Author Guidelines for PCNM

1. Introduction to the Journal
2.  Editorial Policies and Ethics
    2.1.  Authorship Criteria
    2.2. Originality and Plagiarism
    2.3. Ethical Approvals
    2.3 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
3. Manuscript Preparation
    3.1. Article Types
    3.2. Manuscript Structure
    3.3. Reporting Guidelines
    3.4 Reference Formatting
4.  Submission Process
    4.1. Pre-Submission Checklist
    4.2. Online Submission Steps
    4.3. Cover Letter Requirements
5.  Post-Submission Procedures
    5.1. Peer Review Process
    5.2. Revisions
    5.3. Acceptance and Publication
6. Mandatory Statements
    6.1. Ethical Approval
    6.2. Funding Statement
    6.3. Conflict of Interest
    6.4. Data Availability Statement
7. Contact Information
8. Journal Specifications

1

 Introduction to the Journal
The Preventive Care in Nursing and Midwifery Journal (PCNM) is a peer-reviewed, open-access publication dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice in preventive healthcare through nursing and midwifery interventions. Published by the Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services in Iran, this quarterly journal welcomes original research, reviews, case reports, and other scholarly contributions that focus on preventive care approaches in nursing and midwifery practice, education, and research. The journal operates under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License, allowing non-commercial use of published materials with proper attribution.
PCNM is indexed in several reputable databases, including Google Scholar, Scientific Information Database (SID), Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC), Magiran, Barakatkns, and Nindex. The journal does not charge any article processing fees (APCs) or submission fees, making it accessible to researchers from diverse economic backgrounds. With an average publication timeline of approximately 6 weeks from submission to publication, PCNM ensures the timely dissemination of scientific knowledge to the global healthcare community.

2
Editorial Policies and Ethics
2.1 Authorship Criteria
The journal adheres to the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) recommendations for authorship. To be listed as an author, individuals must meet all four of the following criteria:

• Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work
• Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content
• Final approval of the version to be published
• Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved

All authors should meet all four criteria, and individuals who do not meet these criteria should be acknowledged in the Acknowledgements section instead. The journal does not allow AI tools or technologies to be listed as authors, as they cannot take responsibility for the work.
2.2 Originality and Plagiarism

• Originality Requirement: Submissions must represent original work that has not been published previously and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. This includes different forms of publication such as conference proceedings, institutional repositories, or preprint servers.
• Plagiarism Screening: All manuscripts undergo rigorous screening using iThenticate plagiarism detection software. Manuscripts with a similarity index exceeding 20% overall or 5% from a single source may be subject to desk rejection without further review.
• Duplicate Submission: Simultaneous submission of the same manuscript to multiple journals is considered unethical behavior and will result in immediate rejection.

2.3 Ethical Approvals
Table: Ethical Requirements for Different Study Types

Study Type	Ethical Approval Required	Consent Requirement	Specific Guidelines
Human Studies	Yes (from institutional IRB)	Informed consent mandatory	Declaration of Helsinki
Animal Studies	Yes (IACUC approval)	Not applicable	ARRIVE guidelines
Clinical Trials	Yes + trial registration	Informed consent mandatory	CONSORT guidelines
Case Reports	Yes (where required by institution)	Patient consent for publication	CARE guidelines

For studies involving human participants, authors must include a statement in the Methods section specifying the name of the ethics committee that approved the study and the approval code (e.g., IR.ZUMS.REC.XXXX.XXX). The journal requires that all research involving human subjects be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
2.4 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
The use of AI tools in manuscript preparation must be transparently disclosed in the Methods section of the manuscript. The following elements must be included:

• Name and version of the AI tool used
• Specific purpose for which the AI was utilized (e.g., language editing, data analysis)
• Affirmation that authors reviewed and edited the AI-generated content
• Statement that authors take full responsibility for the published content

Example statement: "During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used [AI tool name and version] for [specific purpose]. After using this tool, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the publication's content."

3
Manuscript Preparation
3.1 Article Types
Table: Article Types and Specifications

Article Type	Word Limit	Abstract Format	Structured Format Required	Key Requirements
Original Research	2500-3500	Structured (250 words)	Yes (IMRaD)	Reporting guidelines adherence
Review Articles	4000-6000	Structured/Unstructured	Yes	PRISMA for systematic reviews
Brief Reports	1500-2000	Structured (150 words)	Yes	Preliminary findings
Case Reports	1500-2000	Structured (150 words)	Yes	CARE guidelines
Letters to the Editor	500-800	Not required	No	Comments on published articles

3.2 Manuscript Structure
All manuscripts should be prepared in Microsoft Word format with the following formatting specifications (Template manuscript): 

• Font: Times New Roman, 12 point
• Spacing: 1.5-line spacing
• Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides
• Page size: A4 paper size
• Page numbering: Include page numbers in the footer

The manuscript should contain the following sections in order:

1. Title Page: Should include the complete title of the manuscript, full names of all authors with their highest academic degrees, institutional affiliations, and a full address for the corresponding author including telephone and fax numbers, and email address. The corresponding author should be clearly indicated. Click here
2. Abstract: For original research articles, a structured abstract of no more than 250 words is required with the following headings: Background, Objectives, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. Include 3-5 keywords at the bottom using terms from the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) list.
3. Main Text: Should follow the IMRaD structure (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion). The introduction should summarize the purpose and rationale for the study without an extensive review of the subject. The methods section should provide exact methods with sufficient detail to allow replication. Results should be presented in text, tables, and figures without duplication. Discussion should emphasize present findings and their implications.
4. Acknowledgements: All contributors who do not meet the criteria for authorship should be listed here, along with details of financial and material support.
5. References: Formatted in Vancouver style (see section 3.4 for details).
6. Tables and Figures: Each table and figure should be placed on a separate page at the end of the manuscript.

3.3 Reporting Guidelines
The journal requires adherence to appropriate EQUATOR Network reporting guidelines based on study type:

• CONSORT for randomized controlled trials
• PRISMA for systematic reviews and meta-analyses
• STROBE for observational studies
• CARE for case reports
• SRQR for qualitative research

Authors should complete the appropriate checklist and submit it along with their manuscript. The checklists are available on the EQUATOR Network website (https://www.equator-network.org/)
3.4 Reference Formatting Reference Formatting Guidelines (Vancouver Style)
1. General Principles

References must be numbered consecutively in the order in which they are first mentioned in the text (Vancouver Style). Identify references in the text by Arabic numerals in square brackets (e.g., [1], [2,5]). The titles of journals should be abbreviated according to the standard abbreviations used in Index Medicus.

• Important Change: Contrary to the Index Medicus standard, the full title of journals must be cited, and the first letter of all major words in the journal title must be capitalized. (Example: Preventive Care in Nursing and Midwifery Journal)
• For each reference, you must provide one of the following:
  • DOI (Preferred): If available, include the full DOI link.
  • URL (if no DOI is available): For online resources without a DOI, provide the full, direct URL to the source, along with an access date.
• 2. General Reference Formats

2.1. Journal Article (More than 6 authors)

• Last name and initial(s) of the first author, followed by last names and initials of up to 6 authors, then et al. Title of the article. Full Journal Title. Year;Volume(Issue):Page numbers.
• Example:
  1. Amini K, Mirzaee M, Azadi A, Habibi V, Mohammadi M, Rezaee M, et al. Ethical challenges in the use of telemedicine for nursing care. Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine. 2020;13:17-25. doi:10.18502/jmehm.v13i17.4866

2.2. Journal Article (6 or Fewer Authors)

• Last name and initial(s) of all authors. Title of the article. Full Journal Title. Year;Volume(Issue):Page numbers.
• Example:

2. Hanifi N, Parvizy S, Joolaee S. The effect of a health promotion model-based program on the life quality of patients with heart failure. Preventive Care in Nursing and Midwifery Journal. 2021;11(1):45-53.
2.3. Book

• Last name and initial(s) of author(s) or editor(s). Title of Book. Edition (if not first). Place of Publication: Publisher; Year.
• Example:

3. Polit DF, Beck CT. Essentials of Nursing Research: Appraising Evidence for Nursing Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2022.
2.4. Chapter in an Edited Book

• Last name and initial(s) of the chapter author(s). Title of chapter. In: Last name and initial(s) of editor(s), editor(s). Title of Book. Edition (if not first). Place of Publication: Publisher; Year. p. Page numbers.
• Example:

4. Gheiasi SF, Mohammadi F. Preventive mental health care for adolescents. In: Abedi G, editor. Community Mental Health Nursing. Tehran: Chehr Publications; 2023. p. 155-70.
2.5. Online Resource (Organizations & Websites)

• Name of Organization. Title of page or content [Internet]. Place of Publication: Organization; Year [cited Date]. Available from: URL

6. Gholami M, Ahmadi F, Mohammadi E, Kazemnejad A. Barriers to Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing: A Qualitative Study. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research. 2023;28(2):150-157. doi:10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_421_21. 
Example 2: Journal Article with URL (No DOI)
7. Adib-Hajbaghery M, Maghaminejad F. The Effects of Simulation Training on the Clinical Competence of Nursing Students. Nurse Education Today. 2022;45(3):112-118. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0260691722000451 [cited 2025 Feb 20].
Example 3: Book with Persian Version
8. Hosseini Kasnavieh M. Principles of Patient Safety in Clinical Settings. 2nd ed. Tehran: Teymorzadeh Publications; 2021. Persian.
Submission Process
4.1 Pre-Submission Checklist
Before submission, authors should ensure they have completed the following:

• Manuscript formatted according to journal guidelines
• Title page with complete author details and corresponding author information
• Structured abstract with appropriate headings (for research articles)
• 3-5 MeSH keywords provided
• Ethical approval statement included in methods section (if applicable)
• AI usage disclosed in methods section (if applicable)
• Similarity report obtained and verified to be <20%
• References verified for accuracy and formatted in Vancouver style
• Tables and figures placed on separate pages with appropriate captions
• Reporting guideline checklist completed
• Cover letter prepared

4.2 Online Submission Steps
All submissions must be made electronically through the journal's online submission system at https://nmcjournal.zums.ac.ir/. The submission process involves the following steps:

1. Register/Login: Create an account using an academic email address. Existing authors can log in with their credentials.
2. Upload Files: The following files should be uploaded separately:
   • Main manuscript document (blinded for review)
   • Title page with author details
   • Cover letter (optional)
   • Completed reporting guideline checklist
   • Figures and tables (if not included in the main document)
3. Provide Metadata: Enter author names, affiliations, ORCID iDs, and other required information in the submission system.
4. Suggest Reviewers (optional): Authors may suggest potential reviewers with appropriate expertise who are not in conflict of interest.
5. Submit: Review all information before final submission. Once submitted, the corresponding author will receive an acknowledgment email with a reference number for future correspondence.

4.3 Cover Letter Requirements
The cover letter should be addressed to the Editor-in-Chief and must include:

• Brief introduction of the study's significance and novelty
• Statement confirming that the manuscript has not been published previously and is not under consideration elsewhere
• Declaration that all authors have approved the submission
• Adherence statement confirming that the study complies with ethical guidelines and regulations
• Suggested reviewers (if any) with contact information and justification for their selection
• Signature of the corresponding author

5
Post-Submission Procedures
5.1 Peer Review Process
PCNM employs a double-blind peer review process where both authors and reviewers remain anonymous to each other. The review process typically involves:

• Initial Screening: Manuscripts are first screened by the editorial team for compliance with journal guidelines and overall quality. Manuscripts that fail to meet basic standards may be desk-rejected at this stage.
• Peer Review: Manuscripts passing initial screening are sent to at least two independent reviewers with expertise in the relevant field. Reviewers evaluate the manuscript for originality, methodology, significance, and clarity.
• Editorial Decision: Based on reviewer recommendations, the editor makes one of the following decisions:
  • Accept without revision
  • Minor revisions required
  • Major revisions required
  • Reject

The journal strives to provide the first decision within 8-10 weeks of submission. Authors can check the status of their manuscript through the online submission system.
5.2 Revisions

• Minor Revisions: Authors are typically given 2 weeks to address minor revisions. The revised manuscript should be accompanied by a point-by-point response to reviewers' comments.
• Major Revisions: Authors are typically given 3 weeks to address major revisions. In addition to responding to reviewers' comments, authors may need to provide additional data or analyses.

When submitting a revised manuscript, authors should include:

• A response letter addressing each reviewer's comment point-by-point
• A tracked changes version showing all modifications
• Any additional files requested by the reviewers

5.3 Acceptance and Publication
Once a manuscript is accepted for publication:

• Proofreading: The editorial office will send page proofs to the corresponding author for review. Authors should carefully check the proofs for errors and return them within 48 hours.
• Publication: Accepted articles are published online ahead of print in the journal's current issue. The journal follows a continuous publication model to ensure the timely dissemination of research.
• Copyright: Authors retain copyright of their work under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License, which allows others to share and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution.
• No Fees: The journal charges no submission or publication fees, making it freely accessible to both authors and readers.

6
Mandatory Statements
All manuscripts must include the following statements in the designated sections:
6.1 Ethical Approval
For studies involving human or animal subjects, include the following statement in the Methods section:
"This study was approved by the [Name of Ethics Committee] (Approval Code: [code]; Date: [date]). All participants provided written informed consent before participation."
6.2 Funding Statement
Declare all sources of funding in the Acknowledgements section:
"This research received funding from [Funding Source] (Grant/Award Number: [number])." OR "No funding was received for this research."
6.3 Conflict of Interest
All authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest:
"The authors declare no conflicts of interest." OR "Author [initials] declares [specific conflict of interest]. The other authors declare no conflicts of interest."
6.4 Data Availability Statement
Include a statement about data availability in the manuscript:
"The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request." OR "The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in [repository name] at [DOI or URL]."

7
Contact Information
For questions or assistance with manuscript submission, please contact the editorial office:

• Editorial Office Email: pcnmzums.ac.ir (primary contact)
• Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Nasrin Hanifi (nasrinhanifizums.ac.ir)
• Managing Editor: Dr. Seyede Fatemeh Gheiasi (fatemeh.gheiasizums.ac.ir)
• Postal Address: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran

8
Journal Specifications
Table: Journal Metadata and Specifications

Journal Aspect	Specification
Publisher	Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Iran
Frequency	Quarterly
ISSN (Print)	2588-4441
ISSN (Online)	2588-445X
Indexing	Google Scholar, SID, ISC, Magiran, Barakatkns, Nindex
Open Access	Yes (CC BY-NC 3.0)
Publication Fees	None
Average Time to Publication	6 weeks
Manuscripts Accepted in	English

Note: This guideline aligns with the COPE principles technical requirements. Authors must review full details on the PCNM website before submission. For inquiries, contact the editorial office.
Last Updated: 2025-09-18