EDITORIAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Society for Clinical Data Management (SCDM) > EDITORIAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
General
  • Length: 2 to 4 pages (~500–2,000 words), excluding references, author’s biography and cover page
  • Line Spacing: single-spaced, 12 pt. font, one blank line between paragraphs, one space between sentences
  • Margins: 1 inch from each side
Writing Style
  • Target Audience: Clinical Data Managers and related industry professionals
  • Tone: Relatively informal – the article should convey the information in a clear, concise manner, keeping the target audience in mind
  • Recommended structure: Abstract, text with section subheadings, and conclusion
Format
  • MS Word preferred, or alternatively formatted as .txt
Graphics
  • Graphics, tables, figures and listings that clarify the text are welcome
  • References to the graphics should be indicated in the text (e.g. Figure 1), along with the appropriate citation for the source of the graphics
  • A desired placement of the graphic in relation to the text should be specified (e.g., sidebar next to a specific paragraph, anywhere in the article, etc.)
  • Preferred formats include .jpg, .tif, or .gif; alternatively graphics or tables can be embedded in the text file
  • Graphics (either electronic or printed) must be camera-ready and high resolution (at least 300 dpi) to ensure a high quality image

Please send any graphics you may have separately from your Word document.

References
  • It is the author’s responsibility to ensure that all material drawn from other sources is credited, either as a footnote, an endnote and/or a reference. Writers should use the guidance provided in the Purdue Online Writing Lab (Purdue OWL), in the section “Research and Citation Resources”. Information on many aspects for the proper use of and proper techniques for referencing researched material are available there.
  • References should appear in the numerical order in which they are cited in the body of the article, and indicated as numbers in square brackets (i.e. [1],[2]) at the end of the sentence or paragraph with corresponding number listed in the reference section.
  • For any submissions lacking appropriate references, SCDM reserves the right to reject the article for publication.
Format of References
  • SCDM requests that writers follow the reference format of the “Chicago Manual of Style” detailed on the Purdue Online Writing Lab (Purdue OWL). Writers should use the reference format specified for endnotes. There, writers will find examples for references from books, periodicals, web sources, film and television, interviews and personal communication, lectures and presentations, and public and unpublished materials.
Cover Page
  • Author(s) information (see required information in next section)
  • A statement that the article has been read and approved by all authors
  • A statement of authors’ financial interest or affiliation with products or companies mentioned in the manuscript

Download Template

Required Author(s) Information
  • On the cover page, authors should provide full name (first, MI, surname), degrees and/or nationally recognized professional certification designations, title, affiliation with complete mailing address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address
  • Authors are encouraged to include a brief biography (generally a single paragraph) which will be included at the end of the article.
Author’s Release Form
  • Author’s Release Form completed and signed by each author should be attached to the manuscript.

Download Template

Manuscript Submission
  • Send manuscripts and accompanying materials to [email protected] with the subject line clearly indicating a publication submission (e.g. Article Submission for Summer issue of Data Basics)
Additional Notes
  • If an author wishes to submit a longer article, please contact [email protected] Length allowances can be made for articles of particular substance or relevance to the profession.
  • Articles should be non-commercial in nature, and designed to be as generally applicable as possible.
  • The SCDM Editorial Board reserves the right to edit all submitted articles for content, style and/or appropriateness.
  • Specific product reviews may be accepted if conducted by a disinterested third party. Case studies in particular companies may be accepted if the article is written to apply generally, rather than appearing to be an endorsement or advertisement for a particular firm.
  • Advertisements are welcome as paid content, and will be placed in such a way as to distinguish them clearly from article content. For more information on advertising rates and requirements, please visit the advertising section.
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