Must preferably be endorsed by an appropriate body prior to consideration and all conflicts of interest expressed.

• A structured abstract not exceeding 450 words (please note the requirement for the Study synopsis outlined under General Formatting Guidelines)
• Recommended sub-headings: Background and recommendations (a conclusion sub-heading is optional).
• Sections and sub-sections must be numbered consecutively (e.g. 1. Introduction; 1.1 Definitions; 2. etc.) and summarised in a Table of Contents.
• References, appendices, figures and tables must be kept to a minimum.

 

Authors are requested to suggest 2 expert reviewers who are qualified to assess the merit of the submitted work.  The suggested reviewers should not have any conflicts of interest with any of the co-authors.  Conflicts of interest include:

1. Suggested reviewers from the same institution.
2. Suggested reviewers that have been co-authors with any of the investigators/ authors on original publications within the last 5 years.
3. Suggested reviewers that are currently or have been co-investigators, or co-applicants, on grant awards within the last 5 years.
4. Any type of relationship or link that might constitute a potential conflict of interest (e.g. longstanding friend, a relative, common interest in a business venture or scientific endeavour, etc.)

 

Thus, suggested reviewers should be independent enough so as to give an unbiased opinion of the submitted work.  Two suggested reviewers are mandatory, and their names and details (email addresses) should be outlined in the cover letter, which is submitted together with the manuscript.