Instructions for Authors
Submission to the BioSocial Health Journal (BSHJ) is facilitated exclusively through our secure online submission system. This system has been meticulously designed to enhance efficiency by seamlessly conducting a series of automated checks. These checks promptly notify users of any potential technical deficiencies and guide them towards the appropriate instructions.
To initiate the submission process, authors are required to create an account and log in. The submitting author assumes responsibility on behalf of all co-authors and serves as the corresponding author for the submission. Complete details, including an active email address, phone number, and physical address, must be provided in the online profile. All communication, encompassing initial evaluation results, editorial decisions, and requests for revisions or proofreading, will be directed to the corresponding author's email address, which will subsequently be published alongside the article.
The submitted manuscript, as well as any subsequent revisions, undergo thorough evaluation at our editorial office. Should any amendments be necessary, the submission may be temporarily withdrawn and returned to the authors for formatting and the provision of essential information. Comprehensive details on this process can be found in our editorial workflow. Should you require further assistance during the submission process, please feel free to reach out to our dedicated editorial office.
It is important to note that we employ iThenticate software to aid in the submission processing, ensuring the integrity and originality of the content.
The Conditions of Submission
Open Access License, Copyright, and Charges
Upon submitting their manuscript, authors are obliged to complete an exclusive license form, granting permission for open access publication of their work in the journal. This open access publication operates under the terms of the Creative Commons license 4.0 (CC-BY), providing readers with unrestricted access to the content. Importantly, authors retain full copyright ownership of their work. Additional details can be found in our comprehensive open access and copyright policy, as well as the accompanying license agreement.
It is noteworthy that at present, no charges for submission or publication are applicable to articles submitted to or published in the BioSocial Health Journal (BSHJ). Further insights into our open access and copyright policy are available for your reference.
Cover Letter
Each submission requires a formal cover letter that serves to confirm essential conditions. Authors are expected to affirm the following in their cover letter:
The submitted work is entirely original, exclusive to BSHJ, and not concurrently under review for publication or previously published elsewhere, unless expressly indicated in the cover letter. For comprehensive guidance, please refer to our editorial policies on duplicate publication.
Every sentence within the submission is the authors' own creation and has been sourced and referenced appropriately. For further insights, consult our editorial policies on plagiarism and text recycling.
The submitting author assumes responsibility on behalf of all co-authors in the role of corresponding author.
All authors have diligently reviewed, sanctioned, and granted consent for the submission. They collectively hold themselves accountable for the precision and authenticity of all aspects, in accordance with ICMJE criteria.
Furthermore, the cover letter must encompass the subsequent particulars, alongside any supplementary information requested for the given article type:
A rationale outlining the significance of publishing the submitted work in our journal, emphasizing its novelty and distinctiveness.
A clarification of any matters related to journal policies that may be pertinent.
A disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest.
Specification of the particular special issue under which the authors envision their submission being featured.
Authors may also suggest potential peer reviewers by offering their names, institutional email addresses, and either an ORCID or Scopus ID. Comprehensive guidelines on suggesting peer reviewers are available in our editorial policies. We also refer you to our editorial policies concerning the use of unique identifiers.
Moreover, authors retain the option to provide information regarding individuals they would prefer not to review their work.
It is crucial to note that any deliberate submission of falsified information, including false names or email addresses, will result in immediate rejection of the submission and may trigger an inquiry aligned with our misconduct policy.
Title Page
The title page must encompass the following details:
Title of the Manuscript: A succinct and descriptive title that encapsulates the essence of the submission.
Authors' Complete Names and Affiliations: The full names of all authors, along with their respective affiliations (institutions, departments, addresses).
Corresponding Author's Name and Affiliation: The name and affiliation of the corresponding author, who will manage all correspondence and communication regarding the submission.
This comprehensive information ensures the accurate identification and proper association of authors with their affiliations within the manuscript.
Preparing the Manuscript
BioSocial Health Journal (BSHJ) accepts and publishes various types of articles. Authors should adhere to specific guidelines for each article type to ensure a well-structured and informative submission. The types of articles accepted by BSHJ are as follows:
Research Article: Original research work that presents comprehensive studies, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Prepare the manuscript using the following sections: Title, Structured Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Ethical Considerations, Conflict of Interest, Funding, Authors’ Contribution, Acknowledgements, References, Tables, Figures, and List of additional files.
Short Communication: Original work with less extensive content than a standard research article. It may present preliminary results or findings of immediate relevance. Prepare the manuscript with the following sections: Title, Structured Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Ethical Considerations, Funding, Authors’ Contribution, Acknowledgements, References, Tables, Figures, and List of additional files.
Review: Narrative reviews focused on clinically relevant topics. Structure the manuscript with these sections: Title, Unstructured Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Subheadings (as needed), Discussion, Conclusion, Ethical Considerations, Funding, Authors’ Contribution, Acknowledgements, References, Tables, Figures, List of additional files.
Case Report: Systematic reports of interesting or rare cases significant for professionals' practice. Organize the manuscript as follows: Title, Unstructured Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Case Report, Discussion, Conclusion, Conflict of Interest, Authors’ Contribution, References, Tables, Figures, and List of additional files.
Letter: Commentary or concerns on specific subjects or items published in the Journal. It may also introduce new or additional findings of original nature. Prepare the letter with sections: Title, Text, References.
Editorial: Articles written by the Journal’s editors to provide editorial insights.
Commentaries: Short, focused articles typically commissioned by the journal. Not peer-reviewed. Present in-depth analysis of current issues (policy, funding, regulatory, educational, legislative matters, careers, etc.). Commentaries should be concise (max 1500 words) and limited to ten references. Typically, they do not include figures or tables.
Perspectives: Offer a unique viewpoint on existing problems, fundamental concepts, or prevalent notions. May propose and support new hypotheses or discuss implications of new innovations. These are peer-reviewed articles, usually 2000-3000 words, with an abstract (around 150 words) and optional tables/figures.
Systematic Reviews: A rigorous review of existing literature addressing a well-formulated question. Involves systematic search, identification, selection, appraisal, and synthesis of relevant research evidence. May or may not include meta-analysis or statistical summaries. Should provide search terms, PRISMA flowchart, and eligibility criteria.
Each article type has specific requirements, and authors are encouraged to follow the provided guidelines closely. These guidelines ensure consistency, clarity, and appropriate presentation of the submitted work.
Title:
Choose a succinct and descriptive title for your submission. Capitalize only the first word and proper nouns. Include the study type (e.g., meta-analysis, systematic review, cohort, case report) followed by a colon.
Abstract:
Prepare a structured abstract with a maximum of 250 words, organized into the following headings:
Background: Provide the study's background and hypothesis.
Methods: Describe the study setting, subjects (including number and type), treatment or intervention, and statistical analysis methods.
Results: Present study outcomes and statistical significance if applicable.
Conclusion: State the significance of the study's results. For clinical trials, include the trial registration number in the last line.
For unstructured abstracts, limit the length to a maximum of 150 words.
Keywords:
Select three to ten keywords from the MESH list. Arrange keywords alphabetically in lowercase, unless necessary.
Introduction:
The Introduction should succinctly review the subject area and provide the study's rationale. Detailed comparisons to previous work and study conclusions are reserved for the Discussion section.
Methods:
Provide sufficient detail in the Methods section to enable other researchers to replicate the experiment. When reporting experiments involving human subjects, specify if procedures adhered to ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation and the Helsinki Declaration (2008 revision). If any doubt exists, explain the rationale and demonstrate institutional review body approval. For experiments involving animals, indicate compliance with institutional and national guidelines for animal care and use. Mention protocol review by the appropriate institutional body and detailed informed consent from each project subject.
Results:
Present results logically, incorporating relevant tables, figures, and illustrations.
Discussion:
Emphasize new and potential findings from the study. Compare present data to previous findings, and address limitations of experimental methods. Discuss implications for future research and identify new hypotheses and clinical recommendations when applicable. Clinical recommendations may be included where appropriate.
Preparing References, Equations, Tables, Figures, and Additional Files
To ensure proper preparation of references, equations, tables, figures, and additional files for your submission, please adhere to the following guidelines:
Citations and References: Refer to the instructions on formatting citations and references provided in the "preparing references" section.
Formulas and Equations: Follow the guidelines outlined in the "preparing formulas or equations" section to ensure correct formatting of formulas and equations.
Tables: If smaller tables are integral to the manuscript, you may paste them at the end of the manuscript file. Tables can be in A4 portrait or landscape format. For detailed instructions, refer to the "preparing tables" section.
Figures: Include figures after tables in the main manuscript file. Figures should be in a proper format and embedded within the manuscript to expedite the review process. For more detailed instructions, consult the "preparing figures" section.
Additional Files (Datasets, Videos, etc.): If you have supplementary materials such as datasets, videos, or other information, submit them as separate additional files. These files will be published alongside the article. Refer to the "preparing additional files" section for detailed instructions.
By following these guidelines, you will ensure that your submission is properly formatted and meets the requirements for references, equations, tables, figures, and additional files. This will contribute to a smoother review process and enhance the quality of your manuscript.
Providing the Required Information
Authors should be prepared to provide the following information upon submission. This information should not be included in the manuscript to ensure a blind peer review. Please refer to our editorial policies for more details on our peer review policy, as the editor will review the supporting information.
Authors' Contribution (CRediT):
Authors are required to provide information related to the Authors' Contribution section (CRediT) when submitting the article. If this section is not provided during submission, it must be submitted when sending corrections requested by reviewers. The corresponding author is responsible for the accuracy and validity of this information. The Authors' Contribution section will be included in the published article.
There are 14 CRediT groups, and each article must complete the relevant groups based on the type of article and research:
Conceptualization:
Description: Involves the development or evolution of overarching research goals and aims, including the formulation of ideas and concepts.
Example: Defining the research question, hypotheses, and study objectives.
Methodology:
Description: Encompasses the design and development of the research methodology, including the creation of models and experimental protocols.
Example: Designing the study approach, selecting research methods, and specifying data collection techniques.
Software:
Description: Involves programming, software development, and the implementation of computer code and algorithms to support the research.
Example: Developing custom software tools, algorithms, or code for data analysis and simulation.
Validation:
Description: Focuses on verifying the overall replication and reproducibility of research results and experiments, ensuring their accuracy and reliability.
Example: Conducting validation experiments to confirm the accuracy and robustness of research findings.
Formal analysis:
Description: Involves the application of statistical, mathematical, computational, or other formal techniques to analyze or synthesize study data.
Example: Applying statistical methods to analyze experimental data, such as hypothesis testing and data modeling.
Investigation:
Description: Encompasses the actual research and investigative process, including performing experiments, collecting data, and gathering evidence.
Example: Conducting laboratory experiments, surveys, or field studies to gather research data.
Resources:
Description: Involves the provision of study materials, reagents, samples, animals, instrumentation, computing resources, or other tools necessary for the research.
Example: Providing necessary equipment, biological samples, or resources for conducting experiments.
Data Curation:
Description: Encompasses management activities related to annotating, scrubbing, and maintaining research data to ensure its integrity and usability.
Example: Organizing and curating research data, creating metadata, and preparing datasets for sharing.
Project administration:
Description: Involves the management and coordination of research activity planning and execution, including overseeing project logistics.
Example: Coordinating research team members, scheduling experiments, and managing project timelines.
Funding acquisition:
Description: Encompasses the acquisition of financial support and resources that contribute to the project leading to the publication of the research.
Example: Securing grants, funding, or resources to support research activities and data collection.
Visualization:
Description: Focuses on the preparation, creation, and presentation of the published work, particularly in terms of visual representation of data.
Example: Creating charts, graphs, figures, and visual aids to communicate research findings effectively.
Supervision:
Description: Involves the oversight and leadership responsibility for the planning and execution of the research activity, including mentorship.
Example: Guiding and mentoring research team members, providing direction and leadership throughout the research process.
Writing - Original Draft:
Description: Encompasses the preparation, creation, and presentation of the initial draft of the published work.
Example: Writing the initial manuscript draft, including translating research findings into a coherent written form.
Writing - Review & Editing:
Description: Focuses on the preparation, creation, and presentation of the published work through critical review, commentary, and revision.
Example: Collaboratively reviewing and editing the manuscript, providing constructive feedback and improving the clarity and quality of the writing.
Each of these contributor roles represents a specific aspect of research and scholarly activity, contributing to the overall development, execution, and communication of the research findings.
Acknowledgments:
In an "Acknowledgments" section, authors must acknowledge anyone who contributed to the work but does not meet authorship criteria. If third-party professional writing/editing services were used, this should be stated. Authors should obtain permission to acknowledge those mentioned.
Please see our editorial policies for further explanation of authorship criteria and acknowledgments.
Funding:
Authors must declare all sources of funding for the reported research. The role of the funding body in the study's design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and manuscript writing should be disclosed.
Disclosure of Financial and Non-Financial Relationships and Activities:
Authors are required to declare all financial and non-financial relationships and activities related to the publication of their work during submission. If authors are unsure, they should contact the editorial office. Refer to our editorial policies for more information on this.
Ethical Considerations:
For submissions reporting studies involving human participants, human data, or human tissues:
- Provide a statement on ethics approval and consent, even if approval was waived.
- Include the name of the ethics committee that approved the study and its reference number, if applicable.
For studies involving animals, include a statement on ethics approval.
If the submission does not involve the use of animals or human data/tissues, state "Not applicable."
For any personal data included in the submission, consent to publish must be obtained from individuals or their legal guardians. Consent forms may be requested at any stage.
If the submission does not contain personal data, state "Not applicable."
Please ensure that you have this information ready when submitting your manuscript to ensure a thorough and accurate review process.
Supplementary Materials
The link you provided seems to direct to a specific webpage related to supplementary materials formatting for the University of Western Australia's library. While I can't access external links directly, I understand that you're referring to a resource that provides guidance on the recommended format for providing supplementary materials, including audio-visual data, for the BioSocial Health Journal.
Finalizing Submission
Prior to finalizing the submission process, it is mandatory for the submitting author to carefully review the submission proof in PDF format. This proof will be automatically generated based on the submitted materials. It is permissible for the submitting author to share this proof with co-authors to conduct a comprehensive final inspection and provide their endorsement.
Should any corrections or revisions be deemed necessary, the submitting author retains the option to revisit and amend any pertinent sections. Once the requisite adjustments have been made, the submission proof should be reviewed once more. Only after this thorough review should the submitting author proceed to submit the work by selecting the designated "Submit" button. This approach ensures the meticulous verification and approval of the submission before its final submission to the journal.
Revising the Submission
In the event that subsequent revisions to the submission are required following feedback from the editor, it is imperative to adhere to the guidelines outlined in this document.
When submitting a revised version, the authors will be directed to include a re-submission letter. This letter should be accompanied by detailed explanations of the revisions undertaken, taking into consideration the comments and suggestions provided by the editor. It is of utmost importance that the attached revision details do not contain any author-specific information, thereby ensuring the integrity of the blind peer review process.
For any additional guidance or inquiries, please feel free to reach out to the editorial office at bshjpublicationgroup@gmail.com before initiating the manuscript submission process.
Indexing and abstracting
BSHJ is in the process of obtaining acceptance for indexing and abstraction in various scientific databases. This step will enhance the visibility and accessibility of our journal's content to a wider audience of researchers, scholars, and practitioners. We are committed to continuously improving our journal's reach and impact within the scientific community.
Address and Email
BioSocial Health Journal, Via Iappolito Nievo, 1, 20099, Sesto San Giovanni MI, Italia
If you need further assistance, please get in touch with the editorial office before submitting your manuscript at postmaster@biosocialhealthjournal.com