[also see instructions to suggest books/websites for review]

Scope of the Journal

Internet Health seeks to be the pre-eminent journal in the field of E-Health . It aims to publish material of the highest quality reflecting world wide or provocative issues and perspectives. The contents will be of interest to learners and teachers and, potentially, have significant impact on the quality of health care.

The journal welcomes papers on any aspect of Medical research and development on the Internet.

We are keen to encourage the submission of papers from authors whose first language is not English, although it is recommended that before submitting your manuscript to the journal you ask a colleague familiar with written English to read it through. This will greatly speed up the time taken to publish your paper.

When writing your paper for Internet Health remember that the journal has an international readership. Readers will want to know something about the setting in which your work was conducted, why you did what you describe, and what the results mean. If you can set your work in the wider context of the international literature this will help readers understand how your work might apply to their own situation.

Papers are accepted in the following categories:

1. Original Research
These papers report major research and studies relevant to Internet Health and may be up to 4,000 words in length and include up to six tables or figures. Reports of studies using either quantitative or qualitative methods are welcomed. Papers will usually be organised using the Summary, Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion (SIMRAD) structure although the editorial team is pleased to work with authors on more appropriate structures in certain cases. The Summary should be structured in relation to the organisation of the paper and not exceed 250 words. The context of the research and the conceptual framework and choice of methods used for analysis must be made clear in the text. References should be limited to no more than 15 and use the Vancouver style (see below).

2. Review Articles
Are particularly welcomed and may be up to 5,000 words in length and have fewer restrictions on the number of references. Authors considering submitting articles within this section are recommended to contact the editorial team during the preparation of their paper to discuss the scope and structure of their review.

 

Special requirements for reports of randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses Internet Health supports initiatives aimed at improving the reporting of biomedical research. Checklists have been developed for randomized controlled trials (CONSORT), systematic reviews (QUORUM); and meta-analyses of observational studies (MOOSE). Authors are requested to make use of these when drafting their submission. For authors of systematic reviews, a supplementary file, linked from the Methods section, should reproduce all details concerning the search strategy. For an example of how a search strategy should be presented, see the Cochrane Reviewers' Handbook. Internet Health also supports prospective registration and numbering of randomized controlled trials. Authors submitting trials (whether as protocols or reports of data) are encouraged to apply for an International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN), available from Current Controlled Trials. An ISRCTN will be required before publication of accepted trials protocols and reports, and will be included in the title of the article.

3. Discussion Papers/Interesting Technologies and Internet in Practice
Papers in this section may be up to 3,500 words long and are opportunities for authors to clarify concepts, critically discuss ideas or trends, or develop theories of relevance to Internet Health. Particular attention should be given in such papers to the implications of the ideas for the current or future practice of teaching and learning.

4. Special Features
Are papers that vary in style and structure and are usually commissioned. They usually reflect a particular theme, for example, evaluation of teaching, or international aspects  E-Health .

5. Short Reports
These shorter papers fall into two categories and should be no longer than 1,000 words in length, have no more than one Table or Figure and no more than five references.

{i}. Reports of research in progress or recently completed that would not be appropriate for the major Research Paper section, for example, reports of papers presented at conferences or at scientific meetings.

{ii}. Reports of innovation or changes E-Health . An appropriate structure for such Reports may be Setting/Context, Aim(s), Learning Methods, Evidence for Effectiveness, Conclusion. Authors may wish to discuss alternative structures with a member of the editorial team.

6. Editorials
The Editor usually commissions editorials but ideas or suggestions are welcomed.

7. Conference Reports
A feature of Internet Health is that  reports many of the conferences and meetings organised by Associations. The Journal is pleased to consider reports of other meetings that may be of interest to the readership. These will usually be between 1,200 and 1,500 words in length and must be submitted within six weeks of the date of the meeting or conference.

8. Letters/Opinion 
Are usually 400-500 words and are subject to copyediting. All authors should sign the letter. Preference will be given to letters responding to points raised by articles published in the Journal. Authors will not receive proofs.

Opinion articles relevant to newer developments in relation to Internet that would be of significance to medical profession is invited.

9. Book/Website Reviews
These are usually commissioned by the editorial team and are between 750-1,000 words long. However you are welcome to suggest websites/books for inclusion. Website suggestions may be communicated to vinodscaria@yahoo.co.in while authors who would like to review their books must submit it by mail[print/CD version] to

Vinod Scaria,
Perumcheril,33/4711,
Malaparamba,Calicut 
673009,Kerala,
India.

All submitted books will be reviewed and published.

Submission

The manuscripts may be submitted to the editor at vinodscaria@yahoo.co.in as MS Word for Windows or PDFs or HTML documents. Please do not add themes/customisations.Images may be embedded.You need to submit a duplicate copy at vinodscariaNOSPAM@eudoramail.com  [Take off the NOSPAM and you will get the ID]. You will usually receive a notification within a week of submission regarding the preliminary status [acceptance/acceptance for review/rejection].PLEASE DO NOT MAKE MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS AT ONE E-MAIL.

Preparation of Manuscripts

Papers should be prepared according to the 'Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals'

Authors are referred to Chambers Guide to Grammar and Usage (1996) for advice on matters of style. We encourage the use of the active voice, short sentences and clear headings and subheadings in the text.

References

These should be in the Vancouver style numbered sequentially in the text in superscript. The reference list should be on separate sheets and references should be listed numerically. It is the authors' responsibility to ensure that all references are cited and all reference numbers in the text appear in the correct order. The first six authors should be listed (followed by et al if there are others) and journal titles should not be abbreviated.

Information from manuscripts not yet in press, papers reported at meetings, or personal communications should be cited in the text, not as formal references. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of references and should consult the detailed guidance given in the 'Uniform Requirements'. The following are examples of acceptable styles:

Mooney G, Bligh J, Leinster S, Warenius H. An electronic study guide for problem-based learning. Internet Health 1995; 29: 397-402.

Ringsven MK, Bond D. Gerontology and leadership skills for nurses. 2^nd ed. Albany (NY): Delmar Publishers; 1996.

Norman IJ, Redfern SJ, editors. Mental health care for elderly people. New York: Churchill Livingstone; 1996.

Institute of Medicine (US). Looking at the future of the Medicaid program. Washington: The Institute; 1992.

Phillips SJ, Whisnant JP. Hypertension and stroke. In: Laragh JH, Brenner BM, editors. Hypertension: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. 2^nd ed. New York: Raven Press; 1995. p. 465-78.

Kaplan SJ. Post-hospital home health care: the elderly's access and utilisation [dissertation]. St Louis (MO): Washington Univ.; 1995.

Figures and Illustrations

Figures should be used when information cannot be expressed as a Table and should not duplicate information provided in the text. All Figures must have a title. The images/animations/videos/sound files  should be provided with a link to the actual host. The author should take the responsibility to host the file elsewhere. In case you are not able to host it, a letter should be send to the editor asking for permission to host it on our server.

Tables

Each Table should have a caption and give both numbers and percentages where relevant.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements should be brief and must include reference to sources of financial support. Author(s) should obtain permission to use material subject to copyright if they reproduce material from other sources and this should be acknowledged.

Peer Review

All papers submitted to Internet Health are carefully considered.

We adopt a policy of open peer review and free publishing.The Editor is assisted by an editorial board.

Proofs and Offprints

Proofs will be sent via e-mail as an HTML/Adobe Acrobat PDF file. The e-mail server must be able to accept attachments up to 4 MB in size. Acrobat Reader will be required in order to read this file. This software can be downloaded (free of charge) from the following Web site:

http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/main.html

This will enable the file to be opened, read on screen, and printed out in order for any corrections to be added. Further instructions will be sent with the proof. Proofs will be posted if no e-mail address is available; in your absence, please arrange for a colleague to access your e-mail to retrieve the proofs.

Corrections other than printer's errors may be charged to the author. Offprints are not supplied as anyone is  free to access and print the articles from our website ; offprints are available on payment of the necessary costs if they are ordered when the proof is returned.

© Copyright of articles belongs to the respective authors. Verbatim copying, redistribution and storage of this article permitted provided no restrictions are imposed on the access and a hyperlink to the original article in Internet Health maintained. The author would be interested in critical appraisal of this article. Please contact him at the correspondence e-mail provided. All opinion stated in this article are exclusively that of the author(s). Internet Health takes no responsibility of articles published. Please read carefully the Terms and Conditions of use and disclaimer notice .Information in Internet health is not a substitute for your Physician's advice.