Guidelines for authors

Author Guidelines

The Interamerican Journal of Health Sciences (IJHS) is committed to promoting scientific research and academic exchange across health disciplines. As an open-access journal, it ensures that all published content is freely accessible to the global community. The journal only accepts original articles, narrative and systematic reviews, brief communications, and case reports. Below are detailed submission guidelines to assist authors in preparing their manuscripts.

 

General Requirements

Language:
Manuscripts must be written in Spanish or English. Submissions should be clear, concise, and free from grammatical or typographical errors.

Originality and Exclusivity:
All submissions must be unpublished and not under consideration by any other journal. If the manuscript has previously appeared on a preprint server, this must be disclosed. Submission of the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously is prohibited.

 

Article Categories:
The journal accepts the following types of contributions:

  • Original Articles: Presenting new research findings based on empirical data.
  • Narrative Reviews: Summarizing and discussing existing literature on a topic from an expert perspective.
  • Systematic Reviews: Following a rigorous methodology to synthesize evidence on a specific research question.
  • Brief Communications: Short reports presenting preliminary data or new methodologies.
  • Case Reports: Descriptions of rare or clinically significant cases that contribute to understanding or solving a health-related problem.

 

Use of Template:
All submissions must strictly adhere to the journal’s template, which can be downloaded in English or Spanish. Manuscripts not following the template will be returned for correction before entering the review process.

 

Structure and Formatting:

Format Requirements:

  • Manuscripts must be submitted in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format.
  • Use Times New Roman, size 12, single-spaced, with 2.5 cm margins on all sides.
  • Tables should be created in Microsoft Excel (.xls or .xlsx) and include descriptive titles and footnotes.
  • Figures (graphs, images) must be submitted in TIFF or JPEG format, with a resolution of at least 300 DPI. Each figure should include a legend and be referenced in the text.

 

First Page Information:
Each submission must include the following on the first page:

  • Title: A concise and informative title (maximum of 50 characters, including spaces) in Spanish and English.
  • Authors' Names and Affiliations: Full names, institutional affiliations (institution, city, country), and ORCID iDs for all authors.
  • Corresponding Author: Provide the name, email address, and phone number of the corresponding author.

 

Abstract and Keywords:
Each article must contain an abstract in both Spanish and English, summarizing the objective, methodology, key findings, and conclusions (maximum of 250 words).

Include 3 to 5 keywords in Spanish and English, following DeCS or MeSH terminologies.

 

Main Text Structure:

  • Introduction: Describe the research background, problem statement, and study objectives.
  • Materials and Methods: Detail the study design, population, data collection methods, analysis procedures, and ethical considerations.
  • Results: Present the findings clearly, using tables or figures as needed.
  • Discussion: Interpret the results, compare them with previous studies, and discuss limitations.
  • Conclusions: Summarize the main findings and their implications for future research or practice.
  • References: References must follow the Vancouver style, listed in the order they appear in the text. Journal names should be abbreviated according to Index Medicus. Use superscript numbers to indicate references in the text.

 

Ethical Considerations

  • Research Ethics:
    All studies involving human participants must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki. Authors must state that:
  • Informed consent was obtained from participants.
  • Confidentiality of participants' data was maintained.
  • The study received approval from an ethics committee, and the approval number or protocol code should be included in the manuscript.
  • For studies involving animals, the research must follow the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
  • More information on ethical issues can be found in the Ethical Policies section.

 

Final general sections:

  • Author Contributions: Specify the individual contributions of each author (e.g., conceptualization, data analysis, writing).
  • Funding: Indicate any financial support received for the study.
  • Conflicts of Interest: Disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence the research or its interpretation.
  • Acknowledgments: Recognize contributions from individuals or institutions that do not meet the criteria for authorship.

 

Submission Process

Manuscripts must be submitted through the online submission system (link).

Authors will receive a confirmation email upon submission, followed by updates throughout the editorial process.

 

Peer Review and Decision Process

All manuscripts undergo double-blind peer review, ensuring that both authors and reviewers remain anonymous. More information about the peer review process can be found in the Peer Review and Editorial Process section.

 

Open Access and Article Processing Charges (APC)

The IJHS does not charge APCs or submission fees.