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ONLINE SUBMISSIONS

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AUTHOR GUIDELINES

INFORMATION FOR AUTHORS

The PACIFIC HEALTH DIALOG provides a platform for researchers and clinicians in the Pacific Pacific-rim countries to disseminate and share their research evidence and value narratives with each other and the world.  We aim for the Journal to be a forum that will disseminate new scientific findings in the field of Pacific health. But furthermore, we aim to be a forum that will generate debate and innovation in practice and policy that will lead to an improvement in health outcomes.

INTRODUCTION

Authors are requested to submit their papers electronically by using the Online submission tab on top of the Home page. The authors will be guided through a series of steps in the submission process. Authors are requested to submit the letter to the editor, text, tables, figures and any other attachment through this process. Authors who are seriously challenged by the online process can email the Journal Manager for assistance. 

The Journal is Open Access so that scientific knowledge is accessible and shared for the benefit of patient care. All articles are subjected to peer review to ensure scientific rigour and quality. We invite all articles that address any aspect of health especially the following:

Capacity building  - workforce and professional development

Training and education

Practice improvement and service delivery

All aspects of health improvement and promotion

We accept original research articles, literature reviews, dissertations, clinical perspectives, short reports, case reports, editorials and correspondence.  

We also welcome innovation in storytelling - as Pacific people share stories in narration and oratory and music. As long as it is related to health and innovative, we will consider it.

 STRUCTURE OF MANUSCRIPT

Title page/s

The title page should have the:

• title of the article - for original research articles, the methods used should be stated 


• short title if applicable (6 words)


• list the full names, institutional addresses and email addresses for all authors. Only the lead author's email will be published.


• indicate the corresponding author


• Funding
  
  
  
  • Acknowledge any sources of funding and material support for your research. e.g. AE received funding from Fisher and Sons.
  
  
  • Competing interests
    
    
    
    • All authors are to declare all potential, perceived, or real competing interests. If an author has no potential conflicts, please state. e.g. AE received funding from the suppliers of Coconut IUS for this project.
    
    
    • list how each author listed contributed to the research project and paper
      
      
      
      • e.g. AE conceived the research question, collected the data and assisted with writing the manuscript; TK performed the analysis and drafted the manuscript.
      
      
      • According to ICMJE guidelines, an 'author' is someone who has made a significant intellectual contribution to a published study. To qualify as an author one should 1) have made substantial contributions to concept and design, or data acquisition, or data analysis and interpretation; 2) have been involved in drafting the manuscript or revising it critically for important intellectual content; 3) have given final approval of the version to be published; and 4) agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. Each author should have participated sufficiently in the work to take public responsibility for appropriate portions of the content. Acquisition of funding, the collection of data, or general supervision of the research group, alone, does not justify authorship.
      
      
      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

Suggest names of two reviewers - authorities and email addresses who can review your manuscript. They must not be related to he research work and the may not necessarily be asked.

Keep the Title page/s separate from the main paper to assist the blind review process.

Main paper

The Main paper should have:

The title of the manuscript

A structured abstract

This should be structured into the following headings:

Introduction, Methods, Findings and Conclusions.

It must outline the most important aspects of the work. Check to make sure the abstract agrees with the content of the paper or it is better to write the abstract after the content of the manuscript is written. Avoid abbreviations. The maximum number 300 words.

Keywords : Up to five keywords or phrases suitable for use in an index (MeSH terms suggested)

Word Count: 3500 (including abstract but not including tables, figures and references).

Number of figures and tables

Main text

Prepared in Word or similar word processing software. The formatting must be:

Cambria font size 12

1.5 line spacing including tables and references.

Footnotes are not allowed but EndNote/Mendeley is allowed.

Line numbering will assist peer review. Do not insert page breaks.

No special formatting is needed.

Follow the usual structure of: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusion.

Introduction: 

This should be a concise analysis of the current understanding of the topic or a background for the study, including current gaps in knowledge. Should contain the study aim with both primary and secondary objectives of the work. Reports of clinical research should, where appropriate, include a summary of a search of the literature to indicate why this study was necessary and what it aimed to contribute to the field. The section should end with a brief statement of what is being reported in the article.

Methods:

Description of the study design, setting, study population, inclusion and exclusion criteria, how outcomes were measured and the method used for analysis.  Ethical approval is required for all research projects that involve human participants. Approval should be stated in the methods. Results of statistical analysis should include, where appropriate, relative and absolute risks or risk reductions, and confidence intervals.

Results:

Include absolute numbers as well as percentages, and provide indicators of measure of uncertainty or error, such as confidence intervals, as well as P values.  Do not duplicate in the text all the data in tables or figures but summarise the key findings. This section can be broken into subsections with informative headings.

Discussion:

Summarise the main findings and interpret them in the context of previous relevant studies. State the strengths and limitations of the research and discuss the implications of the findings with respect to practice, policy or future research.

Tables

The tables should be self-explanatory without referring to the text. Information should not be duplicated in both text and tables. Be sure that each table is cited in the text. Number tables consecutively in the order of their first citation in the text and supply a brief title for each. Please provide tables after the text. Place explanations in footnotes, not in the heading. Explain in footnotes all non-standard abbreviations.  Identify statistical measures of variations, such as standard deviations and standard errors of the mean.

The table can be highlighted using symbols or bold text, the meaning of which should be explained in a table legend. Tables should not be embedded as figures or spreadsheet files. Identify each table with a brief title (as few words as possible; reserve abbreviations for the key) and with an Arabic number (Table 1, Table, 2, etc.) in the order in which it is cited in the text. Each column, including the first, must have a heading. Put all explanatory matter in footnotes, including the spelling out of any nonstandard abbreviations used in the table.

Figures or illustrations

Use figures when pictures can convey more than words and numbers. Graphs, charts and line drawings should be clean, sharp and of a high standard of reproduction. Photographs must be good quality, clear in detail, and should be submitted in digital (jpg) format.

There is no charge for the use of colour figures although colours should be used sparingly. Submit figures online, each as a separate image file (e.g., *.bmp, *.jpeg), not embedded in the manuscript document or in a slide presentation. Cite figures sequentially, as they appear in the text, with Arabic numbers (Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3A, etc).

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgement should be made of those who do not meet the criteria for authorship but who have made contributions to the design, data collection or manuscript preparation.

Appendices

Material that is not essential to the article, but is useful to some readers, may be published in Appendices. Appendices should be referred to in the main text and must conform to the same standards and style as the body of the article. Identify appendices and submit with the manuscript. Prepare lengthy appendices as one or more separate electronic files. Appendices will not be formatted and may be published as submitted.

References

Authors are responsible for the accuracy of references. Accepted manuscripts will be returned to have the correct referencing actioned. References should be numbered with superscript Arabic numerals in consecutive numerical order of appearance. The reference should be placed immediately after the punctuation mark with no space as they do in the BMJ.

E.g., Correct.¹     Incorrect. 1 Incorrect1.

Please avoid excessive referencing. The bibliography must be fully formatted before submission. Do not use MS Word’s footnotes feature to compile references although EndNote or Mendeley and similar can be used. Reference format should follow the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. http://www.icmje.org There is no need to abbreviate journal titles. Any work that is unpublished, including abstracts, data and personal communications should not be included in the reference list. The unpublished work may be included in the text and referred to as "unpublished comments".

For samples of reference citation formats, authors should consult http://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/uniform_requirements.html. Note the references should have the names of the first five authors and then et al. 

TYPES OF MANUSCRIPT

1. Editorials

These are usually invited but we will accept an editorial that is well written and complements a theme or original research manuscript.  Maximum word length is 1500.

2. Original Research

i. Quantitative research

Maximum word count: 3500 words (excluding Title page, Tables, Figures, Appendices and References)

Abstract: Should have the sub-headings Introduction, Aim, Methods, Results, Discussion (Max 350 words).

Main text: Original research papers should follow the structure: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusion.

Introduction:  A short and concise analysis of the current understanding of the topic or background for the study, including a current gap or problem within this current knowledge. Should contain the study aim with both primary and secondary objectives of the work.

Methods: Description of the study design, setting, study population, inclusion and exclusion criteria, how outcomes were measured and the method used for analysis.  Ethical approval is required for a research project that involves human participants should include confirmation of approval

Results: Include absolute numbers as well as percentages, and provide indicators of measure of uncertainty or error, such as confidence intervals, as well as P values.  Do not duplicate in the text all the data in tables or figures but summarise the key findings.

Discussion: Summarise the main findings and interpret them in the context of previous relevant studies. State the strengths and limitations of the research and discuss the implications of the findings with respect to practice, policy or future research. 

   ii. Qualitative research

Maximum word count: 3500 words (excluding Title page, Tables, Figures and References)

Abstract: Should have the sub-headings Introduction, Methods, Findings, Conclusion. (Max 350 words)

Main text: Main Text should follow the same structure as for quantitative research.

Findings: Include sufficient quotes to support the conclusions, numbered to indicate the respondent. These can either be inserted in the text (in italics and indented) or presented in table form with themes and sub-themes illustrated by appropriate quotes.

Discussion: Include the key findings, explaining why these are significant, comprehend contrast methodological strengths and weaknesses of the study, and make a general conclusion that is based on the most important findings from the data.

3. Literature review

Literature reviews (3000 words) need to be systematic and thorough and will be considered in cases where this is a preliminary step to intended research. The review will be considered only if results have found a significant gap in current areas of reproductive health research and are well thought through.

4. Clinical Audit

Please follow instructions for original papers with respect to title, keywords, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion and references (maximum words 1000).

Abstract: a short summary of the main points (Max 100 words).

Introduction: background to the problem/s identified, literature discussion, a best practice or standard identified and comparisons of standards. Is the standard relevant to the setting?

Methods: type of data and how it was collected and analysed.

Findings: the use of diagrams and figures may reduce text use. Should have comparisons of current practice to the identified standard. Publication is not dependent on identifying a gap.

Discussion: should have points as to why there was a difference (if any) between observed practice and the best practice. Need to discuss how current practice should be improved to meet the standard. 

Conclusion: this may not be needed and may be included in the discussion.

5. Perspectives

Is a sound dissertation discussing a clinical issue or controversy that is relevant to reproductive health. The dissertation must consider both sides of an argument and must be supported by references to the scientific literature. Maximum word length is 3500.

We will consider publishing reports of cases that raise interesting diagnostic or management issues, stimulate debate, address areas of uncertainty or controversy or present ethical concerns. Maximum word length is 800 words and photographs can be included. If your patients may be identifiable despite their names not being attached, then please have them sign a consent form and this should be attached to the submission.

7. Correspondence 

Letters are welcomed and should be no more than 250 words. 

8. Talanoa

We are experimenting with this section. It must be interesting, address an aspect of health and should capture the spirit of Talanoa - a frank and open discussion. This section will not follow the usual format expected of a scientific manuscript but references are still expected if references have been made to published work. 

9. Pacific Creations

If you can write a poem and sing and dance - then this section welcomes your creativity. Make sure it is health related.

10. Pacific Medical Association News

This section is to report health conferences, regional events, obituaries and awards.

GENERAL MANUSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS AND PREPARATION

Format: Cambria font, 12 points, 1.5-spaced, 2.5 cm margins, number lines and all pages consecutively starting with the start of the Main page.

Style: Use acronyms sparingly. Place abbreviations in brackets after the first appearance of the term in the abstract and again after the first use in the text. Use International System (SI) of units throughout. Use generic names for drugs. Where a brand name is also used, start with Capital letter.

Headings: Use the following hierarchy – BOLD UPPER CASE, Bold, Bold italics, Italics, Underlined.

Title page:

Should have: title, short title, list the full names, institutional addresses and email addresses for all authors, corresponding author, funding, competing interests, author contributions list.

Keep the Title page/s separate from the main paper as we conduct double-blind peer review.

References:

You need to reference to: establish where ideas came from, give evidence for claims, connect readers to other research, provide a context for your work, show that there is interest in this field of research.

Using a reference manager such as Mendeley will help you keep track of publications that you have reviewed. These tools also make it easy to format, add, and remove references in your manuscript.

Because references have an important role in many parts of a manuscript, failure to sufficiently cite other work can result in a rejection of your paper. Every statement of fact or description of previous findings requires a supporting reference. Be sure to cite publications whose results disagree with yours.

Refer to the previous issue to note our preference for structuring the references.

Cover letter:

All submissions should include a cover letter. This should inform the Editor of why your article should be published in the Pacific Health Dialog. The cover letter should also state the following:

1. Type of paper being submitted: Original research (quantitative, qualitative, systematic review, short or case report, clinical audit paper) editorial, essay, case report.

2. Related papers: Information on related papers published or submitted for publication.

4. Duplicate publications:  When submitting a paper, you are required to authorise in the cover letter that the material involved has not been submitted to another journal for review, been published by another journal, website or any other time of publication previously, including any work that may have similar content.

5. Authorship criteria: Confirm that named authors meet all the following conditions

• Contributed to the idea and design and /or analysis and interpretation of data,


• Involved with drafting the article and reviewing significant logical content


• Approved the final version to be published

6. Ethical approval: Affirm whether or not your paper was required to have ethics committee approval as well as the location and name of the approving committee and reference number of approval. If ethical approval was not required please state.

7. Patient consent: If a patient may be identified, we require written informed consent from the patient for publication.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

Manuscripts must be submitted by the corresponding author and should not be submitted by anyone on his/her behalf. The corresponding author takes responsibility for the article during submission and peer review.

Please note that Pacific Health Dialog levies an article-processing charge on all accepted research articles.

The fee of NZ$500 is discounted if the corresponding author is a member of the Pasifika Medial Association.

To facilitate rapid publication and to minimize administrative costs, the Pacific health Dialogue will only accept submissions using the Journal’s online portal. However, a submission from a resource-poor country with limited internet access will be accepted by emailing the editor.

The submission process can be interrupted at any time; when users return to the site, they can carry on where they left off. You will be asked to provide the contact details (including email addresses) of potential peer reviewers for your manuscript. These should be experts in their field, who will be able to provide an objective assessment of the manuscript. Any suggested peer reviewers should not have published with any of the authors of the manuscript within the past five years, should not be current collaborators, and should not be members of the same research institution. Suggested reviewers will be considered alongside potential reviewers recommended by the Editorial team.

Assistance with the process of manuscript preparation and submission is available from the Journal Manager.

Accepted File formats

The following word processor file formats are acceptable for the main manuscript document:

Microsoft Word (DOC, DOCX)

Portable document format (PDF)

The PDF will be used by Journal staff as a reference point to check the layout of the article as the author intended.

INDEXING SERVICES

The Pacific Health Dialog is a member of Cross-Ref and published articles are available on Google Scholar within two days of publication. The Journal is indexed by the National Library of New Zealand and will be indexed on PubMed.

PUBLICATION AND PEER REVIEW PROCESS

Publication of research articles by the Pacific Health Dialog is dependent primarily on their scientific validity and coherence as judged by our external expert editors and/or peer reviewers, who will also assess whether the writing is comprehensible and whether the work represents a useful contribution to the field.

Pacific Health Dialog operates a double-blind peer review system, where the reviewers' identities are not known to the authors and vice-versa.

Authors will be able to check the progress of their manuscript through the submission system at any time by logging into the Journal.

Articles will be published online within two weeks of proofs corrected by the authors. The articles are then collated for the next issue.

SUBMISSION PREPARATION CHECKLIST

As part of the submission process, authors are required to check off their submission's compliance with all of the following items, and submissions may be returned to authors that do not adhere to these guidelines.

1. 
   

   The submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration (or an explanation has been provided in the Letter to the Editor). 

   
   

   The Letter to the Editor should state briefly why the work is important to its readership.

   
   


2. 
   

   The submission file is in Microsoft Word.

   
   

   All Tables and Figures to be placed in the body of the manuscript where they are supposed to be placed.

   
   


3. Where available, URLs/DOIs for the references have been provided.
   
   


4. The text is 1.5-spaced; uses a 12-point Cambria font; employs italics, rather than underlining (except with URL addresses); and all illustrations, figures, graphs and tables are placed where they are supposed to be in the text layout alongside the text.
   
   


5. The text adheres to the stylistic and bibliographic requirements outlined in the Author Guidelines, which is found in About the Journal.
   
   


6. If submitting to a peer-reviewed section of the journal, the instructions in Ensuring a Blind Review have been followed. This means that any details identifying the authors must not be in the manuscript ie. affiliations, acknowledgements, contributions and conflict of interest. Sections identifying authors should be in the Title page which is submitted separately. 
   
   


7. A letter to the editor accompanies the submission stating why the work will be of interest to the Journals readers, the contribution of each author and any conflict of interest.

Authors who publish with the Pacific Health Dialog agree to the following terms:

• Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.


• Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).

PRIVACY STATEMENT

The names and email addresses entered in this journal site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of this journal and will not be made available for any other purpose or to any other party.

This journal charges the following author fees.

Article Publication: 500.00 (NZD)
If you are an overseas-based author (not in the Pacific) and this paper is accepted for publication, you will be asked to pay the maximum Article Publication Fee to cover publications costs.

Researchers and clinicians from low resource countries can request a reduction in the fee. We do not want fees to prevent the publication of worthy work.

If the first author is Pacific based the article publication fee will be reduced to $100.

If the first author is based in a developing country not part of the Pacific the article publication fee will be reduced to $150.