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Instructions for Authors

Before submitting your manuscript, please ensure that the following requirements have been met:

  • Review the journal's Aims and Scope to confirm that your manuscript is suitable for publication in this journal.
  • Prepare your manuscript using Microsoft Word
  • Verify that all aspects concerning publication ethics, research ethics, copyright, authorship, figure formats, data presentation, and reference formatting have been properly addressed in accordance with the journal's policies.

Confirm that all authors have approved the final version of the manuscript and have read and understood the Instructions for Authors prior to submission.

Overview of Manuscript Submission Process
Manuscript Preparation
Manuscript Formatting Requirements
Supplemental Materials
Guidelines for Specific Submission Categories
Authorship
Conflicts of Interest
Funding Statement
Research and Publication Ethics
Copyright and Open Access
Editorial Process and Peer-Review
Editorial Independence
Diversity
Article Processing Charge (APC) Statement
Refund Policy

Overview of Manuscript Submission Process

GMERJ uses an online submission and peer review system, Digital Commons, for the processing of all manuscripts. To submit your manuscript online, please follow the steps below.

  • Prepare your manuscript files according to the scientific and style instructions of the journal provided below.
  • Submit your manuscript at Submit manuscript
  • You may track the status of your article or submit revisions in the future via your My Account page. If you have any questions, please contact the Editorial Office at gmerj@unmc.edu
  • All eligible co-authors must be listed during the electronic submission. Ensure all co-authors are included and have read and approved the submitted version. The submitting author (usually the corresponding author) is responsible for the manuscript throughout submission and peer review.
  • All authors will receive correspondence during the submission and review process. After acceptance, the corresponding author listed on the title page of the manuscript file will receive all correspondence about copyrights, galley proofs, and publication details. 

Supplementary Files

  • Acceptable in any format; however, non-proprietary formats are preferred. Recommended formats include Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, PDF, JPEG, and TIFF.
  • Authors are responsible for making all supplemental files compliant with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and include alt text information for any image files. For more details, please refer to the journal's Editorial Policies.

Accepted file Submission

  • Submit your manuscript text in Microsoft Word format, which must contain the following sections: Title Page, Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Methods, Results, Conclusions, Acknowledgement, Funding Statement, Conflict of Interest Statement, Data Availability Statement, Ethics Statement, Author Contributions Statement, and Figures/Tables with captions. Provide ORCID IDs for all authors, if available.
  • Provide all relevant editable source files (excluding figures) with every submission and revision. Failing to submit a complete set of editable source files will result in your article not being considered for review.
  • Authors are responsible for making all files compliant with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and include alt text information for any image files. For more details, please refer to the journal's Editorial Policies.
  • References should be in AMA style; include authors, title, journal/book, year, volume/issue, page numbers. DOI number, if available.
  • Use reference managers like EndNote, Zotero, and Mendeley and review your references for citation style accuracy, once generated.
  • At the revision stage, manuscripts must be formatted according to journal guidelines.

Cover Letter

  • Cover letter should be included with every submission
  • Cover letter should explain the significance of the paper and justify why the manuscript fits the journal's scope.
  • Do not include proposed/excluded reviewers in the cover letter
  • Cover letters must include that the manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere and that all authors have approved the manuscript and agree to submit to GMERJ.

Manuscript Preparation

Title page

This page should contain the following in order.

  • Title: The title of your manuscript should be concise, specific, and relevant to the content. When gene or protein names are included, use the approved abbreviated form rather than the full name.
  • Author Information: Authors' first and last names must be provided; initials of middle names may be included. All authors should list their institutional affiliations, including institution name, city, state, and country. A maximum of two authors may be designated as first authors using a superscript symbol.
  • Corresponding Author: At least one author should be designated as the corresponding author. The corresponding author's full name, complete mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address should be provided.
  • ORCID ID. The 16-digit ORCID of the author(s) may be provided, if available. Author names should appear before their corresponding ORCID IDs.
  • Short title: A shortened title of not more than 40 characters (including spaces) should be provided to serve as a running head.
  • Acknowledgment: In this section, authors may acknowledge individuals, institutions, or support not covered in the author contributions or funding sections. For more details, please refer to the journal's Editorial Policies.
  • Conflict of Interest Disclosure: All authors are required to disclose any financial or non-financial interests that are directly or indirectly related to the submitted work for publication. For more details, please refer to the journal's Editorial Policies.
  • Funding Statement: All authors are required to disclose all sources of funding related to the submitted work for publication. For more details, please refer to the journal's Editorial Policies.
  • Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate: For studies involving human participants or animals, authors must provide a statement specifying approval by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or ethics committee, including the approval number. For more details, please refer to the journal's Editorial Policies.
  • Availability of Data and Materials: Authors are strongly encouraged to make all datasets supporting the conclusions of the manuscript publicly available or accessible upon request. For more details, please refer to the journal's Editorial Policies.
  • Declaration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies: Authors are required to disclose the use of AI or AI-assisted technologies in preparation of the manuscript. For more details, please refer to the journal's Editorial Policies.
  • Author Contributions: Individual contributions of each author must be clearly specified. For more details, please refer to the journal's Editorial Policies.
  • Word Count: Authors should provide the word count for the main text of the manuscript, excluding the title page, abstract, tables, figure legends, figures, and references. This helps editors and reviewers evaluate whether the content justifies the length and fits within the journal's format and word limits.
  • Figures and Tables: Authors should specify the total number of figures and tables in the manuscript to ensure that all referenced items are accounted for.

Abstract

  • The abstract should not exceed 300 words. Abbreviations should be defined in full upon first mention. Do not include references, figures, tables, websites, equations, or graphical elements structured under the subheadings.
  • Structured abstracts are required for Original Research, Systematic Reviews, and Meta-Analyses, and must include the following sections:
    • Background: Provide the context and purpose of the study.
    • Methods: Describe how the study was performed, including study design, setting, and population (if applicable), primary methodologies, and statistical tests used.
    • Results: Present key findings succinctly, including all pre-specified primary outcomes, effect sizes, exact p-values, and sample sizes.
    • Conclusions: Summarize the main findings and their potential implications.
    • Clinical Trial Registration (if applicable): Include the unique trial identifier and URL of the publicly accessible registry. For secondary analyses or data from public repositories, provide the dataset identifier, repository name, and accession number.

Keywords

  • Please provide four to six keywords that represent the main content of the article.

List of abbreviations

  • Please provide the list of abbreviations used in the text if needed.

Main Text

The main body should have the following format:

Introduction
  • Clearly state the study objectives and provide sufficient background.
  • Explain why the study was undertaken and the hypotheses tested.
  • Avoid detailed literature surveys or summarizing results.
  • All information must be referenced.
Materials and Methods
  • Describe materials and procedures in enough detail for replication.
  • Include sources for all materials, instruments, pharmaceuticals, reagents, and kits, specifying supplier and manufacturer location (city, state, country).
  • New methods should be described in detail; well-established methods can be summarized with citations.
  • Experiments involving humans must report consent procedures and confidentiality measures.
  • Experiments involving animals must follow ethical standards.
  • Use SI units throughout.
  • Statistical analysis
    • Clearly describe statistical tests, sample sizes, comparisons, alpha levels, and p-values.
    • Error bars should specify SD or SEM.
    • Use the term significant only for statistically significant results, accompanied by the relevant p-value.
    • Graphs and tables must indicate significance, with legends specifying compared groups.
    • State the statistical software used.
Results
  • Concisely summarize data presented in figures and tables without excessive repetition.
  • Apply appropriate statistical analyses as described in Methods.
  • Provide detailed information for all statistical tests.
  • References supporting results can be included in the Discussion.
Discussion
  • Explore the significance of results rather than repeating them.
  • Combined Results and Discussion sections are acceptable.
  • Avoid extensive citations and overly detailed literature discussion.
Conclusions
  • Mandatory for all submissions.

References

  • References should be in AMA style; include authors, title, journal/book, year, volume/issue, page numbers. DOI number, if available.
  • Use reference managers like EndNote, Zotero, and Mendeley, and review your references for citation style accuracy, once generated.

Manuscript Formatting Requirements

Manuscript file

  • Submit your manuscript in Microsoft Word format. Do not embed tables or figures. Please include the title page, abstract, keywords, main text, references, acknowledgment, and figure legends in a single file.
  • Double-space your text and use a single-column format.
  • The font should be a 12-point Times New Roman font. Check that the same font is used for the main text, tables, figures, and captions. At no time should the font be smaller than 12-point font, except for figures and tables labels, which should not be smaller than an 8-point font.
  • Page size should be 8.5 x 11-inches. All margins (left, right, top, and bottom) should be 1.0 inches (2.54 cm), including tables and figures.
  • Do not include page numbers or headers. You will have the opportunity to add a footer during the submission process, should you choose to do so.
  • Authors should thoroughly check their manuscripts for proper grammar and spelling. Authors whose first language is not English are strongly recommended to arrange their manuscripts to be written in grammatically correct English prior to submission. The manuscript can be returned without review solely based on poor English.
  • Authors are responsible for making all files compliant with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and include alt text information for any image files. For more details, please refer to the journal's Editorial Policies

References

  • It is the author's obligation to provide complete references with the necessary information.
  • GMERJ subscribes to the number system, meaning references are listed in numerical order (consecutively based upon appearance in text) and not in alphabetical order.
  • All citation numbers should be superscript and appear at the end of sentences (not within) and after the punctuation. The accuracy of references is the responsibility of the author.
  • List all authors' names in the reference if there are six or fewer authors. For more than six authors, please list the first six authors names, then use et al.
  • References should be in the AMA format style; include authors, title, journal/book, year, volume/issue, page numbers. DOI number, if available.
  • Using reference managers like EndNote, Zotero, and Mendeley is encouraged, and please review your references for citation style accuracy once generated.

The information to be given with each citation in the references is as follows:

Journal Articles
  • Are C, Stoddard HA, Huggett K, Franzen J, Mack A, Thompson JS. A regional perspective on the attitudes of fourth-year medical students toward the field of general surgery.J Surg Educ. 2009;66(3):123-128. doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2009.01.001
Books
  • Bayless TM, Diehl AM (eds). Advanced Therapy in Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases. London: BC Decker, 2005.
Book Chapters
  • Are C, Yeo CJ. Gastrinomas. Bayless TM, Diehl AM (eds). Advanced Therapy in Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases. London: BC Decker, 2005: 156-160
Abstracts
  • Dhir M, Lynette S, Ullrich F, et al. 989 Pre-Operative Nomogram to Predict Risk of Peri-Operative Mortality Following Hepatic Resections for Malignancy. Gastroenterology 2010, Volume 138, Issue 5, S-865
Website

Preparation of Table and Tables

All figures, tables, and images must be uploaded as separate files after the main text document has been uploaded in the Additional Files tab. Use the Description field to label the content and add a detailed caption. Each table and figure should be clearly numbered consecutively based on the order it is referenced in the main text.

Tables

  • Each table must be in a separate Microsoft Word file and named Table 1, Table 2, etc. Do not submit tables as images, Excel files, PDFs, or any other non-editable format.
  • Each table must be created as a true table with defined columns, rows, and cells. Do not use tabs or spaces to format tables.
  • Each data point should occupy its own cell.
  • Tables must be numbered sequentially in both the text and the table title, using only numerical order (1, 2, 3, etc.).
  • Provide a concise, full explanatory title above the table. Any additional explanatory text or notes should be placed below the table, not in the title.
  • Refer to notations within tables using sequential superscripted numbers (e.g., ¹, ², ³), not letters or symbols such as a or #.
  • Cite references in the rightmost column using the reference numbers from the reference list. Do not include author names or et al. in tables.
  • Avoid abbreviations whenever possible. If abbreviations not listed in the journal's terminology list are used, define them below the table.

Figures

Figure Requirement
  • Figures can be in JPEG, TIF, EPS, or PNG format and meet the minimum resolution requirement below.
  • Each figure should have a concise caption describing accurately what the figure depicts and be included in the manuscript text file, not in the figure file.
  • Image Resolution
    • 1200 dpi for line drawing (charts, simple bar graphs, or nonphotographic artwork).
    • 300 dpi for halftone art (black and white photographs) and color figures.
    • 600 dpi for combination art (a combination of halftone and line art, e.g., photographs that also contain line art, such as labeling or thin lines). NOTE: The text of a figure should be legible at full size (100% zoom).
  • Do not submit low-resolution (72 dpi) web-quality graphics (usually jpg or gif), where colors are unrealistic, text is illegible, or images are pixelated. The goal is to provide the highest quality images possible.
  • Letters, numbers, and symbols on figures must be clear, consistent, and legible. Font used within the figure should not be less than 8 for legibility. Units of measure should be labeled consistently with the text and figure legends. Do not include trial logos in the figures.
  • Photomicrographs and Clinical/Diagnostic Images: Include internal scale markers. Symbols, arrows, or letters must contrast with the background. Explain internal scale and staining methods. Radiological or pathology images must be high-resolution, with consistent lighting, intensity, and color for before-and-after comparisons.
  • Original Blot and Gel Images: Authors should provide original, uncropped, and unadjusted images for all blot and gel results. Upload all images in a zip folder for the main and supplemental figures in the Additional Files section. Annotate each image with corresponding figures and label lanes/loading order, and ensure labels do not obscure data or background bands. Comparative analyses must use samples/controls on the same blot/gel and do not splice images together.
  • Copyright Permissions: Authors are responsible for obtaining written permission from the copyright owner(s) to republish or reproduce previously published materials for both print and online formats. Please refer to the details in the Editorial Policies.
  • Human Subject Photograph: Authors are responsible for uploading a signed consent form with the manuscript if photographs of human subjects are used. The illustrative material must be de-identified of information such as patients' names, initials, or hospital numbers. Please refer to the details in the Editorial Policies.
Figure Layout
  • Each figure must be in a separate file and named Figure 1, Figure 2, etc., and each subfigure of a figure (if needed) should be named Figure 1A, 1B, etc.
  • Individually uploaded panels (A, B) will not be accepted.
  • Authors are strongly encouraged to limit figures to a maximum of 6 panels each.
Figure Legends
  • This section contains descriptive legends typed in double spacing for each figure.
  • Legends must define all abbreviations and acronyms used in the figure.
  • Any permissions needed should also be stated here.
In-text Citations
  • Cite figures using the format: Figure 1A, Figure 1B, Figure 2, etc.
  • Cite figures in ascending numeric order at their first appearance in the manuscript. Published figures are placed according to the location of their first citation and caption.  
  • Subfigures of a figure (e.g., Figure  2A, Figure 2B, Figure 2C) may be cited in any order, provided the whole figure is cited in numerical order.
  • Supplemental materials are cited as Supplementary Figure S1, Supplementary Table S1.

Supplemental Materials

  • Authors may upload supplemental data and files during the manuscript submission process. Each file should be clearly labeled with the manuscript title and the full list of authors. These files will be made available to reviewers during the peer-review process. While files may be submitted in any format, the use of common, non-proprietary formats is preferred. Recommended formats include Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, PDF, JPEG, and TIFF.
  • Authors are responsible for making all supplemental files compliant with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and include alt text information for any image files. For more details, please refer to the journal's Editorial Policies.

Guidelines for Specific Submission Categories

GMERJ will publish the following types of manuscripts: Original Research, Literature Reviews (Systematic and Meta-Analysis), Case Reports, Brief Reports, Perspectives/Commentaries, Letters to the Editor, and Creative Works.

Original Research

  • The journal welcomes original research manuscripts that present scientifically sound experiments and provide substantial contributions to new knowledge. Manuscript should include the following sections: Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, with full details of findings that fully address the study aims or hypothesis.
    • Abstract: Structured
    • Word limit: 3,000 words (excluding the title page, abstract, references, tables, and/or figures)
    • Figures and tables: No more than 7

Reviews

  • Literature Reviews: Literature reviews must critically evaluate and synthesize the scholarly literature on a specific topic.
    • Abstract: Unstructured
    • Word limit: Up to 6,000 words (excluding the title page, abstract, references, tables, and/or figures)
    • Figures and tables: No more than 7
  • Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis employ structured and transparent methods to collect, evaluate, and synthesize evidence from existing research, qualitatively or quantitatively. We strongly recommend that reviews follow the PRISMA Guidelines Checklist.
    • Abstract: Structured
    • Word limit: Up to 6,000 words (excluding the title page, abstract, references, tables, and/or figures)
    • Figures and tables: No more than 7

Case Reports

  • A case report presents an interesting or rare clinical case that offers a novel and valuable learning opportunity. It should include the following sections: Abstract, Introduction, Case Presentation, Discussion, and Conclusion. Case reports, even if de-identified, must also include patient consent. This may be uploaded as an Additional File at the end of the submission process.
    • Abstract: Structured
    • Word limit: Up to 1,500 words (excluding the title page, abstract, references, tables, and/or figures)
    • Figures and tables: No more than 5

Brief Reports

  • Brief reports provide a summary of a new initiative or pilot study. It should include the following sections: Abstract, Introduction, Case Presentation, Discussion, and Conclusion.
    • Abstract: Unstructured
    • Word limit: Up to 1,000 words (excluding the title page, abstract, references, tables, and/or figures)
    • Figures and tables: No more than 3

Perspective/Commentary

  • Perspectives and commentaries offer views and opinions on issues that are well-supported by evidence.
    • Abstract: Not required
    • Word limit: Up to 1,000 words (excluding the title page, abstract, references, tables, and/or figures)
    • Figures and tables: No more than 3

Letters to the Editor

  • Letters to the Editor provide comments on articles published in the GMERJ and are limited to 500 words.
    • Abstract: Not required
    • Word limit: Up to 500 words (excluding the title page, abstract, references, tables, and/or figures)
    • Figures and tables: No more than 1

Creative Works

  • Creative works are original works by the author(s), including cover art, or any other novel items related to arts, humanities, and well-being in medicine (photography, sketches, sculpture, creative writing, among others). The work should include a short creative essay (500 words or less) explaining how the meaning of the piece is relevant to medicine.
    • Abstract: Not required
    • Word limit: Up to 500 words (excluding the title page, abstract, references, tables, and/or figures)
    • Figures and tables: No more than 1

Conference Proceedings

  • Conference proceedings include abstracts presented at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Annual Graduate Medical Education Research Symposium. Published abstracts fall into the following categories: Original Research, Review, and Case Reports. Each abstract is limited to 300 words (excluding title page, tables, and/or figures) and may include one figure or table.

Authorship

  • GMERJ follows ICMJE authorship recommendations to ensure fair and transparent credit. Authors must make significant contributions, approve the final version, and accept accountability for the work. The primary affiliation should reflect where most of the research was conducted. The corresponding author manages communication and publication responsibilities. Any authorship changes require approval from all authors and a formal request before acceptance; disputes are resolved per journal guidelines, and no changes are permitted after acceptance
  • For full details, please refer to the journal's Editorial Policies.

Conflicts of Interest

  • GMERJ follows ICMJE guidelines for declaring conflicts of interest among authors. A conflict of interest is any financial or non-financial factor that could influence the conduct, interpretation, or evaluation of research.
  • Authors must disclose all potential conflicts, including financial ties (e.g., funding, employment, stock ownership, consulting fees, or family financial interests) and non-financial associations (e.g., organizational affiliations, memberships, beliefs, personal relationships, or editorial roles)
  • For full details, please refer to the journal's Editorial Policies.

Funding Statement

  • All research articles must include a Funding Statement. For full details, please refer to the journal's Editorial Policies.

Research and Publication Ethics

Copyright and Open Access

Editorial Process and Peer-Review

  • GMERJ maintains a rigorous and transparent peer-review and editorial process to ensure the highest quality of published work. All reviews are conducted by qualified researchers and scholars.
  • For more information, please refer to the journal's Peer-Review and Editorial Process.

Editorial Independence

Diversity

  • GMERJ promotes diversity and inclusion by encouraging editorial boards to be diverse and ensuring equal opportunities regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, religion, or socio-economic status, with a strict stance against discrimination.

Article Processing Charge (APC) Statement

  • Effective July 1, 2025, an Article Processing Charge (APC) of $150 will apply to all accepted manuscripts. There is no fee for submission, and the APC is charged only upon acceptance after peer review. The fee covers publication costs and may include service charges where applicable. Creative works are exempt from the APC.

Refund Policy

  • Authors must pay the Article Processing Charge (APC) upon acceptance of their manuscript for publication. No refunds will be issued after acceptance.