Case report template at IgMin Research

Preparing the Manuscript

Creating a high-quality manuscript that stands out is of the utmost importance for securing publication in IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal. Each subtype of case study has unique requirements and conditions that must be met to be considered for publication. Below are the specific criteria for each category:

Clinical case studies

For Clinical Case Studies, the emphasis is on the uniqueness of the case, the depth of analysis, and the clinical insights it offers. Here are the elements that could make a Clinical Case Study strong enough for consideration:

• Uniqueness: The case should present an unusual pathology, a rare presentation, or a novel treatment approach. Commonplace clinical situations are less likely to be accepted unless they offer significant new insights.
• Diagnostic protocols: The case should provide insight into new diagnostic methods, propose innovative treatment strategies, or reveal previously unknown mechanisms of a disease.
• Ethics and consent: Informed consent from the patient or guardians is non-negotiable. Additionally, the study should have been approved by an ethics committee, and this should be explicitly mentioned.
• Methodological rigor: The methods section should provide ample detail, allowing for the study to be replicated.
• Clinical relevance: The discussion should clearly articulate the clinical relevance and implications of the case, providing guidance for medical professionals.

Business case studies

The objective of Business Case Studies is to offer rich, real-world scenarios involving decision-making, management strategies, and outcome analysis. Below are the essential criteria for acceptance:

• Real-world application: The case should discuss actual businesses, market conditions, and challenges.
• Depth of analysis: The paper should deeply explore strategic decisions, competitive advantage, or financial performance, explaining both the successes and failures.
• Practical solutions: The case should propose solutions that have practical applications or offer new theoretical frameworks for business management.
• Innovation: Unique insights into business models, market trends, or organizational behavior are highly valued.
• Data-driven: The case should be supported by quantifiable data, industry reports, or detailed market analysis.

Environmental case studies

Environmental Case Studies provide essential contributions to our understanding of sustainability, conservation, and environmental science. Criteria for acceptance include:

• Innovative solutions: The study should offer new ways to solve existing environmental problems, such as pollution, waste management, or climate change.
• Sustainability: Research that proposes or evaluates sustainable practices is highly valued, particularly those that can be scaled for broader application.
• Scientific rigor: The methods used in the research should be scientifically rigorous, including robust sampling, data collection, and statistical analysis.
• Impact analysis: There must be a clear discussion on the long-term impact of the findings, and how they contribute to the existing body of knowledge.

Legal case studies

Legal Case Studies focus on the analysis and interpretation of legal issues. To be accepted, submissions must adhere to the following:

• Relevance: The legal issue under scrutiny should be of significant concern to the field.
• Analysis and interpretation: The study should provide a well-reasoned analysis and interpretation of legal statutes, judgments, or policy implications.
• Innovation: Submissions that offer new perspectives on constitutional issues, civil liberties, or justice reform will receive special attention.
• Ethical consideration: Ensure that all disclosures are made, especially when discussing ongoing cases or those that involve sensitive or classified information.

For all these types of case studies, the manuscript should be well-structured, proofread, and free of grammatical errors. It must include a concise but informative title, a robust abstract, and well-defined objectives. The references should be up-to-date and pertinent to the subject matter, adhering to the Journal's referencing style.

By adhering to these stringent criteria across all sub-types, authors increase the likelihood of their manuscript being accepted for publication in the journal. Each submitted case study undergoes a rigorous review process, so ensuring that all these factors are thoroughly addressed will make the manuscript more compelling to both the reviewers and readers alike.

In summary, the criteria for acceptance are multifaceted and vary by the type of case study. However, commonalities include a well-structured manuscript, relevance, depth of analysis, and adherence to ethical guidelines. Make sure you satisfy all these criteria to improve your chances of publication in IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal.

Standards and Guidelines for Case Studies

In any research publication, adherence to internationally accepted reporting standards and guidelines is not just a best practice but a requisite. Not only does it ensure the quality and reliability of the published article, but it also provides a structured framework for authors, thereby making the peer review and editorial processes more streamlined. Below are expanded details on the reporting standards and guidelines your case studies must align with to be considered for publication in IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal.

General reporting standards for all case studies

Transparency and reproducibility

The primary objective is to ensure that the case study is transparent and reproducible. All data, methods, and protocols should be reported in detail to allow for the verification of your claims. This includes making sure any statistical analyses are thoroughly explained, and their results clearly presented. You should make every effort to present raw data wherever applicable, as well as any tools or software used.

Ethical standards

Ethical compliance is paramount. Ethical approval from a recognized body is essential for clinical and environmental studies involving human or animal subjects. For business and legal case studies, the ethical concerns may involve confidentiality and consent to disclose organizational or client information. In all cases, a clear statement on ethical considerations is a requirement.
Specific Guidelines by Sub-Type

Clinical case studies: CARE guidelines

For Clinical Case Studies, adherence to the CARE (CAse REport) guidelines is essential. The CARE checklist ensures that case reports contain significant and essential details to serve their purpose as educational tools and scientific records. The 13 categories of the CARE guidelines cover:

1. Title: A succinct description of the reported case.
2. Key data: Summary of age, sex, and key symptoms of the subject.
3. Introduction: Why the case is unique or significant.
4. Patient information: Demographics, medical history, and consents.
5. Clinical findings: Detailed diagnostic data and relevant timelines.
6. Diagnostic assessment: Tools and procedures used for diagnosis, including tests and their results.
7. Interventions: Detailed treatment plans, including medications, dosages, and durations.
8. Outcomes: Follow-up and status of the case.
9. Discussion: Interpretation and insights into the case, including supporting literature.
10. Patient perspective: First-hand accounts, if possible.
11. Informed consent: Documented consent for publication.
12. IRB approval: Institutional Review Board approval for the study.
13. Timeline: Chronology of all significant events.

Business case studies: PRISMA

For Business Case Studies, following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines can be an advantage. PRISMA isn't specifically designed for case studies but has wide acceptance for presenting comprehensive systematic reviews in business research. PRISMA emphasizes:

1. Rationale: Reasoning for the study.
2. Objectives: Precise statement of primary and secondary outcomes.
3. Eligibility criteria: Guidelines for inclusion and exclusion in the study.
4. Information sources: Where and how information was sourced.
5. Search strategy: Keywords and databases utilized.
6. Study selection: Criteria for choosing specific cases among those identified.
7. Data collection process: Methodology for gathering data.
8. Data items: Exact variables considered.
9. Risk of bias: Assessment and control mechanisms for bias.
10. Summary measures: Primary measures employed for analysis.
11. Synthesis methods: Statistical or reasoning methods used for synthesizing data.

Environmental case studies: STROBE

For Environmental Case Studies, adhering to the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines is advised. STROBE is primarily used in epidemiological studies but is highly applicable to environmental case studies as it focuses on observational data, often the primary data type in environmental research. Key components include:

1. Background and objectives: Define the problem and what the study intends to accomplish.
2. Study design: Observational model used, justification, and rationale.
3. Setting: Geographical location, time period, and any relevant parameters.
4. Participants: Who or what is being observed and their selection criteria.
5. Variables: What is being measured or observed.
6. Data sources: Where the data comes from.
7. Bias: Any potential sources of bias and how they are mitigated.
8. Statistical methods: Analytical tools used for data interpretation.

Legal case studies: IRAC

For Legal Case Studies, using the IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) method is generally considered best practice for organizing the study:

1. Issue: Legal questions that the case presents.
2. Rule: Legal principles applied to solve the issue.
3. Application: How the rules are applied to the specific facts of the case.
4. Conclusion: The result, based on the application of the rule to the facts.

Each of these standard guidelines has its own nuances and specific requirements, which must be rigorously followed to ensure the case study’s acceptability for academic and professional scrutiny.

Adhering to these rigorous reporting standards and guidelines is not just a formality but a commitment to scientific integrity, intellectual rigor, and research ethics. Your strict adherence to these standards is a testament to your respect for the meticulousness and precision that sound academic work requires.

General Formatting Guidelines

To ensure a seamless and efficient editorial process, it's crucial that all manuscripts conform to our general formatting guidelines. This will not only speed up the processing time but also enhance the overall readability and impact of your article. Please follow these guidelines scrupulously.

Text

1. Font & size: The manuscript should be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font. This applies to the main body, abstract, and all sections of the article. A consistent font and size make it easier for reviewers and readers to focus on the content.
2. Line spacing: Use 1.5 line spacing throughout the document. This facilitates easy reading and makes it simpler for reviewers to insert comments between lines.
3. Paragraphs: Indent the first line of each new paragraph by 0.5 inches except for the first paragraph under a new heading.
4. Margins: All four sides of the page should have 1-inch margins. This uniform spacing ensures that nothing gets cut off during the printing process.
5. Page orientation: Stick to a portrait layout to maintain uniformity.
6. Headers and footers: The headers should contain the short title of the manuscript and page numbers. The footer can be left empty unless specifically required for additional notes, which are generally discouraged.

Figures

1. Resolution: All figures should be submitted in high-resolution, with 300 dpi being the minimum for grayscale and 600 dpi for line art.
2. File format: Acceptable formats for figures include JPEG, TIFF, and PNG.
3. Captioning: Every figure must have a caption that describes the content and its relevance to the text. Captions should be placed immediately below the figures.
4. Numbering: Figures should be numbered consecutively in the order they are mentioned in the text. Use Arabic numerals for this purpose.
5. Placement: Ideally, figures should be embedded in the text at appropriate points. However, if this is not feasible, include all figures at the end of the manuscript, each on a new page.
6. Size: Ensure that figures are not too large to fit on a single printed page.
7. Colors: If the figure uses colors, make sure that it also makes sense when printed in grayscale, as some readers may not have access to color printers.

Tables

1. Alignment: Tables should be single-spaced and aligned to the center of the page.
2. Numbering: Like figures, tables must be numbered consecutively using Arabic numerals.
3. Titles: Each table should have a brief but descriptive title.
4. Footnotes: Any additional information necessary to understand the table should be provided as footnotes below the table.
5. Borders: Use horizontal lines to separate the title, header row, and bottom of the table. Avoid vertical lines as they can clutter the table.
6. Units: Ensure that all units of measurement are clearly stated.

Complementary files

1. Supplementary material: Any supplementary material like data sets, videos, or additional figures should be submitted as separate files and not embedded in the main manuscript.
2. File format: Supplementary materials should be in universally accessible formats such as ZIP for multiple files, PDF for documents, and JPEG or PNG for additional images.
3. Description: Include a list describing each supplementary file so the editorial team and reviewers know what each file contains.
4. Citation in text: Clearly refer to the supplementary material at appropriate points in the manuscript. For example, "(See Supplementary Material S1)".

Consistency

Perhaps the most important point is to maintain consistency throughout your manuscript. The layout, abbreviations, titles, and numbers should all follow a uniform style. For instance, if you abbreviate a term as "USA" in one part of the article, make sure it is not spelled out as "United States of America" in another part.
Revision and Proofreading

Before submitting your manuscript, it is advisable to have it proofread by colleagues to catch any overlooked mistakes. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling must be impeccable. Any inconsistencies in formatting should be ironed out at this stage.
Software

It is recommended to use professional software like LaTeX or Microsoft Word for typesetting your article. These platforms offer advanced formatting options and are widely used in academic publishing.

By meticulously following these general formatting guidelines, you contribute to the efficiency of the entire publishing process, from peer review to publication, and ensure that your work is presented in a scholarly and accessible manner. Thank you for your attention to detail as it significantly impacts the dissemination of knowledge in our multidisciplinary fields.

Comprehensive Guide to Using Visual Elements

The role of visual elements in scientific and academic articles is often undervalued, yet they play a critical role in enhancing the comprehensibility, appeal, and overall impact of a manuscript. This section elaborates on the importance of pictures, types of permissible illustrations, sourcing, and ethical considerations associated with using visual elements in your case study articles.
The Importance of Pictures in Case Studies
In the realm of academic publishing, a picture can indeed be worth a thousand words. Visual elements such as photographs, charts, graphs, and other types of illustrations can dramatically improve the readability and informativeness of case studies across disciplines. In clinical case studies, for example, medical images can provide invaluable insights into the patient's condition. In business and environmental case studies, charts and graphs can convey complex data sets in an easily digestible format. In legal case studies, flowcharts or organizational tables could help in understanding legal processes.

Types of illustrations

1. Photographs: Especially useful in clinical case studies, photographs can document stages of treatment or symptomatology.
2. Charts and graphs: These can visually represent data in business, environmental, or clinical case studies. Line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, etc., can effectively convey trends, comparisons, and individual parameters.
3. Diagrams: Useful for explaining processes or mechanisms, diagrams can simplify complex ideas for easy understanding.
4. Flowcharts: Particularly useful in business and legal case studies to illustrate organizational structure or legal processes.
5. Schematics: These are especially important in environmental and engineering-related case studies, offering an overview of technical designs or systems.
6. Tables: While not strictly "pictures," tables serve a similar function, organizing information in an easily referable manner.

Sourcing illustrations

There are multiple ways to source images for your article, each with its own set of advantages and drawbacks:

1. Create your own: This is the safest way to ensure the image is free from copyright issues. Customized graphs and charts can be generated from your data sets. Software such as Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop can be used to create high-quality diagrams and other visual elements.
2. Stock images: There are several platforms offering high-quality images, sometimes at a price. Ensure that the image license allows for academic use.
3. Public domain: Images in the public domain are free to use and do not require permission from the copyright owner. However, they should still be cited properly.
4. Creative commons licenses: Some images are available under various Creative Commons licenses, each having specific permissions and restrictions. Make sure you read and understand the license terms before use.

Ethical considerations

1. Informed consent: For clinical photographs involving patients, written informed consent is absolutely necessary. Make sure the identity of the patient is not discernible unless the information is crucial to the case and the patient (or legal guardian) has given explicit consent for it to be disclosed.
2. Data integrity: Do not manipulate images to deceive or mislead readers. Any alterations should be acknowledged in the figure caption.
3. Proper attribution: Always credit the original source of the image, even if it is free to use. Failure to do so can lead to allegations of plagiarism.
4. Quality: Make sure all images are high-resolution and clear. Poor quality images can detract from the credibility of your study.
5. Relevance: Ensure that every image serves a clear, educational purpose. Irrelevant images can distract from the article's main points.

Tips on including pictures in manuscript

1. Captioning: Every image should have a corresponding caption that explains the image and cites the source if necessary.
2. Consistency: Make sure all images are consistent in style, form, and dimensions throughout the manuscript.
3. Placement: Images should be placed near the relevant text to make it easier for readers to make connections between the visual element and the accompanying information.
4. File formats: Commonly accepted formats are JPEG and TIFF for photos, and PNG or SVG for diagrams and charts. Make sure to check the journal’s guidelines.
5. File size: High-resolution images are preferred, but keep in mind any limitations on file size specified by the journal.

In conclusion, images are not merely decorative but serve a functional role in enhancing the value of a case study. By paying attention to the quality, relevance, and ethical dimensions of the pictures you include in your manuscript, you are more likely to create a compelling, impactful, and credible case study. Ensure you follow all guidelines and ethical norms associated with visual elements to maintain the integrity and quality of your academic work.

Precautions and Cautions

When preparing your manuscript for submission to IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal, there are several key considerations that are instrumental in enhancing the quality of your submission and its likelihood of acceptance. It's imperative to understand that while each subtype of case study—be it Clinical, Business, Environmental, or Legal—has its unique nuances, there are common precautions and cautions that apply universally. This section elaborates on these.

Data integrity

1. Data verification: Ensure that all data presented is accurate, unbiased, and verified. Use supplementary files to include raw data where applicable.
2. Cross-checking: A second or third party should independently check all data calculations and interpretations for accuracy.
3. Errors and omissions: Immediately communicate any errors or omissions discovered after submission to the editorial team. Rectifying these as quickly as possible is essential for maintaining integrity.

Ethical compliance

1. Informed consent: For Clinical and some Environmental case studies, informed consent from participants is a must. Make sure to document this clearly.
2. Animal testing: In instances involving animal testing, compliance with international welfare standards is obligatory.
3. Confidentiality: Protect the identity of all participants or entities involved, unless their explicit consent for disclosure has been obtained.

Intellectual property

1. Citation: Ensure that all referenced works are appropriately cited. Failure to do so is considered plagiarism, a grave ethical violation.
2. Image rights: If your article includes any images or figures that are not your own, make sure you have the rights to use them.
3. Third-party content: For any third-party content, permission must be explicitly obtained unless the content is in the public domain or falls under "fair use."

Research methodology

1. Scientific rigor: Employ rigorous methodologies irrespective of your field. Sloppy or imprecise methods will almost certainly result in rejection.
2. Study design: Clearly articulate your study design, sampling methods, and statistical tests to maintain transparency.
3. Peer reviews: Before submission, consider sharing your article with experts in the field for their review. Their feedback could be invaluable.

Objectivity and bias

1. Conflict of interest: Declare all potential conflicts of interest, including any financial, personal, or professional associations that might skew the research.
2. Funding sources: Clearly specify all sources of funding to maintain transparency and avoid any appearance of impropriety.
3. Independent verification: Aim for an external audit of your findings if applicable.

Authorship

1. Author contributions: Clearly specify each author’s role in the research. Contributions must be significant enough to warrant authorship, as per the ICMJE guidelines.
2. Acknowledgments: Individuals who contributed to the research but do not qualify for authorship should be acknowledged.

Manuscript presentation

1. Language: Utilize academic English, free from jargon, unless the jargon is field-specific and relevant.
2. Clarity and consistency: The text should be clear, logical, and consistent in terms of terminology, tone, and tense.
3. Textual errors: Proofread multiple times to avoid typographical and grammatical errors, as these could detract from the manuscript's academic integrity.

Falsification and fabrication

1. Data falsification: Any form of data falsification is unacceptable. This includes manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes.
2. Data fabrication: Creating data and recording or reporting them is a severe ethical breach and could lead to the retraction of the article and potential legal consequences.

Post-submission

1. Response to reviewers: Promptly respond to any queries or clarifications sought by reviewers.
2. Updates and corrections: Even after publication, the responsibility to update or correct previously published data rests with the authors.

Disclaimer for large language models

As a final note, please be informed that Large Language Models, such as ChatGPT, while useful for preliminary drafts or research, do not currently satisfy our authorship criteria. Therefore, while they may be used as tools in the research process, they should not replace human oversight and expertise.

Adhering to these precautions and cautions not only enhances your manuscript’s chances of acceptance but also contributes to the integrity and reputation of both the author(s) and the journal. Negligence in any of these areas could result in the rejection of the manuscript and may have further academic consequences. Therefore, it's in your best interest to pay meticulous attention to these details.

Text Formatting, Tables, Figures, and References

The meticulous presentation of your text, tables, figures, and references is crucial for both peer review and reader comprehension. Follow these comprehensive guidelines to ensure your manuscript conforms to IgMin Research – STEM's formatting expectations.

Text formatting

1. Font and size: Use 12-point Times New Roman font for the body text. For headings, you may size up to 14 points and bold.
2. Alignment and spacing: The text should be left-justified with 1.5 line spacing. Paragraphs should not be indented and should be separated by a single blank line.
3. Page layout: Employ a standard letter-size layout with 1-inch margins on all sides.
4. Page numbers: Number pages consecutively, placing the number in the upper-right corner starting from the title page.
5. Section headings: Clearly demarcate the different sections of your paper using bolded headings. Sub-headings should be italicized but not bolded.
6. Equations and formulae: Use MathType or LaTeX for equations and ensure they are aligned centrally on the page. The equation numbers should be aligned to the right.

Tables

1. Orientation and position: All tables should be horizontal and placed within the text at the appropriate points, rather than at the end of the manuscript.
2. Captioning: Table captions should be placed above the table and clearly describe the content. Number tables in the order they appear in the text.
3. Footnotes: Any additional explanations should be provided as footnotes below the table.
4. Formatting: Keep the table layout simple. Use horizontal lines to separate the title row from the content. Do not use vertical lines.
5. Data presentation: Data should be presented clearly, avoiding unnecessary decimals or units. Make sure tables are referred to in the manuscript.
6. Size and spacing: Tables should fit within the page margins with a single spacing between columns and rows.

Figures

1. File formats: Use high-resolution JPEG or TIFF files for figures. Figures in vector format like SVG are also accepted.
2. Placement: Figures should be integrated within the text at the appropriate positions, not grouped at the end.
3. Captioning: Provide detailed captions below the figures. Number figures consecutively based on their order of appearance in the text.
4. Quality: Ensure that the figures are high-quality, with resolution at least 300dpi for images and 600dpi for line art.
5. Color and shading: Use color sparingly, sticking to a consistent scheme. Ensure that color does not distort the scientific accuracy of the figure.
6. Legibility: All text within figures should be legible and consistent with the manuscript's font.

References

1. Citation style: We require citations to be formatted in NLM (National Library of Medicine) style.
2. In-Text citations: For in-text citations, use Arabic numbers in square brackets. For example, as stated by Smith et al.[1].
3. Reference list: References should be listed at the end of the manuscript in the order they appear in the text. Every reference must have an individual number.
4. Journal articles: When citing journal articles, include the following: authors, title, journal name (abbreviated), year, volume number, and page numbers.
5. Books and book chapters: Mention authors, title, chapter title (if applicable), editors (if applicable), place of publication, publisher, year, and page numbers (for book chapters).
6. Online sources: Include the URL, authors, title, and year of access. Make sure the URL is functional.
   Unpublished Works: For unpublished work, provide as much information as possible, including a URL if it is an online preprint.
7. Additional elements: Include DOIs and PubMed IDs where available.

Additional tips and reminders

1. Text formatting: Always proofread your document for consistency in text formatting, especially when you are combining multiple files or sections written by different authors.
2. Tables and figures: Double-check the alignment, labeling, and numbering of tables and figures. Ensure that each is referred to within the manuscript.
3. References: Ensure that your citations are up-to-date, and every in-text citation has a corresponding entry in the reference list.
4. Special characters and symbols: Use the Symbol font to insert special characters. Be sure they are formatted consistently throughout the manuscript.
5. Abbreviations and acronyms: These should be defined the first time they appear in the text.
6. Final review: Before submission, review the entire manuscript to ensure that all formatting elements are consistent, logical, and in alignment with IgMin Research – STEM guidelines.

Following these comprehensive guidelines will significantly expedite the publication process by reducing the time spent on formatting corrections during the review stage. Your careful attention to these details will facilitate a more efficient evaluation of the scientific content of your manuscript. Thank you for your submission to IgMin Research – STEM.

Article Preparatory Guidelines

For authors looking to contribute to IgMin Research – STEM, comprehensive article preparation is a key aspect of ensuring the highest chance of your submission being accepted. The guide aims to offer an in-depth overview of the multiple components required for a stellar manuscript. By adhering to this guide, you not only maintain the integrity of your scholarly work but also facilitate the peer-review process, helping your work reach a wider audience. The guidelines below serve as a roadmap for article preparation in all sub-disciplines covered by the journal.

1. Starting your manuscript: Before you begin writing, outline your article to identify the key points and logical flow of your manuscript. This preliminary organization will help you maintain focus and deliver a coherent narrative.

2. Understanding your audience: Know your audience well to craft a message that is both accessible and informative. This applies to the level of technical jargon you use, as well as the overarching structure and flow of the article.

3. Writing your title: The title should be both concise and informative. It should encapsulate the essence of the study. Remember, this is your first point of interaction with the reader; make it impactful.

4. Crafting an engaging abstract: Your abstract serves as a brief yet comprehensive summary of your work. It should be no more than 300 words and should include the objective, methods, results, and conclusion of your study.

5. Introduction: Laying the foundation: Your introduction should provide sufficient background information and establish the significance of your study. Detail the problem, specify your objectives, and list hypotheses if applicable.

6. Background or literature review: Here, you place your study within the context of the existing literature. Describe what has been established, what is lacking, and how your research fills that gap.

7. Methods: The blueprint: This section requires meticulous detail. You must describe your study design, participants, data collection, and analysis methods. For clinical case studies, incorporate the CARE checklist, for business and environmental cases use the PRISMA or STROBE guidelines, and for legal cases, the IRAC method.

8. Case presentation: The crux of your study: This is where you lay out your case. Be descriptive yet concise, ensuring you present all the relevant facts without any superfluous information.

9. Data visualization: High-quality charts, graphs, and tables can greatly improve the readability of your manuscript. Ensure all figures are well-labeled and add value to your study.

10. Discussion: The interpretation: Explain what your results mean and discuss your findings in the context of existing literature. Highlight any implications, limitations, and future research directions.

11. Conclusions: The takeaway: Sum up your findings and their implications. Make sure your conclusion reflects your study objectives and questions.
12. Acknowledgments and disclosures: It’s important to acknowledge those who contributed to the study. You must also disclose any conflicts of interest, funding sources, or ethical considerations.

13. References: The scholarly backbone: Adhering to the NLM citation style, ensure you cite every piece of existing work you've referred to in your manuscript.

14. Proofreading and quality assurance: Before submission, thoroughly proofread your manuscript for any grammatical errors and verify all information for accuracy. You may also consider professional language editing services.

15. Peer review and feedback: After internal review, be prepared for peer review and be willing to make revisions based on feedback. Engaging positively with reviewers’ feedback is crucial for the quality of your manuscript.

16. Formatting final touches: Before submitting, review the journal’s guidelines on text formatting, tables, figures, and citations one last time. Double-check each section and ensure you’re adhering to the journal's specific format.

17. Submission checklist: A final review of your article components should confirm the presence of:

1. Covering letter
2. Manuscript, including tables and panels
3. Figures
4. Author statement form
5. Declaration of interests and sources of funding statements

18. Compliance with ethical guidelines: Last but not least, ensure your study complies with all ethical guidelines, from informed consent to data protection. This is especially crucial for clinical and environmental studies, which often involve human or animal subjects.

By diligently following these guidelines, you contribute to the academic rigor and transparency that IgMin Research – STEM aims to uphold in scholarly publications. These guidelines are more than just a set of rules; they are a path to producing a manuscript that meets the highest standards of academic publishing. Thank you for considering submitting your work to IgMin Research – STEM. We look forward to your valuable contributions.

Mandatory Submission List for Case Studies

Understanding the submission process and the mandatory components of your submission is crucial for a smooth review and publication experience. All authors are required to submit the following items to ensure that their manuscripts undergo a thorough evaluation and speedy publication.

Covering letter

A covering letter is your introduction to the editorial team. It should succinctly outline the significance of the case study, the gap in existing literature it aims to fill, and why it's a perfect fit for IgMin Research – STEM. A covering letter is not merely a formality; it should effectively advocate for the importance of your work and entice the editorial board to consider it for publication.

Key elements:

• Introduction: Brief overview of the manuscript.
• Significance: Why the study is important.
• Fit: Why it suits the scope of the journal.
• Declaration: A statement declaring that the manuscript is original, hasn't been published elsewhere, and is not under consideration by another journal.

Manuscript including tables and panels

The core of your submission is the manuscript itself. It should include all the sections mentioned under the "Back-bone Structure of the Article," like the abstract, introduction, methodology, case presentation, discussion, conclusions, and others. Tables and panels should be clearly labeled and integrated into the document where they are first mentioned.

Key elements:

• Abstract: A brief summary of the case study.
• Introduction: Introduction and background.
• Methodology: Detailed methods.
• Findings: Outcomes of the study.
• Discussion: Interpretation of the findings.
• Conclusion: End remarks and future scope.
• Tables: Tabulated data, clearly labeled.
• Panels: Separate sections for detailed explanations, equations, or supplementary information.

Figures

Visual elements such as charts, graphs, and photographs can significantly enhance the impact of your article. However, these must be submitted as separate high-resolution files, preferably in JPEG or TIFF formats. Each figure should be labeled and a corresponding caption must be included within the manuscript.

Key elements:

• High-resolution: Minimum 300 DPI.
• Labels: Proper labeling of axes and units.
• Caption: Short description included in the manuscript.

Author statement form

Each co-author must fill out an author statement form that specifies their contributions to the study. This form also includes declarations related to conflicts of interest, ethics approval, and consent. Submission will not proceed until all authors have submitted their completed forms.

Key elements:

• Contributions: What each author contributed.
• Ethics and consent: Statements of ethics approval and participant consent.
• Conflict of interest: Any conflicts that need to be declared.

Declaration of interests and source of funding statements

Transparency is vital. Therefore, authors must provide a declaration of any conflicts of interest that could influence the results or interpretations of their study. This could be financial ties, direct or indirect conflicts, or any other form that might raise questions about the study's impartiality. Also, a clear statement outlining the sources of funding for the research is mandatory.

Key elements:

• Interests: All financial or non-financial interests.
• Source of funding: All funding sources should be declared, even if they do not present a conflict of interest.

In conclusion, the mandatory submission list is a structured way to ensure that your manuscript is complete and ready for peer review. Each of these components serves a specific purpose and is integral to the review and publication process. By adhering to the guidelines laid out for each of these mandatory elements, authors increase the likelihood of a smooth review process and faster publication.

Large Language Models and Authorship Criteria

In an increasingly digital landscape where technology plays an integral role in research and publication, it is crucial to delineate what qualifies as authentic authorship in scholarly articles. This becomes especially significant when we discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT in the preparation and creation of manuscripts.

What is a large language model?

A Large Language Model is a machine learning-based software that can produce human-like text based on the data it has been trained on. It can assist in a wide variety of tasks such as answering questions, providing recommendations, summarizing content, and even generating prose. However, its ability to generate text might lead to questions about intellectual contribution and authorship.

Why LLMs do not meet authorship criteria

While LLMs like ChatGPT can serve as beneficial tools for researchers, they don't have the intellectual capability to conceptualize a problem, propose hypotheses, conduct experiments, analyze data, or draw conclusions. They don't possess the ability for critical reasoning, ethical considerations, or the sense of responsibility that are cornerstone qualities in scholarly work. Here are some critical reasons why they fall short of fulfilling authorship criteria:

1. Lack of conceptual contribution: Authorship implies a substantial intellectual contribution to the work. LLMs, however sophisticated, don't possess the creative or intellectual agency to be considered an author.
2. Ethical responsibility: Scholars have ethical obligations to ensure the integrity and accuracy of their work. LLMs are not capable of understanding or adhering to ethical norms, further disqualifying them from authorship.
3. Inability to critique or revise: One of the key aspects of scholarly work is the iterative process of revision and critique. LLMs lack the cognitive skills to critique work or make revisions based on peer reviews.
4. No accountable entity: Scientific work often undergoes rigorous peer review and post-publication scrutiny. Authors are accountable for their contributions. LLMs, having no sense of accountability or ownership, do not fit within this framework.

Potential misuses of LLMs

1. Plagiarism risks: Because LLMs generate text based on existing data, there’s a potential risk of unintentional plagiarism.
2. Data integrity: LLMs are trained on extensive data sets that may include both high-quality and low-quality sources. Their output may thus lack the rigorous scientific basis required for scholarly work.
3. Ethical quandaries: The use of LLMs could potentially be viewed as 'ghostwriting,' a practice generally looked down upon in the academic community.

Guidelines for using LLMs responsibly

If you intend to use Large Language Models as part of your research process, here are some guidelines:

1. Clear attribution: While they don’t qualify for authorship, any substantial assistance from an LLM should be clearly stated in the acknowledgments section of the paper.
2. Data verification: Always verify the data generated by LLMs, ensuring they meet the rigorous scientific standards expected in scholarly communication.
3. Ethical oversight: Ensure that the use of LLMs adheres to the ethical guidelines laid out by your institution and the broader scholarly community.
4. Consult with co-authors and advisors: Before integrating content generated by LLMs, consult with all co-authors and advisors to ensure that it meets the necessary quality and ethical standards.

Conclusion on the role of LLMs in scholarly work

In sum, while LLMs like ChatGPT offer powerful tools that can assist in the research and drafting process, their contributions should not be mistaken for genuine intellectual effort that merits authorship. They are excellent as supplementary tools, capable of speeding up data collection or even aiding in initial drafting. Still, they lack the intellectual rigor, ethical standing, and creative thought integral to scholarly work. Therefore, any manuscripts submitted to IgMin Research – STEM | A Multidisciplinary Journal that rely heavily on text generated by LLMs will not meet our authorship criteria. Consequently, we urge all authors to follow these guidelines meticulously to maintain the high standards of integrity and intellectual rigor that our journal upholds.

In Summation

In this concluding section, we revisit the essential elements to consider while preparing your manuscript for submission to IgMin Research – STEM, a multidisciplinary journal. This summary serves as a quick guide but should be read in conjunction with the detailed guidelines provided above.

Criteria for evaluation

When your manuscript arrives at our editorial desk, the evaluation will hinge on several factors:

1. Relevance and novelty: Does your study provide new insights into a subject area?
2. Scientific rigor: Is the methodology sound and well-explained?
3. Clarity of presentation: Is the article well-organized and easy to understand?
4. Impact on the field: Could your study change current practices or provide new directions for research?
5. Ethical standards: Have all ethical considerations and permissions been met, including informed consent where required?
6. Peer reviews: What do the reviews from the experts in the field suggest?
7. Data availability: Is the data that supports your study available and easily accessible for review?

Preparing your manuscript

Ensuring your manuscript meets our guidelines involves several layers of preparation:

1. Abstract: The abstract should be concise, summarizing the problem, methods, and findings.
2. Background: Contextualize your study within existing literature.
3. Methodology: Provide a detailed description of the research design, data collection, and analysis.
4. Findings: Present the data in a structured format, making use of tables and figures where necessary.
5. Interpretation: Offer insights into what the data means, avoiding overstated conclusions.
6. Final Thoughts: Sum up the study, its implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research.

Declarations

All submitted manuscripts must include a section for declarations. These declarations serve as a transparency mechanism:

1. Ethical approval: Make clear any ethical considerations, including approvals for human or animal research.
2. Agreement to publish: Authors must provide explicit consent for publication.
3. Openness of information: Confirm the availability of data sets and materials relevant to the study.
4. Conflicting interests: Disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the study.
5. Financial support: Acknowledge any grants, funding, or in-kind support received during the study.
6. Contributorship: Clearly state the role of each author in the study.
7. Gratitude: Acknowledge non-author contributions.
8. Biographical details (optional): Some journals request short biographies of the authors.

Supplementary information

This is where you provide additional, supportive information to enrich the main text of the article.

1. Ethical approval and consent: Any additional considerations that didn't fit within the main Ethics section.
2. Consent for publication: Explicitly state consent from participants for the public release of data or images.
3. Availability of information: A detailed description of where to find the datasets, supplementary materials, etc.
4. Conflicting interests: Additional information about conflicts of interest.
5. Financial support: Elaborate on the funding sources and their role in the research.
6. Contributorship: More detailed information about each author’s contributions.
7. Gratitude: Expanded acknowledgments, thanking individuals or institutions that played a minor role in the research.
8. Biographical details: If optional, an expanded section on author bios, outlining expertise relevant to the study.
9. Endnotes: Any additional information or clarifications not included in the main body of text.
10. Citations:
    1.    Web links: Include hyperlinks to cited work where applicable.
    2.    Example citation style: An example to guide authors on how to format their citations.
11. Visual aids and additional files: Specific guidelines on the format and file types for visual data.
12. Submission of article: Final steps in the process of submission, including mandatory documents and the mode of submission.

Takeaway

Understanding and following the detailed guidelines is crucial for the acceptance of your manuscript. Each section, from the abstract to the conclusions and supplementary information, is a building block in the presentation of your research. Ensure clarity, scientific rigor, and adherence to ethical norms. Your dedication to these details reflects not only on your work but also contributes to the scientific rigor and reputation of IgMin Research – STEM as a multidisciplinary journal.

By abiding by these guidelines, you increase the likelihood of a smooth review process and, ultimately, the publication of your article.

Remember, a well-prepared manuscript increases the likelihood of your article being accepted. So, please follow these guidelines carefully. Thank you!