Make a Submission

The International Journal of Medical Students (IJMS) accepts manuscripts through its online submission system.

Before beginning, prepare the required files and collect the information needed to enter complete and accurate submission metadata. The corresponding author should ordinarily complete the submission on behalf of all authors.

Submitting a manuscript confirms that every author has approved:

  • the submitted manuscript;
  • the author list and order;
  • the corresponding author;
  • the CRediT contribution statement;
  • the funding and conflict-of-interest disclosures; and
  • submission to the IJMS.
Start a New Submission

Contents

  1. Before You Begin
  2. Required Files
  3. Information You Will Need
  4. Submission Steps
  5. 1. Sign In and Start
  6. 2. Upload the Files
  7. 3. Enter the Manuscript Details
  8. 4. Add All Authors
  9. 5. Review and Submit
  10. After Submission
  11. Submit a Revision
  12. Technical Assistance

Before You Begin

Do not begin the submission until the manuscript and title page are complete. Some information in the submission form may require consultation with all authors.

Before proceeding, confirm that:

  • the manuscript fits the Journal’s Aims and Scope;
  • the author group satisfies the eligibility requirements;
  • the correct article type has been selected;
  • every author satisfies the applicable authorship criteria;
  • all authors approved the submitted version;
  • the author names and order are final;
  • the manuscript is not under consideration by another journal;
  • the required ethics, consent, registration, funding, and disclosure information is available;
  • the title page and masked manuscript are separate editable files;
  • the masked manuscript has been checked for identifying information; and
  • the corresponding author can communicate with the Journal on behalf of all authors.
Review Manuscript Preparation Complete the Submission Checklist
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Required Files

Upload two separate editable files. Both must represent the same manuscript version.

Required file Content
Title Page All author-identifying, institutional, correspondence, authorship, contribution, disclosure, and administrative information.
Masked Manuscript The complete scholarly content without unnecessary author-identifying information.

Title Page

The title page should include:

  • manuscript title and article type;
  • full names of all authors;
  • degrees or academic status and affiliations;
  • ORCID identifiers when available;
  • the About the Author statement;
  • corresponding-author information;
  • acknowledgments;
  • funding and conflict-of-interest statements;
  • the CRediT contribution statement;
  • Case Report highlights, when applicable;
  • manuscript and abstract word counts;
  • number of tables and figures; and
  • optional social-media accounts.

Masked Manuscript

The masked manuscript should include, as applicable:

  • manuscript title;
  • abstract and keywords;
  • main text;
  • ethics, consent, registration, and data-availability statements;
  • references;
  • tables;
  • figures; and
  • figure legends.

Remove author names, correspondence details, ORCID identifiers, the About the Author statement, named CRediT contributions, identifying acknowledgments, social-media accounts, and unnecessary identifying information from comments, tracked changes, file names, headers, footers, and document properties.

Do not remove institutional, geographic, ethics, or methodological information required to understand and evaluate the research.

Optional Supporting Files

Depending on the manuscript, authors may also upload:

  • a cover letter;
  • a reporting checklist;
  • supplementary material that cannot reasonably remain in the manuscript;
  • permissions for reproduced or adapted material;
  • ethics or consent documentation when requested; or
  • other relevant supporting material.

A cover letter and reporting checklist are optional at initial submission unless specifically requested.

Download the Recommended IJMS Manuscript Template
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Information You Will Need

Collect this information before opening the submission form.

Information What to prepare
Manuscript title The exact title appearing in both uploaded files.
Article type The correct Journal section for the manuscript.
Abstract The complete abstract, not exceeding 250 words when required.
Keywords At least three terms when required, preferably using appropriate Medical Subject Headings.
Author names Each name written exactly as it should appear in publication.
Author order The final order approved by all authors.
Affiliations The complete institutional affiliation, city, and country for each author.
Email addresses Current email information, particularly for the corresponding author.
ORCID identifiers The complete ORCID web address for each author when available.
CRediT contributions The contribution roles assigned to each author and approved by the author group.
Funding All grants and institutional, governmental, financial, or material support.
Conflicts of interest Relevant financial and nonfinancial interests, or a statement that none exist.
Ethics and consent The ethics committee, approval or exemption number, consent information, and applicable registration details.

The title, abstract, keywords, author list, author order, affiliations, and other metadata entered into OJS must match the uploaded files.

Prepare the CRediT Statement

Build the CRediT Statement Online Use the PDF Author Form
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Submission Steps

Step Stage Principal task
1 Start Sign in, select the article type, and confirm the declarations.
2 Upload Files Upload and correctly identify the title page, masked manuscript, and supporting files.
3 Enter Details Enter the title, abstract, keywords, and other manuscript metadata.
4 Add Authors Enter every author in the correct order with complete information.
5 Review and Submit Verify the complete record and finish the submission.

The precise labels displayed by OJS may vary according to the system version or Journal configuration. Follow the instructions displayed within the submission form.

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1. Sign In and Start

Sign in to your Journal account and select the option to create a new submission.

  1. Select the appropriate Journal section or article type.
  2. Review the submission requirements.
  3. Confirm that the manuscript is eligible and complete.
  4. Confirm that the manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere.
  5. Accept the applicable submission declarations.
  6. Enter any relevant submission comments requested by the system.

Select the Correct Section

Choosing the correct section helps route the manuscript to the appropriate editorial team. Review the Article Types page before making the selection.

The Editorial Team may reclassify a manuscript when another article type more accurately reflects its content. Reclassification does not guarantee external review or acceptance.

Submission Comments

Use the comments field only for information relevant to editorial processing that is not captured elsewhere. A formal cover letter is optional.

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2. Upload the Files

Upload each file separately and select the designation that accurately identifies its content.

File OJS designation
Title Page Select the author-identifying title-page or administrative-file designation available in OJS.
Masked Manuscript Select the principal manuscript or article-text designation used for editorial assessment and peer review.
Reporting Checklist Upload as a supporting file when provided.
Supplementary Material Upload separately only when it cannot reasonably remain in the masked manuscript.
Permissions or Documentation Select the most appropriate confidential or supporting-file designation.

Before Continuing

Confirm that:

  • the title page and masked manuscript are both present;
  • each file has the correct designation;
  • both required files are editable;
  • the files represent the same manuscript version;
  • the masked-manuscript file name does not identify the authors;
  • all tables, figures, and legends are included;
  • each file opens correctly; and
  • no outdated or duplicate version was uploaded.

If a file is replaced before submission is completed, verify that the correct version remains attached to the record.

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3. Enter the Manuscript Details

Enter the manuscript information directly into the submission form. Do not rely on automatic extraction without checking every field.

Title

Enter the complete title exactly as it appears on the title page and masked manuscript.

Abstract

Paste the complete abstract into the appropriate field. When required, it must not exceed 250 words.

Confirm that the abstract:

  • matches the manuscript;
  • contains the final study information;
  • does not contain references;
  • does not contain author-identifying information; and
  • uses the structure required for the selected article type.

For an Experience manuscript, submit the abstract in the editorial response rather than within the manuscript. Follow the applicable Experience requirements and the instructions displayed by OJS.

Keywords

Enter at least three keywords when required. Use terms from the Medical Subject Headings database whenever appropriate.

Additional Fields

Complete all other fields requested by OJS. These may include:

  • language;
  • subject classifications;
  • supporting agencies;
  • references;
  • funding information;
  • rights or licensing information; and
  • other indexing metadata.

Do not enter placeholder text solely to bypass a required field. Contact the Journal when a required field does not apply and OJS does not permit an appropriate response.

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4. Add All Authors

Every author must be entered individually in the OJS metadata. The author list must match the title page exactly.

For Each Author

Enter and verify:

  • given name;
  • middle name or initials when applicable;
  • family name;
  • email address;
  • country;
  • institutional affiliation;
  • ORCID identifier when available;
  • author or contributor designation when requested; and
  • other required profile information.

Author Order

Arrange the authors in the final order approved by the entire author group. Do not assume that the order in which authors are entered automatically matches the title page.

Compare the OJS author list against the title page line by line before continuing.

Corresponding Author

Identify the correct corresponding author. This person is responsible for:

  • communicating with the Journal;
  • coordinating responses from all authors;
  • communicating editorial decisions and requests;
  • obtaining coauthor approval of revisions;
  • verifying final publication information; and
  • reviewing the proof on behalf of the author group.

ORCID

Use the complete ORCID web address:

https://orcid.org/0000-0000-0000-0000

Authors without an ORCID are encouraged to register through the official ORCID registration system.

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5. Review and Submit

Review every part of the record before selecting the final submission button.

Check Final confirmation
☐ The correct article type or Journal section is selected.
☐ The title page and masked manuscript are both uploaded.
☐ Each uploaded file has the correct designation.
☐ The manuscript title is identical in the metadata and both files.
☐ The abstract and keywords are complete and accurate.
☐ Every author has been entered.
☐ The author order matches the title page.
☐ The correct corresponding author is identified.
☐ Author affiliations and available ORCID identifiers are accurate.
☐ The title page contains the required authorship, contribution, funding, and disclosure information.
☐ The masked manuscript does not contain unnecessary identifying information.
☐ All tables, figures, legends, and intended supplementary materials are included.
☐ Applicable ethics, consent, registration, and permission information is reported.
☐ All authors approved the submission.
☐ The manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere.

Once completed, OJS should display or send a confirmation and assign a manuscript identification number. Retain that number for future correspondence.

Start a New Submission
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After Submission

After the submission is completed, the manuscript enters administrative and editorial assessment.

The Editorial Team may contact the corresponding author to request:

  • a missing, corrected, or editable file;
  • improved manuscript masking;
  • clarification of author eligibility;
  • updated author metadata or ORCID information;
  • a corrected CRediT statement;
  • funding or conflict-of-interest information;
  • ethics, consent, or registration details;
  • a reporting checklist;
  • permissions;
  • supplementary materials; or
  • other information required for assessment.

A request for administrative correction does not mean that the manuscript has passed editorial assessment or will undergo external peer review.

Follow the Manuscript

The corresponding author should:

  • monitor the email address associated with the account;
  • review OJS notifications;
  • sign in periodically to review the status;
  • respond through the appropriate discussion area or workflow stage;
  • keep all coauthors informed; and
  • notify the Journal when important authorship, funding, ethics, or contact information changes.
Review the Editorial and Peer-Review Process
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Submit a Revision

Upload a revised manuscript through the existing submission record. Do not create a new submission unless the Editorial Team specifically instructs you to do so.

Authors should ordinarily provide:

  • a revised masked manuscript;
  • an updated title page when information has changed;
  • a complete point-by-point response;
  • any requested reporting checklist;
  • requested ethics, consent, registration, permission, or funding documentation;
  • updated figures or supplementary materials; and
  • any other files specified in the decision letter.

Point-by-Point Response

For each editorial or reviewer comment:

  1. reproduce or summarize the comment;
  2. provide the author response;
  3. describe the change made;
  4. identify where the change appears; and
  5. explain the reasoning when a requested change was not made.

Upload all revised materials through the workflow stage identified in the editorial instructions, such as the Review Files or Review Discussions area.

All authors must approve the revised manuscript before resubmission.

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Technical Assistance

Before Requesting Assistance

  • Confirm that you are signed in to the correct account.
  • Refresh the page and sign in again.
  • Use a current version of a major web browser.
  • Confirm that cookies and JavaScript are enabled.
  • Use short, simple file names.
  • Remove unsupported special characters from file names.
  • Confirm that each file opens correctly.
  • Try uploading the file again.
  • Verify that every required field is complete.
  • Review the page for a specific error message.

When Contacting the Journal

Provide:

  • the corresponding author’s name;
  • the manuscript title;
  • the manuscript identification number, when available;
  • the workflow stage where the problem occurred;
  • the exact error message;
  • a concise description of what happened;
  • the browser and device being used; and
  • a screenshot when helpful.

Do not include confidential patient or participant information in a support message or screenshot.

Contact the Journal

Submission Resources

Prepare the Submission

Editorial and Publication Information
Download the Recommended Template Review the Checklist Start a Submission
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