Would you like to see your work on the pages of the IBMS’ magazine? Here are some tips and guidance to help you get published.
Before you start to write, read some articles in respected publications. Look at the way facts are presented, arguments are made and styles of language used. Take a close look at the style of The Biomedical Scientist and the way articles are written. When you begin to write, start by outlining the order of your ideas.
As you begin to think about your writing, you should bear in mind these key questions:
- Who am I writing for?
- What question am I attempting to answer, or angle am I wanting to take?
- What is the relevance of my article or paper to IBMS members?
It is important that you write carefully and accurately, removing superfluous or ambiguous words including unnecessary adjectives and adverbs. Check your spelling too, particularly unusual or scientific terms.
The points to consider when you write are:
- Have I written the article with a view to writing for the readership?
- Is the level of argument and language used appropriate to the readership?
- Have I accurately answered the question I set out to discuss?
- Have I explicitly differentiated between personal belief/opinion and evidence/research-based fact?
Scientific features
(1000, 1500 or 2000 words)
These can be descriptive or analytical articles based around the development of practice, specific clinical issues, new innovations, research – any issues relating to biomedical science.
Advice features
(500 or 1000 words)
These are articles that offer practical guidance for readers and cover non-scientific aspects of the job, often focussing on issues around employment and CPD.
News
If you have any potential news stories, please contact Editor Rob Dabrowski at [email protected]
The above are guidelines and not strict rules. Please feel tree to get in touch with Rob, if you wish to write an article of significantly different length. If the subject area is covered in more depth, it may be necessary to divide it into two or more parts and run a series.
How to submit your work
Material must be submitted via email as a Word document attachment.
Please try to avoid giving files names such as “article” or “IBMS” – try to use something representative of your particular article. Also, if you are sending in an updated draft, ensure that the file name reflects this.
Please do not use any form of text formatting. The golden rule is to keep your text layout as simple as possible. It is easier to read and takes you (and us) less time.
Tables, diagrams or illustrations should be displayed on separate pages. Please ensure that these are all appropriately numbered and that reference is made within the text to each one that you include.
All submissions should also include:
- Author name(s) – this is the only place where your name(s) should appear, clearly indicating the corresponding author
- Current appointment(s), including department and institution details
- Correspondence/contact address
- Work and mobile number
- Email address
- Date of submission and indication of article version as applicable
- Word count.
Photographs
We can use most forms of photography, as long as the image is clear and the resolution is high enough (300dpi at print size, about 1MB in size). Relevant details about the image should be clearly indicated. We will often use photographs from picture libraries, or create bespoke infographics based on the content to illustrate your article.
Copyright
All material is accepted for publication on the understanding that it has not been published before and is not due for publication elsewhere, and that it is the authors’ own original work. The copyright of all material accepted for publication lies with the IBMS.
More information
Where to send your article and further help:
- Have you got any queries about presenting your article?
- Would you like to discuss an idea for a potential article?
- Do you need help to start writing?
Rob will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. Please email [email protected]