Types of Manuscripts to Submit

Following is an overview of the types of articles AMH publishes.

Peer-Reviewed Submissions

Original Research Manuscripts

  • Original Research – Full reports of new studies (trials, cohort studies, lab research, etc.), with standard IMRaD structure (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion). Presenting firsthand data, new experimental results, or novel observations. All original research should be composed in alignment with the EQUATOR Network research reporting guidelines.
  • Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) – often a distinct category given their methodological rigor. All randomized clinical trials should include a CONSORT flow diagram and checklist.
  • Brief Reports – Smaller studies or preliminary findings, shorter than full articles. Please follow the STROBE guidelines.
  • Pilot Studies – A pilot study is a small-scale, preliminary “trial run” of a larger, full-scale research project or experiment. Its primary purpose is to test the feasibility, time, cost, and adverse events of a proposed study design, allowing researchers to refine methods and identify potential problems that might occur before investing significant resources. Define clear, pre-set progression criteria to determine if a full-scale study is viable. Use descriptive rather than inferential statistics, avoiding efficacy testing, as pilot samples are typically small. Please follow the CONSORT extensions for pilot studies.

Review and Syntheses Manuscripts

  • Narrative/ Literature Reviews – Narrative reviews usually address broad topic areas rather than a few tightly formulated questions. Narrative reviews expert overviews of a topic, not necessarily systematic. Narrative reviews should follow SANRA Guidelines.
  • Systematic Reviews – They are critical assessments of research literature pertaining to clinical topics, emphasizing factors such as cause, diagnosis, treatment, and therapy. Articles or data sources should be systematically reviewed according to clear criteria, preferably with a protocol written and registered in advance. PROSPERO is a systematic review registry. The data sources should be current and a structured abstract is required. You should follow the EQUATOR Network’s PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews.
  • Meta-analysis – Meta-analysis systematically reviews previously published literature to achieve a level of statistical power and clarity that individual studies cannot provide. It represents a high level of evidence but requires careful selection of studies and advanced statistical support. A recommendation of a three to ten studies within the Meta-analysis that systematically reviews previously published literature to achieve a level of statistical power and clarity. Please follow EQUATOR Network guidelines, a structured abstract, and transparent registration. Cochrane REVMAN provides useful tools for conducting a meta-analysis.

Clinical and Educational Content

  • Case Reports – Case reports generally use one (or more) specific case(s) to illustrate an interesting outcome, most commonly with a unique or innovative treatment. Case reports are designed to inform and offer innovative therapeutic approaches. Practitioners should present a clear diagnostic situation whenever possible and then explain the treatment. The case report should include the history, examination, investigations, case management, and outcome. The discussion section that follows should educate the reader about the treatment that was used. Pictures or graphs may be helpful. Consent for publication must be obtained from the patient. Please follow the CARE guidelines.
  • Case Series – Reports on a small group of similar cases. Describing multiple patients with similar conditions using a structured format like introduction, case presentation, discussion, and conclusions.

Click here for Case Report instructions

Non–Peer Reviewed Submissions

Commentary and Opinion

  • Editorials – commentary from journal editors or invited experts, often accompanying a research article. Commentary should be 2,000-3,000 words and include author biography, Commentary title, and references.
  • Perspectives/ Viewpoints – opinion pieces on clinical, ethical, or policy issues.
  • Letters to the Editor – short reader responses, critiques, or comments on previously published work. Letters may have no more than 5 authors and should not exceed 500 words of text and 7 references unless approved by the editor in advance. Letters will be published at the discretion of the editors and shortened or edited for style and content.
  • Author Reply Letters – Replies by authors should not exceed 600 words of text and 8 references and should be submitted by one of the original authors of the manuscript.
  • Book Reviews – critiques of newly published books in the field. Book reviews are written by request, are generally from 300 to 400 words, and follow the structured format outlined below.
    1. Audience: In a phrase or two, describe the field of medicine to which the book applies (eg, clinical research, oncology, cardiology) and the types of health professionals who would most benefit from reading the book.
    2. Purpose: A brief overview indicating the author’s goal in writing the book.
    3. Overview/Highlights: A general summary of the contents of the book, focusing on where the book succeeds in relating new and valuable information to readers. Limitations: A brief summary of the book’s weaknesses, such as information that should have been covered, unsubstantiated claims, cumbersome writing style.
    4. Commentary: Final thoughts on the book, perhaps including other books of interest on the same topic and a discussion of how this book compares to those. Information already addressed in the book review should not be repeated here.