Medical journals are a type of peer-reviewed, scientific journal published by various associations within the global medical community. When submitting articles to any scientific or scholarly journal, authors must take care to adhere to each journal's chosen style guidelines---failure to do so can often lead to rejection even before the piece has been reviewed.
Style Guides
A style guide, also referred to as a style sheet or style manual, is a tool that details specific decisions on prepare and write a document. Style guides traditionally incorporate rules regarding writing mechanics (punctuation, spelling, and grammar) along with instructions on properly cite references and display figures or graphics.
Medical Journal Style Guides
There are three commonly used style guides within the English-speaking medical journal community: the "American Medical Association Manual of Style," "British Medical Journal" house style and the "Uniform Requirements" (for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals).
The American Medical Association Manual of Style
The "American Medical Association Manual of Style" (AMA) was originally published in 1962 with a total of 62 pages, but has since grown to 1032 pages in the 10th and most recent edition published in 2007. Though predominately utilized in the United States, this latest addition has broadened its international rules compared with previous incarnations. The 10th edition is also the first "AMA Manual of Style" to have an extensible online component that receives regular updates as needed.
British Medical Journal House Style
The "British Medical Journal" (BMJ) house style was developed specifically for the BMJ, but has been adopted by other British and Commonwealth Nation medical journals. One of the main tenants of the BMJ house style is that authors following it should always in a clear and active manner, as it is common for readers not to be primarily English speakers.
Uniform Requirements
The "Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals: Writing and Editing for Biomedical Publication" was created in 1979 by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). The "Uniform Requirements" guidelines are the most widely accepted medical journal style guides in the world with over 629 journals having indicated their adherence to them.
Unlike other style guides, the "Uniform Requirements" do not require users to purchase revised hard-copy editions or a subscription to an online service. Instead the ICMJE promotes the re-printing or disturbing of the requirements for personal, educational and not-for-profit uses.
Tags: Uniform Requirements, Manual Style, Medical Journal, American Medical, American Medical Association, Association Manual