Manuscript Preparation Guidelines

Manuscripts must be prepared in accordance with International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) Recommendations (January 2026). The recommendations and specific requirements of JOHS are summarized below. Before submitting a manuscript, contributors are requested to check for the latest instructions available.

JOHS accepts manuscripts uploaded in .doc, .docx, and .rtf formats written in American English.

It is the responsibility of authors/contributors to obtain permissions to reproduce any copyrighted material. A copy of the permission obtained must accompany the manuscript. Copies of any and all published articles or other manuscripts in preparation or submitted elsewhere that are related to the manuscript must also accompany the manuscript.

Word limits are intended as general guidance. Longer manuscripts may be considered for invited submissions or with prior approval from the Editor-in-Chief.

Editorial and Referee Policies

JOHS uses double-blind peer review for externally reviewed manuscripts. Editors and reviewers must uphold confidentiality, impartiality, and respect for authorship. Reviewer reports are confidential and used only for editorial decision-making.

Reviewer Obligations

• Provide a fair, unbiased, and timely assessment.
• Disclose potential conflicts of interest to the assigning editor.
• Maintain confidentiality; do not reuse or share unpublished material.
• Focus feedback on scholarly merit, clarity, and relevance to JOHS.

Author Warranties

By submitting, authors confirm that the manuscript:

• Is original, accurate to the best of their knowledge, and free of libelous or unlawful content.
• Does not infringe rights or privacy and includes required permissions.
• Is not previously published and not under consideration elsewhere.
• Has been approved by all listed authors, who meet authorship criteria and accept responsibility.

Acknowledgments

• Do not include in blinded article file. Submit in appropriate field in Submission Form.
• Non-author contributions (eg, technical, editorial, administrative support).
• Material support (eg, equipment, datasets, donated services).
• Whether authors used artificial intelligence (AI)–assisted technologies—such as Large Language Models (LLMs), chatbots, or image creators—in the production of submitted work.
  • If AI was used for writing assistance, describe this in the Acknowledgments section of the Submission Form.
  • If AI was used for data collection, analysis, or figure generation, describe this in the Acknowledgments section of the Submission Form as well as in the Methods section (if applicable).

Cover Letter

This file must include all author-identifying information and must be submitted separately from the blinded article file. Submit as .doc, .docx, or .rtf (do not zip).

It should contain:

• Brief summary of originality, significance, and fit with JOHS.
• “Elevator speech” explaining why the submission will interest JOHS readers.
• Confirmation that the manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere.
• Previous presentation or publication, if applicable (eg, conference, poster, abstract, preprint, etc.).
• Statement on source of funding (brief).
• Statement on conflicts of interest (brief).
• Signed by the corresponding author on behalf of all contributors.

Blinded Article File

Anonymity Requirements

• Remove names, initials, ORCIDs, institutional names, geographic locations, grant numbers, ethics-board names, acknowledgments, running headers, or any potential field that contains author information.
• Cite your own prior work as “Author et al., YEAR” if necessary.

Manuscripts that reveal author identity will be returned for correction before peer review.

File Format

• One file only: .doc, .docx, or .rtf
• Do not zip or password-protect the file.

General Presentation

• Use American English for spelling and punctuation.
• Start page 1 with the full article title.
• Number pages sequentially.
• Double-spaced.
• 12-point font size.
• Arial or Arial Nova font throughout, including references, tables, and figure legends.
• 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Page numbers placed in the header, upper-right.
• Use tab stops for paragraph indents; do not use the space bar.
• Use the equation editor or MathType for all equations, formulas, and statistical notation. Do not insert equations as images or type them in plain text.

Hyphenations

Avoid unnecessary hyphenation at the ends of lines. Follow AMA rules for compound modifiers (eg, “evidence-based practice,” “high-risk population”) and do not hyphenate prefixes unless required for clarity (eg, “re-apply” vs “reapply”).

Mathematical Symbols

Use mathematical symbols (eg, >, <, ≥, ≤, ±) directly adjacent to numbers without spaces (eg, ≤5, P < .05). Insert spaces around operators in equations (eg, a + b = c).

Units of Measure

Use abbreviations without periods (eg, mg, kg, mL, mmHg). Do not pluralize unit abbreviations. Place a space between a numeral and its unit (eg, “5 mL” not “5mL”), except for °C, %, and °F, which do not take a space. Report SI units when possible; non-SI units may be included in parentheses if necessary for clarity.

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Spell out the full term at first mention in the text, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. Thereafter, use the abbreviation alone. Avoid abbreviations in the title and abstract unless essential. Do not use periods in acronyms (eg, “WHO,” not “W.H.O.”).

Rules of Usage

• Use plain, clear language consistent with AMA style. Avoid jargon and archaic terms.
• Prefer shorter, common words over longer, less familiar ones (eg, “before” instead of “prior to,” “because” instead of “due to the fact that”).
• Avoid gendered language unless clinically or contextually relevant.

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Headings

If applicable, use no more than three levels of displayed headings.

Abstract

• Appears on page 1 of the blinded article file, immediately after the title.
• Structured for Original Research, Short Research Reports, Curricula, Reviews, and Education Research (≤300 words); unstructured for other article types unless otherwise specified (≤150 words).
• No undefined abbreviations or unspecified references.
• For trials: include registration number and date, noting whether prospective or retrospective.

 

Keywords

All submissions must include 5 or more keywords that reflect the central topics of the manuscript. To support indexing and discoverability, authors are encouraged to use keywords that are compatible with Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) when applicable.

Tables

• Prepare tables as editable text using the table function in a word processor; do not insert tables as images.
• Tables should be self-explanatory and not duplicate material presented in the text.
• Number tables in Arabic numerals consecutively in the order they are cited in the text, and provide a brief descriptive title for each.
• Include explanatory footnotes below the table, not in the heading, and explain all nonstandard abbreviations.
• Use the following symbols for footnotes, in this sequence: *, †, ‡, §, ||, ¶, **, ††, ‡‡
• Obtain permission for all borrowed, adapted, or modified tables and provide an appropriate credit line in a footnote.
• Embed each table within the blinded manuscript file near its first mention in the text. Tables should include titles and footnotes but no author identifiers.

 

Figure Legends

• Provide a legend for each figure, written in double-spaced text, with a maximum of 40 words (excluding any credit line).
• Number legends consecutively with Arabic numerals corresponding to the figures as cited in the text.
• Include the following in each legend:
• Identification and explanation of all symbols, arrows, numbers, or letters used.
• Internal scale (magnification) and, for photomicrographs, the method of staining.
• For previously published figures, acknowledge the original source in the legend and obtain written permission from the copyright holder. Credit or permission for reproducing a figure or table—even if modified—must be included in the figure legend or table footnote, not in the Acknowledgment section.
• Photographs of identifiable individuals must be accompanied by written consent for publication.
• JOHS reserves the right to crop, rotate, reduce, or enlarge figures to meet publication specifications.

Data Sharing and Availability Statements

All research manuscripts must include a Data Availability Statement or, when applicable, a Data Sharing Statement, placed at the end of the manuscript before the References section.

Data Availability Statement

Authors must describe where the data supporting the findings can be accessed, or explain why the data are not publicly available (eg, privacy, legal, or ethical restrictions).

Examples include:

• The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in the University of Tennessee TRACE repository at [insert persistent URL or DOI].
• The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
• Data are not publicly available due to confidentiality agreements with participants but may be shared in de-identified form upon reasonable request.

Data Sharing Statement

For clinical trials or other interventional research, authors must provide a Data Sharing Statement that fulfills the ICMJE Recommendations. The statement must indicate:

1. Whether individual de-identified participant data (including data dictionaries) will be shared (“undecided” is not acceptable).
2. What data in particular will be shared.
3. Whether additional related documents (eg, study protocol, statistical analysis plan) will be available.
4. When the data will become available and for how long.
5. By what access criteria data will be shared (including with whom, for what analyses, and by what mechanism).

References

JOHS follows the AMA Manual of Style, 11^th edition, using numbered references in order of citation. Journal titles should be abbreviated according to the NLM Catalog. Authors are encouraged to cite recent (ie, within the past 10 years), peer-reviewed literature; older references should be used only when historically or contextually necessary.

In-Text Citations

Citations in the text, tables, and figure legends should be identified using superscript Arabic numerals placed after punctuation (eg, " . . . the professions.^1,2"). References that are cited only in tables or figures should follow the numbering sequence based on where the table or figure is first mentioned. Avoid citing abstracts when full articles are available.

Authors in the Reference List

List each author's surname followed by initials without periods, and do not use "and" between names. Include all authors unless there are more than 6, in which case list the first 3 followed by "et al."

Group Authors

When a work is authored by a committee or organization, list the group name as the author. When individually named authors appear alongside a group, place a semicolon before the group name. Drop articles such as "the" from the beginning of group names in the reference list. If an article has no named author, omit the author field entirely. Use "Anonymous" only if that word appeared in the original byline.

Authors Cited in Running Text

When referring to authors by name in the text, only use surnames. For a 2-author reference, list both surnames. For references with more than 2 authors, use the first author's surname followed by "et al," "and coauthors," or "and colleagues." Do not use the possessive form "et al's"—rephrase the sentence instead.

Unpublished Work and Personal Communications

Unpublished work that has been submitted but not yet accepted should be cited in the text as "unpublished observations." Written permission should be obtained from the source. Personal communications should be cited sparingly; include the name of the individual and the date in parentheses. Neither unpublished observations nor personal communications should appear in the reference list.

Additional Resources

For less common reference types (eg, government reports, news articles, social media), consult the ICMJE Recommendations or the NLM's Citing Medicine guide.

Inclusive Language

JOHS encourages the use of respectful, precise, and inclusive language across all submissions. We recognize that language influences how people and communities are represented in research. Authors are expected to avoid imprecise terms that may unintentionally misrepresent individuals, experiences, or populations.

Examples include:

• Describing disability, illness, or hardship with care and specificity, avoiding language that implies blame, deficit, or pity.
• Referring to racial, economic, or structural contexts clearly and accurately when relevant to the research.

Revisions may be requested when terminology does not meet our editorial standards. Editors and reviewers will also be oriented to these expectations to support consistency and clarity.

The goal of JOHS is to support thoughtful scholarship that reflects the communities and care systems it describes.

Figures and Images

Use of figures and images is optional. Embed figures and images in the blinded manuscript file. See Submissions for more on AI Use.

Figures

• Embed all figures, including photographs, graphs, and diagrams, within the blinded manuscript file in their intended locations.
• Figures must be high resolution (minimum 300 dpi) and clear enough for digital readability and reproduction.
• Use PNG or SVG format when possible; JPEG is also acceptable.
• Use Arial (sans serif) or a similar clear font for all text within figures.
• Keep lettering and symbols consistent in size, color, and placement across all figures.
• Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background for readability in both color and grayscale displays.
• Do not include titles or captions inside the figure; provide concise figure legends below each image, defining all abbreviations and explaining symbols used.
• Number figures consecutively in the order they are cited in the text (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc).
• Use digital annotations rather than handwritten markings for arrows, indicators, or labels.
• Remove identifying information and metadata from figure files and content (eg, author names, institutional logos).
• Figures must be WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

Supplemental Materials

Use of supplemental materials varies by manuscript type. Supplemental materials may be submitted to provide additional content, data, or resources that are integral to understanding or applying the article. These files are published online with the article. Supplemental files that are essential to evaluating a manuscript’s methodology, data transparency, or conclusions are included in the peer review process. All supplemental materials are subject to the same confidentiality and ethical standards as the main manuscript.

File Format

• Acceptable formats include .docx, .pptx, .pdf, .xlsx, .csv, .mp3, .mp4, and other commonly used, non-proprietary formats.
• Files must be ≤20 MB.
• Do not embed supplemental content within the blinded manuscript file.
• Use clear, descriptive file names and refer to each supplemental item within the text.
• Datasets or media files exceeding 50 MB should be deposited in a public data repository with the DOI or URL provided in the Data Availability Statement.

Content Standards

• Materials must be directly relevant to the article and referenced within the text.
• Examples include lesson plans, facilitator guides, datasets, coding scripts, detailed protocols, video demonstrations, extended tables or figures, and multimedia.
• Materials must be publication-ready and accessible: provide captions or transcripts for audio/video, alt text for images, and clear legends or titles for all files.

Ethics and Permissions

• Remove all identifying information, unless essential and with documented consent.
• Obtain permissions or ensure a compatible open license for any third-party content.
• Supplemental files are published under the same CC BY 4.0 license as the main article.

Referencing and Legends

• Cite supplemental materials in the text in sequence.
• Provide a brief descriptive legend for each file upon submission.

Review and Archiving

• Supplemental materials will be peer reviewed at the Associate Editor’s discretion.
• All accepted supplemental files are archived permanently alongside the article in TRACE.

Section Order by Article Type

Follow the layout for your article type below. You may add subheadings under these main headings as needed, but do not include identifying information in them. Submit only the blinded version.

Original Research

• Title
• Abstract (structured, ≤300 words)
  • Include trial registry ID if applicable.
• Keywords
• Introduction
• Methods
  • Include reference to CONSORT or STROBE diagram if applicable.
• Results
• Discussion
  • Conclusions
• References

Short Research Report

• Title
• Abstract (structured, ≤300 words)
• Keywords
• Introduction
• Methods
• Results
• Discussion
  • Conclusions
• References

Review

• Title
• Abstract (structured, ≤300 words)
• Keywords
• Introduction
• Methods
• Results or Findings
• Discussion
  • Conclusions
• References

Special Report

• Title
• Abstract (≤150 words)
• Keywords
• Background or Rationale
• Main section—use descriptive subheadings as needed (eg, Case Study, Model Description, Analysis)
• Implications or Recommendations
• References

Editorial (by invitation or prior approval)

• Title
• Abstract (≤150 words)
• Keywords
• Main section—may be one continuous section without headings
• References

Viewpoint

• Title
• Abstract (≤150 words)
• Keywords
• Main section—may be one continuous section without headings
• References

Innovation

• Title
• Abstract (≤150 words)
• Keywords
• Main section—may be one continuous section without headings
• References

Policy Pearl (by invitation or prior approval)

• Title
• Abstract (≤150 words)
• Keywords
• Context
• Key Insights
• Practice or Policy Implications
• References

 

Policy Proposal

• Title
• Abstract (≤150 words)
• Keywords
• Background
• Proposed Policy or Intervention
• Justification and Supporting Evidence
• Feasibility and Next Steps
• References

Meeting Report (by invitation or prior approval)

• Title
• Abstract (≤150 words)
• Keywords
• Meeting Overview
• Key Sessions or Outcomes
• Recommendations or Next Steps (optional)
• References (if applicable)
• Appendices (optional, including agenda or sample abstracts)

Task Force Report (by invitation or prior approval)

• Title
• Abstract (≤150 words)
• Keywords
• Introduction
• Methods (if applicable)
• Findings or Recommendations
• Discussion
  • Conclusions
• References

Education Research

• Title
• Abstract (structured, ≤300 words)
• Keywords
• Introduction
• Methods
• Results
• Discussion
  • Conclusions
• References

Curricula

• Title
• Abstract (structured, ≤300 words)
• Keywords
• Background or Rationale
• Learning Objectives
• Methods
• Implementation
• Evaluation
• Discussion
• References
• Supplemental Materials (required; eg, lesson plans, facilitator guides, assessments, multimedia)

Letter to the Editor (not peer reviewed)

• Title
• Main section (≤500 words; no headings)
• References

Reporting Guidelines

JOHS recommends that relevant  EQUATOR Network reporting guidelines be followed depending on the type of study. Other resources can be found at: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/services/research_report_guide.html

Reports of randomized clinical trials should present information on all major study elements, including the protocol, assignment of interventions (methods of randomization, concealment of allocation to treatment groups), and the method of masking (blinding), based on the CONSORT Statement. Per ICMJE guidelines, clinical trials should be registered in a public trials registry (eg, ClinicalTrials.gov) before enrollment of the first participant.

Authors should use the following guidelines, as applicable to their study design:

• STROBE – for observational studies, including cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies
• CONSORT – for randomized controlled trials
• SQUIRE – for quality improvement projects
• PRISMA – for systematic reviews and meta-analyses
• STARD – for studies of diagnostic accuracy
• CARE – for case reports
• AGREE – for clinical practice guidelines
• MMARS – for mixed methods studies
• SRQR – for qualitative research (also relevant to the qualitative component of mixed methods)

Statistics

Describe statistical methods with enough detail to enable a knowledgeable reader with access to the original data to verify the reported results. For surveys and intervention studies/trials, ensure that the response/participation rate is described, and any biases due to low participation, selection, non-response, voluntary response, social desirability, etc. are acknowledged. JOHS places an emphasis on representative data. Thus, a low response rate does not disqualify a study from consideration, provided there is evidence to indicate a sample is representative of the population of interest. Even in instances of high response rates, authors should present evidence to indicate sample data are representative of the population of interest. For all statistical analyses, the assumptions associated with the technique(s) should not have been violated. Authors should report the procedures used for handling any missing data. When making multiple comparisons, authors should use an appropriate correction procedure (eg, Bonferroni correction, etc.) to adjust for family-wise error. When possible, findings should be quantified and presented with appropriate indicators of measurement error or uncertainty (such as confidence intervals). P values should be reported as exact values (for example, P = .048) and as P < .05 or P < .001. Mean differences in continuous variables, proportions in categorical variables and relative risks including odds ratios and hazard ratios should be accompanied by confidence intervals. Authors are expected to report effect size estimates when possible. Finally, authors should specify in the text the statistical (or other) software used with company details (name and address).

Mixed Methods Research

For mixed methods studies, identify the specific design type (eg, convergent parallel, explanatory sequential, exploratory sequential) and the rationale for using a mixed methods approach. Describe the setting, participants, sampling, and data collection procedures for both the qualitative and quantitative strands, following the relevant guidance for each. Indicate the sequencing of methods (qualitative first, quantitative first, or concurrent) and justify the integration approach. Explain how qualitative and quantitative data sets were linked during analysis (eg, merging, connecting, embedding) and how integration informed interpretation. Address the quality criteria for both strands, including credibility and trustworthiness for qualitative components and statistical rigor for quantitative components. Clearly describe how the mixed methods approach provided insights not obtainable through a single method. Authors should follow the Mixed Methods Article Reporting Standards (MMARS) and SRQR (for the qualitative strand), in addition to any other applicable guidelines.

Qualitative/Naturalistic Inquiry

Provide sufficient detail regarding the setting, participants, researcher role, and data collection procedures, including observation, interviews, and/or document analysis. Describe the development of codes, categories, and the recording of inferences as the conceptual scheme develops. Include information on member checking or validation, and triangulation as appropriate to enhance credibility of findings. Present results by showcasing exemplars that relate to the categories associated with the conceptual scheme and/or providing a cohesive narrative to demonstrate trustworthiness of the results. Authors should follow the SRQR standards for qualitative research.

Quantitative Observational Research

For observational quantitative studies (eg, cross-sectional, case-control, cohort), provide a clear description of the study design and rationale. Specify the study setting, sampling frame, participant eligibility criteria, recruitment procedures, and sample size determination, including any power or precision calculations. Describe the measurement tools, scales, or instruments used, including evidence of reliability and validity. For data collection, indicate the timing, frequency, and method of administration. Identify the primary and secondary outcome measures and explanatory variables. Describe procedures to ensure data quality, including training of data collectors and monitoring of data entry. Clearly state the statistical analysis plan, including methods used to control for potential confounding variables. Report how missing data were addressed. Authors should follow the STROBE guidelines for observational studies.

Results

Present your results in a logical sequence in the text, tables, and illustrations, giving the main or most important findings first. Do not repeat in the text all the data that appears in the tables or illustrations; emphasize or summarize only important observations. Supplemental materials and technical details can be placed in an appendix where it will be accessible but will not interrupt the flow of the text. When data are summarized in the Results section, give numeric results not only as derivatives (for example, percentages) but also as the absolute numbers from which the derivatives were calculated, and specify the statistical methods used to analyze them. Restrict tables and figures to those needed to explain the argument of the paper and to assess its support. Use graphs as an alternative to tables with many entries; do not duplicate data in graphs and tables. Where scientifically appropriate, analyses of the data by variables such as sex/gender, race/ethnicity, age, and other demographic factors should be included.

Discussion

The Discussion section should include a summary of key findings; strengths and limitations of the study (eg, study question, study design, data collection, analysis and interpretation); Interpretation and implications in the context of the totality of validity evidence (what this study adds to the available evidence, effects on healthcare, health policy, etc.). Also, it is incumbent upon authors to summarize validity evidence in light of modern validity theories (eg, authors should speak to the accuracy of results, appropriateness of inferences, considerations regarding intended use, etc.). Finally, the Discussion section should present any controversies raised by the study and present directions for future research.

Miscellaneous

Do not repeat in detail data or other material given in the Introduction or the Results section. Contributors should avoid making statements on economic benefits and costs unless their manuscript includes economic data and analyses. Avoid claiming priority and alluding to work that has not been completed. New hypotheses may be stated if needed; however, they should be clearly labeled as such.

Protection of Patients' Rights to Privacy

Identifying information should not be published in written descriptions, photographs, sonograms, CT scans, etc., and pedigrees unless the information is essential for scientific purposes and the patient (or parent or guardian, when applicable) gives written informed consent for publication. Authors should remove patients' names from figures unless they have obtained informed consent from the patients.

JOHS abides by ICMJE guidelines:

1. Authors, not the journals nor the publisher, need to obtain the patient consent form before publication and ensure that it is properly archived. The consent forms are not to be uploaded with the cover letter or sent through email to editorial or publisher offices.
2. If the manuscript contains patient images that preclude anonymity, or a description that has obvious indication of the identity of the patient, a statement about obtaining informed patient consent should be indicated in the manuscript.

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