Instructions for Authors: Etiological Diagnosis
Prepare manuscripts that deliver clear etiological insights, rigorous diagnostics, and reproducible methods.
Build a Clear Etiological Narrative
Well structured manuscripts improve peer review efficiency and strengthen the scientific record.
Organize manuscripts using standard scientific sections: Title, Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, and References. The title should clearly indicate the diagnostic question or etiological focus. The abstract should summarize the study design, diagnostic approach, key findings, and clinical relevance in 250 to 300 words.
Use concise language and define all abbreviations at first mention. Provide a data availability statement and disclose funding sources and conflicts of interest. For clinical studies, include ethics approval details and consent procedures. For diagnostic performance studies, report sensitivity, specificity, and confidence intervals where applicable.
Ensure Reproducibility
Accurate formatting enables reviewers to evaluate methods and results efficiently.
Figures and Tables
Label all figures and tables clearly and provide descriptive legends. Include units, statistical notes, and diagnostic thresholds where relevant.
Data Files
Supplementary data should be organized and named logically. Provide raw data or code when feasible to enable re analysis.
References
Cite sources consistently and include DOIs where available. We recommend a numbered citation style for clarity.
Language
Use clear scientific English. If needed, request language editing before submission to improve readability.
Match Study Design to Standards
Use appropriate reporting guidelines for transparent etiological research.
Clinical trials should follow relevant reporting checklists and include trial registration information. Systematic reviews should document search strategies and selection criteria. Diagnostic accuracy studies should describe reference standards, inclusion criteria, and bias mitigation strategies. For genomic or sequencing work, provide accession numbers, software versions, and parameter settings.
Describe how etiological conclusions were reached, including any causal models or statistical frameworks used. If machine learning methods are applied, explain model validation, data splits, and performance metrics.
Two Submission Methods
Choose the route that best fits your team and tracking needs.
Prepare Files
Combine manuscript, figures, tables, and supplementary data. Confirm ethical documentation.
Submit
Use ManuscriptZone for full tracking or the Simple Submission form for rapid upload.
Peer Review
Editors assign expert reviewers to evaluate diagnostic validity and etiological evidence.
Protecting Patients and Data
Ethical compliance is central to etiological diagnosis research.
Research involving human participants or animals must document ethical approvals and consent. Patient privacy should be protected and identifiable data removed or justified. Conflicts of interest and funding sources must be disclosed transparently. Manuscripts are screened for originality and data integrity.
Data availability statements should describe repository locations or access restrictions. If data cannot be shared due to consent or regulatory requirements, provide a clear explanation and outline how qualified researchers can request access.
Responding to Reviewer Feedback
Thorough responses speed decisions and improve manuscript quality.
Address each reviewer comment in a point by point response letter. Highlight changes in the manuscript and provide rationale when suggestions cannot be implemented. Revised submissions should include clean and tracked change versions when requested. Editors may request additional data or clarifications to support etiological conclusions.
Production and Publication
Accepted manuscripts move quickly through editing, proofing, and online publication.
Following acceptance, authors review proofs to correct typographical errors and verify figure quality. APC invoices are issued at this stage, and waivers or discounts are finalized. Articles are then published online with DOI assignment and metadata distribution to discovery services.
Copyright and licensing options will be confirmed during production. Open access licensing ensures broad reuse with proper attribution. Authors retain rights to share their work in institutional repositories and academic networks.
Language and Editorial Assistance
We help authors present complex diagnostic research clearly.
Authors may use language editing services before submission to improve clarity and structure. Editing improves readability but does not guarantee acceptance. If you have questions about formatting, reporting standards, or data presentation, contact the editorial office at [email protected] for guidance.
Length, Structure, and Study Design
Match your manuscript structure to the study design for clarity.
Original research articles should include a structured abstract, detailed methods, and a clear discussion of etiological implications. Reviews should provide explicit inclusion criteria and describe search strategies. Case reports must focus on diagnostic reasoning and highlight why the etiological finding is important for clinical practice.
Include a list of keywords that reflect diagnostic terms, suspected etiological agents, and relevant disease categories. Define all abbreviations and ensure that tables and figures are interpretable without referencing the main text.
Data Presentation Standards
Transparent statistics strengthen etiological conclusions.
Diagnostic Accuracy
Report sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and confidence intervals.
Power and Sample Size
Describe how sample sizes were determined and any assumptions used.
Model Transparency
Explain statistical models, validation steps, and handling of missing data.
Visual Clarity
Use readable charts with labeled axes and defined thresholds.
Image and Data Integrity
Maintain transparency in figures, images, and algorithms.
Image adjustments should be applied uniformly and must not alter interpretation. Retain original images and be prepared to provide them if questions arise. If software or automation tools are used, disclose the tools and version numbers.
AI assistance may be used to improve language clarity but must not generate data or alter scientific meaning. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy of results and conclusions.
Submission Checklist
Confirm these items before submitting to avoid delays.
Ensure that ethics approvals are included, data availability statements are complete, figures are labeled, and references include DOIs where available. Provide a cover letter describing novelty and fit with etiological diagnosis. Include any supplementary files and ensure that tables are editable.
Communicating Fit and Novelty
A focused cover letter helps editors assign the right reviewers.
The cover letter should summarize the etiological question, the diagnostic innovation, and the main findings. Explain why the work is important for clinical practice or public health and how it differs from existing literature. If the manuscript is part of a larger study or trial, state how it fits within that program.
Include any related manuscripts under consideration elsewhere and disclose prior preprint postings. Transparency helps editors evaluate originality and avoid duplication.
Trial Registration and Patient Data
Clinical studies must follow recognized reporting practices.
Clinical trials should provide registration numbers and follow established reporting guidelines. Observational studies should describe cohort selection, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and relevant confounders. For diagnostic validation studies, include reference standards and describe blinding procedures.
Patient privacy is essential. Remove identifying details and describe data handling safeguards. If data access is restricted, explain how qualified researchers can request access.
After Publication Visibility
Open access distribution helps your etiological findings reach the right audience.
Once published, share your article through institutional repositories, professional networks, and conference channels. Use the DOI link to ensure consistent citation tracking. We provide metadata feeds that help indexing services surface your work across clinical and research platforms.
Supplementary Materials and Repositories
Supporting files improve reproducibility and reviewer confidence.
Upload supplementary datasets, protocols, and code with clear file names and descriptions. For diagnostic studies, include validation datasets, calibration details, and any reference standards used. If data are deposited in external repositories, include accession numbers and links in the manuscript.
Ensure that supplementary files are consistent with the main text and that all figures are referenced appropriately. Well organized supplementary materials reduce review time and improve transparency.
Corresponding Author Role
Clear responsibilities ensure smooth communication.
The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all co authors approve the final manuscript, conflicts of interest are disclosed, and data availability statements are accurate. They should respond promptly to editorial queries, coordinate revisions, and confirm proof corrections during production.
Proofing Responsibilities
Careful proof review prevents post publication corrections.
During proofing, check author names, affiliations, figure labels, and reference accuracy. Notify the production team promptly about any corrections so the final record remains accurate.
File Naming and Organization
Clear file structure reduces production delays.
Name files logically, such as MainText, Figure1, or SupplementaryTable1, to support accurate processing.
Final Read Through
A final review reduces avoidable revisions.
Confirm consistency in terminology, units, and diagnostic thresholds before submission.
Ready to Submit Your Manuscript
Follow these guidelines to ensure your etiological diagnosis research moves smoothly through review.
For questions: [email protected]
