Author Guidelines

Niger Delta Journal of Medical Sciences (NDJMS) is a quarterly peer-reviewed official publication of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences (FCS), College of Health Sciences (CHS), Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, Wilberforce Island Bayelsa State, Nigeria. This general medical journal accepts manuscripts from within and outside Nigeria in areas of basic and clinical medical sciences and related fields. All manuscripts submitted to this journal are expected to conform to the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals issued by the International Committee for Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

TYPES OF MANUSCRIPTS AND THEIR LIMITS

The journal accepts a variety of manuscript types that contribute to the advancement of medical science. Submissions must be clearly written in English and adhere to the Vancouver referencing style. All manuscripts should follow the journal's formatting and ethical guidelines.

1. Original Research Articles
Description: Full-length reports of original clinical, laboratory, or epidemiological  studies.
Word limit: Maximum 4,000 words (excluding references, tables, and figure legends)
Abstract: Structured, up to 300 words
References: Up to 50 (numbered consecutively in the text as per Vancouver style)
Tables/Figures: Maximum 6

2. Review Articles
Description: Comprehensive, evidence-based reviews on timely and relevant topics in medicine and health sciences 
Word limit: Maximum 5,000 words
Abstract: Unstructured, up to 250 words
References: Up to 120 (numbered consecutively in the text as per Vancouver style)
Tables/Figures: Maximum 5
Note: Review articles are usually invited, but unsolicited submissions will be considered.

3. Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
Description: Structured evaluations of the literature using defined methods (PRISMA guidelines recommended).
Word limit: Up to 5,000 words
Abstract: Structured, up to 300 words
References: Up to 100
Tables/Figures: Maximum 6

4. Case Reports
Description: Detailed descriptions of unique or rare clinical cases with educational or clinical significance.
Word limit: Maximum 1,500 words
Abstract: Unstructured, up to 150 words
References: Up to 15
Tables/Figures: Maximum 2

5. Short Communications / Brief Reports
Description: Concise reports of original data or early findings with significant clinical implications.
Word limit: Up to 2,000 words
Abstract: Structured or unstructured, up to 200 words
References: Up to 25
Tables/Figures: Maximum 3

6. Editorials
Description: Opinion-based pieces on recent developments in medicine or commentary on articles published in the journal. Generally invited.
Word limit: Maximum 1,200 words
Abstract: Not required
References: Up to 10
Tables/Figures: Rarely included

7. Letters to the Editor
Description: Brief discussions or critiques related to previously published articles or  relevant emerging issues.
Word limit: Maximum 800 words
Abstract: Not required
References: Up to 5
Tables/Figures: 1 (if essential)

8. Clinical Guidelines / Consensus Statements
Description: Official recommendations or consensus documents developed by expert panels, societies, or working groups.
Word limit: Up to 6,000 words
Abstract: Structured or unstructured, up to 300 words
References: Up to 100
Tables/Figures: As required (subject to editorial approval)

PREPARATION OF MANUSCRIPT

In preparing the manuscript for publication in the NDJMS, it should include the following sections: Title page, abstract and keywords, text, conclusion, study limitations, acknowledgments, conflict of interest, references, tables, and figures in that order.

Style:

Niger Delta Journal of Medical Sciences uses both UK and US spelling as long as one is consistently used throughout a manuscript. International System of Units (SI) units should be used for all measurements. Use abbreviations to avoid repetition of long technical terms/names: Indicate the abbreviation in parentheses when the term/name is used in full for the first time. Avoid abbreviations and references in the abstract section. Use only the approved generic names of chemical substances and drugs.

Original Article should be formatted as follows:

Title page
Title of the article, names of contributing authors in this order; surname (family name) in full, middle name initial, and first name in full e.g. Green O. Smith, name of the institution where the study is carried out and qualifications of each author, name, address, and email of the corresponding author.

Article file
This file contains the abstract and keywords and the main text sections only.

Abstract
This is arranged into a brief introduction highlighting the background, methods highlighting (setting, design, timeline, subjects, data management, etc.), results, and conclusions. It should not exceed 300 words.

Keywords
These should not be more than six or less than four words.

Text
The text of an original manuscript should be separated into the standard IMRAD format as follows: Introduction, Methodology, Results, and Discussion. Sections on Acknowledgments, Limitations and References should be included.

Introduction
Should be concise and state the background and clear objective of the paper.

Materials and Methods
Should be clear enough for another researcher to be able to repeat the study. A detailed statement on ethical issues should be in this section.

Results
Present results in logical sequence in the text, tables, figures, and other illustrations. Do not repeat in the text all the data in the tables or illustrations; emphasize or summarize only the important observations. Use the symbols * ¶ ᵼ ⱡ § sequentially to explain as footnotes unconventional abbreviations used in the tables.

Discussion
The major findings should be highlighted and related to other studies. Their significance, implications, and limitations should be emphasized.

Conclusions
As much as possible, relevant conclusions from the results in relation to the objectives of the study should be stated.

Limitations
Any limitations observed during the study should be stated here.

Acknowledgement:
The following should be acknowledged: Research or other financial grants; material support, contributions of institutions, colleagues, and other relevant participants who contributed significantly but not sufficient for authorship.

Conflict of Interest
Any potential conflicts of interest should be clearly stated here. If there are none, it should be so stated.

References
Should follow the Vancouver style giving the name of the journal or its standard abbreviation, year, volume, first and last pages. The references should be numbered, using Arabic numerals in superscript in the order in which they are first used in the text, tables, figures, and legends. In the reference section, list the references in the order of appearance in the text, tables, figures, and legends. Do not include abstracts, unpublished data, oral communications, and personal communications in the reference list. All references should be against the original documents. In the reference section, the names of the first six authors should be listed followed by “et al.” Names of journals should be abbreviated using the approved style as in Index Medicus/PubMed. A manuscript may be rejected for inaccurate citations.

References to a chapter in a textbook
Should include the surname and up to two initials of each author, title of the chapter, followed by In:, surname and up to two initials of each editor of the book, title of the book, edition, publisher, year of publication, first and last page of the chapter.

Reference to a book
Should state the surname and up to two initials of each editor of the book, followed by eds, title of the book, edition of the book, place of publication, year, and pages of the chapter.