|
|
Manuscript Requirements
This document is also available in Portable
Document Format (PDF–392K). Learn
more about PDFs.
- Create manuscript in Microsoft Word or save as a .doc file.
- Use 12 pt. Times New Roman font.
- Double-space every page: title page, abstract, text, references,
tables, and figure legends.
- Indent first word of each paragraph; leave no extra lines between
paragraphs.
- Put only one space after punctuation marks, including periods.
- Use left justification.
- Number each page in sequence.
- Include figure legends at the end of the manuscript file after
tables.
- Use italics (rather than underline) for scientific names.
- Submit figures (with figure legends placed below figures) in separate files.
- For manuscripts requiring sections, begin each section on a new page,
and submit them in the following order:
Title Page
- Include full name, graduate degree(s), and affiliated institution of
each author. Provide name of institution where work was done, if
different from author's present institution.
- Identify clearly the corresponding author and his or her address,
telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address.
- Provide separate word counts for the abstract and the full text.
Back to top
Key Words
Provide up to 10 key words; use terms listed in the Medical
Subject Headings from Index Medicus.
Back to top
Abstract
- Maximum number of words depends on the type of article. See Types
of Articles.
- For reports on original research, use structured format with the
following headings: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
Consult Types of Articles for
information on requirements for other types of articles.
- Do not cite references in the abstract.
- Do not use acronyms, abbreviations, or initialisms.
Back to top
Text
- See Types of Articles for exact
specifications.
- For Original Research Reports, use the following subheadings in the
body of the text: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.
Back to top
Acknowledgments
This section identifies sources of financial support for the work being
published. If there are no such acknowledgments, we will assume that you
received no such support. In addition, this section lists donors of
equipment or supplies, technical assistance, and other important specific
contributions from individuals who do not qualify for authorship. It also
includes any statements disclaiming endorsement or approval of any views or
products mentioned in the paper. The AMA style guide describes contributions
commonly recognized in Acknowledgments. Individuals identified in
Acknowledgments must provide written consent to be acknowledged;
corresponding authors are responsible for obtaining these permissions.
Back to top
References
- Follow
Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts
Submitted to Biomedical Journals*, published by the International
Committee of Medical Journal Editors (also known as the Vancouver
Group), for guidance on how to format references.
- Number references, using parentheses, in the order they appear in the
text, figures, or tables.
- Do not use superscripts. Your manuscript will be returned for proper
formatting if you use superscripts.
- Consult
List of Journals Indexed in Index
Medicus for accepted journal abbreviations. If a journal is not
listed, spell out the journal title in full.
- List the first six authors followed by "et al."
- For material that has been submitted for publication but not yet
accepted, note within the text using the following format: (EL Smith, PhD,
unpublished data, December 2003).
- For personal communications, written or oral, use this format: (MW
Johnson, MD, oral [or written] communication, December 2003).
- Do not use endnotes for references.
Back to top
Tables
- Create tables with Microsoft Word's table tool. Use "Table
Classic 1" AutoFormat.
- Do not use columns and tabs to create tables; tables formatted in this
way will be returned to the author for proper formatting.
- Minimize the width of tables. Our Web format allows approximately 5
inches of 8 pt. type.
- Number tables in the order they are cited in the text.
- Because tables should be clearly understood without reference to the
text, titles and legends should include details of place of study, dates
of study, and study population (if applicable), as well as definitions
of all abbreviations and symbols.
- Use footnotes to define all abbreviations and symbols. Use superscript
lowercase letters to designate footnotes.
- Cite references, and designate with superscript Arabic numbers in body
of table, non-superscripted numbers in parentheses in footnotes.
- Identify all variables and units of measure.
- Use 12 pt. Arial font.
Back to top
Figure Legends
- Place figure legends at the end of the text, after tables. Double
space, number, and title the legend.
- Use Arial font for lettering.
- Symbols, letters, and numbers should be clear and large enough to
remain legible when reduced.
- Because figures should be clearly understood without reference to the
text, titles and legends should include details of place of study, dates
of study, and study population (if applicable), as well as definitions
of all abbreviations and symbols.
- Cite references, and designate with superscript Arabic numbers in body
of figure, non-superscripted numbers in parentheses in footnotes.
- Identify all variables and units of measure.
Back to top
Appendices
Appendices contain supplementary information to further clarify an
article's contents for readers. We encourage authors to relegate highly
technical material to appendices.
Back to top
Figures
- Number figures in order they are cited in text.
- Color as well as black-and-white images are accepted.
- Send graphics in native, high-resolution (200 dpi minimum) .TIF
(Tagged Image File), EPS (Encapsulated Postscript) or .JPG format.
- Send graphics in a separate electronic file from text file.
- Convert Macintosh files into PC format.
- Place figure key within the figure.
- Use Arial font for figure lettering.
Back to top
* Links to non-Federal
organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not
constitute an endorsement of any organization by the CDC or the Federal
Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for
the content of the individual organization Web pages found at this link.
|
|
