The Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health (JSMCAH) is a society-published, open-access, continuous publication, peer-reviewed journal of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. JSMCAH publishes research that advances shelter and community animal health, welfare, and access to veterinary care, promoting evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for animals and the people who care for them. Learn more >>
Data Paper Outline
Download the data paper Word template and the title page template, which is uploaded as a separate file.
The purpose of a data paper is to describe a dataset and make it findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR). It does not report the findings of the data. Examples can be found at Data in Brief. The data must be publicly shared in a repository and referenced here.
Data papers are reviewed single-blind rather than double-blind. Reviewers have to open the deposited dataset to assess it, and a repository record identifies whoever deposited it, so the reviewer will usually be able to identify the authors. Reviewers remain anonymous to authors until publication, and are bound by the same conflict of interest rules as for every other article type. See the Peer Review Process.
At a glance
| Purpose | Describes a dataset and the circumstances of its collection so that others can reuse it. |
|---|---|
| Word limit | 2,000 words, excluding the abstract, the declaration sections (acknowledgments, artificial intelligence use, conflict of interest and funding, author notes), references, and tables. |
| Abstract | 200 words, unstructured. Do not include findings or interpretation. |
| Figures and tables | Suggested maximum of 3 figures and tables combined. |
| Keywords | Five to ten keywords, drawn from MeSH where possible. Enter each keyword separately in the submission form rather than as one comma-separated string. |
| Flexibility | Word limits may be extended where necessary. Include a brief justification in your cover letter to the editor. |
| Data deposit | The dataset must be publicly available in a repository such as Figshare, Open Science Framework, or Zenodo, and cited in the manuscript by its DOI. |
Outline
- Title
- Abstract (unstructured)
- Keywords
- Repository location
- Potential value of the data
- Background
- Data description
- Methods
- Limitations
- References
- Author contributions
- Artificial intelligence use
- Acknowledgments
- Conflict of interest and funding
- Author notes
- Figures and tables
- Supplementary material
Before you submit
Review the Instructions for Authors for the requirements that apply to every submission, including double-blind masking, ethical review, CRediT author contributions, the artificial intelligence use statement, and AMA reference style. The submission checklist lists what you will be asked to confirm.
