Instructions for Authors

The CJRT will consider for publication manuscripts, in English or French, dealing with the professional practice of respiratory therapy or related information. Manuscripts are processed as rapidly as possible but are subject to a peer review process that may take 6 to 8 weeks. Please read instructions carefully.

All new and revised manuscripts will be accepted via email as an attachment and should be sent to:

Rita Hansen, Editor
Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy
400 - 331 Cooper St.
Ottawa ON K2P 0G5
Email: Rita Hansen
or
Amy Reid, Editor in Chief
Email: Amy Reid

The corresponding author for a paper should keep a copy of the manuscript, including all tables and illustrations. Articles submitted should not contain previously published material unless properly referenced. Articles should not be under consideration by another journal.

General Guidelines
The CJRT now uses VANCOUVER STYLE for manuscript submissions. The Vancouver Style, or Uniform Requirements Style, is based on an ANSI standard adapted by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) for databases such as Medline. It was developed in Vancouver in 1978 by editors of medical journals who now meet annually as the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Over 500 medical journals (including BMJ, CMAJ, & JAMA) use this style. For details please check http://www.michener.ca/lrc/lrcvanco.php.

The Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy typically accepts:

Original research papers reporting the results of scientific studies. They are peer reviewed by at least two independent readers with expertise in the area of research.

Authors may list three to five reviewers (include e-mail address, FAX number, and telephone number) they believe are qualified to review the paper. Suggested reviewers should not have been collaborators or co-authors within the previous three years, nor should they have provided substantial advice or critique of the submitted manuscript. They will be contacted at the discretion of CJRT staff.
Case reports describing clinical cases. These are also peer reviewed.
Editorials on relevant issues
Directed-readings on various topics, written by experts and formatted to include questions for self-evaluation of knowledge acquisition
Feature articles of special interest describing various topics such as innovative programs or approaches in any area of respiratory therapy practice or education.
Leadership/Management, Educators and Students columns
Technology Updates
Abstracts of current literature
Book reviews

Length
Original papers (not including charts and graphics) are generally over 4,000 words but do not exceed 8,000. Articles of interest are generally between 3,000 and 5,000 words. The Managing Editor reserves the right to edit articles to fit when necessary.

Submission Requirements
All manuscripts must be submitted in electronic format – as a Word format via email or CD to the Managing Editor. Please include authors name and credentials, the name of the institution where the work was carried out, address, phone number, email address of the corresponding author.

Obtain and forward written permission from authors of previously published work (tables, illustrations or lengthy quotes), which is being reproduced in the submitted article. Where identifying photographs are used, written consent must be obtained. Photographs must be at a minimum of 300 dpi if sent electronically.

Abstract
The abstract summarizing the rationale, methods, results, and conclusions of the study should be limited to 250 words. References should be avoided but, if used, must be presented in full rather than by a reference number. The abstract should be written as a single paragraph.

Keywords
A list of keywords for inclusion in the published article should be included. These will be published just below the abstract on the first page of the article.

Clinical Research
Research papers should include a clear, descriptive title; a structured abstract of no more than 250 words. The suggested components of this format are: Study Objectives; Design; Setting; Patients or Participants; Interventions; Measurements and Results; Conclusions. Each component should start on a new line.

For selected reports and papers that are not investigational, abstracts should not exceed 100 words. Include an introduction describing the purpose and importance of the investigation; a description of the methods, including the statistical analysis, so that the study can be duplicated; a discussion of the relevance of the findings and the limitations of the methods. Provide supporting references for scientific background and established methods, including statistical methods.

Tables
Number tables in the order in which they are cited in the text. On a separate sheet give a descriptive title for each table. Label columns with short, clear headings. Titles and detailed explanations belong in the legends, not on the illustrations themselves. Check arithmetic for accuracy. The article should not duplicate information reported in table format. Where ever possible Tables should be a Tiff, Jpeg or Gif for easier insertion into publication.

Figures
Figures should be professionally drawn or photographed. Figures produced for computer display may not reproduce well for print. Where ever possible Figures should be a Tiff, Jpeg or Gif for easier insertion into publication.

Graphics
When possible, photographs, illustrations, images and graphs should accompany article submissions. All graphic materials should be submitted electronically as separate Jpegs or Tiffs. In a case when the authors of the articles do not own the copyright for graphic materials they should obtain permission to use these materials prior to the article submission. Caption and credit(s) should be provided for all images submitted.

Abbreviations and Acronyms
On its first use in the text, use the full term, followed by the acronym or abbreviation in brackets. The abbreviation can then be used throughout the remainder of the article. In long articles, is sometimes helpful to use the full term again in the Discussion section. Do not write out full terms for standard units of measurement.

Please label all materials clearly.

Equipment
Name all apparatus, such as ventilators, giving the manufacturer's name and corporate address in parentheses. Identify all drugs and chemicals used, including generic names and dosages.

Acknowledgements
The authors can recognize significant technical or advisory contributions, or financial support in an acknowledgement statement at the end of the article. Each author must disclose all pertinent involvement in any organization with a direct financial interest in the subject of the manuscript. This information should be listed along with any sources of significant financial support. Any other potential conflicts of interest should be outlined in the cover letter. A good rule of thumb is: when in doubt, disclose. The Editor reserves the right to determine whether to share disclosed information with the readership.

References
Authors are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of citations. Number references consecutively in the order in which they are first mentioned in the text. Identify references in the text with numbers in brackets. Avoid using abstracts as references. Do not use the automatic footnote function found in word processing programs - it often produces duplicate references and other distortions.

Source of Materials
Generic names of drugs should be used instead of trade names. The location (city, state, country) of a manufacturer listed in the text should be provided after the first reference to the manufacturer.

Letters to the Editor
The CJRT welcomes and publishes letters from readers. Acceptance of a letter for publication is an editorial decision.