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Formatting Guide for Authors
January 30, 2025
Formatting Guide for Submitting a Manuscript to LifeWorks
1. Manuscript Preparation
1.1 Word Limits
- Research Articles: Maximum of 5,000 words, excluding references, tables, and figure legends.
- Review Articles: Maximum of 7,000 words, excluding references, tables, and figure legends.
- Method Articles: Maximum of 7,000 words, excluding references, tables, and figure legends.
- Short Communications: Maximum of 2,500 words, excluding references, tables, and figure legends.
1.2 Font and Style
- Font: Times New Roman, 12-point.
- Spacing: Double-spaced throughout the manuscript.
- Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides.
1.3 Title
- Length: Titles should be 75 characters or shorter.
- Formatting: Titles should be in bold and centered at the top of the first page.
1.4 Structure
- Title Page: Include the title, authors' names, affiliations, corresponding author’s contact information, and a brief running title.
- Abstract: Maximum of 250 words, summarizing the key findings.
- Keywords: Provide 4-6 keywords for indexing purposes.
- Introduction: Briefly outline the background and objectives of the study.
- Materials and Methods: Describe the experimental design, materials, and procedures used.
- Results: Present the findings with appropriate statistical analysis.
- Discussion: Interpret the results and discuss their significance.
- Acknowledgements: List any funding sources, contributions, or acknowledgments.
- References: Follow the journal’s reference style, ensuring all cited works are listed.
2. Image Requirements
2.1 General Guidelines
- File Formats: Acceptable formats include PDF.
- Resolution: Minimum of 300 dpi for all images.
3. Figure Requirements
3.1 General Guidelines
- Number of Figures: 6-8 figures.
- File Format: PDF format.
- Figure Quality: Ensure high-quality resolution, with clear and legible data points.
3.2 Figure Legends
- Provide a concise legend for each figure, explaining the key elements and any abbreviations used.
- Number all figures consecutively (e.g., Figure 1, Figure 2).
- Label each panel clearly (e.g., A, B, C) and describe in the legend.
3.3 Submission Instructions
- Single Document: Include all manuscript text and figure text in a single MS Word document upon submission.
- Separate Files: Submit each figure as a separate PDF file.
4. Supplementary Data
4.1 General Guidelines
- File Format: PDF format.
- Purpose: Use supplementary data to provide additional information and explain results in greater detail.
5. Reference Requirements
5.1 Reference Formatting
- Citation Style: Use the journal’s preferred citation style.
- In-Text Citations: Include in-text citations in accordance with the journal’s style.
- Reference List: Provide a complete reference list at the end of the manuscript, ensuring all cited works are listed and formatted correctly.
5.2 Reference Management
- Software: Use reference management software (e.g., EndNote, Mendeley) to organize and format references.
- Remove EndNote code before submission
- Accuracy: Ensure all references are accurate and up-to-date.
6. Submission Process
- Manuscript Submission: Submit your manuscript through the journal’s online submission system.
- Cover Letter: Include a cover letter briefly introducing your work and its significance, as well as any relevant information for the editors.
- Supplementary Materials: If applicable, provide supplementary materials such as datasets, videos, or additional figures.
7. Ethical Considerations
- Author Contributions: Clearly state the contributions of each author.
- Conflict of Interest: Declare any potential conflicts of interest.
- Ethical Approval: Provide evidence of ethical approval for studies involving human or animal subjects.
Submitting a podcast alongside your scientific manuscript is a great way to provide additional context and engage your audience in a more dynamic way. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to go about it: Submitting a Podcast Alongside Your Scientific Manuscript Plan Your Podcast Outline Content : Plan the key points you want to cover, including how you developed the idea, tested your hypothesis, and completed the research. Engage Your Audience : Think about how to make the podcast engaging. Include personal anecdotes, interesting challenges, and insights into your scientific journey. Create the Podcast Recording Equipment : Use good-quality microphones and recording equipment to ensure clear audio. Script and Structure : Develop a script or outline to keep the podcast focused and informative. Ensure a logical flow of information. Edit and Enhance : Use editing software to refine the audio, add music, or sound effects to enhance the listening experience. Submit the Podcast Include with Manuscript : When submitting your manuscript, include a section in the cover letter explaining the podcast and providing a link or file. Promote Your Podcast Social Media and Networking : Once the manuscript and podcast are accepted, share them on social media, academic networks, and your lab’s website. Engage with Audience : Encourage your peers and followers to listen to the podcast and provide feedback. Example Cover Letter Section Dear Editors, I am pleased to submit our manuscript titled "[Title of the Paper]" for consideration in [Journal Name]. In addition to the manuscript, we have created a podcast that provides an in-depth look at how our research idea was developed, the hypotheses we tested, and the methods we employed to gain a better understanding of [scientific field]. The podcast can be accessed through the following link: [Podcast Link]. We believe this multimedia component will provide valuable context and engage a broader audience in our research. Thank you for considering our submission. Best regards, [Your Full Name] [Your Contact Information] Example Cover Letter Section By adding a podcast to your submission, you can share the story behind your research in a unique and compelling way. Good luck with your submission! If you need any further assistance, feel free to ask.
Editorial Process for Publishing in LifeWorks Submission Initial Submission : Authors submit their manuscript to the journal's submission system. Editorial Office Check : The manuscript is checked for compliance with the journal's guidelines and completeness. Preliminary Assessment Editor-in-Chief Review : The Editor-in-Chief (or a senior editor) reviews the manuscript to determine its suitability for the journal's scope and quality. Initial Decision : The manuscript can be either rejected at this stage or sent for peer review. Peer Review Reviewer Selection : The editor selects expert reviewers (usually 2-3) in the relevant field. Review Process : Reviewers evaluate the manuscript's quality, validity, originality, and significance. Reviewer Reports : Reviewers submit their reports and recommendations (accept, minor revisions, major revisions, or reject). Editorial Decision Editor Review : The editor reviews the reviewers' reports and makes an editorial decision. Decision Communication : The decision and reviewer feedback are communicated to the authors. Revisions Author Revisions : If revisions are requested, authors revise the manuscript and resubmit it. Re-review (if necessary) : The revised manuscript may be sent back to the reviewers for further evaluation. Final Decision Acceptance : If the manuscript meets all criteria, it is accepted for publication. Rejection : If the manuscript does not meet the required standards, it is rejected. Production Copyediting : The accepted manuscript undergoes copyediting to ensure clarity, consistency, and adherence to journal style. Proofreading : Authors review the proofs for any final corrections. Typesetting : The manuscript is formatted for publication. Publication Online : The article is published online. Post-Publication Promotion and Dissemination : The article is promoted through various channels to reach the target audience. This process ensures that scientific papers published in reputable journals meet high standards of quality, validity, and significance. If you have any questions or need more details, feel free to ask!