Innovative Journal of Medical Imaging

Manuscript Structure

When preparing your manuscript for submission, please make sure all required components are included and properly organised. The title page should be submitted as a separate file to maintain a blinded review process and must include the full title of the paper, names of all authors with their affiliations, complete contact details of the corresponding author, total number of figures, tables, graphs, etc. A cover letter, also submitted separately, should briefly introduce your study to the Editor-in-Chief, highlight its importance, and confirm that it follows all journal guidelines.

The manuscript should include an abstract, which provides a clear and concise summary of the study, following the format required as per the article type. The main text forms the core of the paper and should be divided into standard sections. The introduction explains the background, research problem, and objectives. The methods section describes how the study was conducted, including design, participants, and procedures, in enough detail for others to replicate it. The results section presents the findings clearly, often supported by tables and figures. The discussion interprets the results, explains their significance, compares them with existing research, and mentions any limitations. Finally, the conclusion summarises the main findings and may suggest future directions.

A declaration or ethical statement section should be included after the conclusion to thank individuals or organisations that contributed to the work but do not meet authorship criteria. This section must include an ethical statement, author contributions, conflict of interest, funding statement, acknowledgements, and data availability statement​​​​​. Tables, figures, graphs, and charts should be placed on separate pages after the references, each with a clear and appropriate heading. Make sure all visuals are of high quality to ensure good clarity and readability.

Formatting Specification 

To ensure consistency and facilitate the peer review and production process, all manuscripts submitted to IJMI must adhere to the following technical formatting guidelines. Non-compliance may result in the return of the manuscript for correction before peer review.

• Font Size: Use Times New Roman, 12-point font throughout the entire document.
• Line Spacing: The manuscript must be single-spaced.
• Margins: Set page margins to 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides (top, bottom, left, right).
• Text Alignment: All body text must be fully justified.
• Page Numbering: Include continuous page numbers, preferably in the footer (e.g., 1, 2, 3...) right-sided.
• Figure Table Numbering: Number all Figures and Tables sequentially in the order they are first cited in the text (e.g., Fig. 1, Table 1, Fig. 2, Table 2). Each must have a concise, descriptive caption.

Article Type and Specifications

The Innovative Journal of Medical Imaging welcomes a broad range of scholarly contributions that advance knowledge and practice in medical imaging, radiography, radiological sciences, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), artificial intelligence in imaging, and related healthcare disciplines. Authors should select the article category that best matches the nature and scope of their work and adhere to the specific requirements outlined below.

Original Research Articles

Original Research Articles present new findings from experimental, clinical, observational, technical, or methodological research that contribute to the advancement of medical imaging. These manuscripts should include a structured abstract (250–300 words) with the headings Background, Objectives, Materials and Methods, Results, and Conclusion, followed by the main sections: Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Declarations, and References. The study should have clear objectives, a well-described methodology, appropriate data analysis, and conclusions supported by the findings. The Declarations section should provide details of ethical approval, participant consent (if applicable), funding, conflicts of interest, author contributions, acknowledgements, and data availability. References should be formatted according to the journal's prescribed citation style.

Review Articles (Narrative Review and Mini Review)

Review Articles provide a comprehensive and balanced overview of published research on a specific topic in medical imaging. They should summarise and critically analyse the existing evidence, highlight current developments, identify gaps in knowledge, and suggest areas for future research. A typical manuscript should include the sections Introduction, Literature Review, Critical Analysis and Discussion, Future Perspectives, Conclusion, Declarations, and References. The review should present a clear and well-organised discussion supported by relevant and up-to-date literature. Where applicable, the Declarations section should include information such as funding, conflicts of interest, author contributions, acknowledgements, and data availability. References should be prepared according to the journal's prescribed citation style.

Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses present a comprehensive and evidence-based summary of published research on a clearly defined research question. These manuscripts should follow the PRISMA 2020 reporting guidelines and include a structured abstract (250–300 words) with the headings Background, Objectives, Data Sources, Study Selection, Results, and Conclusion. The main manuscript should be organised into Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Limitations, Conclusion, Declarations, and References. Authors should clearly describe the literature search, study selection, data extraction, quality assessment, and, where applicable, statistical methods used for meta-analysis. The Declarations section should include relevant information on ethical approval (if applicable), funding, conflicts of interest, author contributions, acknowledgements, and data availability. A completed PRISMA 2020 Checklist and PRISMA Flow Diagram must be submitted as supplementary files, and references should be formatted according to the journal's prescribed citation style.

Case Reports

Case Reports describe rare, unusual, or clinically significant cases that provide important learning points for diagnosis, treatment, or medical imaging practice. Manuscripts should include an unstructured abstract (150–200 words) and the sections Introduction, Case Presentation, Discussion, Conclusion, Patient Consent Statement, Declarations, and References. Written informed patient consent is mandatory, and references should follow the journal's prescribed citation style.

Case Series

Case Series report a group of related clinical cases that highlight important imaging findings, disease patterns, or clinical experiences. Manuscripts should include a structured abstract (200–250 words) with the headings Background, Case Descriptions, Results/Findings, and Conclusion, followed by Introduction, Case Descriptions, Results or Comparative Analysis, Discussion, Conclusion, Patient Consent Statement, Declarations, and References. Written informed patient consent is required, and references should be prepared according to the journal's prescribed citation style.

Technical Notes and Short Communications

Technical Notes and Short Communications present brief reports on new imaging techniques, protocol improvements, software tools, quality assurance methods, pilot studies, or preliminary research with practical clinical or technical value. Manuscripts should be organised into Introduction, Technical Description or Methodology, Applications and Significance, Conclusion, Declarations, and References, with references prepared according to the journal's prescribed citation style.

Editorial

Editorials are short articles that provide expert opinions or perspectives on important developments, emerging trends, policy updates, or current issues in medical imaging and radiological sciences. They should present clear insights supported by relevant evidence where appropriate and generally include Introduction, Main Discussion, Conclusion, and References.

Mandatory Declaration Section

All manuscripts, where applicable, must include a Declarations section immediately after the Conclusion and before the References. This section should contain statements regarding Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate, Author Contributions, Conflict of Interest,  Funding, Acknowledgements, and Data Availability. These declarations promote transparency, research integrity, and compliance with ethical publishing standards, allowing readers to clearly understand the ethical considerations, sources of support, individual author roles, and accessibility of the underlying research data.

Reference Formatting: Vancovour/NLM

General Principles: Sequential numbering by first text citation, Journal abbreviations per Index Medicus, DOI inclusion when available, Access dates for online resources

Author Listing Protocol: 1-3 authors: List all, 3+ authors: First 3 + "et al."

Reference Examples:

1. Journal Article: Smith AB, Jones CD, Lee EF, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of ultra-high-resolution CT for pulmonary nodules. Radiol Imaging. 2024;12(3):145-152. doi:10.1007/s10278-024-00989-x
2. Book: Webb WR, Higgins CB. Thoracic Imaging: Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Radiology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams Wilkins; 2023.
3. Book Chapter: Miller FH. MRI of the liver. In: Gazelle GS, Saini S, Mueller PR, eds. Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Radiology. New York, NY: Thieme; 2024: 234-267.
4. Online Resource: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Breast Cancer. Version 3.2024. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/breast.pdf. Published March 15, 2024. Accessed December 11, 2024.