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 >>
Opinion Outline
Download the opinion Word template and the title page template, which is uploaded as a separate file.
An opinion article states a position and supports it with published evidence. Claims should be referenced in the same way as in any other article type. An opinion article is not a review, and it is not a vehicle for reporting original data.
At a glance
| Purpose | An evidence-based perspective intended to promote discussion or new thinking on a question facing the field. |
|---|---|
| Word limit | 1,500 words, excluding the abstract, the declaration sections (acknowledgments, artificial intelligence use, conflict of interest and funding, author notes), references, and tables. |
| Abstract | None required. |
| Figures and tables | As needed to support the argument. |
| 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. |
Outline
- Title
- Keywords
- Introduction, stating the question and why it matters
- Argument, organized into subsections appropriate to the topic
- Conclusion
- 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.
