About the Journal

The Journal of African Medical Students is the official journal of the Federation of African Medical Students' Associations (FAMSA). Headquartered at the heart of medical education and collaboration, The Journal of African Medical Students is a cornerstone in advancing medical knowledge across Africa.

Aims and Scope

The Journal of African Medical Students is dedicated to promoting excellence in medical research and education throughout Africa. By releasing biannual issues in April and October, our journal provides a platform for medical students, researchers, educators, and practitioners to share knowledge and contribute to the advancement of medical sciences. The journal covers a wide array of topics, including Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Biomedical Sciences, Healthcare Innovation, and Medical Education.

Types of Articles Published

We welcome a diverse array of scholarly contributions, including:

  • Letters
  • Editorials
  • Commentaries
  • Original Articles
  • Case Reports
  • Reviews

Scope

The Journal of African Medical Students publishes manuscripts in the following fields:

  • Clinical Medicine
  • Public Health
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Healthcare Innovation
  • Medical Education

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Journal of African Medical Students adheres to the guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee for Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) to ensure high standards of ethics in all aspects of publication.

Authors' Responsibilities

  • Reporting Standards: Authors must present an accurate account of the work performed and provide an objective discussion of its significance.
  • Data Access and Retention: Authors may be asked to provide raw data in connection with a paper for editorial review.
  • Acknowledgement of Sources, Originality, and Plagiarism: Authors must ensure that they have written entirely original works and appropriately cite or quote the work and/or words of others.
  • Multiple, Duplicate, or Concurrent Publication: Authors should not publish manuscripts describing essentially the same research in more than one journal.
  • Paper Authorship: Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study.
  • Conflicts of Interest and Disclosure: All authors should disclose any financial or other substantive conflict of interest.
  • Fundamental Errors in Published Works: When an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy, it is their obligation to promptly notify the journal editor.

Editors' Responsibilities

  • Publication Decisions: The editors are responsible for deciding which of the articles submitted to the journal should be published.
  • Fair Play: An editor must evaluate manuscripts for their intellectual content without regard to the authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy.
  • Confidentiality: The editor and any editorial staff must not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, other editorial advisers, and the publisher, as appropriate.
  • Review of Manuscripts: Editors should ensure that each manuscript is initially evaluated for originality and select reviewers who have suitable expertise in the relevant field.
  • Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: Unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript must not be used in an editor’s own research without the express written consent of the author.

Reviewers' Responsibilities

  • Contribution to Editorial Decisions: Peer review assists the editor in making editorial decisions and may also assist the author in improving the paper.
  • Standards of Objectivity: Reviews should be conducted objectively.
  • Promptness: Any selected referee who feels unqualified to review the research reported in a manuscript or knows that its prompt review will be impossible should notify the editor.
  • Confidentiality: Any manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents.
  • Acknowledgement of Sources: Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors.
  • Disclosure and Conflict of Interest: Privileged information or ideas obtained through peer review must be kept confidential and not used for personal advantage.

Peer Review Process

The Journal of African Medical Students employs a rigorous peer-review process to ensure the publication of high-quality research. Our review process involves the following steps:

  1. Initial Manuscript Evaluation: Each manuscript is initially evaluated by the Editor-in-Chief for relevance to the journal's scope and adherence to basic submission requirements.
  2. Reviewer Selection: Reviewers are selected based on their expertise in the relevant field.
  3. Blind Review Process: The journal employs a double-blind review process.
  4. Review Criteria: Reviewers assess the manuscript for originality, scientific rigor, clarity of presentation, and relevance to the field.
  5. Review Timeline: Reviewers are given a maximum of three weeks to complete their assessment.
  6. Reviewer Feedback: Reviewers provide detailed comments and suggestions for improvements.
  7. Reviewer Recommendations: Reviewers will recommend one of the following actions: Accept Submission, Revisions Required, Decline Submission, or See Comments.
  8. Editorial Decision: The Board of Editors reviews the recommendations and feedback from the reviewers to make a final decision.
  9. Revision Stage: Authors receiving a request for revisions are given a specified time to resubmit their revised manuscript.
  10. Final Evaluation: The revised manuscript is reviewed by the Board of Editors.
  11. Proofreading: Once accepted, the manuscript undergoes a proofreading process.
  12. Publication Confirmation: The final version of the manuscript is sent to the author for approval of the layout and content.

Language

Authors whose first language is not English are encouraged to have their submissions undergo language editing. Proper language editing ensures clarity and readability, which are crucial for the effective dissemination of research findings.

Study Design and Ethics

Authors should adhere to the guidelines specified in the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). All studies must comply with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. Manuscripts must include a letter indicating Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval or approval by a similar ethics board.

Conflict of Interest

All conflicts of interest must be disclosed and managed appropriately. Authors are required to disclose any conflicts of interest when submitting a manuscript. A summary of the conflict of interest statements provided by the authors will be included with the published article.

Advertising

The Journal of African Medical Students maintains a strict policy to ensure that advertising does not influence editorial content. Advertisements are reviewed and approved by the journal to ensure they meet ethical standards and are appropriate for the journal's readership.

Join us in our mission to elevate medical scholarship, foster collaboration, and drive positive change in healthcare delivery and outcomes throughout Africa. Together, we can shape the future of medicine on the African continent and beyond.

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