. For journal articles, include authors' surnames and
initials, title of the article, abbreviated title of the journal (as indexed in MEDLINE/ PubMed), year of publication, volume, and page numbers. For books, include authors, title, edition (if not the first), place of publication, publisher, and year. Be careful to cite only published works or works in press. Personal communications should not be cited in the reference list but can be mentioned in the text with the
date.
9. Tables and Figures
Tables and figures should be presented separately at the end of the manuscript, following the reference list. Each table and figure should be numbered consecutively using Arabic numerals. * Tables: Each table should have a clear title and brief legend. Column headings should be concise. Units of measurement should be clearly indicated. * Figures: Figures should be submitted as high-resolution images (e.g., TIFF, JPEG, EPS). Each figure should have a title and a legend explaining all abbreviations and symbols. Authors must ensure that figures are legible at the intended print size.
10. Supplementary Materials
Supplementary materials, such as additional data, figures, or videos, can be submitted alongside the manuscript. These will be published online alongside the main article. Authors must clearly indicate in the manuscript where supplementary materials are referenced.
11. Declarations
The manuscript must include the following declarations:
* Author Contributions: A brief statement detailing the contribution of each author (see Section 18).
* Ethics Approval: Confirmation that ethical approval was obtained (see Section 12).
* Informed Consent: Confirmation that informed consent was obtained where applicable (see Section 13).
* Data Availability: A statement on the availability of data supporting the findings (see Section 14). * Conflict of Interest: Disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest (see Section 15).
* Funding: Statement of any funding sources (see Section 16).
* Availability of Data and MaterialsL See Section 14).
12. Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate All studies involving human participants, human material, or animals must have been performed in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/
or national research committee and with the Helsinki Declaration. Authors must provide evidence of ethical approval by an institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee. The name of the ethics committee and the approval reference number must be stated in the manuscript. For studies involving animals, appropriate guidelines for animal care and use must be followed.
* In the case of clinical trials, RCT number is also necessary.
13. Informed Consent
For studies involving human participants, written informed consent must be obtained from each participant or their legally authorized representative prior to their inclusion in the study. A statement confirming that informed consent was obtained must be included in the manuscript. For case reports, consent from the patient (or guardian) is mandatory.
14. Availability of Data and Materials
Authors are required to provide a statement on the availability of data and materials supporting the findings of their study. This statement should clearly indicate whether the data are publicly available, accessible upon reasonable request, or not available. For instance: * "All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files."
* "The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to [reason] but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request."
* "The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request."
15. Conflict of Interest
All authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that might be perceived as influencing the objectivity of the manuscript. This includes any employment, consultancy, stock ownership, honoraria, or expert testimony. If no conflict of interest exists, this should be explicitly stated. The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form is recommended.
16. Funding
Authors must clearly identify and acknowledge all sources of funding for the research presented in the manuscript, including grant numbers, if applicable. If the research was self-funded, this should be stated.
17. Authorship
Authorship should be based on substantial contributions to:
* Conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the
work; AND
* Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual
content; AND
* Final approval of the version to be published; AND
* Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to
the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
All individuals who meet these criteria should be listed as authors. Those who do not meet these criteria should be acknowledged. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all co-authors have approved the manuscript and the order of authorship.
18. Authors’ Contributions
A brief description of each author's contribution to the study must be provided. This section helps to clarify the roles and responsibilities of each author. For example: * "AA: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Writing – Original Draft. BB: Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Visualization. CC: Supervision, Review & Editing."
19. Acknowledgments
Any individuals who have made significant contributions to the research but do not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged in this section. This may include technical assistance, advice, or providing resources.
20. Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement
Razi J Med Sci is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics. We adhere to the guidelines and principles established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Authors are expected to familiarize themselves with COPE's guidelines on publication ethics. Plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication, and unethical research practices are not tolerated. Any suspected breaches of publication ethics will be investigated thoroughly and may result in manuscript rejection, retraction, and reporting to relevant institutions.
21. Peer Review Policy
Razi J Med Sci employs a double-blind peer review process. This means that both the reviewers and the authors are anonymized to each other during the review process. All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial check for scope and adherence to guidelines. Manuscripts that pass this initial check are
sent to at least two independent external reviewers with expertise in the relevant field. Reviewers are asked to evaluate the manuscript's scientific validity, originality, clarity, and significance. The editor-in-chief makes the final decision based on the reviewers' recommendations.
22. Manuscript Revision
Authors will be notified of the peer review decision. If revisions are requested, authors will be provided with reviewer comments and editorial feedback. Authors are expected to address all comments thoroughly and submit a revised manuscript, along with a point-by-point response to the reviewers' comments. Revisions should be submitted within the specified timeframe. Failure to resubmit within the deadline may be considered a withdrawal of the manuscript.
23. Appeals and Complaints
Authors who wish to appeal an editorial decision or have a complaint should submit a formal written appeal to the editor-in-chief. Appeals should clearly state the grounds for the appeal and provide supporting evidence. Complaints will be handled promptly and impartially.
24. Copyright and Open Access Policy
Razi J Med Sci is an open access journal. Upon acceptance, copyright of the published article is retained by the author(s), while the first publication rights are granted to the journal. Articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
25. Proofs
Authors will receive page proofs of their accepted manuscript for review. Proofs should be checked carefully for any typographical or grammatical errors. Any corrections must be returned to the editorial office within the specified deadline. Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the content. Major changes or additions to the text at the proof stage are generally not permitted.
26. Article Processing Charges
Razi J Med Sci currently operates a no Article Processing Charge (APC) policy. There are no fees charged to authors for the submission, review, or publication of their articles.
27. How to Access
Accepted articles will be published online on the Razi Journal of Medical Sciences website. The journal is indexed in prominent databases, including Scopus, making its content widely accessible to the global medical community.
28. Language Editing
While Razi J Med Sci strives to publish high-quality English-language manuscripts, authors are strongly encouraged to ensure their manuscript is polished and free of grammatical errors before submission. The journal does not provide professional language editing services. Authors may consider utilizing
external language editing services if they have concerns about their manuscript's English proficiency.
29. Contact Information
For any inquiries or clarifications regarding the Authors Guidelines or the submission process, please contact the editorial office: Editorial Office Razi Journal of Medical Sciences Iran University of Medical
Sciences
Email: editorial.office
razi.iums.ac.ir Website: www.razi.iums.ac.ir/en/journalView: 19778 Time(s) | Print: 7170 Time(s) | Email: 115 Time(s) |
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