Guide for Authors

Instruction for Authors

 

All papers submitted will be blinded of authors' names and origins and subject to screening before being peer-reviewed by Editorial Board members. Authors are requested to ensure that they comply with the following instructions when submitting papers (online submission system).

*Cover letter: The cover letter should be submitted via website to the editor and indicated the reasons that the paper are suitable to be published in this journal and comprised the e-mail address and telephone of the author responsible for correspondence.

*Conflict of Interest & Copyright Transfer Form : Authors must state all possible conflicts of interest in the manuscript, including financial, consultant, institutional and other relationships that might lead to bias or a conflict of interest. If there is no conflict of interest, this should also be explicitly stated as none declared. In addition, copyright transfer form is to be completed by corresponding author submitting manuscripts to the Journal of Pediatric Perspectives.  This form should be printed and signed by the corresponding author and then submitted via website to the Editor. The corresponding author is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the submitted information. Please submit both forms via the website.

 

Format of Manuscripts:

  1. Aims and scope: is a double-blind peer review monthly journal published by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS) which publish original research articles, review articles, systematic reviews, case reports and letters to the editor covering all areas of pediatric research.
  2. Submissions: The journal accepts submissions presented as an original article, systematic reviews, review article (solicited), case report or letter to the editor. Manuscript must be accompanied by a covering letter to the editor-in-chief, including title and author(s) name and undertaking that it has not been published or submitted elsewhere. All authors should review the submitted manuscript and the corresponding author should sign the covering letter on their behalf. In case the manuscript was earlier submitted to some other journals and was rejected, the authors must provide full information for proper analysis. Manuscripts submitted in English, must be type written, double-spaced on one side of the A-4 size paper with clear margins on both sides. Tables as well as illustrations should be typed and drawn on a separate paper. Authors are requested to reserve margins of at least 2 cm all around the paper. The figures should be sent in JPEG or GIF format which will produce high quality images in the online edition of the journal. 
  3. The manuscript should include: Title page, Structured Abstract and Keywords, Text (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion), Acknowledgment and References.
  4. Title pages: Title page must be submitted as part of manuscript. This should contain: article title (not to exceed 75 characters, including spaces); authors' names with full first name, their degrees and affiliations (dept., institution, city, state); institution where the work was done (indicate which author is in which department); a short running title of no more than 45 letters and spaces, with complete address (including e-mail address and postal codes) and telephone and fax numbers.
  5. Structured Abstract and Keywords:
    • Abstract: Abstract should be 150-250 words. All manuscripts must include a brief Abstract intelligible without reference to the main text. Formats and word limits for abstracts are summarized below according to the type of article submitted.
    • Keywords: 3-7 key words or phases should be provided which should be selected from the body of the text and not duplicate title words. Key words should be provided below the Abstract to assist with indexing of the article.
  6. Introduction: This should summarize the purpose and the rational for the study. It should neither review the subject extensively nor should it have data or conclusions of the study.
  7. Materials and Methods: This should include exact method or observation or experiment. If the method is established, give reference but if the method is new, give enough information so that another author is able to perform it. If a drug is used, its generic name, dose and route of administration must be given. For patients, age, sex with mean age ± standard deviation must be given. Statistical method must be mentioned and specify any general computer program used. The Info system used should be clearly mentioned.
  8. Results: It must be presented in the form of text, tables and illustrations. The contents of the tables should not be all repeated in the text. Instead, a reference to the table number may be given.
  9. Discussion: This should emphasize the present findings and the variations or similarities with other works in the field of study. The detailed data should not be repeated again. 
  10. Conclusion: Conclusions should be based on the results.
  11. Acknowledgement: All contributors who do not meet the criteria for authorship should be covered. It should include persons who provided technical help, writing assistance and departmental head that only provided general support. Financial and material support and conflict of interests must be written in this section.
  12. Tables: Tables should be self-contained and complement, but not duplicate, information contained in the text. Tables should be numbered consecutively in Arabic numerals. Each table should be presented on a separate page with a comprehensive but concise legend above the table. Tables should be double-spaced and vertical lines should not be used to separate columns. Column headings should be brief, with units of measurement in parentheses; all abbreviations should be defined in footnotes. Use superscript letters (not numbers) for footnotes and keep footnotes to a minimum. *, †, ‡ should be reserved for P values. The table and its legend/footnotes should be understandable without reference to the text.
  13. Figures: Only scientifically necessary illustrations should be included. All illustrations (line drawings and photographs) are classified as figures. Figures should be cited in consecutive order in the text. Color photographs should be submitted as good quality. Authors have to bear the cost of color printing. Figures and other graphic material sent electronically: May be sent in any common file format, such as TIFF, GIF, JPG, or BMP) as long as quality and resolution are borne in mind.
  14. References: Resources should be based on Vancouver style and enter the Endnote software.The authors are responsible for the accuracy of the references. For abbreviations of journal names, refer to list of journals indexed in Index Medicus. Sample references are given below (according to Vancouver style):
    • Article: Author(s) name (more than 6 names use et al). Title of article. Abbreviation of title of journal Year; Volume (Issue): Page.
    • Example: Vakili R, Baradran – Heravi A, Barid – Fatehi B, Gholamin M, Ghaemi N, Abbaszadegan M.R. Molecular Analysis of the CYP21 Gene and Prenatal Diagnosis in Families with 21-Hydroxylas Deficiency in Northeastern Iran. Horm Res 2005; 63(3): 119 – 124. (Persian)
    • Chapter: Author(s) name. Chapter. In: Editor(s) name. Book. Edition. Place: Publisher; Year: Page.
    • Example: Goadsby PJ. Pathophsiology of headache.In: Silberstein SD, Lipton RB, Dalessio DJ, et al. Wolffs headache and other head pain. 7th ed. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press; 2001: 57 – 72.
    • Book: Author(s) name. Book. Edition. Place: Publisher; Year: Page.
    • Example: Stillman RJ. Endometriosis. In: Scott RJ, Disaia PhJ, Hammond chB, et al. Danforth’s obstetrics & gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & willkins; 1999: 669-676.
    • Dissertation: Author(s) name. Title. Degree. Dissertation. Place: University, College, Year: Page.
    • Example: Abdullahi S. [Study of epidemiologic aspects of otosclerosis in patients with otosclerosis in Ghaem Hospital since 1993 to 2003].  MD. Dissertation. Mashhad: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, 2003: 20-35. (Persian)
    • Electronic Article: Morse SS. Factors in the emergence of infectious diseases. Emerg Infect Dis (derail online) 1995 Jan-Mar [cited 1996 Jun 5], 1(1): [24 screens]. Available from: URL; http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/eid.htm

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policies on Responsible Use

Journal of Pediatric Perspectives is committed to using Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly, in manuscript preparation, writing, and reviewing. Our authors, reviewers and editors should strictly adhere to and follow the guidelines and recommendations for design, development, deployment, and the use of AI-based solutions at any stage of the conduct, reporting, editing, and publication of scholarly work in academic journals guidelines by European Association of Science Editors (EASE), International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) (Updated January 2024) and World Association of Medical Editors (WAME). The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at any stage of manuscript preparation should be in alignment with the COPE guideline. Any use of AI tools to enhance the language and readability of the manuscript, generate images, or support data collection and analysis must be transparently disclosed at the end of the manuscript, including the name of the tool(s) used, its version and a brief explanation of how they were applied. Authors remain fully responsible for reviewing the final content to ensure its accuracy and integrity. New updates include guidance on the following topics:

  1. AI Authorship: LL Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, do not currently meet our criteria for authorship. Authorship implies accountability for the work, a responsibility that cannot be assigned to LLMs and Chatbots. So, they can NOT be put as authors in the sent manuscripts. The journal observes the guidelines and practice released by ICMJE and WAME, to state that AI tools cannot be listed as an author of a paper. Any use of Chatbots or LLMs must be clearly documented in the Methods section of the manuscript or at the end of manuscript in the Acknowledgment section. Use of Chatbots or LLMs or other AI tools solely for AI-assisted copy editing may not be disclosed. In this context, AI-assisted copy editing refers to the use of AI to enhance human-written text for readability, style, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and tone. These edits may include changes in wording and formatting but must not involve generative content creation or editorial decision-making. In all cases, a human must take responsibility for the final version of the text, and all authors must agree that the edits accurately reflect their original work.
  2. Code of Responsible Use of AI Generated Images: The rapidly evolving field of generative AI for image creation presents new challenges related to copyright and research integrity. In this journal, we adhere strictly to current copyright laws and best practices in publication ethics. The journal does not permit AI generated images use in its publications. All exceptions must be disclosed and clearly labeled as AI-generated within the image field. Given the pace of development in this area, we will review and revise this policy regularly as needed.
  3. AI Responsible Reviewers: Peer reviewers are essential to the integrity of scientific publishing. Their expert assessments and recommendations help editors make informed decisions and ensure that published research is valid, rigorous, and trustworthy. Reviewers are selected based on their subject matter expertise or familiarity with the methodologies involved and knowledge that is both critical and irreplaceable. Peer reviewers are responsible for the accuracy and content of their reports. The peer review process relies on a foundation of mutual trust among authors, reviewers, and editors. While generative AI tools are evolving rapidly, they still present significant limitations. These include outdated or inaccurate knowledge, and a tendency to produce biased, misleading, or nonsensical content. Moreover, manuscripts under review may contain sensitive or proprietary information that must remain confidential. For these reasons, we ask peer reviewers not to upload any part of a manuscript into generative AI tools. The journal is actively exploring ways to provide secure, responsible, accountable and ethical AI tools used to support peer review in the future.
  4. AI Responsible Use by Editors: A submitted manuscript must be treated as a strictly confidential document. In cases where personally identifiable information is present, such actions may also violate data privacy regulations. This confidentiality requirement extends to all communications related to the manuscript, including editorial decision letters and correspondence, which may contain sensitive information about the manuscript and/or its authors. Editorial evaluation is a responsibility that currently rests solely with humans. Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies must not be used by editors to support the evaluation or decision-making processes, as these technologies are not capable of critical thinking, nuanced judgment, and contextual understanding that such tasks require. Moreover, there is a risk that AI-generated content may be inaccurate, incomplete, or biased. Editors remain fully responsible and accountable for all editorial decisions and the communication of those decisions to authors. Editors should check for this disclosure, and if any misuse or violation of the AI policy is suspected, whether by an author or a reviewer, it must be reported to the journal.

Supplementary materials:

   -  Copyright Form

   -  Cover letter

   -  Conflicts of Interest Form

  

Best regards

Journal of Pediatric Perspectives