International Journal of Thorax - Instructions for Authors
Modern, submission ready guidance for fast, fair review
Author Preparation Blueprint
This page is a practical blueprint for preparing manuscripts for the International Journal of Thorax. It is designed to help your research move through peer review quickly with fewer revisions.
Well structured submissions allow reviewers to evaluate clinical relevance, methodological rigor, and patient impact rather than formatting issues.
We publish original research, reviews, brief reports, methods, and editorials across thoracic and respiratory medicine.
Use ManuscriptZone or the simple submission form and choose the workflow that best fits your team and institution.
Align with relevant reporting frameworks such as CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA, CARE, or ARRIVE when appropriate and submit any checklists required by your study type.
Include ethics approvals, informed consent statements, and trial registration numbers where required.
Describe study design, setting, patient population, and endpoints clearly to strengthen reproducibility and impact.
If your study includes imaging, bronchoscopy, or physiologic testing, report equipment, protocols, and calibration standards.
Consistency across text, tables, and figures reduces editorial queries and helps production maintain the final record.
Use clear, concise language for interdisciplinary readers across pulmonology, thoracic surgery, and critical care.
If you need guidance on scope or format, contact the editorial office before submitting.
Quick Compliance Panel
- Title page includes affiliations, ORCID, funding, and contributions
- Structured abstract with objectives, methods, results, and conclusions
- IMRAD main text with continuous line numbering
- Figures at 300 dpi and tables submitted as editable files
- Ethics approvals, consent statements, and trial registration included when relevant
- Data availability statement with repository links or access terms
- Cover letter confirms exclusivity and preprint disclosure
- Report statistical methods, software versions, and primary outcomes
- State limitations, safety reporting, and reproducibility steps
Why These Standards Matter
A modern, compliant submission improves review speed, clarity, and credibility.
Clear Structure
IMRAD format, structured abstracts, and logical headings improve readability and reduce reviewer friction.
Ethics and Integrity
Ethics compliance and similarity screening protect the record and author reputation.
Data Transparency
Data availability statements and repository links strengthen trust, reuse, and citation potential.
Technical Quality
High resolution images, de identified figures, and editable tables reduce production delays.
Reviewer Focus
Complete methods and validation keep review centered on scientific value.
Funder Compliance
Reporting and licensing alignment supports grants, institutional policies, and public access mandates.
Manuscript Preparation Standards
Clear sub sections make your submission easy to review and easier to publish.
Title Page
Title PageEstablish authorship, accountability, and funding transparency.
- Full author names, affiliations, and ORCID identifiers
- Corresponding author email and address
- Funding sources and grant numbers
- Conflict of interest and author contribution statements
- Ethics approval identifiers and consent statements when required
- Clinical trial registration number when applicable
- Cover letter summarizing novelty and confirming exclusive submission
Abstract
AbstractMake your work searchable and easy to interpret.
- Structured abstract for original research manuscripts
- Clear objectives, methods, results, and conclusions
- Four to six keywords aligned with indexing terms
- Include study design, population, and primary outcomes
- Short, direct sentences that make the study easy to scan
Main Text
Main TextProvide a complete narrative with reproducible methods.
- IMRAD structure for original research
- Clear study design, setting, and participant selection
- Interventions, outcomes, and follow up described
- Statistical analysis plan and software reported
- Use SI units and define abbreviations at first use
- Include limitations and reproducibility considerations in the discussion
| Formatting | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| File format | Word (.doc or .docx) | Main text in one file, figures separate |
| Font and spacing | 12 pt, double spaced | Use standard fonts |
| Line numbers | Continuous | Required for review |
| Trial registration | Provide registry ID | If applicable |
| Figures | 300 dpi | TIFF, JPEG, or PNG, de identified |
Figures and Tables
Figures/TablesEnsure data presentation is clear and publication ready.
- Figures at 300 dpi in TIFF, JPEG, or PNG formats
- Editable tables with titles, footnotes, and units
- Complete figure legends, scale bars, and imaging parameters
- Remove patient identifiers and maintain confidentiality
- Supplementary files cited in the main text
- Consistent naming so files match order of appearance
References
ReferencesAccurate citations speed production and improve discovery.
- Vancouver style references
- DOI links included where available
- Cite clinical trial registrations and datasets when used
- Complete and consistent formatting
- Check for accuracy before submission
- Include access dates for data when needed
Ethics and Data Callouts
These statements are reviewed early in screening and must be clear at submission.
Ethics Statement Required
Provide IRB or ethics committee approvals for human participants or animal studies. Include approval identifiers, dates, and consent statements.
Data Availability Statement Required
State where de identified data are stored, include repository links or accession numbers, and describe any access restrictions or embargoes.
Trial Registration Required
Clinical trials must be registered in a public registry prior to enrollment. Include the registration number in the abstract.
Submission Pathway
Use this pathway to keep your submission compliant and on schedule.
Assemble Core Files
Prepare title page, main manuscript, figures, tables, and supplementary files with clear naming. Confirm that all files are cited in the text.
Run Compliance Check
Confirm ethics approvals, consent statements, and data availability. Ensure conflicts and funding are fully disclosed.
Apply Technical Formatting
Use Word format, twelve point font, double spacing, and continuous line numbering. Keep headings consistent across sections.
Quality Review
Verify study design details, statistical methods, and reference accuracy including DOI links. Check that figures match legends and labels.
Submit via Preferred Method
Submit through ManuscriptZone or the simple submission form. Upload figures separately and include a concise cover letter.
Post Submission Readiness
Respond quickly to editorial queries and provide marked and clean revisions. Address reviewer feedback point by point.
Proof and Publish
Review page proofs carefully for accuracy. Confirm that metadata, author details, and data links are correct. Report any corrections immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Important Points
- Use two submission methods: ManuscriptZone and the simple submission form.
- Ensure references are accurate and include DOI links where possible.
- Define all abbreviations in every table and figure.
- Include ethics approvals, consent statements, and trial registration when required.
- Provide ORCID identifiers to improve author attribution.
- Use SI units and standard clinical terminology.
- Keep file names short, descriptive, and consistent with figure order.
- Report statistical methods, effect sizes, and confidence intervals clearly.
- Use continuous line numbering to speed reviewer feedback.
- Add a running title and corresponding author details on the title page.
- Confirm that all coauthors approve the submission.
- Disclose any conflicts of interest and funding sources.
Submit Your Manuscript
Use the submission system below to start your International Journal of Thorax review process.
For assistance, contact us at [email protected]
