Article Preparation Guidelines

The Gazette of Medical Sciences welcomes scholarly contributions across medical, clinical, biomedical, public health, public interest and related interdisciplinary fields. These guidelines provide recommended approaches to manuscript preparation while accommodating different research methods, scholarly perspectives and forms of academic expression.

Flexible Manuscript Preparation

The formats presented below are recommendations rather than compulsory templates. Authors are free to organize their manuscripts according to the nature, purpose and content of their work. Alternative headings, narrative structures and presentation styles are welcome when they communicate the contribution clearly and effectively. Research involving human participants, clinical information or experimental procedures should continue to meet applicable ethical and scientific reporting standards.

Recommended Formats by Article Type

Select the + symbol to explore a suggested structure. Authors may adapt these recommendations to suit their work.

Original Research Experimental, clinical and observational studies

Original Research presents new findings obtained through systematic investigation, data collection or scientific analysis.

Recommended structure

  • Title and author information
  • Abstract and keywords
  • Introduction or background
  • Materials and methods or study design
  • Results or findings
  • Discussion and interpretation
  • Conclusion
  • References and relevant declarations
The IMRaD structure is recommended for conventional research studies. Qualitative, observational and interdisciplinary studies may adopt other suitable structures, provided their methods and findings are reported transparently.
Brief Communication Focused findings and preliminary research

Brief Communications present concise research findings, preliminary investigations, emerging evidence or novel scientific observations.

Suggested structure

  • Title and author information
  • Brief abstract, where appropriate
  • Background or purpose
  • Methods or basis of observation
  • Main findings
  • Interpretation or conclusion
  • References
Authors may use a continuous narrative instead of separate headings when the contribution can be communicated more clearly in that form.
Mini-review Focused synthesis of existing knowledge

Mini-reviews summarize and interpret selected developments within a clearly defined topic.

Suggested structure

  • Title and author information
  • Abstract, where appropriate
  • Introduction to the subject
  • Key themes or recent developments
  • Current challenges or knowledge gaps
  • Conclusion or future directions
  • References
Authors may organize the discussion around themes, concepts, questions or developments rather than following a fixed sequence.
Correspondence Scholarly responses and commentary

Correspondence communicates scholarly comments, clarifications, criticisms or responses to published work or matters of academic importance.

Suggested structure

  • Title and author information
  • Subject or issue being addressed
  • Main argument or observation
  • Supporting explanation or evidence
  • Closing remarks
  • Relevant references
A letter-style or continuous narrative format is acceptable. Formal research headings are not necessary unless appropriate to the content.
Case Report Clinical experiences and case-based findings

Case Reports describe clinical experiences, unusual presentations, diagnostic challenges, treatments, outcomes or educationally significant observations.

Suggested structure

  • Title and author information
  • Brief summary, where appropriate
  • Clinical background
  • Case presentation or case history
  • Clinical observations or findings
  • Management and outcome, where relevant
  • Discussion or lessons learned
  • References and consent information
Authors may use a chronological case narrative or other clear structure. Patient confidentiality, appropriate consent and accurate clinical reporting remain essential. The CARE guidelines may be consulted.
Review Article Narrative, systematic and critical reviews

Review Articles examine, synthesize and interpret existing research on a particular topic.

Suggested structure

  • Title and author information
  • Abstract, where appropriate
  • Introduction and scope
  • Background or review approach
  • Thematic analysis or evidence synthesis
  • Discussion of strengths and limitations
  • Conclusion and future directions
  • References
Narrative and critical reviews may follow a thematic or analytical structure. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses should describe their search, selection and analytical methods transparently and follow applicable reporting standards such as PRISMA.
Perspective Interpretations, viewpoints and new ideas

Perspectives present informed interpretations, scholarly viewpoints, emerging concepts or alternative ways of understanding a subject.

Optional structure

  • Title and author information
  • Opening context or central question
  • Author's perspective or argument
  • Supporting reasoning or evidence
  • Implications or proposed directions
  • Concluding observations
  • References, where relevant
Flexible format: Perspectives may be written as scholarly essays, thematic discussions, reflective analyses or structured arguments. Conventional research headings are not required. Authors should distinguish established evidence from interpretation or opinion.
Editorial Invited scholarly commentary

Editorials offer informed commentary on scientific, clinical, ethical, policy or public-interest issues.

Optional structure

  • Title and author information
  • Opening statement or context
  • Central argument or discussion
  • Supporting observations
  • Implications or recommendations
  • Closing perspective
  • References, where relevant
Editorials may adopt a continuous narrative or commentary format. No fixed section arrangement is required. Editorials are considered by invitation; prospective authors may submit an outline for initial consideration.

Additional Scholarly Approaches

The following approaches may be accommodated within an appropriate article category, depending on their content and purpose.

Observations, Case Studies & Experience-Based Contributions Descriptive and analytical scholarly work

The GMS welcomes scholarly work based on meaningful observations, case studies, professional experiences and analyses of relevant events or practices, where these fall within the journal's scope.

Possible presentation

  • Context or background
  • Description of the observation or case
  • Analysis or interpretation
  • Significance and implications
  • Conclusion and supporting references
Authors may choose a descriptive, chronological, thematic, narrative or analytical format. These contributions do not necessarily require conventional experimental research sections. Claims should remain accurate, appropriately supported and ethically presented.
Opinion, Public Interest & Interdisciplinary Commentary Scholarly arguments and public-interest analysis

Contributions may examine questions of public interest, healthcare policy, ethics, governance, technology, society, professional practice and interdisciplinary concerns relevant to the journal's scope.

Possible presentation

  • Central issue or question
  • Background and context
  • Author's analysis or position
  • Supporting facts, literature or reasoning
  • Broader implications
  • Concluding observations
Liberal presentation: Essays, reasoned opinions, reflective commentaries, question-and-answer discussions and other coherent scholarly narratives may be considered. Authors are free to determine the most effective organization of their work. Factual claims, interpretations and personal viewpoints should be clearly distinguished.

General Manuscript Guidance

These recommendations apply across article types, as relevant to the content being submitted.

Title Page & Author Information Identification and correspondence

Provide an informative manuscript title, full author names, institutional or professional affiliations, and a valid corresponding author email address. Authors may also indicate equal contributions and relevant collaborative affiliations.

Abstract, Keywords & Headings Adapted to the article type

A structured abstract is recommended for conventional Original Research and may be appropriate for systematic reviews. Other contributions may use an unstructured abstract or, where suitable, no abstract.

Keywords and section headings should reflect the subject and purpose of the manuscript. Authors may select headings that best communicate their work.

References & Citations Relevant and consistently formatted sources

Authors should cite sources relevant to the claims and scholarly discussion presented. Vancouver and APA referencing styles are acceptable when applied consistently.

Vancouver normally uses numbered citations, while APA uses author-date citations. Include DOI information where available.

Tables, Figures & Supplementary Materials Clear presentation of supporting information

Tables and figures should be relevant, clearly labelled and accompanied by appropriate captions or legends. Images should be of sufficient quality for publication.

Supplementary materials may be provided when they improve understanding or transparency. Authors should obtain permission for copyrighted material where required.

Ethics, Consent & Declarations Research integrity and transparency

Authors should provide applicable ethics approval information, informed consent statements, funding disclosures, competing interest declarations and acknowledgements.

Research involving human participants, patient information or animals must meet applicable ethical requirements. Identifiable patient information must not be disclosed without appropriate authorization.

Any use of generative AI that materially contributes to manuscript preparation or content should be disclosed transparently. Authors remain responsible for the accuracy and integrity of their work.

Clinical Trial Registration & Reporting Applicable only to manuscripts reporting clinical trials

Manuscripts reporting clinical trials should identify a publicly accessible trial registry and provide the registration number. In accordance with ICMJE recommendations, clinical trials should be registered before enrollment of the first participant.

Authors should report applicable research ethics approval and informed consent, and use relevant reporting guidance such as CONSORT to describe the study clearly and transparently.

This guidance applies to clinical trial reports only. It does not impose trial registration requirements on narrative reviews, case reports, perspectives or other articles that do not report a clinical trial.
Language & Readability Clear scholarly communication

Manuscripts should be written in clear and understandable English. Authors may seek language-editing assistance when helpful, but the use of a particular editing service is not required.

Technical terminology should be explained where necessary, and abbreviations should ordinarily be defined at first use.

Cover Letter & Submission Brief introduction to the scholarly contribution

A cover letter may briefly explain the manuscript's subject, significance, article category and relevance to the journal.

Authors should confirm the originality of the submitted contribution, disclose relevant prior dissemination and declare whether the manuscript is under consideration elsewhere.

The editorial team may request additional information, clarifications or formatting adjustments when necessary for review or publication.

Prepare Your Manuscript With Confidence

Choose the format that best communicates your scholarly work. The GMS welcomes diverse approaches to scientific reporting, clinical observation and scholarly expression, while maintaining editorial review and research integrity standards.

Submit Manuscript →

View our Article Types & Specifications