Author Guidelines for Submission to the Journal of "ĞYLYM ALIANSY"

 

The new Author Guidelines for Submission to the Journal of  "ĞYLYM ALIANSY"

aim to align with global trends in evidence-based medicine and meet international quality standards for publications. These guidelines are based on the "Author Guidelines for Submission to Biomedical Journals." Compliance with these standards is essential to enhance the journal's quality and relevance among both domestic and international researchers, thereby increasing the citation rate of articles authored by contributors.

 

Manuscripts that fail to meet these requirements will not be considered for publication. All submitted manuscripts undergo a rigorous double-blind review process. Manuscripts containing statistical data are additionally reviewed by experts in research methodology and biostatistics. Editors reserve the right to request the original database used for statistical calculations if concerns arise regarding data quality. Editorial changes may be made to the text, provided they do not alter the manuscript's intended meaning. The final version of the manuscript is subject to agreement with the author, who is responsible for all correspondence with the editors.

 

Guidelines for Submission

 

Manuscripts and accompanying documentation must be submitted to the editorial office solely in electronic format. The following documents are required:

 

1. A cover letter signed by all authors (scanned copy).
2. The manuscript text in MS Word format.

 

The cover letter should include the following details:

 

1. Name, academic degree, title, position, and affiliation of the corresponding author responsible for further correspondence.
2. Corresponding author's postal address, telephone, fax, and email.
3. Details (name, degree, title, position, affiliation, contact information) of all co-authors.
4. Manuscript title.
5. Word count of the main text (excluding abstract, bibliography, tables, and figures), along with the number of tables and figures.
6. Assurance that the manuscript has not been previously published or is under consideration elsewhere.
7. Disclosure of any previously published material included in the manuscript, with copies attached for editorial review.
8. Agreement with the journal's publication preparation guidelines, available on the official website.
9. Acknowledgment of responsibility for any copyright infringement or intellectual property violations.
10. Granting of non-exclusive rights to the journal's founder for publication and online dissemination.
11. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, including relationships with relevant organizations or entities.
12. Date of manuscript submission.
13. Signatures of all authors.

The cover letter may also include any additional information deemed relevant by the authors.

 

Formatting

 

The manuscript text must be prepared in Microsoft Word using Times New Roman font size 12 points with line spacing set to 1.5.

The document should be in portrait orientation with top and bottom margins of 20 mm, left margin of 30 mm, and right margin of 10 mm. Word hyphenation should be avoided.

Tables and figures, along with their captions, should be placed on separate pages at the end of the article. Each table should have its own page. Approximate locations of illustrations in the text should be indicated in the right margin.

The original article should have a length of at least 2000 but not more than 3000 words (excluding abstracts, tables, illustrations, and references). Review article should be between 3000 and 4000 words (excluding abstract, tables, illustrations, and references). Only systematic reviews prepared in accordance with PRISMA recommendations will be accepted. Other types of manuscripts such as short communications, conference reports, and book reviews will be structured according to the authors' preferences.

Original articles must include the following sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. While separating conclusions into a separate section is not mandatory, it is recommended for clarity.

 

Content

 

The manuscript title should be informative and not exceed 300 characters. Avoid titles in the form of interrogative sentences or titles with ambiguous meanings. Use only standard abbreviations, and if introducing an abbreviation, ensure the full term precedes its first use in the text.

The title page should include the manuscript title, last names and initials of all authors, full names of author affiliations (each author associated with their respective organization using an uppercase number if authors work at different institutions), and the correspondence address of the responsible author.

 

Abstract in Kazakh, Russian, and English

 

The abstract should be a concise summary of the study, between 200 and 300 words, providing background, purpose, methods, main results with numerical expressions and levels of statistical significance, and conclusions. Abstracts should accurately reflect the content of the entire article and prompt readers to refer to the full text.

For manuscripts written in languages other than English, provide abstracts in the language of the main text first, followed by translations in Russian and English. Ensure accurate translations, as inaccuracies may lead to rejection. The editors may correct translations without changing the meaning. For English abstracts, professional translators with knowledge of medical terminology are recommended.

 

Keywords

 

Below the abstract, include 5 to 7 keywords reflecting the study's main topics.

 

Introduction

 

The introduction section serves to establish the background and significance of the research. It outlines the problem being investigated and its importance. Authors are tasked with providing readers an overview of the topic, summarizing existing knowledge, highlighting relevant studies conducted by others, and identifying any limitations or gaps in previous research. The aim is to convincingly demonstrate the necessity of conducting the study. While it's unnecessary to cite every publication on the topic, authors should reference the most pertinent ones, focusing on those directly related to the subject matter. Additionally, it's advisable to include references to both domestic and foreign studies, with a preference for English-language peer-reviewed literature, constituting at least 50% of the reference list.

 

Towards the end of the introduction, the study's objective should be clearly stated. This objective should be specific and comprehensive, providing readers with a clear understanding of what will be investigated, including the target population and methodology. Tasks aimed at achieving the stated objective should also be enumerated in this section. Importantly, the introduction should not contain any data, results, or conclusions that will be presented later in the paper. Its sole purpose is to contextualize the research and lay the groundwork for the subsequent sections.

 

Methods

 

The Methods section should outline the procedures intended for use as per the original study protocol devised during the planning stage. Any additional methods adopted during the course of the study should be detailed in the "Discussion" section. It is crucial that this section is written with sufficient detail to enable independent evaluation of the study's methodology and, if desired, reproduction of the study.

 

This section should include clear descriptions of the following points:

 

Type of Study

 

Clearly specify the type of study being conducted (e.g., review, observational, experimental). For observational studies, distinguish between descriptive and analytical types. In analytical studies, specify the type (e.g., cross-sectional, case-control, cohort). It is advisable to include the year and month of the study, especially for characteristics subject to seasonal variability. Review articles should specify the databases used and the selection criteria for publications.

 

Method of Selecting Study Participants

 

Describe how participants (patients or laboratory animals) were selected for observation or experimentation. Outline inclusion and exclusion criteria. Specify the population from which participants were drawn and to which the results will be extrapolated. When race or ethnicity is a variable, explain its measurement and implications. For observational studies, detail the sampling method and justify the sample size. For experimental studies, indicate randomization procedures and masking, along with sample size calculations.

 

Measurement Technique

 

Provide detailed descriptions of all procedures for parameter measurement, data collection, and therapeutic or diagnostic interventions. If necessary, reference detailed method descriptions. If using a modification of a previously described method or proposing a new method, briefly describe the modification and justify its use. Include names, doses, and administration methods of drugs, along with devices and instruments used, with manufacturer references.

Methods of Presenting and Processing Data

 

 Describe data processing methods comprehensively to allow readers with access to original data to verify results. Define all statistical terms, symbols, and abbreviations. Include the critical significance level (p-value) for hypothesis testing, but avoid sole reliance on it due to its limitations. Present results with appropriate measures of error and uncertainty (confidence intervals). Reference methodological articles, manuals, and reference books. If using statistical software, specify the name and version. Justify the chosen data processing methods, particularly for rare methods, and specify how compliance with methodological conditions was verified.

 

Ethical Principles

 

When describing experiments involving humans, it is essential to clarify whether the procedures complied with ethical standards set by the relevant committee or with the 1975 Declaration of Helsinki and its subsequent revisions. Patient surnames, initials, or case report numbers should not be disclosed, especially when accompanied by illustrations or photographs.

 

For research involving laboratory animals, specify the species and quantity of animals used, along with the methods of anesthesia and euthanasia in accordance with current legislation. Provide the date and protocol number of the ethical review under which the results were obtained. If an ethical review was not conducted, provide a justification.

 

Authors are reminded to adhere to ethical guidelines to ensure the welfare and confidentiality of human subjects and laboratory animals involved in the study.

 

Results

 

The Results section aims to present the main findings of the study according to the goals and objectives outlined in the corresponding section of the article. Results are presented in text, tables, and figures in a logical sequence based on the study's objectives. Avoid duplicating results between text, tables, and figures. Only observations relevant to the study's purpose and objectives should be described, highlighted, and summarized. The sequence of presenting results should correspond to the methods section.

 

Numerical Precision:

 

• Average values should not exceed one decimal place compared to the original data.
• When describing proportions, indicate the absolute number of observations, especially with small samples.
• Percentages should be given to two decimal places only if less than 1%. For proportions between 1% and 10%, one decimal place is sufficient.
• Use 95% confidence intervals for means and proportions.
• Report the achieved level of significance for each statistical test to three decimal places.

 

Statistical Significance:

 

• Avoid statements like p<0.05 or p>0.05; instead, provide the absolute value of p to three decimal places (e.g., p = 0.032).
• Include actual values of criteria and the number of degrees of freedom alongside the achieved level of significance.

 

Interpretation:

 

• Statistically significant differences do not necessarily imply clinically important associations or cause-and-effect relationships.

 

Units of Measurement:

 

• Follow the International System of Units (SI).

 

Tables:

 

• Tables should succinctly present data with clear titles and explanations.
• Tables are numbered sequentially with Arabic numerals.
• Each table should have a title, sidebar, and column titles. Abbreviations must be explained in the table note.
• Avoid including more than 5 tables in the original article.
• If using tables from other sources, provide proper attribution.

 

Illustrations:

 

• Submit graphics, illustrations, and photographs electronically in JPEG or PDF format.
• Ensure photographs have high contrast and obtain permission for publication if recognizable individuals are depicted.
• Provide headings for all illustrations for clarity without reference to the text.
• Captions under figures should describe all symbols.
• Number illustrations sequentially with Arabic numerals.
• If using illustrations from other sources, provide proper attribution.
• Limit the number of illustrations to no more than 5 in one article.

 

Discussion

 

The Discussion of Results section should adhere to the following structure without the need for subsection headings:

 

Brief Summary: Begin with a concise summary of the main results of the study, focusing on the purpose and objectives.

Main Advantages: Highlight the primary strengths of the study.

Main Limitations: Discuss the principal limitations of the study, categorizing them into systematic errors and random errors.

1. Systematic Errors:

Sampling Errors

Information (Measurement) Errors

Confounding Effect

1. Random Errors

Comparison with Other Studies: Compare the obtained results with those of similar studies, elucidating any discrepancies.

Explanation of Results: Provide an explanation for the obtained results and their significance.

Conclusions: Draw conclusions based on the study's objectives, avoiding unfounded statements. Additionally, suggest directions for further research and practical recommendations, if applicable.

In original research articles, ensure the section starts with a brief presentation of the primary study results, avoiding undue focus on secondary results merely due to statistical significance. Highlight new and significant aspects of the study, while critically discussing any limitations that could impact the interpretation of results. Emphasize the strengths of the study compared to others in the field.

 

The Discussion should not reiterate content from the Introduction and Methods sections. Instead, it should focus on new insights provided by the study and explain any discrepancies between the obtained results and those of other studies.

 

Conclusions should be drawn based on the study's objectives and supported by the presented observations or calculations. Avoid making conclusions beyond the scope of the study or referencing incomplete work.

 

Authorship:

Following the Conclusion section, include an Authorship section detailing the specific contributions of each author. Authorship should be based on significant contributions to the study's concept, design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and manuscript preparation.

 

Acknowledgements:

List individuals who contributed to the research but do not meet the criteria for authorship in the Acknowledgments section.

 

Conflicts of Interest and Funding:

Declare any conflicts of interest and sources of funding for the study. If none exist, state "The authors confirm that there is no conflict of interest."

 

ORCID and SPIN Registration:

Before the list of references, provide ORCID and SPIN registration numbers for all authors to facilitate identification and increase citation rates. Authors can obtain these numbers from the respective websites provided.

https://orcid.org/register

http://elibrary.ru/projects/science_index/author_tutorial.asp 

 

Reference List

 

The reference list should be a brief bibliographic description of the cited works in accordance with Vancouver style, preferably indicating the DOI (digital object identifier) index at the end of the source. For example:

 

1. Book:

Armitage P, Berry G, Matthews JN. Statistical methods in medical research. John Wiley & Sons; 2008 Apr 15.

2. Journal article:

Powell C. The Delphi technique: myths and realities. Journal of advanced nursing. 2003 Feb 1;41(4):376-82.

3. Electronic journal article:

Aho M, Irshad B, Ackerman SJ, Lewis M, Leddy R, Pope T, et al. Correlation of sonographic features of invasive ductal mammary carcinoma with age, tumor grade, and hormone-receptor status. J Clin Ultrasound [Internet]. 2013 Jan [cited 2015 Apr 27];41(1):10-7. Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcu.21990/full DOI: 10.1002/jcu.21990

References are listed in the order of their citation in the text. Each reference is numbered with an Arabic numeral in square brackets. Foreign authors' names are given in the original transcription. It is recommended to cite recent publications (not older than 2010). For original articles, the number of sources should not exceed 30, and for review articles, it should not exceed 100.

 

The reference list should maintain a balance between national and Russian sources (~50%) and publications from international peer-reviewed journals (~50%). Avoid citing abstracts of reports, newspaper publications, unpublished observations, and personal communications. All references must be verified for accuracy by the authors, including translations into English.