Author Guidelines: Journal of Research in Traditional Medicine (JRTM)

1. General Submission Policy

• Online Submission Only: Manuscripts must be submitted exclusively via the online manuscript submission system. Submissions sent via email or other methods will not be accepted.
• Duplicate Submission: Manuscripts must be original. Authors must not submit the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously.
• Revisions: Do not initiate a new submission for a revised manuscript. Revised versions should be uploaded to the existing submission record.
• Authorship Limit: The journal accommodates a maximum of four (4) authors per manuscript.
• Exception: Requests for additional authors must be justified in writing by the Corresponding Author and are subject to approval by the Editor-in-Chief.
• Best Practices: JRTM adheres to the ethical principles and best practices recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).

2. Manuscript Preparation

• File Format: Manuscripts should be submitted in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx).
• Page Layout: A4 size paper, 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins on all sides.
• Typography: Times New Roman, font size 12.
• Spacing: 1.5 line spacing throughout the document.
• Page Numbering: Pages must be numbered consecutively, starting from the title page.
• Figures and Tables:
• Must be placed within the main text at the location where they are first cited/discussed.
• Note: High-resolution versions of all figures/images must also be uploaded separately as supplementary files during submission.

3. Article Types and Requirements

Word counts exclude the abstract, references, tables, and figure legends.

Article Type	Word Limit	Abstract Type	Key Requirements
Original Research	3000 words	Structured	Adherence to CONSORT/STROBE guidelines.
Review Article	2500 words	Unstructured/Structured	Comprehensive analysis of current literature.
Case Series	2000 words	Structured	Reporting on 3+ cases; adherence to CARE guidelines.
Case Report	1500 words	Unstructured	Unique clinical presentation or therapeutic intervention.
Short Communication	Editorial Discretion	Unstructured	Concise study findings or preliminary data.

4. Abstract and Keywords

• Requirement: A structured abstract is mandatory for Original Research, Systematic Reviews, and Meta-Analyses.
• Length: Maximum 250 words.
• Structure:
1. Background: Context and rationale.
2. Objective: The primary aim of the study.
3. Materials and Methods: Study design, participants, intervention, and duration.
4. Results: Key findings (include statistical significance, e.g., p-values).
5. Principal Conclusion: The clinical or scientific implication.
• Keywords: Provide 4–6 keywords below the abstract, arranged in alphabetical order. Use Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) where possible.

5. Manuscript Structure (IMRAD)

For Original Research, the manuscript must follow the IMRAD format:

1. Abstract & Keywords
2. Introduction
3. Materials and Methods
4. Results
5. Discussion
6. Conclusion
7. References

(Other article types may follow formats appropriate to their content, though clear section headings are encouraged.)

6. Language, Style, and Transliteration

• English Proficiency: Manuscripts must be written in clear, precise, and unambiguous English. While high-level native proficiency is not mandatory, poor grammar that obscures meaning may result in rejection.
• Sanskrit and Ayurvedic Terms:
• Sanskrit terms must be written in italics.
• The first letter must be capitalised (e.g., Vata, Pitta, Yashtimadhu).
• Exceptions: Do not italicise names of Acharyas (e.g., Sushruta, Charaka) or the word "Ayurveda".
• Translation: An English translation or brief explanation of Sanskrit terms is mandatory at the first mention in the text.

7. Ethical Standards and Publication Ethics

7.1 Authorship (ICMJE Criteria)

All listed authors must meet all four of the following criteria:

1. Substantial contributions to the conception/design of the work or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data.
2. Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content.
3. Final approval of the version to be published.
4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

7.2 Ethics Approval

• Human Studies: Approval number from an Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) or Review Board (IRB) is mandatory for original research.
• Consent: Written informed consent is mandatory for clinical studies and case reports involving patients.
• Animal Studies: Must comply with CPCSEA or relevant national ethical guidelines.

7.3 Clinical Trial Registration

• All clinical trials must be registered in a public registry (e.g., CTRI, NCT).
• The registration number must be explicitly stated in the "Materials and Methods" section.

7.4 Conflict of Interest & Funding

• Authors must disclose all financial and non-financial conflicts of interest.
• All funding sources must be acknowledged.
• If no conflicts exist, state: "The authors declare no conflicts of interest."

7.5 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

• AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly) may be used for language editing and proofreading only.
• AI tools cannot be listed as authors.
• The use of any AI tool must be disclosed in the "Materials and Methods" or "Acknowledgements" section.

7.6 Plagiarism

• JRTM maintains a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism, data fabrication, and duplicate publication.
• All manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software. High similarity indices will result in immediate rejection.

8. Title Page and Blinded Submission

To ensure a double-blind peer review, the submission must be separated into two files:

File A: Title Page (Upload separately) Must include:

• Article title and running title.
• Full names, degrees, and institutional affiliations of all authors.
• Contact details (email, phone, address) of the Corresponding Author.
• Funding source details.
• Word count.
• Conflict of Interest declaration.
• Acknowledgements (if any).

File B: Main Manuscript (The Blinded File)

• Must contain the Title, Abstract, Text, Tables, Figures, and References.
• Crucial: Must NOT contain author names, affiliations, or any identifying information.

9. Reporting Guidelines

Authors are strongly encouraged to use the following checklists to ensure completeness:

• CONSORT: Randomised Controlled Trials
• STROBE: Observational Studies
• CARE: Case Reports
• PRISMA: Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
• Other Guidelines as per Equator Network applicable to respective article types. 

10. Referencing Style (Vancouver)

JRTM follows the Vancouver style. References must be numbered consecutively in the order of appearance in the text, cited as superscripts before punctuation (e.g., malnutrition¹.).

10.1 Journal Articles

Standard: Skalsky K, Yahav D, Bishara J, et al. Treatment of human brucellosis: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2008;336(7646):701–4. (Note: If more than 6 authors, list the first 6 followed by "et al.")

10.2 Books

Entire Book: Speroff L, Fritz MA. Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005.

Chapter in Book: Brown J. Endometriosis. In: Speroff L, Fritz MA, editors. Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005. p.1103–33.

10.3 Ayurveda Classical Texts

With Commentary: Sushruta, Dalhana. Sushrutasamhita with Nibandhasangraha commentary. Visarpanadisthanarogachikitsaadhyaya, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 17, Verse 29–33. Acharya JT, editor. 9th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2008. p.468.

Without Commentary: Sushruta. Sushrutasamhita. Visarpanadisthanarogachikitsaadhyaya, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 17, Verse 29–33. Acharya JT, editor. 9th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2008. p.468.

Repeated Citation: Use Ibid if referring to the immediately preceding text with a different verse/page. Ibid. Sushrutasamhita. Chikitsa Sthana 17/34–35;469.

10.4 Theses and Dissertations

Srihari S. An applied study on enhancement of Medha (intelligence quotient) in school-going children with Yashtimadhu Choorna [PhD thesis]. Jamnagar: Gujarat Ayurved University; 2012.

11. Peer Review Process

• Method: Double-blind peer review (Authors blinded to Reviewers; Reviewers blinded to Authors).
• Timeline: Average review time is 6–8 weeks. Authors are requested to wait for this period before enquiring about status.

12. Publication Charges (APC)

Article Processing Charges are payable only peer review. There are no submission fees.

• Indian Authors: EUROS 50 (or INR equivalent) (w.e.f 01/04/2026)
• International Authors: EUROS 50 (w.e.f 1/04/2026)

12.1 Fee Waiver (Indian Authors Only)

• Full or partial waivers are available for eligible Indian authors based on scientific merit and financial need.
• Waiver requests must be submitted during the initial submission (cover letter). Retroactive requests after acceptance will not be entertained.
  
  

Templates: 

1. Review Article 

Last updated: 31/03/2026