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Physiotherapy

The Journal of Indian Association of Physiotherapists

ISSN no.- 0973-6549

RNI no. TNENG/2005/15319

Author’s Guidelines

All manuscripts must be submitted electronically through the website of the journal

Manuscripts

Authors are requested to prepare manuscripts in accordance with "Uniform requirements for Manuscripts submitted to Biomedical Journals" developed by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (October 2008) Available at

Manuscripts should be written in clear, concise and grammatically correct English so that they are intelligible to the professional reader. Manuscripts that do not conform to these requirements and the following manuscript format may be returned to the author prior to review for correction. Manuscripts are accepted for consideration with the understanding that they have not been published elsewhere except in abstract formin conference proceedings and are not concurrently under review elsewhere.

The entire manuscript, including references, should be submitted in Times New Roman font, 12-point type, double-spaced with 2 cm margins on all sides. Files should be in Microsoft Word. All pages should be numbered consecutively in the top right hand corner, starting with the Abstract as page 1.

The manuscript should be presented in the following order:

  1. Cover letter: the authors mustmention that they are reporting original work not previously published, in review, or in press. In addition, authors must declare any financial support or relationships that may pose conflict of interest in covering letter.
  1. Title page : title of manuscript , name and affiliations of authors , address , phone number and email of corresponding author
  1. Blinded article: The main text of the article, beginning from Abstract till References (including tables) should be in this file. The file must not contain any mention of the authors' names or initials or the institution at which the study was done or acknowledgement
  1. The contributors' / copyright transfer form(as per given template) has to be submitted with the signatures of all the contributors through email as a scanned image.
  1. Photographs: must be submitted in JPG, GIF and TIF format in a separate file. The main article must have call outs for photographs.

Types of manuscripts

The journal accepts following types of manuscript

1. Original articles:

These must consist of original research of the nature of randomized controlled trials, case control trials, cohort studies etc. Qualitative studies are also accepted under this category. The manuscript must be of maximum 4000 words with no more than 8 tables/ figures.

They must consist of the following sections:-

Structured abstract of no more than 400 words: The abstract should provide the context or background for the study and should state the study’s purpose, basic procedures (selection of study participants, settings, measurements, analytical methods), main findings (giving specific effect sizes and their statistical and clinical significance, if possible), and principal conclusions. Authors need to ensure that they accurately reflect the content of the article

Introduction:

This section must consist of no more than 20% of the entire manuscript and must be clear and focused and point to the need of the study. It should provide a context or background for the study (highlight the nature of the problem, its significance and current literature on the topic), State clearly the aim and hypothesis of the study. Cite only directly pertinent references avoid over reviewing the subject.

Methodology

This section should provide sufficient details about the methods, tools, and procedures employed; so as to allow others to reproduce the results without the need to communicate with the authors. In general this section must provide specific information on study design, sampling strategy, sample size, participant characteristics and detailed procedure. This section should also include data analysis methods.

Results

Results should be presentedin logical sequence in the text, tables, and figures, giving the main or most important findings first. Do not repeat all the data in the tables or figures in the text; emphasize or summarize only the most important observations. Provide data on all primary and secondary outcomes identified in the Methods Section. All tables and figures must be cited in the text. Restrict tables and figures to those needed to explain the argument of the paper and to assess its support.

Discussion

This section must discuss all results in light of literature already published. All new findings of the current study must be discussed in light of theoretical background. It should state the original and important features of the study, Contain the significance of the findings and the relationship(s) and relevance to published observations, State only those conclusions that are supported by the study, Mention the limitations and applications of the results. Repetition of results should be avoided .

A paragraph drawing together the implications of study and, if appropriate, giving suggestions for future research should be included in discussion or as a separate heading.

Conclusion

Conclusions must be logical derivation of results and discussion and directly related to the aim of the study. Do not repeat information already presented in results and discussion.

Acknowledgment:

This will consist of individuals who have contributed significantly to the study but do not qualify as authors. Do not include acknowledgements of a personal nature here.

Reference list

Follow format given later in the guidelines

Tables

Tables should be self-contained and complement, but not duplicate, information contained in the text. Tables should be numbered consecutively in Arabic numerals. Each table should be presented on a separate page with a comprehensive but concise legend above the table. Tables should be double-spaced and vertical lines should not be used to separate columns. Column headings should be brief, with units of measurement in parentheses; all abbreviations should be defined in footnotes. Use superscript letters (not numbers) for footnotes and keep footnotes to a minimum. *, †, ‡ should be reserved for P values. The table and its legend/footnotes should be understandable without reference to the text.

Figures

Only scientifically necessary illustrations should be included. All illustrations (line drawings and photographs) are classified as figures. Figures should be cited in consecutive order in the text.. Figures and other graphic material sent electronically may be sent in any common file format (such as TIFF, GIF, JPG, or BMP) as long as quality and resolution are borne in mind.

Figure Legends

These should be self-explanatory and typed on a separate sheet. The legend should incorporate definitions of any symbols used and all abbreviations and units of measurement should be explained so that the figure and its legend are understandable without reference to the text. (Provide a letter stating copyright authorization if figures have been reproduced from another source).

2. Brief reports:

Word limit 2500. These can consist of short papers, clinical vignettes or surveys. with 2 tables/ figures/ combination . The scheme of presentation must be as original article.

3. Review:

Word limit 5000 words

Review Articles on selected topics should provide an up-to-date and authoritative review of a topic in any area of physiotherapy. The reviews can be narrative, structured, or systematic.

4. View points / Commentaries and Expert Commentaries

Word limit 3000 words. A commentary is basically an expression of opinions or explanations. Commentary Articles seek to provide a critical viewpoint on a key issue or provide an insight into an important topic in physiotherapy that is of interest to a large number of clinicians and researchers in this field. These viewpoints may be varied in nature including clinical vignettes, anecdotes of academic innovation, analysis of current issues, commentaries on practice, ethics, administration etc.It should be well focused, scholarly written and clearly presented. Articles must be non- pejorative in nature. Editorial board may invite experts to contribute to this section.

5. Continuing Professional Education

Word limit - 3000 to 5000 . articles (that is educational in nature on a focused topic. Author wishing to contribute to this section must first send a letter of interest with a 500 word abstract outlining the purpose, scope and a general outline of the articles, to the editor. Submissions will be considered on priority basis.

6. Student Corner

Word limit 2000 words

The aim of this section is to promote critical thinking and encourage the practice of scientific writing. It would consists of Manuscripts in which a student (either undergraduate or postgraduate student) or junior colleague after 5 years of graduation is the first or corresponding author of the paper. Articles can fall under the category of clinical viewpoint or academic viewpoint aimed at improving the profession by highlighting current issues. We can consider articles on all aspects of physiotherapy practice, education and research.

Referencing style (common to all types of manuscript)

In text citation

References numbered consecutively inVancouverstyle. intext citation of References should be numbered consecutively in the order in which they are first mentioned in the text citation in the text typed inside square brackets, e.g.[1] .

Reference list

References list should be numbered consecutively in the order in which they are first cited in the text

Provide full reference detailsin following order [author(s), title, journal, year, volume, pages] use of et al in reference list is not accepted.

Capitalize the first letter and all initials of authors’ names, the first letter of the title of the paper, and any proper nouns in the title

Journal names abbreviated as in theIndex MedicusIf appropriate abbreviation not available, the journal name must be given in full

References should be structured as follows:

Journal paper:

Single author

Rosenbaum P. Cerebral palsy: What parents and doctors want to know. BMJ 2003; 326: 970-4.

Two authors

Elrod CS, DeJong G. Determinants of utilization of physical rehabilitation services for persons with chronic and disablingconditions: An exploratory study. Arch Phys Med and Rehabil 2008;89:114-20.

More then two authors

Padmamohan J, Nair MK, Devi SR, Nair SM, Leena ML, Kumar GS. Utilization of rehabilitation services by rural households with disabled preschool children. Indian Pediatr 2009;46 Suppl: S79-82.

Books:

Roberts WC. Congenital coronary arterial anomalies unassociated with major anomalies of the heart or great vessels. In:Adult Congenital Heart Disease.Philadelphia: FA Davis Co. 1987; P:583.

Chapters in Book:

Jha MM. Inclusive education and the common school in India. In: Mohapatra CS, editor. Disability Management in India Challenges and Commitment. Secunderabad: National Institute of Mentally Handicapped; 2004. pp. 160-9.

Journal article on the Internet:

Anttila H,Autti-Rämö I,Suoranta J,Mäkelä M,Malmivaara A .Effectiveness of physical therapy interventions for children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review.BMC Pediatr.2008 . 24; 8:14. doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-8-14.

ParijaSC, Khairnar K. Detection of excretoryEntamoeba histolyticaDNA in the urine, and detection ofE. histolyticaDNA and lectin antigen in the liver abscess pus for the diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess .BMC Microbiology2007,7:41.doi:10.1186/1471-2180-7-41. 2180/7/41

Online web page

Albert B( 2004) . The social model of disability, human rights and development. Briefing Note: Disability Knowledge and Research Project available at last accessed on 12 Oct 2015

Publication process

All manuscripts must be submitted electronically through the website of the journal.

The submitted manuscripts that are not as per the “Instructions to Authors” would be returned to the authors for technical correction. Manuscripts that are found suitable for publication shall be sent to two or more experts. Contributor is requested to provide names and address for correspondence of two or three qualified reviewers - not affiliated with the same institutes- who have had experience in the subject of the submitted manuscript. However, the selection of reviewers is at the sole discretion of the editor. The review process will be blinded and every manuscript will be assigned to a member of the editorial board. The editorial board will take a decision based on the reviewer’s comments. The authors are requested to provide a point by point response to reviewers’ comments and submit revised versions till reviewers and editors are satisfied with the manuscript.

Contributors' form(must be submitted along with manuscript)

Manuscript Title:

______
I/we certify that I/we have participated sufficiently in contributing to the intellectual content, concept and design of this work or the analysis and interpretation of the data (when applicable), as well as writing of the manuscript, to take public responsibility for it and have agreed to have my/our name listed as a contributor.

I/we believe that the manuscript represents valid work. Neither this manuscript nor one with substantially similar content under my/our authorship has been published or is being consideredfor publication elsewhere, except as described in the covering letter. I/we attest that, if requested by the editors, I/we will provide the data/information or will cooperate fully in obtaining and providing the data/information on which the manuscript is based, for examination by the editors or their assignees. Financial interests, direct or indirect, that exist or may be perceived to exist for individual contributors in connection with the content of this paper have been disclosed in the cover letter. Sources of outside support of the project are named in the covering letter. I/We hereby transfer(s), assign(s), or otherwise convey(s) all copyright ownership, including any and all rights incidental thereto, exclusively to Physiotherapy – the journal of Indian association of physiotherapists. in the event that such work is published by the Physiotherapy – the journal of Indian association of physiotherapists shall own the work, including

copy right

the right to produce preprint or reprint and translate in languages other then English for sale or free distribution and the right to republish the work in a collection of articles I any other mechanical or electronic format

We give the rights to the corresponding author to make necessary changes as per the request of the journal, do the rest of the correspondence on our behalf and he/she will act as the guarantor for the manuscript on our behalf and he/she will act as the guarantor for the manuscript on our behalf.

All persons who have made substantial contributions to the work reported in the manuscript, but who are not contributors, are named in the Acknowledgment and have given me/us their written permission to be named. If I/we do not include an Acknowledgment that means I/we have not received substantial contributions from non-contributors and no contributor has been omitted.

Sn Name Signature Date

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Checklist

Covering letter

  • Signed by all contributors
  • Source of funding mentioned
  • Conflicts of interest disclosed

Contributors' form- signed by all contributors

Authors

  • Last name and given name provided along with Middle name initials (where applicable)
  • Author for correspondence, with e-mail address provided
  • Identity not revealed in paper except title page (e.g. name of the institute in Methods, citing previous study as 'our study', names on figure labels, name of institute in photographs, etc.)

Presentation and format

  • Double spacing
  • Margins 2.5 cm from all four sides
  • Page numbers included at bottom
  • Title page contains all the desired information
  • Running title provided (not more than 50 characters)
  • Abstract page contains the full title of the manuscript
  • Key words provided (three or more)
  • Headings in title case (not ALL CAPITALS)
  • The references cited in the text should be after punctuation marks, in superscript with square bracket.
  • References according to the journal's instructions, punctuation marks checked
  • Send the article file without ‘Track Changes’

Language and grammar

  • Write the full term for each abbreviation at its first use in the title, abstract, keywords and text separately unless it is a standard unit of measure. Numerals from 1 to 10 spelt out
  • Numerals at the beginning of the sentence spelt out
  • Check the manuscript for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors
  • If a brand name is cited, supply the manufacturer's name and address (city and state/country).
  • Species names should be in italics

Tables and figures

  • No repetition of data in tables and graphs and in text
  • Actual numbers from which graphs drawn, provided
  • Figures necessary and of good quality (colour)
  • Table and figure numbers in Arabic letters (not Roman) [ 1,2,3 not I , II, IV ]
  • Figure legends provided (not more than 40 words)
  • Patients' privacy maintained (if not permission taken)
  • Credit note for borrowed figures/tables provided
  • Write the full term for each abbreviation used in the table as a footnote

Invitation of expression of interest from reviewer

Physiotherapy – the Journal of Indian Association of Physiotherapists invites letter of expression of interest from physiotherapy professionals having research and writing experience for acting as reviewers of the manuscript. The Journal shall provide certificate to reviewers and would publish their name annually in the journal. Please emailmentioningeducational qualification, field of interest and list of publications tothe editor in chief. at