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Types of articles published by the MJA

Research papers: general

The MJA publishes articles reporting original research of direct significance for clinical medicine and of interest to a broad medical audience. These include:

  • studies that deliver new information about medical conditions in humans and their treatment;
  • studies of health services and systems that evaluate outcomes;
  • studies of other topics relevant to medical practice and policy, including the medical workforce, medical education, the wellbeing of medical practitioners, and the practice of medical research;
  • analyses of published data from two or more sources that yield new information relevant to the above topics.

Studies using any method appropriate to the research question will be considered, including quantitative, qualitative, and modelling study designs. However, randomised controlled trials are strongly preferred for evaluations of medical treatments and other interventions.

Priority is given to publishing research studies that:

  • advance knowledge or practice with respect to medical problems of significance for Australia and neighbouring countries;
  • investigate clinical outcomes;
  • include samples representative of the population being studied;
  • employ robust designs (randomised controlled trials of interventions, prospective observational studies);
  • conform fully with established guidelines pertaining to the study design employed and the research question.

Lower priority is given to:

  • studies unlikely to contribute to improvements in clinical practice, health care policy, medical education, or further research;
  • small sample studies undertaken in single institutions;
  • studies of health service processes without meaningful clinical outcomes;
  • studies that confirm earlier findings without substantially advancing knowledge further;
  • studies reporting data of dubious currency or generalisability;
  • studies of limited relevance to general readers, or with a narrow focus within a single specialty;
  • poorly reported studies.

The MJA does not publish:

  • research conducted in animal or laboratory models, or basic scientific, statistical, or social sciences research without direct application to clinical practice or health care delivery;
  • research or analysis that has no relevance to Australian health care or practice.

Full length research articles

Quick formatting guidelines

  • Approximately 3000 words (main text);
  • 40 references;
  • 300-word structured abstract;
  • up to ten figures or tables, some of which may be in an appendix.

Summary box using the following headings/content: “The known” [the starting point for your investigation], “The new” [your major novel finding] and “The implications” [the consequences of your finding] (maximum 100 words)

For all study types, we require the use of the relevant reporting guidelines. You must submit the relevant checklist with your paper; if the manuscript is accepted it will be published as supplementary information. A comprehensive selection is provided on the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR Network) website, including:

  • randomised trials: CONSORT (and extensions);
  • observational studies (including cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies): STROBE (and extensions);
  • diagnostic/prognostic studies: STARD, TRIPOD;
  • case reports: CARE (and extensions);
  • qualitative research: SRQR, COREQ;
  • quality improvement studies: SQUIRE;
  • online surveys: CHERRIES.

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.

It will help the timely assessment of your paper if you adhere to these formats, as it ensures that all the information needed for peer review are present, including being reported according to relevant reporting guidelines as listed at EQUATOR.  If you believe your research paper is of interest to the MJA but does not fit into our standard format, please either outline the reason why in your cover letter or contact the Journal at mja@mja.com.au

Randomised trials

Trials must be reported according to CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines. Please include a CONSORT flowchart for the trial, as a completed CONSORT checklist.

Trials must be registered prior to commencement in a public trials registry (see Clinical trials under editorial policies), and the Abstract and Methods section should include the trial registration date.

The original trial protocol or a reference to an available online version should be provided, together with a brief explanation of any deviations by the study from the protocol.  A link to these will be made available from the published article.

Reports should include complete reporting of all pre-planned analyses.

Survey research

In addition to the general requirements for Research articles, the following quality criteria are the minimal requirements for survey-based research published by the MJA as Research articles:

  • a clearly defined probabilistic population sample;
  • copies of the invitation to participate and a copy of the survey text.

As for all Research articles, the design of the survey should be reported in the Methods, including clear and justified definitions of the research question and all key terms, development of the survey instrument (and its piloting and validation), its administration, and a complete statistical analysis plan.

The data underlying all reported analyses (ie, summary of raw responses) should be included in the Supporting Information file.

Original research: Research letters

Research letters provide novel research observations in concise form. Apart from not including Abstracts, Summary boxes, or section headings, they are structured in the same manner as Research articles with Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion including limitations, and associated statements such as data sharing, acknowledgements and competing interests.

Quick formatting guidelines

Approximately

  • main text 750 words;
  • ten references;
  • two tables/figures (optional); 

In addition

  • Supporting Information file, if required.
  • 50-word abstract that will be used in correspondence with reviewers.

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses

A systematic review collates evidence from individual clinical studies and systematically minimises selection bias by applying strict criteria for study inclusion and exclusion, to develop a critically appraised review of evidence regarding a specific research question. A meta-analysis article synthesises the results of multiple studies, integrating the findings.

Quick formatting guidelines

Approximately

  • 3000 words (main text only);
  • 100 references;
  • 300 -word structured abstract suitable for a systematic review (see below);
  • ten tables and/or figures, some of which may appear in an appendix.

The structured abstract for systematic reviews should contain the following headings:

  • Objectives;
  • Study design;
  • Data sources;
  • Data synthesis;
  • Conclusions

The study must report according to the PRISMA guidelines.

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.

Perspectives

Perspectives discuss current questions that affect health care practice and policy, including the impact of technological, social, cultural, political, environmental, and other factors. Discussions of the implications of published research findings and health-related data are welcome. Articles should be scholarly in tone and be supported by referenced evidence.

Quick formatting guidelines

Approximately

  • 750–1500 words (main text only);
  • 25 references.

In addition

  • 100 word abstract that will be used in correspondence with reviewers.

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.

Guideline summaries/consensus statements/position statements

This article type is either a full publication or a concise summary for the general medical reader of updates or changes in clinical management or policy as recommended by relevant national or international specialty societies or other recognised bodies.

For summaries, the article must include a reference to the full guidelines, preferably that are free or open access. The summary should not contain unpublished information or information not included in the full guideline.

Quick formatting guidelines

Approximately

  • 3000 words (main text);
  • two figures, tables or boxes;
  • 50 references;
  • 300-word abstract with the headings Introduction, Main recommendations, Changes in management as a result of the guideline.

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.

Medical education

Lessons from practice

This article type includes descriptions of conditions that are often missed, or that have serious consequences if missed. The lessons should be important for diagnosis or management. We do not publish cases that have been mismanaged.

Quick formatting guidelines

Approximately

  • 750 words (main text only);
  • ten references.

In addition

  • 100 word abstract that will be used in correspondence with reviewers.
  • please provide high resolution clinical images.
  • use “Clinical record” and “Discussion” headings.
  • please supply a separate box containing up to four brief bullet points highlighting the main “lessons”.
  • MJA patient consent form completed by the patient/s (or their next-of-kin or legal guardian) must be signed, submitted and dated within 18 months of time of submission. Authors must keep this form with the patient records and will be required to declare on the submission system that consent has been obtained. The paper must include a statement that consent has been obtained. Do not submit the signed form to the Journal, unless the MJA specifically requests it. We reserve the right to request this form at any time before or after publication. Failure to produce a form on request will lead to the retraction of the paper. Please note we do not accept patient consent forms from institutions or other medical journals.
  • the senior clinician responsible for the patient's overall management should be included among the authors as well as appropriate representation if a multidisciplinary team was involved.

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.

Snapshots

These article types include interesting or unusual instructive clinical images accompanied by a very brief explanation.

Quick formatting guidelines

Approximately

  • 100 words (main text only);
  • one clinical image;
  • five references;
  • two authors.

In addition

  • 50-word abstract that will be used in correspondence with reviewers
  • MJA Patient consent form completed by the patient/s (or their next-of-kin or legal guardian) must be signed and dated within 18 months of time of submission. Authors must keep this form with the patient records and will be required to declare on the submission system that consent has been obtained. The paper must include a statement that consent has been obtained. Do not submit the signed form to the journal, unless the MJA specifically requests it. We reserve the right to request this form at any time before or after publication. Failure to produce a form on request will lead to the retraction of the paper. Please note we do not accept patient consent forms from institutions or other medical journals.
  • the senior clinician responsible for the patient's overall management should be included among the authors as well as appropriate representation if a multidisciplinary team was involved.

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.

Key research skills

Manuscripts in the Key research skills series explain core skills in study design, research development, and statistical analysis. Discussion of statistical concepts should be aimed at the MJA general medical readership. These articles are commissioned only.

Quick formatting guidelines Approximately

  • 1500 words (main text only);
  • 25 references;
  • at least one of any of the following: tables, figures or boxes

In addition

  • 100 word abstract that will be used in correspondence with reviewers.

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.

Ethics and law

These articles discuss ethical or legal issues related to patient care. They should have a clinical focus and case scenarios should be considered to help illustrate important points.

Quick formatting guidelines

Approximately

  • 1500 words (main text only);
  • 15 references.

In addition

  • 100 word abstract that will be used in correspondence with reviewers
  • if a case scenario describes an actual patient, the MJA Patient consent form completed by the patient/s (or their next-of-kin or legal guardian) must be signed and dated within 18 months of time of submission. Authors must keep this form with the patient records and will be required to declare on the submission system that consent has been obtained. The paper must include a statement that consent has been obtained. Do not submit the signed form to the Journal, unless the MJA specifically requests it. We reserve the right to request this form at any time before or after publication. Failure to produce a form on request will lead to the retraction of the paper. Please note we do not accept patient consent forms from institutions or other medical journals. Download the MJA patient consent form here.

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.

Reflections

The Reflections section contains articles about personal experiences related to medicine. 

Quick formatting guidelines

Approximately

  • 1500 words (main text only);
  • five references;
  • two authors.

In addition

  • 50-word abstract that will be used in correspondence with reviewers

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.

Medical history

History articles are scholarly essays on interesting aspects of the history of medicine. An Australian perspective is preferred but not essential.

Quick formatting guidelines

Approximately

  • 1500 words (main text only);
  • ten references.
  • 100-word abstract that will be used in correspondence with reviewers

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.

Narrative reviews

A narrative review is an evidence-based discussion of a particular topic in clinical medicine, population health, or health policy. Through critical engagement with relevant evidence and drawing on experience, authors should provide an appraisal of current knowledge on a topic, identify important gaps, and can make recommendations for future research, clinical, and policy priorities.

Quick formatting guidelines

A concise description of the sources and selection criteria (search strategy) used for your literature review must be included in the main text, immediately after the Introduction.

Approximately

  • 3000 words (main text only);
  • 75 references;
  • 250-word summary, giving four to six dot points that cover the key points.

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.

Editorials

Editorials are commissioned authoritative commentaries generally linked to research articles published in the same issue of the Journal.

Quick formatting guidelines

Approximately

  • 750 to 1000 words (main text);
  • ten to 15 references;
  • one figure or table (optional).

In addition

  • 100 word abstract that will be used in correspondence with reviewers

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.

Letters to the Editor

Letters on new topics

Letters to the Editor are brief comments on issues of relevance to medical practice or health policy, which may include controversial issues. Assertions must be supported by appropriate evidence that is referenced.

Quick formatting guidelines

Approximately

  • 350 words (main text only);
  • five references;
  • one small text box, table or figure (optional).

In addition

  • 50-word abstract that will be used in correspondence with reviewers

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.

Comments on published MJA articles

These should be succinct, make a new point worth publishing and both these letters and any replies should be professional and constructive in tone. They should not contain substantive amounts of original research.

Quick formatting guidelines

Approximately

  • 350 words (main text only);
  • five references.
  • please include the published article you are commenting on as the first reference.
  • for indexing purposes, please use the same title as the article on which you are commenting.

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.

Comments about MJA articles should be submitted within two months of first publication of the article online. Note: a decision may not be made until after this time has elapsed and the authors have been given the option to submit a formal reply

Letters by authors of published MJA articles in reply to comments

These are commissioned only.

Quick formatting guidelines

Approximately

  • 350 words (main text only);
  • five references.

Letters should reference the original article and the letter or letters commenting on the original published article. These letters are commissioned.

Letters should be appropriately referenced in the same style and format as other MJA articles.

Detailed instructions for manuscripts are provided here.