Scopes & Author Guidelines

  • Types of Articles

Clinical and Pre-clinical Research Advances (CAPRA) publishes a diverse range of article types to accommodate various research contributions in clinical and pre-clinical studies. The following are the categories of articles accepted for publication:

1. Original Research Articles

These articles present novel findings based on clinical, pre-clinical, or laboratory research. They must include a detailed methodology, statistical analyses, results, and discussion. The article should contribute to the advancement of knowledge in its field.

  • Word Limit: Up to 6,000 words (excluding references and supplementary materials)
  • Structure: Abstract (250 words max), Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, References
  • Figures/Tables: Up to 8 figures/tables combined
  • References: Up to 60 references

2. Review Articles

Comprehensive analyses of existing literature on a specific topic, summarizing current knowledge and identifying gaps for future research. Reviews should be well-structured and provide an in-depth synthesis of the field.

  • Word Limit: Up to 8,000 words
  • Structure: Abstract, Introduction, Main Body, Discussion, Conclusion, References
  • Figures/Tables: Unlimited but should be relevant and concise
  • References: Up to 150 references

3. Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

Critical evaluations of existing research on a specific topic using systematic methodologies to analyze and synthesize findings from multiple studies. Meta-analyses must follow PRISMA guidelines.

  • Word Limit: Up to 7,500 words
  • Structure: Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, References
  • Figures/Tables: As required
  • References: No strict limit, but relevant and comprehensive

4. Case Reports

Case reports document rare, unique, or novel findings in clinical settings. These should provide detailed clinical observations with an emphasis on their significance.

  • Word Limit: Up to 3,000 words
  • Structure: Abstract, Introduction, Case Presentation, Discussion, Conclusion, References
  • Figures/Tables: Maximum 4
  • References: Up to 30 references

5. Short Communications

Brief reports on preliminary findings, novel techniques, or hypotheses. These should be concise yet impactful.

  • Word Limit: 1,500 to 2,000 words
  • Structure: Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, References
  • Figures/Tables: Maximum 3
  • References: Up to 25 references

6. Editorials

Editorial pieces are invited contributions from experts on topics of current interest within clinical and pre-clinical research.

  • Word Limit: 1,000 words
  • Structure: Unstructured
  • Figures/Tables: Maximum 2
  • References: Up to 15 references

7. Commentaries

Perspectives on recently published research or ongoing debates in the field.

  • Word Limit: 1,500 words
  • Structure: Unstructured
  • Figures/Tables: Maximum 2
  • References: Up to 20 references

8. Letters to the Editor

Short critiques or discussions on previously published articles in CAPRA.

  • Word Limit: 1,000 words
  • Structure: Unstructured
  • Figures/Tables: Maximum 2
  • References: Up to 10 references

Instructions to Authors

1. General Formatting Requirements

Manuscripts must be submitted in English, following a clear and concise writing style. Authors should ensure proper grammar, spelling, and scientific accuracy before submission.

  • File Format: Microsoft Word (DOC/DOCX) or LaTeX
  • Font: Times New Roman, size 12
  • Line Spacing: 1.5
  • Margins: 1-inch on all sides
  • Page Numbering: Continuous, at the bottom right corner

2. Manuscript Structure

A manuscript should include the following sections:

Title Page

  • Title (concise and informative)
  • Author(s) name(s) and affiliations
  • Corresponding author’s name, email, and contact details
  • Running title (maximum 50 characters)
  • Keywords (3-6 keywords)
  • Word count (including main text and references)

Abstract

  • Structured for Original Research (Objectives, Methods, Results, Conclusion)
  • Unstructured for Review, Case Reports, Commentaries, and Editorials
  • Maximum 250 words

Main Text

  • Should follow the structure as per article type
  • Figures and tables should be cited within the text

Figures and Tables

  • Must be numbered sequentially
  • Titles should be concise yet descriptive
  • Figures should be submitted as separate high-resolution images (TIFF, PNG, JPEG)
  • Tables should be created using Microsoft Word’s table function, not as images

References

  • Vancouver referencing style
  • Cite in-text using numbers (e.g., [1], [2,3])
  • Use DOI where applicable
  • Examples:
    • Journal Article: Smith J, Brown K. Drug efficacy in hypertension. Clin Pharmacol. 2021;20(3):112-8.
    • Book: Johnson AB. Pharmacology: Principles and Practice. 2nd ed. Springer; 2018.

3. Ethical Considerations

  • Studies involving human subjects must follow the Declaration of Helsinki and must have Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval.
  • Studies involving animals should comply with ARRIVE guidelines and require ethical clearance.
  • Clinical trials must be registered in a recognized public trial registry.

4. Plagiarism Policy

All submitted manuscripts will be screened for plagiarism using similarity detection software. A similarity index of more than 20% will lead to immediate rejection.

5. Submission Process

Authors should submit their manuscripts via the online submission system. The corresponding author must ensure all co-authors have reviewed and approved the manuscript.

Steps for Submission

  1. Register/Login to the submission portal
  2. Fill out the required metadata fields
  3. Upload manuscript, figures, and supplementary materials
  4. Declare conflicts of interest
  5. Submit and track progress through the portal

6. Peer Review Process

All manuscripts undergo a double-blind peer review process, where the identities of authors and reviewers remain anonymous.

  • Initial Screening: Editorial office checks for compliance with guidelines
  • Peer Review: Minimum of two independent reviewers
  • Decision: Based on reviewers’ comments, the manuscript will be accepted, revised, or rejected
  • Revisions: Authors must submit a point-by-point response to reviewers’ comments

7. Publication Fees

CAPRA is an open-access journal, and an Article Processing Charge (APC) may apply. Discounts or waivers may be available for authors from low-income countries.

8. Post-Publication Policies

  • Corrections and Retractions: Published articles with errors will be corrected via errata; unethical practices will lead to retractions.
  • Data Sharing: Authors are encouraged to share raw data via public repositories.
  • Copyright and Licensing: CAPRA follows the CC BY 4.0 license, allowing unrestricted sharing with attribution.

Editorial Guidelines

The editorial process at CAPRA ensures the publication of high-quality, scientifically rigorous, and ethically sound research. The journal follows a double-blind peer review system, ensuring impartiality. Editors assess manuscripts for originality, significance, and compliance with journal standards. Submissions must align with CAPRA’s ethical policies, including adherence to COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines. Authors must disclose conflicts of interest and funding sources. Editorial decisions are based on expert reviews, and appeals can be made with justified reasoning. CAPRA upholds integrity in research dissemination, and all accepted papers undergo final editorial checks before publication. Authors are encouraged to communicate with editors for clarifications and guidance.