Instructions to Authors
QJM seeks to offer swift review and publication of accepted articles; to aid this process, contributors should follow these guidelines.
Manuscript and disk submittal. All manuscripts must be submitted on disk or by e-mail. To speed the review process, submit by e-mail initially, with the disk and hard copy to follow where needed. The authors of the manuscript and word processor used must be clearly marked on the disk and the manuscript submittal form. Any version of Word or WordPerfect is acceptable. The disk should be accompanied by three hard copies, including all figures and tables. Manuscripts should be typed in double-space. Original papers should include a summary of fewer than 200 words and the sections of Introduction; Methods; Results; and Discussion. The copy should be typed in the style and order of the journal.
References should be numbered consecutively by superscript arabic numerals in the order in which they are first mentioned in the text. Where references are cited in a table or figure legend, numbering should correspond to the first mention of that table or figure in the text. The Journal adopts the Vancouver system for references. As listed, these should include, (i) the list of all authors, (ii) the title of the article, (iii) the title of the journal (as abbreviated in Index Medicus), (iv) the year of publication, (v) volume number, (vi) first and last pages. Book references should give the author, title, edition, volume and page number (where appropriate), with town of publication, name of publisher and year of publication.
e.g. Wilson CB. The renal response to immunologic injury. In: Brenner BM, Rector FC, eds. The Kidney, 4th edn. Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 1991:1062–181.
e.g. Evans DGR, Harris R. Heterogeneity and genetic conditions. Q J Med 1992; 84:563–5.
Illustrations. Three sets of original figures should be submitted. Please provide these as clear sharp prints, suitable for reproduction as submitted. Therefore all labelling should be on the original drawing. Line figures should be in black ink. Faint shading or stippling will be lost upon reproduction and should be avoided. Ensure that the size of the lettering is in proportion with the overall dimensions of the drawing. Photographs should be of sufficient high quality with respect to detail, contrast and fineness of grain to withstand the inevitable loss of contrast and detail inherent in the printing process. Photographs and other illustrations should be unmounted and with an unmarked front surface. Authors’ names, the number of the figure and orientation should be indicated in soft pencil on the reverse. If colour plates, or a large number of halftones are required, authors may be charged with part of their cost. Legends, clearly identified for the appropriate figures, should be typed on a separate sheet.
Proofs Authors will receive PDF files of their page proofs by e-mail (or fax if no e-mail address is available). Excessive corrections at this stage are discouraged and may be charged to the author.
Copyright. It is a condition of publication in the journal that authors assign copyright to the Association of Physicians. This ensures that requests from third parties to reproduce articles are handled efficiently and consistently, and will also allow the article to be as widely disseminated as possible. In assigning copyright, authors may use their own material in other publications provided that the journal is acknowledged as the original place of publication, and Oxford University Press is notified in writing and in advance.
Correspondence. Manuscripts and manuscript enquiries should be directed to the Editorial Manager: David Hallett, PO Box 1130, Oxford OX2 9UR, UK; tel +44 (0)1865 248539, fax +44 (0)1865 248540, e-mail: qjm@btinternet.com. All other communications to the publishers: Oxford University Press, Journals Production Department, Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, UK.
