The "Letters to the Editor" section in IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal serves as a forum for academic discussion and scholarly debate. This platform encourages discourse that supplements or challenges previously published articles, extends knowledge on the subject, or brings a new perspective into focus. However, not all letters are suitable for publication, and the criteria for acceptance varies depending on the subtype of the letter being submitted. Below we elaborate in great detail on these criteria.
A Response Letter is often penned as a reaction to an article previously published in the journal. It serves to address specific issues, inaccuracies, or questions that have been raised. The main objective is to offer counterarguments, corrections, or additional insights while maintaining a scholarly tone.
Review process: All Response Letters undergo a rigorous peer review process that includes an initial editorial review, followed by an evaluation by at least two external reviewers. These reviewers will assess the letter based on the above-mentioned criteria. Authors will then have the opportunity to revise their submissions based on the reviewers' feedback.
A Comment Letter aims to clarify a previously published article, add context, or elucidate on the theoretical implications. Unlike a Response Letter, a Comment Letter may not necessarily challenge the original work but seeks to extend it in a meaningful way.
Criteria for acceptance
Review process: The review process for Comment Letters is similar to that for Response Letters. It includes an initial editorial screening and at least two rounds of peer review. The focus here is on assessing the letter's value in extending the understanding or context of the original article.
Query Letters are brief inquiries that seek clarification on specific aspects of a published article, be it the methodology, the data, or the conclusions drawn. These letters aim to elucidate points that may not have been clear to readers.
Review process: Query Letters usually undergo an expedited review process. The editorial team initially screens the letter, after which it may be sent to the authors of the original article for a response.
By adhering to these extensive criteria and guidelines, authors can improve the chances of their "Letters to the Editor" being accepted for publication in IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal. Keep in mind that all the general policies of the journal, such as those regarding plagiarism and ethical conduct, apply to this article type as well. The aim is to facilitate an enriching scholarly dialogue that adds value to the existing literature.
When submitting any form of a "Letter to the Editor"—whether it is a Response Letter, Comment Letter, or Query Letter—to IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal, adhering to a set of predefined standards and guidelines is not just a mere formality but a requisite for ensuring the integrity, credibility, and scholarly value of the publication. This segment delves deep into the standards and guidelines that are expected to be observed for each subtype of "Letter to the Editor."
Submission of any scholarly work, particularly those that challenge, query, or supplement existing literature, requires a robust framework of standards and guidelines. These rules don't exist to stifle innovation or limit scholarly expression; rather, they serve to sustain an environment of academic rigor, truthfulness, and transparency. Failure to adhere to these norms not only devalues the individual work in question but can also compromise the integrity of the entire scientific corpus to which it contributes.
The overarching guidelines for all Letters to the Editor revolve around four core elements:
Different scientific disciplines have their own sets of standards and guidelines for reporting, research, and publication. Below are some commonly adhered-to standards for various disciplines:
1. Medical and health sciences: For articles related to medical and health sciences, the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) Recommendations serve as the primary guidelines. Authors should consult the ICMJE Recommendations for guidelines on ethical considerations, authorship, and other reporting norms.
2. Social sciences and humanities: In the social sciences and humanities, the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines are often considered the standard. Authors must pay attention to elements like participant consent, data reporting, and qualitative analysis criteria outlined in the APA guidelines.
3. Natural and physical sciences: Articles in the natural and physical sciences commonly adhere to the guidelines laid down by respective associations or societies. For example, articles in chemistry often adhere to the American Chemical Society (ACS) guidelines.
4. Engineering and technology: Engineering and technology disciplines usually adhere to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards, particularly concerning technical documentation and validation.
1. Response letters: A Response Letter must strictly adhere to guidelines for critical appraisal of literature. If you are disputing findings or interpretations, it is crucial to have a solid methodological ground for your counterargument. The reporting standards for the specific field you are addressing should be rigorously followed.
2. Comment letters: Comment Letters, which are generally more opinion-based, should nonetheless be rooted in factual accuracy and logical reasoning. They should still meet all the general and discipline-specific reporting standards, particularly with regard to the substantiation of any claims made.
3. Query letters: Query Letters, being the shortest and most specific form, require extreme precision in questioning. The questions raised must be framed in a way that complies with general research questioning guidelines. The aim should not be to nitpick but to clarify or understand significant aspects of the original publication.
Various software tools can assist in adhering to reporting standards and guidelines. These include citation management tools like Zotero or EndNote, as well as more specialized software for statistical analysis, data visualization, and other technical tasks specific to a discipline.
Before submitting your Letter to the Editor, it's crucial to review the following:
In conclusion, the standards and guidelines are not mere boxes to tick off; they are an integral part of maintaining the scholarly ecosystem's health. By diligently following them, authors contribute to the integrity, credibility, and overall value of academic discourse. Therefore, any deviation from these standards is not just a disservice to one's work but to the academic community at large.
Writing for a multidisciplinary journal like IgMin Research – STEM requires a clear understanding of the article's structure, especially when submitting Letters to the Editor. These articles, due to their nature, often possess unique structural requirements compared to more traditional research articles or reviews. Below is an in-depth analysis, breaking down the structure and word limits for the three subtypes: Response Letters, Comment Letters, and Query Letters.
Word limit and structure overview: Response Letters should ideally be between 800-1,200 words. They're slightly longer than other letters due to the need for presenting counter-arguments or additional perspectives on previously published articles.
References: Include all bibliographical references. These could be other papers that support your argument or even counter-arguments that you wish to address.
Word limit and structure overview: Comment Letters should be between 600-1,000 words. These are brief articles aiming to clarify or add context to previously published works.
References: Include all necessary bibliographical references, particularly the article being commented on.
Word limit and structure overview: Query Letters are the briefest, ranging from 300-600 words. They aim to seek clarification on specific points in a published article.
References: Since Query Letters are highly specific, it's crucial to cite the original work accurately.
In summary, each type of Letter to the Editor—Response Letters, Comment Letters, and Query Letters—has its own unique requirements in terms of structure and word limits. Adherence to these guidelines not only helps in maintaining the integrity and consistency of the journal but also assists the editorial board in the peer-review process. Whether you are challenging an existing paradigm, adding valuable context, or seeking much-needed clarification, your contribution is invaluable. Happy writing!
The success of your manuscript submission is partly influenced by its readability and compliance with formatting rules. Proper formatting makes it easier for peer reviewers and editors to assess the substance of your work, thus expediting the review process. Here, we delve into the intricate aspects of formatting guidelines to ensure smooth pagination and overall processing of your manuscript.
Manuscripts should be submitted in either LaTeX or Microsoft Word formats. While LaTeX is commonly used for articles requiring complex mathematical notations, Microsoft Word is generally suitable for most types of articles. Regardless of the program you choose, all files should be saved with a .docx or .tex extension for Microsoft Word and LaTeX files, respectively.
A standard margin of 1-inch on all sides should be maintained throughout the document. Manuscripts should also be paginated, with page numbers appearing on the bottom-right corner of each page. The title page is considered as page one, but the number should not appear on the title page itself.
Headings should be formatted as follows:
The title page should include the title of the manuscript, all authors' full names, affiliations, and contact details. Each affiliation should be annotated with a superscript number, which corresponds to the list of authors. This allows for clear identification of each author's affiliated organization.
The abstract should provide a concise summary of your work and should not exceed 250 words. The abstract should be followed by a list of 3-5 keywords, which will aid in the article’s discoverability.
Citations should be inserted at the appropriate places within the text using the NLM style. The full list of references should appear at the end of the manuscript, also following the NLM style guide. This includes the arrangement and punctuation of references.
Any supplementary material like data sets, additional figures, or appendices should be submitted separately but referenced within the main manuscript. These files should be clearly labeled to avoid confusion during the review process.
The conclusions section should briefly summarize the contributions of your manuscript and outline possible directions for future research. This section often helps reviewers and readers understand the impact of your work.
Before submitting, ensure your manuscript meets all formatting criteria to avoid delays in the review process. The title should be descriptive yet concise, abstract and keywords properly formatted, and the document adhering to the prescribed file format, fonts, and spacing.
In summary, the attention to formatting is not a bureaucratic hurdle but an essential aspect that aids in the scholarly dissemination of your work. By adhering to these guidelines, you not only make life easier for the editorial team but also enhance the accessibility and impact of your research.
Main text: The main body of your manuscript should be typed using Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double-spaced. The text should be left-aligned, with a 1-inch margin on all sides. This standardization is essential for ensuring readability and a uniform appearance across all manuscripts in the journal.
Footnotes: Footnotes should be used sparingly and must be in Times New Roman, 10-point font, and double-spaced. Number the footnotes in the order they appear in the text, and place the corresponding numbers in superscript.
Page numbers and headers: Page numbers should be placed in the bottom center of each page. The header should contain a shortened version of your title, left-aligned, and the page number, right-aligned. Ensure this is done consistently throughout the manuscript.
Line numbers: For easier reviewing, include continuous line numbers starting from the first to the last page of your manuscript.
Figures play a crucial role in augmenting the understanding of your manuscript. All figures should be high-resolution, preferably in JPEG or TIFF formats. It is essential to keep in mind the following:
Tables should be incorporated into the text at the appropriate sections rather than at the end of the manuscript. The following are essential points to consider:
These could include data sets, additional figures or tables, or supplementary discussions that contribute to the understanding or validation of the work but are not crucial for the general audience. Make sure these files are:
1. Supplementary file size limit: The size of each supplementary file should not exceed 20 MB unless absolutely necessary. Please consult the journal's technical team for exceptions.
2. Video and audio guidelines: If your supplementary material includes video or audio clips, make sure they are in a widely supported format like .mp4 for videos and .mp3 for audio. All such files should be clearly labeled and referenced within the main manuscript.
By following these meticulous formatting guidelines, authors will significantly ease the editing and reviewing process, ensuring that their scholarly work stands the best chance of being published without any hindrances. The goal is to maintain a level of uniformity and professionalism in all manuscripts published under the umbrella of IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal.
The use of images can enhance the communicative power and aesthetic appeal of your letter, be it a Response Letter, Comment Letter, or Query Letter. Well-placed, high-quality pictures can serve to emphasize your points, break up large blocks of text, and provide additional context to your writing. However, the incorporation of images into academic work raises important ethical and legal issues, chiefly concerning copyright law.
Before using any image, it's essential to understand copyright laws as they apply in both the country where you're submitting your work and international law. Ignorance of the law is no excuse for copyright infringement, which can lead to your submission being rejected, or even legal action against you or the journal.
Creative Commons and Public Domain images are the safest options for use in your submissions. Creative Commons licenses allow authors to use images under various conditions, provided that you follow the stipulations laid out in the license. Public Domain images are free of all copyright and may be used by anyone for any purpose.
Whenever you use an image that requires attribution, you must provide this in a clear and consistent manner. This usually includes the name of the creator, the license, and a link to the source of the image. In academic publishing, this is often done in a figure caption or an "Acknowledgements" section.
If you're using your own images, it's generally straightforward, but there are still considerations. For instance, if the image includes identifiable individuals, you may need to secure a model release form, especially if the submission has a broader public health context.
Images should be high resolution but optimized for web use, to balance quality with file size. Generally, JPEG or TIFF formats are preferred for their quality and compatibility. Make sure your images are sharp, well-lit, and effectively convey the point you're trying to make.
When you submit an image as part of your letter, make sure to follow the editorial guidelines for figures and illustrations. This can include numbering, sizing, and captioning your images properly, according to the specific guidelines of IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal.
Some fields, especially medical and social sciences, require you to take special ethical considerations into account when using images. For example, any image used in a medical context must respect patient confidentiality.
Copyright infringement can result in your paper being retracted, damage to your professional reputation, or even legal proceedings against you. Therefore, it's vital to ensure that you have the right to use any images you include in your submission.
During the peer-review process, images will also be scrutinized for their relevance, quality, and compliance with legal and ethical standards. So, it's not just the text that undergoes review; images do too.
The use of non-copyrighted pictures in your academic letter can provide additional layers of meaning, emphasize your points, and make your work more engaging. However, it comes with its own set of responsibilities. By following the guidelines outlined above, you can significantly enhance the impact of your letter while adhering to ethical and legal standards.
By paying close attention to the legal and ethical implications of image use, you not only protect yourself and the journal but also contribute to the overall integrity of academic publishing. In the realm of scholarly publications, where the theft of intellectual property is a significant concern, your meticulousness will not go unnoticed. In fact, it may even set a positive example for other academics to follow.
While images can indeed embellish your content, they should not overshadow the academic quality of your letter. The main focus should remain your argument or point of discussion, and images should only serve to complement this. Therefore, while images are encouraged when they can add to the discussion, they should be considered optional rather than mandatory.
One of the cornerstones of academic publishing is originality. Authors are encouraged to offer fresh perspectives or new research. Plagiarism is a serious ethical violation and can result in immediate rejection of the manuscript. Use plagiarism detection software to ensure the originality of your content.
Failing to give appropriate credit is another form of academic dishonesty that could lead to the rejection of your submission. Ensure that all the work or statements not original to you are properly cited.
If your letter includes patient case studies or other confidential information, it's vital to obtain consent. Even if consent has been obtained, consider altering specific data points to protect subjects' anonymity.
The unethical practice of "salami slicing," where a single study is broken up into multiple papers to increase the number of publications, is discouraged. Such action could result in your submission being pulled from the review process.
For Response Letters that include new data or analytical methods, full disclosure and transparency in your methodologies are critical. Lack of transparency can result in rejection during the review process.
Manipulating research data with the intention of giving false impressions is a grave offense and could lead to the blacklisting of authors from future submissions.
Authors should ensure that images related to the data or findings are not manipulated in a way that could potentially mislead readers. Any software used for image processing should be disclosed, and the level of alteration clarified.
Authors should disclose any financial interests that might be construed to influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript. Non-disclosure can result in a manuscript’s rejection or retraction.
For any human or animal trials cited, evidence of ethical approval is a necessity. Consent forms and approval IDs should be presented during the submission process.
All persons listed as authors should have made significant contributions to the research, its conceptualization, its design, or the acquisition of the data, and drafting of the manuscript.
Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously is unethical and unacceptable. If found, such manuscripts will be immediately rejected.
Should your paper enter the peer-review process, maintain professionalism when responding to reviewers' and editors' comments. Do not attempt to determine the identity of anonymous reviewers or to confront them outside of the official communication channels provided by the journal.
Be cautious of overgeneralizing your findings. Extrapolating results from a limited study to larger groups without sufficient data can be misleading and could affect your paper's credibility.
Understand the terms of your submission and the rights you will retain as the author. Check the copyright policy to ensure your work is adequately protected.
Last but not least, make sure to read and understand all journal policies before submitting your article. Failure to do so can result in delays or outright rejection of your submission.
While it's understood that your article may offer criticisms or alternative viewpoints, maintaining a scholarly tone is imperative. Avoid disparaging language, unsupported claims, or strong emotional appeals that don't belong in academic discourse.
After the publication of your letter, data should be stored in an accessible repository for a period dictated by your institution or as per the guidelines of the journal. This ensures that other researchers can validate your results.
In cases where errors are identified post-publication, the journal should be contacted immediately. Depending on the nature of the error, a correction or retraction may be published.
Authors are wholly responsible for the content of their articles, including the accuracy of the data presented and the reliability and legality of their work.
Following these precautions and cautions meticulously not only adds to the credibility of your letter but also aids in the seamless functionality of the peer-review process, thereby contributing to the scholarly ecosystem.
In conclusion, it's paramount to approach your submission with a full understanding of not just the structural and content requirements but also the ethical imperatives that underpin reputable scholarly publishing. The editorial board places great emphasis on the integrity of the academic record, and failure to adhere to these guidelines may lead to the immediate rejection of the manuscript, irrespective of its academic merit. Therefore, these are not just recommendations but prerequisites for participation in the scholarly discourse that IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal aims to facilitate.
Formatting your manuscript appropriately is crucial to the publication process. A well-structured article not only aids peer-review but also helps the reader to clearly understand the content. In the following sections, we delve into the specifics of formatting your manuscript for "Letters to the Editor" in IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal. The formatting guide is based on the National Library of Medicine (NLM) citation style, which is widely used in scientific writing.
Document setup
Page numbers and headers: Include consecutive page numbers in the upper right corner, starting from the title page. The header should contain a shortened version of the article's title.
Line numbers: Line numbers should be added for easy reference during the review process. Make sure the line numbers restart on each page.
Your title page should include:
Although not commonly needed for Letters to the Editor, if your article type requires it, limit your abstract to 250 words.
The structure is usually more flexible for Letters but aim to have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Sections can be labeled using descriptive subheadings.
Follow the NLM citation style strictly. Citations within the text should be numerical, enclosed in square brackets, and listed in their order of appearance.
In-text citation:
Reference list: At the end of your manuscript, include a list of references. Examples:
Web links and URLs: For web references, provide the full URL and the date you accessed it. Cite the URL in the text and list it in the References section.
Tables and figures provide supplemental information to your text. They should be:
Tables:
Figures:
Panels: Only include panels if they are essential to understanding the text. These should be well-labeled and referred to in the text.
For special characters, use the Symbol font. Define abbreviations at their first occurrence and list them near the end of the document.
Include any supplementary material at the end of your manuscript. They should be well-labeled and referred to in the text where necessary.
Before submitting your manuscript, double-check formatting and typographical errors. Tools like Grammarly are helpful but remember they are not sufficient to meet our authorship criteria.
Before submitting, review the following:
By adhering to these guidelines, authors not only smooth the path for their manuscript's review process but also increase the work's visibility and credibility. Ensuring that you've followed every detail may seem daunting, but meticulous attention to these elements is essential for a streamlined publication process.
When preparing a manuscript for submission to IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal, it is crucial for authors to adhere to the guidelines and recommendations that have been established by the journal. The aim is to standardize the quality of the submissions we receive, ensuring both scholarly integrity and the ease of peer review and subsequent publication processes.
The necessity of following these guidelines cannot be overstated. Manuscripts that are poorly formatted or are lacking key elements may be returned to the author for correction or, in some cases, outright rejected. Strict adherence to the journal's guidelines ensures that the reviewers can focus on the content, rather than being distracted by formatting issues, thereby speeding up the peer-review process. A professionally presented manuscript not only assists in the prompt dissemination of your research findings but also raises the profile of both the authors and the journal itself.
Before you even consider submitting your manuscript, ensure that it aligns with the focus and scope of IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal. Does it contribute something new to the academic conversation in your field? Make sure to undertake a pre-submission checklist to review items like:
This may seem redundant, but even experienced authors must review the article preparatory guidelines each time they prepare a manuscript for submission. This is because guidelines often undergo updates and revisions to reflect changes in scholarly communication and standards.
The guidelines will typically provide you with tools like template files for Microsoft Word or LaTeX, which are pre-configured to meet the journal's specific formatting requirements. Using these tools can save you a significant amount of time and ensure that your document is formatted correctly.
The journal requires that all submissions adhere to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) style for citations and references. In this digital age, numerous software programs can help manage and format references. Mendeley, Zotero, and EndNote are popular choices that offer NLM as a citation style option.
Plagiarism is a serious academic offense. Before submitting your manuscript, it is advisable to run it through a plagiarism detection software to ensure that all sources are appropriately cited, and the work is original.
Graphics should be high-resolution and appropriately labeled. Tables should be used sparingly and only when necessary to support the research findings. All visual elements should be cited in-text and listed sequentially. Refer to the specific guidelines on dimensions, file types, and how to submit them as supplementary files.
In disciplines requiring the use of complex equations or special characters, attention must be given to ensuring that these elements display correctly. LaTeX is often preferred for mathematical and scientific documents for this reason.
Most manuscript submission systems will require additional metadata to be submitted along with your manuscript, including but not limited to:
Before you click the submit button, revisit your manuscript for one final review. Double-check for any overlooked typos or omissions, ensure that all citations are accurate, and confirm that every element of your manuscript aligns with the journal’s guidelines.
The process of preparing a manuscript for submission to any academic journal is rigorous. When it comes to IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal, the preparatory guidelines are not just a series of hoops to jump through but a pathway designed to enhance the quality, readability, and impact of your work. Your commitment to adhering to these guidelines ensures the integrity of your research and respects the considerable time and effort invested by editors and peer reviewers alike.
Therefore, a thorough review and strict adherence to our preparatory guidelines are essential for a successful submission. Not only do they speed up the review process, but they also make the work easier for everyone involved, thereby upholding the journal’s reputation for scholarly excellence.
By guiding authors through this meticulous process, we aim to provide a seamless editorial experience. We understand the immense effort invested in research and writing, and we strive to honor that through our commitment to publishing integrity and quality. Thank you for considering IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal as the right platform for your scholarly contribution.
When preparing your submission to IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal, there are several components that are essential for a complete and thorough evaluation of your work. Failure to provide these elements may result in delays in the peer-review process or could potentially disqualify your submission altogether. Below is an exhaustive elaboration of each required element to guide you through the submission process.
The covering letter serves as a formal introduction between the author(s) and the editorial team. This is not just a formality; rather, it's an opportunity for you to explain the significance of your work and why it is a good fit for the journal. A well-structured covering letter should include the following:
Your covering letter should be succinct yet comprehensive, ideally not exceeding one page.
The manuscript is the core of your submission. Its preparation and formatting should comply with the guidelines mentioned earlier in this document. While the word limits vary based on the type of article—Response Letters, Comment Letters, or Query Letters—it should fit within the designated word count, inclusive of tables and panels if applicable.
Visual representations can dramatically improve the readability and impact of your work. Figures should be in high resolution and in accepted formats like JPEG or TIFF. The inclusion of figures should serve a scholarly purpose and be referenced within the text of the manuscript. Each figure should have a descriptive caption.
The Author Statement Form is a mandatory component that authenticates the contributions of all authors involved in the manuscript. This should include:
Transparency is crucial in scholarly publishing. This segment should include:
It's vital that you don't overlook any of these mandatory elements in your submission packet. Each has a specific role in facilitating a thorough and fair review of your work. They contribute to the transparency, validity, and ethical standing of your submission, criteria that are of utmost importance to IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal. As such, please ensure that each element is prepared meticulously and in accordance with the guidelines provided.
The advent of large language models (LLMs) like GPT-3 and GPT-4 has indeed revolutionized multiple industries, including publishing, by offering seemingly effortless content creation and editing tools. While their capabilities are indeed impressive, it's crucial to clarify that LLMs do not currently meet the authorship criteria for submissions to IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal. Here's an extensive discussion on why:
In academic publishing, authorship is conventionally attributed to individuals who have made substantial intellectual contributions to a study. These contributions often include tasks like conceptualization, methodology development, data collection, analysis, and writing. The ICMJE guidelines stipulate that for someone to qualify as an author, they must fulfill the following criteria:
LLMs can generate text based on the data they have been trained on, but they do not have the capability to engage in the intellectual processes required for academic authorship. They cannot conceptualize a research idea, develop a methodology, interpret data, or critically revise an academic article. Their operations are essentially based on algorithms that predict the next word in a sequence, without an understanding of the meaning, nuance, or implications of the content they generate.
Allowing an LLM to be listed as an author poses ethical questions. For one, doing so could dilute the concept of 'authorship,' potentially devaluing the intellectual contributions of human authors. Furthermore, because LLMs do not have the ability to be accountable for the work they generate, including them in the authorship list would conflict with the principles of responsible authorship and could complicate matters related to accountability and integrity.
LLMs do not possess the ability to validate the data or methods used in a study, nor can they ensure the reproducibility of the results. These are foundational elements of scientific research that contribute to its integrity and credibility.
A human author is accountable for their submission, capable of responding to peer reviewers' comments and making necessary revisions. In contrast, LLMs lack the capability for such intellectual engagement. They cannot respond to questions about research ethics, study limitations, or the broader impact of the research, as they do not possess understanding or awareness.
LLMs generate content based on existing data, raising concerns about the originality of the content. While sophisticated algorithms attempt to ensure that generated text is not a direct copy of existing sources, the machine does not truly "understand" or "know" the content it generates, posing a risk for unintentional plagiarism.
The intellectual property rights of an article often reside with the authors or the institutions they represent. LLMs, being non-human entities, cannot hold intellectual property rights. Including them as authors could lead to complex legal implications concerning ownership and responsibility.
Given all these complexities and limitations, IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal maintains a policy that LLMs cannot qualify for authorship. However, we acknowledge that LLMs could be used as tools for tasks like data sorting, preliminary analysis, or even drafting, as long as these activities are explicitly mentioned and supervised by qualified human authors who meet the journal's authorship criteria.
While LLMs offer a range of exciting possibilities for the future of research and academic writing, their limitations in understanding, ethics, and accountability make them unsuitable for authorship in academic publishing at this time. Authors should be aware of these limitations and comply with the established norms and ethical standards of scholarly publishing when using LLMs as ancillary tools.
By clearly setting forth this policy, IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal aims to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and rigor. We believe that a nuanced understanding of the role and limitations of technologies like LLMs is crucial for maintaining the quality and credibility of academic work.
The following section elaborates on key aspects that authors need to focus on while preparing and submitting their manuscript for "Letters to the Editor" to IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal. This provides a comprehensive guide that could also serve as a quick checklist to ensure that the article conforms to all guidelines and policies, thus increasing its chances for acceptance.
By "Standards," we refer to the necessity of adhering to international ethical, scholarly, and editorial benchmarks set by organizations like the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), the American Psychological Association (APA), or the Modern Language Association (MLA). Depending on your research field, conforming to these standards ensures that your work attains a universal quality and is accepted as a legitimate contribution to the scholarly community. This encompasses not just your research methods but also issues like plagiarism, data manipulation, and proper citation.
The organization of your manuscript is critical. The following sub-sections outline what is generally expected in various parts of your manuscript.
This section incorporates several important aspects that should not be overlooked.
We reiterate the importance of having proper ethical clearance for research involving human or animal subjects. Include a statement that the study has been reviewed and approved, providing the name of the ethical committee and the approval code.
This pertains to the consent you have obtained for including data or samples from individuals or organizations. This is mandatory for case studies or research that uses identifiable information.
Make it clear whether your data is accessible to other researchers and how they can access it, contributing to the transparency and replicability of your work.
Being transparent about any potential conflicts of interest maintains the integrity of your work and the editorial process. Even if you think a conflict of interest is minor, it is better to disclose it.
Indicate whether your study received any funding and, if so, from which organizations. This may include research grants, equipment donations, or any other type of support.
Describe each author's contribution to the paper. This can include things like who performed the research, who analyzed the data, and who drafted and edited the manuscript.
Although it may not directly affect your paper’s scholarly impact, an acknowledgment section where you express gratitude for any non-authorial support can reflect well on your research practice.
While optional, providing brief biographies can add context to the manuscript, particularly for cross-disciplinary works where understanding an author's background can be helpful.
Footnotes should be used sparingly and must not contain vital information that should be in the text.
The references you include should be formatted in accordance with the National Library of Medicine (NLM) style guide.
Figures, tables, and additional files should not be embedded in the text but included separately. Refer to our detailed guidelines for formatting these elements.
Finally, after considering all the aforementioned points, authors can proceed to submit their manuscript. Ensure you have compiled all required files and documentation, as incomplete submissions will not be considered for review.
By paying heed to all these sections, authors can significantly increase their chances of a favorable review and eventual publication in IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal.