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 >>
Original Research Outline
Download the original research Word template and the title page template, which is uploaded as a separate file.
At a glance
| Purpose | Reports the findings of an original investigation. |
|---|---|
| Word limit | 3,500 words, excluding the abstract, the declaration sections (acknowledgments, artificial intelligence use, conflict of interest and funding, author notes), references, and tables. |
| Abstract | 350 words, structured under Introduction, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. |
| Figures and tables | Suggested maximum of 6 figures and 4 tables. |
| 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. |
| Reporting checklist | For randomized controlled trials in dogs and cats, use PetSORT. For randomized controlled trials generally, use CONSORT and its extensions, which cover pragmatic, non-inferiority and equivalence, and multi-arm parallel-group trials. For observational studies, including cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional designs, use STROBE or STROBE-Vet. For other designs, see the EQUATOR network or the NIH research reporting guidelines. |
Outline
- Title
- Abstract (structured, with Introduction, Methods, Results, and Conclusion)
- Keywords
- Introduction
- Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- 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.
