Two Convenient Ways to Submit Your Manuscript

We offer flexible submission options designed to accommodate your preferences and workflow. Choose the method that works best for you-both provide the same rigorous peer review and publication standards.

Article Types We Publish

The International Journal of General Practice welcomes diverse research contributions across multiple scientific disciplines. Our multidisciplinary scope encompasses original research, reviews, and specialized communications from various fields of study.

Your Manuscript's Journey: Transparent Peer Review Timeline

We believe in transparency throughout the publication process. Here's exactly what happens after you submit your manuscript, with realistic timelines based on our actual performance data.

Total timeline: Approximately 60 days from submission to publication for manuscripts accepted without major revisions. We prioritize timely decisions while maintaining rigorous peer review standards.

Why Researchers Choose IJGP

Manuscript Preparation Guidelines

General Formatting Requirements

To ensure efficient processing of your manuscript, please adhere to the following formatting guidelines:

• File Format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or LaTeX. PDF files are not accepted for initial submission
• Font: Times New Roman, 12-point, throughout the manuscript including references
• Line Spacing: Double-spaced throughout, including abstract, main text, references, and figure legends
• Margins: 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins on all sides
• Page Numbers: Consecutive page numbering starting from the title page
• Line Numbers: Continuous line numbering to facilitate reviewer comments

Manuscript Structure

Organize your manuscript according to the following structure (adapt as appropriate for your article type):

• Title Page: Manuscript title, author names and affiliations, corresponding author contact information, word count
• Abstract: Structured abstract (Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions) of 250-300 words
• Keywords: 4-6 keywords for indexing purposes
• Introduction: Background, rationale, objectives, and hypothesis
• Methods: Detailed methodology enabling replication; include ethics approval and statistical methods
• Results: Present findings logically with appropriate tables and figures
• Discussion: Interpret results, compare with existing literature, acknowledge limitations
• Conclusions: Summarize key findings and implications
• References: Formatted according to journal style (Vancouver or APA depending on discipline)

Figures and Tables

• Quality: Figures must be high resolution (minimum 300 DPI) in TIFF, EPS, or PNG format
• Size: Figures should be sized appropriately for single-column (85mm) or double-column (170mm) width
• Labels: All axes, symbols, and abbreviations must be clearly labeled and defined
• Captions: Provide detailed, standalone captions that explain the figure/table without reference to main text
• Tables: Submit in editable format (Word or Excel), not as images
• Placement: Reference all figures and tables in the main text in numerical order

References and Citations

• Style: Follow Vancouver (numbered) or APA (author-date) style depending on your discipline
• Accuracy: Verify all reference details including authors, titles, journal names, years, volumes, and page numbers
• DOIs: Include DOIs for all references where available
• Currency: Include recent references (within last 5 years) alongside seminal works
• Completeness: Ensure all in-text citations appear in reference list and vice versa

Understanding the Peer Review Process

IJGP employs a rigorous single-blind peer review process to ensure the quality and validity of published research. Here's what you can expect:

Initial Editorial Screening

Within 3 days of submission, the editorial office conducts an initial assessment to verify:

• Manuscript falls within journal scope and multidisciplinary focus
• All required components are included and properly formatted
• Plagiarism check using iThenticate (manuscripts with >30% similarity are returned for revision)
• Ethical standards are met (ethics approval, informed consent, data availability)

Editor Assignment and Reviewer Selection

An editor with expertise in your research area is assigned to manage the peer review process. The editor selects 2-3 reviewers based on:

• Specific expertise in your research topic and methodology
• Publication record in relevant areas
• Absence of competing interests or conflicts
• Geographic and institutional diversity

Peer Review Evaluation

Reviewers assess your manuscript on multiple criteria:

• Originality: Novel contribution to the field
• Methodology: Appropriate methods, adequate sample size, proper controls
• Results: Clear presentation, appropriate statistical analysis
• Discussion: Balanced interpretation, acknowledgment of limitations
• Significance: Importance and potential impact of findings
• Clarity: Writing quality and logical organization

Editorial Decision

Based on reviewer recommendations, the editor makes one of four decisions:

• Accept: Manuscript accepted with minor editorial corrections only
• Minor Revisions: Manuscript acceptable pending specific, limited changes
• Major Revisions: Manuscript has potential but requires substantial revisions and re-review
• Reject: Manuscript does not meet publication standards or falls outside scope

Revision and Resubmission

If revisions are requested:

• You'll receive detailed reviewer comments and editor guidance
• Submit revised manuscript with point-by-point response to reviewers
• Highlight all changes in the revised manuscript
• Recommended revision timeframe: 30 days for minor revisions, 60 days for major revisions
• Revised manuscripts undergo re-review (typically 14 days)

Publication Ethics and Research Integrity

IJGP is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics. All submissions must adhere to the following principles:

Authorship and Contributorship

• All listed authors must have made substantial contributions to the research
• All contributors who meet authorship criteria should be listed as authors
• Author order should be a joint decision of the research team
• Changes to authorship after submission require written agreement from all authors
• Corresponding author is responsible for communication and speaks on behalf of all co-authors

Originality and Plagiarism

• Submitted work must be original and not under consideration elsewhere
• Proper attribution must be given to all sources
• Text recycling (self-plagiarism) should be minimal and properly cited
• All manuscripts are screened using iThenticate plagiarism detection software
• Manuscripts with excessive similarity to published work will be rejected

Data Integrity and Transparency

• Research data must be accurately reported without fabrication or falsification
• Raw data should be available for editorial review if requested
• Data availability statement required for all manuscripts
• Image manipulation must not obscure, eliminate, or misrepresent information
• Statistical methods must be appropriate and clearly described

Ethical Approval and Informed Consent

• Human subjects research requires IRB/ethics committee approval
• Animal research must follow institutional and national guidelines (e.g., ARRIVE)
• Informed consent must be obtained from human participants
• Patient privacy and confidentiality must be protected
• Clinical trials must be registered in appropriate database (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov)

Competing Interests

• All financial and non-financial competing interests must be declared
• Funding sources must be acknowledged
• Industry relationships and potential conflicts must be disclosed
• If no competing interests exist, this should be explicitly stated

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the article processing charges (APCs)?

APC information is provided after manuscript acceptance. We offer waivers and discounts for authors from low-income countries and those without institutional funding. Financial constraints should never prevent publication of quality research.

Can I suggest or exclude reviewers?

Yes, you may suggest potential reviewers or request exclusion of specific individuals during submission. While we consider these requests, final reviewer selection is at the editor's discretion to ensure unbiased evaluation.

How do I track my manuscript status?

If you submitted via ManuscriptZone, log in to view real-time status updates. For Quick Submission Form submissions, you'll receive email notifications at each stage. You can also contact the editorial office for status inquiries.

What if I need to make changes after submission?

Before peer review begins, contact the editorial office to request changes. After peer review starts, changes can only be made during the revision stage. Authorship changes require written consent from all authors.

Is my research suitable for IJGP?

IJGP has a broad multidisciplinary scope. If your research contributes original findings, uses sound methodology, and advances knowledge in any scientific discipline, we encourage submission. Contact the editorial office if you're unsure about fit.

What happens if my manuscript is rejected?

You'll receive detailed feedback explaining the decision. You may revise and resubmit if the rejection was based on correctable issues, or consider submission to another journal. Reviewer comments can help strengthen your manuscript for resubmission elsewhere.

How long do I have to submit revisions?

We recommend 30 days for minor revisions and 60 days for major revisions. Extensions are available upon request. However, prolonged delays may require re-review by new reviewers if original reviewers become unavailable.

Will my manuscript be published immediately upon acceptance?

Accepted manuscripts undergo copyediting, formatting, and quality checks before publication. This typically takes 10 days. Your article will be published online immediately upon completion and assigned a DOI for citation.