Original Research Articles are manuscripts presenting new, scientifically collected and analysed data and drawing conclusions supported by the reported evidence.

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Recommended structure

Title

Concise, specific and informative. Where appropriate, identify the study design in the title.

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Abstract

A structured abstract, generally up to approximately 250–300 words:

Background: Why the study was undertaken.

Objectives: Precise research question(s).

Methods: Study design, setting, participants/materials, variables, major procedures and statistical methods.

Results: Principal findings with relevant numerical results.

Conclusion: Main conclusion supported by the results.

Keywords: 3–6 keywords.

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Main Text

1. Introduction

The Introduction should:

• establish the background;

• summarize relevant existing knowledge;

• identify the knowledge gap/problem;

• explain the rationale for the study; and

• clearly state the objective/research question or hypothesis.

Avoid an excessively long literature review.

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2. Materials and Methods / Methodology

This section should provide sufficient detail for assessment and, where appropriate, replication of the research.

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It should include:

Study design

Specify whether the study is:

• cross-sectional;

• case-control;

• cohort;

• observational;

• experimental;

• diagnostic accuracy;

• qualitative;

• mixed-methods;

• randomized;

• retrospective/prospective; or another appropriate design.

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Study setting and period

State where and when the study was conducted.

Participants / Study population

Describe:

• eligibility criteria;

• inclusion criteria;

• exclusion criteria;

• recruitment;

• sampling method;

• sample size and rationale, where appropriate.

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Variables and measurements

Clearly define:

• exposure(s);

• outcome(s);

• predictors;

• confounders;

• diagnostic criteria;

• measurements and instruments.

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Data collection

Describe the data-collection procedure sufficiently for evaluation.

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Ethical considerations

State:

• ethics committee/IRB approval;

• approval number/date where appropriate;

• informed consent, when applicable;

• confidentiality protections.

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Statistical analysis

Describe:

• statistical software;

• statistical tests;

• assumptions;

• significance thresholds;

• confidence intervals;

• effect estimates;

• methods for handling missing data;

• adjustment for confounding, where relevant.

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Authors should avoid reporting only P values where effect estimates and confidence intervals would provide more meaningful information.

 

3. Results

Present findings in a logical order corresponding to the stated objectives.

Results should include, where appropriate:

• participant flow;

• baseline characteristics;

• primary findings;

• secondary findings;

• effect estimates;

• confidence intervals;

• statistical significance;

• adverse events;

• sensitivity/subgroup analyses.

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Do not duplicate identical information extensively in the text, tables and figures.

Results should contain findings, not interpretation.

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4. Discussion

The Discussion should:

1. Begin with the principal findings;

2. Explain their meaning;

3. Compare findings with previous literature;

4. Discuss plausible explanations;

5. Address strengths and limitations;

6. Discuss implications for medicine, forensic practice, law, ethics, health policy or future research, as applicable.

The discussion should not overstate the findings.

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5. Conclusion

Provide a concise conclusion directly supported by the results.

Do not introduce new data in the Conclusion.

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6. Declarations

As appropriate:

• Ethics approval

• Consent

• Consent for publication

• Funding

• Conflict of interest

• Author contributions

• Data availability

• Acknowledgements

• Trial registration

• AI-assisted technology disclosure