Original articles should not exceed 2500 words or have more than three or four tables or figures and a maximum of 30 references. They should contain a structured abstract of not more than 250 words, (with the headings Objectives, Methods, Results and Conclusions). Please include up to 5 key words to assist with indexing. The paper itself should consist of the sections Introduction, Methods, Discussion and Results.

Papers are considered by STI on the basis that they are submitted solely to this journal and do not duplicate material already published elsewhere. In cases of doubt, where part of the material has been published elsewhere, the published material should be submitted together with the manuscript (as a supplementary file) and this fact mentioned in the submission cover letter. This will allow the Editors to assess the degree of duplication papers. Papers should follow the requirements of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (BMJ 1991; 302: 338-41). Papers and references must be typed in double spacing.

View an example original article (PDF)
Word count: 2500 words maximum.
Tables/Illustrations: 3-4 tables/figures.
References: up to 30.

Review articles are usually commissioned by the Editors. Occasionally the Editors will consider unsolicited reviews. Review articles must contain a methods section which demonstrates clearly the search procedure and methods of analysis and summarization. All review articles are peer reviewed.

View an example review article (PDF)
Word count: 3000 words maximum.
Tables/Illustrations: 2-3 tables/figures.
References: up to 60.

Editorials are commissioned by the Editors. All Editorials are subject to peer-review. Editorials are no more than 1000 words in length and contain no more than one Figure or Table and a maximum of 15 references.

View an example editorial (PDF)
Word count: up to 1000 words.
Tables/Illustrations: 0-1 table/figure.
References: up to 15.

Short Reports should not exceed 750 words and should contain a structured abstract of 250 words maximum (see Original Articles above). Short reports should comprise sections of Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion, with not more than 1 table or figure and up to 10 references.

View an example short report (PDF)
Word count: 750 words maximum.
Tables/Illustrations: 1 table/figure.
References: up to 10.

Case reports which describe new manifestations of disease or cases which illustrate important diagnostic or management issues are welcomed. Case reports should not exceed 750 words and should consist of introduction, case report and discussion. Case reports require an unstructured abstract of no more than 150 words maximum, 1 table or figure and a maximum of 10 references.

View an example case report (PDF)
Word count: 750 words maximum.
Tables/Illustrations: 1 table/figure.
References: up to 10.

Letters in response to articles published in STI are welcome and should be submitted electronically via the website. Contributors should go to the abstract or full text of the article in question. At the top right corner of each article is a "contents box". Click on the "eLetters: Submit a response to this article" link.

Letters relating to or responding to previously published items in the journal will be shown to those authors, where appropriate.

The BMJ Publishing Group journals are willing to consider publishing supplements to regular issues. Supplement proposals may be made at the request of:

1. The journal editor, an editorial board member or a learned society may wish to organise a meeting, sponsorship may be sought and the proceedings published as a supplement.
2. The journal editor, editorial board member or learned society may wish to commission a supplement on a particular theme or topic. Again, sponsorship may be sought.
3. The BMJPG itself may have proposals for supplements where sponsorship may be necessary.
4. A sponsoring organisation, often a pharmaceutical company or a charitable foundation, that wishes to arrange a meeting, the proceedings of which will be published as a supplement.

For further information on criteria that must be fulfilled, download the supplements guidelines (PDF).