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General Formatting Guidelines
The following formatting guidelines must be followed, regardless of manuscript type. Any manuscript submission that is found to be non-compliant with the guidelines outlined below may be subject to desk rejection.
About the Author
Manuscripts should include a brief section of no more than 2 sentences per author that will be published along with the article. The section should detail the author(s)’ credentials and qualifications for writing on the given topic. The “About the Author” section should be listed following the title page and should be the only information listed on that page.
Title Page
The title page should include the following information:
(1) List of authors in authorship position, including first and last name (middle name/initial if desired), and credentials (BS, MD, PhD, NRP, etc.)
(2) Contributions of each author; identified with each author’s initials
(3) Author affiliations, following this format:
“From [Department] – [Institution] – in [Institution City], [Institution State], [Institution Country] (Initials of all authors with this affiliation)
(4) Emails of all authors
(5) Identification and contact information for the corresponding author, including an email address that will remain active and responsive for a minimum of 3 years following publication, and phone number
(6) Proposed title of manuscript, no more than 40 characters (including letters and spaces). The title must be unique and specific (see Manuscript Type Specific Guidelines)
(7) Type of manuscript
(8) Disclosure of conflicts of interest (see Conflicts of Interest)
(9) Disclosure of the use of Artificial Intelligence (see Declaring Artificial Intelligence Use)
(10) Text word count (excluding abstract, about the author, and references)
(11) Number of figures and tables within the manuscript
(12) Acknowledgment of grant or other financial support (see Declaring Funding Sources)
De-Identification
Manuscripts submitted for double-blind peer review (Original Research, Case Reports, or Clinical Reviews) should have all content that could be used to identify the authors or their respective institutions removed from the manuscript, figures, and tables (excluding the title page). The content that is removed must be replaced with [BLINDED]. If the manuscript is accepted for publication, the Editors will request the publication-ready version without the de-identification.
Document Settings
Files should be saved as “last name of corresponding author, first name – manuscript type: proposed article title”. Articles should be submitted as .doc or .docx files.
Tables and figures should not be included within the .doc or .docx file. Indicate within the manuscript where the tables and figures should be located with “INSERT HERE: Table #/Figure#”. Tables should be numbered by order of appearance within the text using Arabic numerals (Table 1, Table 2, etc.). Figures should be numbered by order of appearance within the text using Arabic numerals (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.).
Titles and captions of tables and figures must follow the American Medical Association (AMA) style. Table titles and numbers should appear above the table, with the caption below it. Figure titles, numbers, and captions should appear below the figure.
All tables and figures must be attached as a separate Microsoft Excel file. Images should be saved and submitted as .jpeg or .png files. Table and figure files should be saved as “last name of corresponding author, first name – proposed article title – Figure/Table #”. Tables and figures should be provided in black and white; color versions may be provided in Supplementary Material for online publication. The size and location of tables and figures may be altered to meet formatting requirements.
Text should be written in Times New Roman, 12 pt. Font: single-spaced; margins: 1 inch on all sides.
Images
Images may be submitted as an accompaniment to a manuscript. The photo quality must meet the following criteria: 300–600
dpi and a minimum of 2,000 pixels on the shortest side. The authors must have the right to reproduce the image(s) for
commercial purposes. Images should be saved as .jpeg or .png files. and attached as separate files in the email submission. A
brief caption to be published under the image should be provided within the manuscript text. A note should also be
provided within the manuscript text describing the desired placement of the image with respect to the manuscript text. The
placement note will be removed prior to publication. We will attempt to place the image as requested, but please note
that formatting requirements may require that the image be placed elsewhere relative to the text.
Length
- Original Research and Reviews should not exceed 5,000 words (excluding abstract, tables, figures, and references).
- Case Reports should not exceed 3,500 words (excluding abstract, tables, figures, and references).
- News and Commentary, Perspectives and Opinions, and Advice and Practices should not exceed 2,500 words(excluding references)
- Product Reviews should not exceed 1,500 words.
- Letters to the Editor should not exceed 1,000 words.
References
References must be formatted in accordance with the American Medical Association (AMA) guidelines. All citations must be paired with a superscript that correlates with a citation in the references section. The references must be listed in the order in which they first appear in the manuscript.
Supplementary Materials
Supplementary Materials may include additional information for the invested reader that goes beyond the scope or allowed space of the manuscript. These may include additional tables, figures, images, videos, or details on research methods and statistical analysis. Supplementary Materials will be published online and may include color.
Original Research manuscripts featuring survey data are encouraged to include the full survey in Supplementary Materials. Supplementary Materials should be saved as a .doc or .docx file with the filename “[last name of corresponding author, first name – Supplementary Material: proposed article title]” and submitted as a separate email attachment.
Video
Video(s) may be submitted as an accompaniment to a manuscript for online publication. When included as an accompaniment to a manuscript, videos should be cited in the text. Videos should be numbered in the order they appear in the text, using Arabic numerals (Video 1, Video 2, etc.). Videos should adhere to the following:
- Preferred format: MP4
- Recommended resolution:1080p, 720p minimum
- Frame rate: 24-30 fps
- Aspect ratio: 16:9 preferred
- Length: < 5 minutes per video
Selecting a Manuscript Type
Authors must select a manuscript type, which should be clearly denoted on the title page.
Manuscripts of the following types undergo double-blind peer review:
Original Research: Manuscripts that report the results of surveys, chart reviews, or data obtained through other quantitative methods. Although quantitative methods are standard in medical and healthcare research, JCEMS also welcomes original research that employs qualitative, conceptual, or philosophical methods. Manuscripts featuring original research are prioritized in our review process.
Case Reports: Manuscripts reporting a specific real-life clinical situation, operational incident, administrative, or ethical challenge. In addition to describing the steps taken by the provider(s) or agency, a Case Report should provide extensive background on the issue and discuss what should be done in similar instances with appropriate reference to available and pertinent guidelines, protocols, and peer-reviewed literature.
Clinical Reviews: Manuscripts that review the available literature, guidelines, or protocols to address a specific question or issue of relevance to the collegiate EMS community. Grounded in research and theory, review articles are expected to have clear implications for clinical, operational, administrative, or educational practice.
Manuscripts of the following types undergo editorial review:
News and Commentary: Manuscripts featuring news and updates about collegiate EMS agencies, campus health and safety initiatives, and conferences or events. Commentary and discussions on recent events relevant to the collegiate EMS community are also welcome.
Perspectives and Opinions: Manuscripts featuring individual viewpoints or interpretations of a topic of relevance for the collegiate EMS community. Discussions of emerging or controversial issues are particularly welcome, provided that authors acknowledge and integrate alternative points of view. Authors must be grounded in research and theory to support their claims.
Advice and Practices: Manuscripts featuring advice or “how-to” information regarding clinical, operational, administrative, or educational aspects of collegiate EMS. Concrete examples are expected, and references to research literature, guidelines, and protocols may be included. Manuscripts may feature a specific clinical situation, operational incident, administrative or ethical challenge, organizational model, or novel initiative or project.
Letters to the Editor: Brief letters written in response to an article published in JCEMS. Letters may serve to develop, critique, or discuss the implications of published work. Letters should be submitted within 12 weeks of the original article’s publication. The original author will always have the opportunity to respond to the letter. Letters may also be addressed openly to the Editor-in-Chief to provide commentary on a set of pieces published in JCEMS or on JCEMS’ broader context within the scholarly EMS community.
JCEMS also welcomes submissions of the following content to be published as supplementary material in conjunction with a manuscript:
Images: Images of collegiate EMS providers, equipment, operational activities, and other related events.
Videos: Videos of trainings, presentations, events, and other related events.
Training Materials: PowerPoints, skills sheets, scenarios, and other related materials.
Agency Documents: Standard operating guidelines, patient care reports, and other related materials.
Authors are encouraged to contact our Editors at JCEMS@JCEMS.org if they are interested in submitting content that does not fit any of the listed manuscript types, or if they are unsure which manuscript type describes their work.
Formatting Guidelines for Manuscript Text Sections
Manuscripts should be divided into sections and formatted according to the manuscript type. Sections may be divided into subsections at the discretion of the authors.
The Journal of Collegiate Emergency Medical Services strongly recommends any collegiate EMS-related research manuscript, when applicable.
You may submit a completed checklist for the relevant guideline with your manuscript. The checklist must identify the manuscript page on which each item appears. The JCEMS-recommended checklist type is identified under the corresponding manuscript type; a link to the editable checklist for the reporting guideline is also provided. If there is no checklist mentioned under a manuscript type, there is no checklist recommended for that manuscript type. Additional information about the reporting guidelines is available on the EQUATOR Network site (https://www.equator-network.org/). If you elect to adhere to a reporting guideline, for any portion of the checklist that may not be completed, you must state that clarify why that task was not completed in your manuscript. For example, if no missing data were handled in the statistical analysis, mention this directly in the manuscript and leave that section of the checklist blank.
JCEMS supports ethical, quality, and novel research. Completing the reporting guidelines helps ensure the research is complete and provides readers with an in-depth understanding of the project. Additionally, completing the checklist may make the peer review process smoother and result in a faster turnaround time on an editorial decision.
Original Research
Word Count: Should not exceed 5,000 words (excluding abstract, tables, figures, and references)
Abstract: A structured abstract of no more than 200 words. Includes the following sections: Background, Objective(s), Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
Introduction: Describe the background, context, and relevant literature on the topic. Identify the importance of the issue and how the investigation is novel and relevant to the collegiate EMS community. Explicitly and succinctly state the goal or objective of the research.
Methods: Describe the design of the study and interventions provided in sufficient detail for replication. Detail the criteria and methods used to select, recruit, and enroll participants. Note how informed consent was provided and how participant privacy was protected. For reports of surveys, detail how the survey questions were developed, tested, and validated, and note response rates. Discuss how measurements were made and how data were collected. Discuss how data was analyzed with reference to the specific statistical methods employed and software used. Authors may consult “Reporting Statistical Information in Medical Journal Articles” for more information. Reports of randomized controlled trials are expected to adhere to the guidelines provided in the CONSORT statement.
Note the institutional review board or ethics committee that approved the research or note that review was waived. Provide appropriate references to previously published descriptions of the methods. If non-traditional methodologies are employed, a thorough description of each method and an explanation of the reasons for its selection should be included.
Results: Describe the characteristics of study participants and the main quantitative or qualitative findings. Authors may consult “Reporting Statistical Information in Medical Journal Articles” for information on reporting statistical results. Data may be provided in tables or figures when appropriate.
Discussion: Summarize major findings. Discuss results in terms of relevant previously published literature, guidelines, and protocols. Discuss the importance and implications of the findings for the collegiate EMS community. When warranted by the findings, specific recommendations (clinical, operational, administrative, or educational) may be given. Discuss further research that is necessary, including specific recommendations for future studies when applicable.
Limitations: Discuss limitations that might affect the validity of the results. Discuss limitations in terms of applying the results and conclusions to a wider population than that which was directly under investigation. When applicable, discuss how the effects of the stated limitations were minimized and how they might be avoided in future studies.
Conclusion: Succinctly summarize the major findings, implications, recommendations, and limitations.
Acknowledgments: Acknowledge individuals who assisted with research or writing, but who do not meet the full criteria for authorship (see Authorship and Contributorship). Acknowledge the source of funding or financial support, or indicate that funding was not obtained. Acknowledge any conflicts of interest.
References: Format references in accordance with the American Medical Association (AMA) guidelines.
Reporting Guidelines: Randomized Trials – Follow CONSORT Reporting Guidelines; Observational Studies (Case-Control, Cohort, Cross-sectional, etc.) – Follow STROBE Reporting Guidelines; Meta-analysis – Follow PRISMA Reporting Guidelines; Quality Improvement Study – Follow SQUIRE Reporting Guidelines; Qualitative Study – Follow COREQ or SRQR Reporting Guidelines
Case Reports
Word Count: Should not exceed 3,500 words (excluding abstract, tables, figures, and references)
Abstract: A structured abstract of no more than 200 words. Includes the following sections: Background, Case Report, and Conclusion.
Introduction: Describe the background, context, and relevant literature on the topic. Identify why a collegiate EMS provider, leader, or advisor. should be aware of the case.
Case Report: Describe the patient presentation, operational incident, administrative challenge, etc., and the steps taken by the provider(s) or agency.
Discussion: Discuss lessons learned and what should be done in similar instances with appropriate reference to available and pertinent guidelines, protocols, and peer-reviewed literature. Reports should acknowledge and discuss any limitations in relying on the report for agencies with different operational or administrative structures.
Conclusion: Succinctly summarize the major details of the case, steps taken, and lessons learned.
Acknowledgments: Acknowledge individuals who assisted with research or writing or otherwise participated in the case, but who do not meet the full criteria for authorship (see Authorship and Contributorship). Acknowledge the source of funding or financial support, or indicate that the funding was not obtained. Acknowledge any conflicts of interest.
References: Format references in accordance with the American Medical Association (AMA) guidelines.
Reporting Guideline: Case Report – Follow CARE Reporting Guidelines
News & Commentary
Word Count: Should not exceed 2, 500 words (excluding references)
Additional Information: Must discuss a unique, timely topic related to collegiate EMS. Authors have the freedom to format their manuscript as they prefer, provided it clearly explains the importance of the story, cites sources appropriately, uses an inverted pyramid style, and focuses on the 5Ws of reporting – Who, What, When, Where, and Why. The title should remain between 3 and 5 words and be specific. Dividing content into sections is recommended to increase organization and readability.
Perspective & Opinions
Word Count: Should not exceed 2, 500 words (excluding references)
Additional Information: Should discuss a timely, unique opinion or perspective of the author(s). Authors have the freedom to format their manuscript as they prefer. Dividing content into sections is recommended to increase organization and readability. Data and references to literature must be included. The author(s) should address alternative viewpoints and counterarguments and conclude with a call to action.
Advice & Practices
Word Count: Should not exceed 2, 500 words (excluding references)
Additional Information: Must discuss a unique, innovative training, quality improvement initiative, program, event, or opportunity related to collegiate EMS. Authors have the freedom to format their manuscript as they prefer. Dividing content into sections is recommended to increase organization and readability. The focus of this manuscript must be on reproducibility for other EMS
agencies and the resulting outcomes.
Clinical Reviews
Word Count: Should not exceed 5,000 words (excluding abstract, tables, figures, and references)
Abstract: A structured abstract of no more than 200 words. Includes the following sections: Background, Objectives of
Review, Methods [only for systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses], Results [only for systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses], Discussion, and Conclusion.
Introduction: Describe the context for the review. Identify the importance of the issue and its relevance to the collegiate EMS community. State why the review is necessary, and what the review will contribute above and beyond what has already been published on the topic. Explicitly and succinctly state the goal or objective of the review.
Methods: Only for systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical research or therapeutic interventions are expected to comply with the reporting guidelines.
Results: Only for systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical research or therapeutic interventions are expected to comply with the PRISMA reporting guidelines.
Discussion: Critically evaluate and discuss the available literature, guidelines, or protocols pertinent to the given topic. Identify the major trends and findings from the literature. Discuss implications and, when appropriate, provide recommendations for clinical, operational, administrative, or educational practice. Discuss limitations of the review (e.g., reporting bias, additional sources not reviewed). Discuss the direction in which research on the topic is heading and, when appropriate, provide recommendations for further research. The Discussion section may be divided into sub-sections at the discretion of the authors.
Conclusion: Succinctly summarize the major findings, implications, and recommendations.
Acknowledgments: Acknowledge individuals who assisted with research or writing, but who do not meet the full criteria for authorship (see Authorship and Contributorship). Acknowledge the source of funding or financial support, or indicate that funding was not obtained. Acknowledge any conflicts of interest.
References: Format references in accordance with the American Medical Association (AMA) guidelines.
Guidelines: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses – Follow PRISMA Reporting Guidelines
Letters to the Editor
Word Count: Should not exceed 5,000 words (excluding abstract, tables, figures, and references)
Additional Information: Must be submitted within 12 weeks of the original article’s publication date. Letters to the Editor that refer to more than 1 article, or are addressed to the Editor-in-Chief, can be submitted at any time.
Reporting Guidelines: Letters to the Editor – Follow LETTERS Reporting Guidelines