Author Guidelines

1. General Author Instructions

The Biological and Clinical Sciences Research Journal (Biol. Clin. Sci. Res. J.) welcomes the submission of original, high-quality scholarly manuscripts in biological, clinical, and interdisciplinary sciences. Authors must ensure that all submitted work is original, scientifically sound, and prepared according to the journal’s requirements.

As part of the submission process, authors are required to confirm that:

  • the submission has not been previously published and is not under consideration by another journal;

  • the submission file is prepared in Microsoft Word format;

  • URLs for references are provided where available;

  • the text is single-spaced, uses a 12-point font, employs italics rather than underlining except for URL addresses, and places illustrations, figures, and tables within the text at the appropriate points; and

  • the manuscript adheres to the stylistic and bibliographic requirements of the journal.

2. Submission of Manuscripts

Manuscripts must be submitted electronically by one of the authors of the manuscript. Submissions made by anyone other than an author will not be accepted. The submitting author assumes responsibility for the manuscript throughout submission and peer review.

Only Word files (.doc or .docx) are accepted. Authors are strongly encouraged to submit manuscripts by email in order to facilitate rapid publication and reduce administrative costs. Manuscripts may be submitted through the journal’s online OJS system or by email to:

3. Types of Papers

The journal accepts a broad range of article types, each with its own recommended structure and length.

3.1 Original Research Articles

These papers present original empirical data not previously published elsewhere, except possibly in abstract form. Null, negative, replication, and refutation findings are also welcome.

  • Recommended length: 3000-6000 words

  • Maximum: 25 double-spaced pages, including references

  • Figures/tables: up to 15

  • Recommended structure:
    Abstract, Introduction, Methodology, Results and Discussion, Conclusion, Acknowledgements, Competing Interests, Authors’ Contributions, Consent (where applicable), Ethical Approval (where applicable), References, and figures/tables.

3.2 Short Research Articles

These articles may report concise single-result findings but must include sufficient methodological and results detail for reader understanding.

  • Recommended length: 3000-4000 words

  • Figures/tables: 3-4

  • References: 15-20

  • Structure similar to Original Research Articles.

3.3 Short Communications

Short Communications report urgent and important preliminary findings of high originality and likely impact. They should demonstrate proof of principle.

  • Recommended length: 2500-3500 words

  • Figures/tables: 2-3

  • References: 15-20

  • Structure similar to Original Research Articles.

3.4 Review Articles

These papers synthesize and discuss published literature in a particular area without presenting original empirical data from the authors.

  • Recommended length: 5000-9000 words

  • References: 50-150

  • Figures/tables: 3-5, where required.

3.5 Mini-Reviews

Mini-reviews provide concise summaries or historical perspectives in fast-moving areas within the journal’s scope.

  • Recommended length: 3000-6000 words

  • References: 30-70

  • Figures/tables: 2-3, where required.

3.6 Case Reports / Case Studies

Case reports describe clinically important or novel patient cases with educational or practice relevance. Case studies serve as records of clinical interactions and may help frame future research questions.

Case Reports should follow this structure:
Abstract, Introduction, Presentation of Case, Discussion, Conclusion, Acknowledgements, Competing Interests, Authors’ Contributions, Consent (where applicable), Ethical Approval (where applicable), References, and figures/tables.

For case reports:

  • Abstract: maximum 250 words

  • Abstract sections: Aims, Presentation of Case, Discussion, Conclusion

  • Maximum manuscript length: 2000 words

  • Maximum references: 20

  • Maximum figures: 5.

3.7 Systematic Reviews

Systematic Reviews should usually address medical interventions or animal model studies and should follow recognized reporting standards such as PRISMA.

  • Recommended length: 5000-9000 words

  • References: 50-150

  • Figures/tables: 3-5, where required.

3.8 Policy Papers

Policy papers should present a persuasive and evidence-based argument supporting policy recommendations.

  • Recommended length: 3000-4000 words

  • Figures/tables: 3-4

  • References: 15-20.

3.9 Commentaries / Opinion Articles

Opinion-based articles should address topical issues of broad interest and stimulate academic discussion.

  • Recommended length: 2500-3500 words

  • Figures/tables: 2-3

  • References: 15-20.

3.10 Data Notes

Data Notes are brief descriptions of scientific datasets explaining why and how the data were generated. They do not include analyses or conclusions.

3.11 Study Protocols and Pre-Protocols

The journal welcomes protocols for a variety of study designs, including observational studies and systematic reviews. Protocols for randomized clinical trials must be registered and follow appropriate reporting standards. Ethical approval must already have been granted. Pre-protocols discussing provisional designs may also be submitted and will be clearly labeled upon publication.

3.12 Method Articles

Method Articles describe new or substantially modified experimental or computational methods, procedures, technical tools, or technologies relevant to scientific investigation or clinical care.

  • Recommended length: 3000-4000 words

  • Figures/tables: 3-4

  • References: 15-20.

3.13 Data Articles

These describe datasets together with the methods or protocols used to generate them. No analysis, results, or conclusions should be included.

3.14 Clinical Practice Articles

These are short evidence-based articles focused on specific clinical problems, treatment pathways, or management approaches. Case series may be included, but single-patient reports should be submitted as Case Reports.

3.15 Abstracts of Scientific Meetings

Abstracts of oral and poster presentations within the journal’s scope may be published in consultation with the academic editors. They must be standardized, in English, and are subject to peer review. Normally, a minimum of 10 abstracts is required for publication in a special issue. Such abstracts are not considered for regular issues.

3.16 Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor provide a platform for dialogue regarding published journal content or related scholarly discussion.

Requirements:

  • maximum 600 words excluding references;

  • maximum 8 references;

  • maximum 1 figure or table;

  • maximum 4 authors;

  • disclosure of conflicts of interest is required.

These submissions are fully peer reviewed.

3.17 Scholarly Book Reviews

Scholarly Book Reviews critically evaluate the content, quality, meaning, and significance of academic books.

  • Maximum length: 1800 words

  • References: 2-5

  • Reviews must be systematic, structured, and academic in tone

  • Promotional or advertising-style content is not acceptable.

4. Units of Measurement

All units of measurement should be presented clearly and concisely using SI (System International) units.

5. Title and Authorship Information

Each manuscript should include the following:

  • paper title;

  • full names of all authors;

  • full institutional mailing addresses; and

  • email addresses of all authors.

Title

The title should avoid abbreviations and clearly reflect the content of the paper.

6. Manuscript Structure

Manuscripts must be written in English using a simple layout and prepared in single-column format. Excluding the abstract where applicable, the main text may be divided into numbered sections with brief headings. Section numbering should begin with the introduction as Section 1, and subsections may be numbered up to three levels, for example: 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.2.

7. Abstract

The abstract should be concise, informative, and normally 300-400 words in length. It should briefly state:

  • the purpose of the study;

  • the methods or techniques used;

  • the major findings with important data; and

  • the main conclusions.

References should not be cited in the abstract. Non-standard abbreviations should generally be avoided, but if used, they must be defined at first mention.

8. Keywords

Immediately after the abstract, authors should provide 4-8 keywords as per the guidelines listed by MeSH. Abbreviations should be avoided unless they are well established and standard in the field. These keywords will be used for indexing.

9. Abbreviations

Non-standard abbreviations should be listed and their full forms provided in parentheses when first used in the text.

10. Introduction

The Introduction should provide:

  • factual background;

  • a clearly defined problem;

  • the proposed solution or research objective;

  • a brief literature review; and

  • the scope and justification of the work.

11. Materials and Methods

This section must provide sufficient detail to allow the work to be reproduced. Previously published methods should be cited appropriately, while significant modifications or new methods must be described in detail.

Authors should also ensure that:

  • tables and figures are placed within the text in the order they are cited;

  • the discussion of a table or figure appears before its presentation;

  • no table or figure appears without explanation or reference in the text.

Tables

Tables should be understandable without reference to the main text. Double spacing should be maintained throughout, including headings and footnotes. Table headings should appear on the table, and footnotes should be placed below using superscript lowercase letters. Vertical rules should not be used.

Figures

Each figure must have a concise caption placed below the figure. Figures should be self-explanatory, and information in a figure should not duplicate that in a table. All symbols and abbreviations used in figures must be clearly defined. Figures should be cited in the paper in consecutive order. Upon acceptance, authors may be asked to provide source files for figures separately. Acceptable formats include vector art and bitmap images, with bitmap images having a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.

12. Reporting Guidelines for Medical Papers

Authors should follow appropriate reporting guidelines where applicable:

  • CONSORT for randomized controlled trials;

  • STROBE for case reports, case series, cross-sectional studies, and other observational studies;

  • PRISMA for systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

13. Results and Discussion

Results should be described clearly and concisely, preferably using subheadings where appropriate. Table and figure numbers should be cited in parentheses for clarity.

The Discussion should interpret the significance of the findings rather than repeat the results. Relevant citations should be provided in support of the discussion. Results and Discussion may be combined or presented separately, depending on the article type.

14. Guideline for Reporting P Values

The journal requires the following conventions for reporting P values:

  • P should always be italicized and capitalized.

  • The correct form is (P = .05) rather than (P < .05), unless P < .001.

  • P values should usually be expressed to 2 digits; if P < .01, then 3 digits should be used.

  • Three digits may also be used when rounding would alter significance, for example P = .049.

  • More than three significant digits should not be used.

  • Authors should report actual P values rather than using NS.

  • Do not use a zero before the decimal point for statistical values such as P, alpha, and beta.

15. Conclusion

The Conclusion should briefly state the major findings of the study.

16. Acknowledgments

A brief acknowledgment section may be included after the conclusion and before the references. This section should identify assistance in manuscript preparation, funding support, and the role of the funding agency, if any, in study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or manuscript writing. If the funding body had no such role, authors should state this explicitly.

17. Competing Interests

All authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence, or reasonably be perceived to influence, their work. Potential conflicts may include employment, consultancies, honoraria, expert testimony, patent applications, grants, or other funding.

18. Authors’ Contributions

Authors may describe their contributions using a statement as described by ICMJE such as:

“Author A designed the study, performed the statistical analysis, wrote the protocol, and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Author B and Author C managed the analyses of the study. Author C managed the literature searches. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.”

19. Ethical Approval

This section is compulsory for medical journals and may also be required for other disciplines where appropriate.

For studies involving human subjects, authors must confirm:

  • approval by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Ethics Committee, or equivalent national/regional body;

  • the name of the approving body; and

  • the assigned study or approval number.

For studies involving animal subjects, authors must provide:

  • approval by an Institutional Review Board, Ethics Committee, or Animal Utilization Study Committee;

  • the approval number; and

  • details regarding post-operative care and pain management where relevant.

Authors should be prepared to submit scanned copies of approval documents at any stage of publication if requested.

Suggested statements may be used for animal and human studies, including declarations of adherence to recognized ethical principles such as the Declaration of Helsinki and established laboratory animal care standards.

20. Reference Style

Authors are responsible for ensuring that all references are complete and accurate. References must be numbered consecutively and listed in the order in which they appear in the text. Every reference listed must also be cited in the manuscript text.

The journal requires a Vancover Reference style, with citations appearing in the text according to journal format. Examples of books, journal articles, software references, and edited works should be followed consistently.

21. Proofs

A PDF proof will be sent to the corresponding author by email. At this stage, authors may correct typographical or minor clerical errors only. No major changes to the manuscript are permitted after proof generation.

22. Ethical Issues

Authors must not submit the same manuscript simultaneously to multiple journals. Duplicate publication, plagiarism, fraudulent reporting, copyright violation, inappropriate authorship, and undisclosed conflicts of interest are serious breaches of publication ethics. Authors are expected to submit only original, unpublished work and may be required to sign a copyright transfer or originality declaration.

23. Publication Charges

At present, the journal charges an Article Processing Charge (APC) of:

  • USD 180 for international authors; and

  • PKR 25,000 for Pakistani authors.

These charges are payable only upon acceptance of the manuscript. Authors are required to provide a funding statement. Fee waivers may be considered for potentially strong and high-quality manuscripts.