Instructions to Contributors

Mens Sana Monographs

Instructions to Contributors

Authors may send original unpublished* Monograph Manuscripts/Theme Papers/Musings/Prefaces/Reflections/Introductions/MSM Poems not submitted elsewhere for potential publication to The Editors, Mens Sana Monographs, 14, Shiva Kripa, Trimurty Road, Nahur, Mulund (W), Mumbai 400 080, Maharashtra, India. Tel.: +91 022 25682740/ +91 022 25673897.

For details of Editorial Board see https://mensanamonographs.tripod.com/id89.html

Electronic submission preferred at: Email: mensanamonographs@yahoo.co.uk

The Mens Sana Monographs (MSM) are meant to forward resolute foundational enquiry into all issues dealing with man and society with focus on mental health and medicine but not restricted to them. Issues dealing with health, science, philosophy, religion, culture, and their inter-relationship are very much the concern of MSM.

Monograph Manuscript

Outer limit for a Monograph Manuscript, including Preface, Abstract, Introduction, References and Questions Raised, is 67,500 words (approximately 150 pages). Pertinent references alone should be quoted. Tables, figures and elaborate statistics should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. MSM is a viewpoint forum based on evidence, not necessarily statistical. Hence reviews, overviews, position statements are welcome, but they should be of a fundamental-foundational nature, not just a compilation of views. (The word limit for a manuscript is relaxable in exceptional cases. Authors should verify this from the Editors before submission).

Conceptual analysis of evidential findings, and insightful analysis of epoch making writings of the past and present are welcome. Authors are advised to go through the Conceptual Foundations of the MSM at https://mensanamonographs.tripod.com/id8.html and check a recent copy of a monograph (available on request in pdf format) to understand style and substance requirements.

Review and Electronic Submission

All manuscripts are subject to editorial and anonymous peer review. We encourage electronic submission in Word Format with Verdana 10 pt or Times New Roman 11 pt font size.

Principal Author, Corresponding Author and Co-Author/s

The Principal Author must clearly specify who are the Principal Author, Corresponding Author and Co-Authors in proper sequence. The institutional affiliations of each must be clearly mentioned with the submission. All those who have not substantially contributed to the submission should not be included as co-authors. They maybe acknowledged at the end of the submission separately. All authors are required to reveal conflicts of interest, if any. It will be the responsibility of the Corresponding Author to obtain it from his co-authors.

Submissions, once made, may not be withdrawn after acceptance for publication by MSM. If submissions are withdrawn before acceptance, a valid reason needs to be given.

Conflict of Interest and Informed Consent

Authors must disclose conflicts of interest, if any, or mention clearly there is none. MSM expects authors to disclose, along with their submission, any commercial interest that poses, or can appear to pose, a conflict of interest. Consultancies, Grants, Stocks or Equity, Venture Capital investments, Employment and/or other association that may involve a conflict of interest must be disclosed with their submission.

All monographs containing patient data must be based on informed consent and must ensure full confidentiality.

Original/Published work

*MSM is meant to publish original work. MSM may occasionally accept publication of already published work provided it is in consonance with the philosophy of MSM, required permission of the original copyright owners is obtained, and the material is resubmitted according to MSM requirements.

Editors’ Opinion and Publication

The opinions expressed by the authors may not necessarily coincide with those of the editors, but that is not necessary for acceptance for publication.

Acceptance of Submission

All manuscripts are subject to editorial and anonymous peer review. Acceptance, or otherwise, will be communicated within one month of receipt. On acceptance, the author/authors will be requested to submit a recent passport sized photograph to be printed along with their monograph/paper. Unused manuscripts will be returned if accompanied by return-post self-addressed envelope. Authors/ Contributors /Discussants may please send all correspondence by Registered Post/Speed-Post/E-mail only. Electronic submission is preferred.

Critical comments/ Readers Respond

These may kindly be forwarded to the Editors for incorporation in the next issue. They may ordinarily be not more than 1900 words (4 pages), with a maximum of 10 references. A brief biodata or CV, address for correspondence, email id and passport size photograph may preferably accompany them.

Themes Issues/Monographs

Outer limit and other details of Monographs of Theme Issues will be informed on the MSM Website at http://mensanamonographs.tripod.com , in issues of MSM, as well as other forums from time to time. For example requirements for MSM Theme Monograph on 'Medicine, Mental Health, Science, Religion and Well-being' to be published in Jan 2008 is mentioned at the URL: https://mensanamonographs.tripod.com/id92.html.

They may ordinarily not be more than 4500 words, complete with an abstract (200 words maximum), introduction and concluding remarks (300 words maximum). Each paper for a Theme Monograph may contain not more than 30 references.

Guest Editorial

Matter for Guest Editorial may occasionally be considered from outside the Editorial Board from fellow editors/editorial board members of other publications, or researchers/ specialists who have worked extensively in the field. Authors may contact Editor before submitting the same. They must be between 450-2250 words (1-5 pages), with additional maximum 10 references. They are subject to editorial and peer review. Readers can browse Editorials on the MSM site at

https://mensanamonographs.tripod.com/id138.html

https://mensanamonographs.tripod.com/id139.html

https://mensanamonographs.tripod.com/id122.html

Guest Articles

MSM may occasionally invite Guest Articles on specific topics for Theme or other Issues. They may ordinarily not be more than 4500 words, complete with an abstract (200 words maximum), introduction and concluding remarks (300 words maximum). Each Guest Article may contain not more than 30 references.

Musings

Musings are personal reflections on true incidents or on eye-catching events reported in the press or research field. They must be racy in style, and give food for thought. They may not be more than 1350 words (3 pages). No references need be quoted; in any case not more than 5 references are allowed for Musings. Readers can browse Musings at https://mensanamonographs.tripod.com/id88.html

Reflections

Reflections are ruminations on events/issues/personalities of the past or present, or prognostications for the future, written in a racy style, and must not ordinarily exceed 1350 words, with a maximum of 5 references.

Introduction/Preface/Highloghts

Introduction/Preface/Highlights are scholarly reflections published at the beginning of a Monograph, which summarise the current state of knowledge in the field on which the Monograph is based, or summarise the salient points of the papers included, or a related issue. Historical reflections and conceptual analysis connected with the theme of the Monograph and its related fields are welcome. Outer limit is 1800 words (4 pages) with a maximum of 12 references. Readers can browse Introductions at https://mensanamonographs.tripod.com/id97.html

https://mensanamonographs.tripod.com/id18.html

https://mensanamonographs.tripod.com/id2.html

https://mensanamonographs.tripod.com/id85.html

MSM Poems

MSM Poems is meant to publish original poetry from medical practitioners/ researchers/ poets on the themes of health, medicine and human behaviour. Details of MSM Poems are mentioned elsewhere on this site as well in the current issue of MSM. Prospective poets are encouraged to submit their works for consideration for future issues. Readers can browse MSM Poems at: https://mensanamonographs.tripod.com/id93.html

The Looking Glass

The Looking Glass depicts how others look at medical practice, its practitioners, mental health workers and philosophers. It will also reflect on happenings in the world of Medicine and Science. Readers can browse The looking Glass at https://mensanamonographs.tripod.com/id140.html

References

All References should be bunched together in alphabetical order at the end of the submission. For two or more references from the same author/authors in the same year, (a) and (b) maybe used after the year of publication. For example:

1. For References of Same Author in One Year:

Woodruff T., (2004a), Letters: The medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry: when will we open our eyes? eMJA, 181:8, p458-459.

Woodruff T.G., (2004b), Pharmaceutical marketing, the PBS, and patient care, New Doctor, 81, p21-22.

Authors must check authenticity of references and other facts quoted before submission. They should follow the following pattern:

2. For Editorials:

Angell M., (2000), Is Academic Medicine for Sale? (Editorial) N Engl J Med, 342:20, p1516–1518.

3. For Papers:

Schafer A., (2004), Biomedical conflicts of interest: a defence of the sequestration thesis—learning from the cases of Nancy Olivieri and David Healy, J Med Ethics, 30, p8-24.

4. For Books and Monographs:

i) Angell M., (2004), The truth about the drug companies: how they deceive us and what to do about it, New York: Random House.

ii) Singh A.R., Singh S.A., (2005), Medical Practice, Psychiatry and the Pharmaceutical Industry: And Ever the Trio shall Meet-I: The Connection between Academia and Industry, Mens Sana Monographs, II: 6, III:1, March-June, p5-35.

4. For Web References:

National Prescribing Service Limited, (2002–03), Annual report 2002–03, p32. Available at: www.nps.org.au/resources/content/nps_annual_report_02-03.pdf (accessed April, 2005).

5. For News Paper/Magazine Articles:

Harris G., (2004b), As doctor writes prescription, drug company writes a check, New York Times, June 27, A1.

Personal communication may not ordinarily be quoted as a reference. If at all done, it should be with the written permission of the communicator.

ICMJE and CSE Requirements

The Mens Sana Monographs accepts The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)'s updated "Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts (URM) Submitted to Biomedical Journals: Writing and Editing for Biomedical Publication" updated Oct 2005. www.icmje.org. Authors are requested to note that their submissions are in accordance with the Uniform Requirements mentioned above.

The Mens Sana Monographs also accepts the "Editorial Policy Statements” of The Council of Science Editors (CSE) that covers the responsibilities and rights of editors of peer-reviewed journals. http://www.councilscienceeditors.org/services/draft_approved.cfm.

Word Count, Font, Photograph and CV

Authors are encouraged to submit a word count with their submission. Submission should be in Word format, with Verdana 10 pt or Times New Roman 11 pt font size. MSM publishes a photograph of the contributing author with a brief CV (250 words for a monograph and 50-100 words for other contributions.) along with his/her contribution (optional).

Reprints/Off prints

All authors will receive 1O COPIES of the Monograph containing their work free of charge. All discussants/commentators will receive 5 offprints free of charge.

Copyright

Copyright of material published rests with the Mens Sana Monographs. However, authors are permitted to disseminate their published work freely by post or electronic means, and to put it up on their personal/institutional web sites for the information and knowledge of their viewers and fellow researchers, with due acknowledgement of the original source of publication (MSM). Authors should contact and obtain permission from MSM if they intend publication of their work in any other form later. Such requests are ordinarily granted on due acknowledgement of publication in MSM.

MENS SANA MONOGRAPHS