Javeria Junaid.
How to submit to a scientific journal and get published.
J Pak Med Assoc Jan ;62(9):977-8.

Harry Shaw quotes in Errors in English and Ways to Correct Them, "There is no such thing as good writing. There is only good rewriting." We must accept the fact that scholarly articles are not written but rewritten. As authors confirm, it would not be a stretch of the imagination to add a few "again and again" after it. Finally, after all the hard work of thinking, conducting and drafting the study manuscript the authors face the arduous task of moulding their hard work according to the regulations of the desired journal. It is the last but critical step and needs to be taken carefully. Failing to do so means loads of author-journal correspondence, reviewers and editorial comments and a possibility of rejection forpublication. Almost all national and international journals have their own set of guidelines that they expect to be followed and authors are encouraged to consult them according to their specific research designs. These can be found under headlines like "Instructions to Authors", "Author Centre" or "Guide to Authors." Reporting guidelines have been developed for a number of study designs that some journals may ask authors to follow, and can be used to safely write initial drafts that will not require too much alteration whilst submission. The hallmark of such reporting guidelines is the EQUATOR Network.7 JPMA is the first Pakistani journal to officially adapt these guidelines for assisting the authors and readers. Journals have policies for authorship which must be respected especially when the problems of "gift authorship" are rampant. Most policies are in accordance with the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

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