Guidelines for Authors

Submission Requirements

Manuscript Format

Structure

Manuscripts should follow this general structure:

• Title - Clear, descriptive, and concise
• Authors and Affiliations - Include full names, emails, and institutional affiliations
• Abstract - 150-250 words summarizing key findings
• Keywords - 5-8 keywords for indexing
• Introduction - Context and research questions
• Methods/Materials - Sufficient detail for reproducibility
• Results - Clear presentation of findings
• Discussion - Interpretation and implications
• Acknowledgments - Funding and contributors (optional)
• References - Complete citations (see below)

Formatting Details

• Font: Times New Roman or similar serif font, 12pt
• Line spacing: Double-spaced
• Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides
• Page numbers: Include in footer
• Figures and tables: Placed after references with captions

References

Use the Harvard style for citations. Examples:

• Journal article: Author, A.B. (Year) 'Title of article', Journal Name, Volume(Issue), pp. XX-XX.
• Book: Author, A.B. (Year) Title of Book. Publisher.
• Chapter in edited book: Author, A.B. (Year) 'Chapter title', in Editor, C.D. (ed.) Book Title. Publisher, pp. XX-XX.

Peer Review Process

Editorial Review

Upon submission, the Editor-in-Chief performs an initial assessment to ensure the manuscript meets basic standards and is within the journal's scope. Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria may be desk-rejected without entering peer review.

Peer Review

Manuscripts that pass initial review are assigned to at least two independent peer reviewers with expertise in the relevant field. Reviewers are asked to evaluate the manuscript's originality, methodology, significance, and presentation.

Editorial Decision

Based on reviewer feedback, the Editor-in-Chief will make one of the following decisions:

• Accept: Manuscript accepted without revision
• Minor Revisions: Revisions required; usually re-reviewed by editor only
• Major Revisions: Significant revisions required; will be re-reviewed by original reviewers
• Reject: Manuscript does not meet publication standards

Publication Timeline

The typical timeline from submission to publication is:

• Initial review: 2-4 weeks
• Peer review: 4-8 weeks
• Revisions and final decision: 2-4 weeks
• Production and publication: 4-8 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

Publication Ethics

Forma is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity and publication ethics. This journal adheres to the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) to ensure the integrity, transparency, and accountability of the peer-review process and published research.

Ethical Responsibilities

Authors' Responsibilities

• Originality: Authors must ensure that their work is original and has not been published elsewhere in the same or substantially similar form.
• Accuracy: Authors are responsible for the accuracy of data, results, and conclusions presented in their manuscript.
• Disclosure: Authors must disclose all sources of funding and any conflicts of interest.

Reviewers' Responsibilities

• Impartiality: Reviewers must evaluate manuscripts objectively and without bias.
• Confidentiality: Reviewers must not disclose the contents of manuscripts or author identities to unauthorized parties.
• Timeliness: Reviewers are expected to complete their reviews within the agreed-upon timeframe.

Editors' Responsibilities

• Fair Assessment: Editors ensure that all manuscripts receive fair and impartial evaluation.
• Transparency: Editors communicate clearly with authors regarding the decision-making process.
• Accountability: Editors maintain records of all editorial decisions and are prepared to explain them upon request.

Malpractice and Misconduct

Forma treats research misconduct very seriously. The following practices are strictly prohibited:

• Plagiarism: Submitting work that includes substantial portions of text, ideas, or data from other sources without proper attribution.
• Fabrication and Falsification: Inventing data or results, or deliberately misrepresenting or omitting data.
• Duplicate Submission: Submitting the same manuscript simultaneously to multiple journals, or republishing previously published work.
• Authorship Disputes: Including or excluding authors without their consent, or misrepresenting authorship contributions.
• Conflicts of Interest: Failing to disclose financial, personal, or professional relationships that could bias the research or review process.

Investigation of Misconduct

If Forma becomes aware of suspected misconduct, the Editor-in-Chief will:

1. Conduct a thorough and confidential investigation.
2. Consult with the author(s) and reviewer(s) involved.
3. Consider the evidence carefully before reaching a decision.
4. Take appropriate action, which may include rejection, retraction, or other measures as outlined by COPE guidelines.

Retraction Policy

Forma may retract a published article if:

• Evidence of serious research misconduct or integrity violations is found.
• The publication represents a significant threat to public safety or health.
• Previous publication in another journal is discovered.
• Errors are discovered that materially affect the conclusions.

Retractions will be publicly announced and clearly marked in the journal record.

Data Availability

Authors are encouraged to provide data supporting their findings in open repositories. Where applicable, authors should ensure that data is made available upon reasonable request.

Compliance with Local and International Laws

All research must comply with applicable laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines of the country in which the work was conducted.

Contact the Editorial Office