The British Journal of Surgical Science (BJSS) publishes high-quality research in all areas of surgical science, including clinical, translational, and experimental studies. Authors are expected to adhere to ethical and editorial standards to ensure the integrity, quality, and clarity of published work.
The British Journal of Surgical Science (BJSS) is FREE, for all authors [NO ARTICLE PROCESSING CHARGE].
1. Manuscript Submission
- Submission Process
- All manuscripts must be submitted online through the journal’s submission system (e.g., OJS).
- Submissions must include:
- Title page (with author names, affiliations, and ORCID iDs)
- Main manuscript
- Figures and tables
- Ethical approval statements (for studies involving humans or animals)
- Conflict of interest declaration
- Submissions must conform to the journal’s Open Access and Copyright policies.
- Peer Review
- All submissions undergo a double-blind peer review process. Each manuscript is evaluated by at least two independent reviewers with relevant subject expertise. Editorial decisions are based on reviewer recommendations, scientific quality, originality, methodological rigor, and clinical relevance. The Editor-in-Chief holds final responsibility for all publication decisions.
2. Types of Manuscripts Accepted
- Original Research Articles – Clinical, translational, or experimental studies
- Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
- Case Reports and Case Series – Educational or clinically significant
- Technical Notes & Surgical Techniques – Innovative procedures or devices
- Short Communications – Preliminary or emerging findings
- Editorials and Commentary – Expert perspectives on surgical practice
- Image in clinical surgery-interesting image with brief description and management
3. Manuscript Formatting
- General Formatting
- Language: English
- Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt
- Line spacing: Double-spaced
- Margins: 2.5 cm (1 inch) all sides
- Page numbers: Sequential throughout the manuscript
- Structure of Original Articles
- Title Page
- Full title
- Author names and affiliations
- ORCID iDs
- Corresponding author details
- Keywords (4–6)
- Abstract
- Maximum 250 words
- Structured for original research: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion
- Include 3–5 keywords
- Main Text
- Introduction
- Materials and Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
- Conflict of Interest Statement
- Funding Statement (if applicable)
- References
- Follow Vancouver style
- Number references sequentially as cited in the text
- Tables and Figures
- Include a descriptive title and legend
- Submit figures in high-resolution (≥300 dpi)
- Number sequentially (Figure 1, Table 1, etc.)
4. Editorial Checklist for Authors
Before submission, authors must ensure:
- Manuscript is original and not under consideration elsewhere
- Ethical approval is obtained for human or animal studies
- Conflicts of interest are disclosed
- Figures and tables are properly cited and formatted
- References are complete and formatted in Vancouver style
- Manuscript is double-spaced with page numbers
- File metadata does not include identifying information for double-blind review
5. Author Responsibilities and Expectations
- Authors must adhere to ethical guidelines, including COPE, ICMJE, and journal-specific policies.
- Authors retain copyright while granting BJSS a non-exclusive license to publish.
- Authors are responsible for accurate data presentation, correct authorship attribution, and disclosure of funding or conflicts.
- Authors should respond promptly to reviewer comments and revision requests.
- BJSS expects manuscripts to advance scientific knowledge, demonstrate methodological rigor, and contribute to clinical practice or research innovation.
6. Post-Acceptance
- Accepted manuscripts undergo copyediting, typesetting, and proofreading before online publication.
- All articles are Open Access, freely available immediately upon publication.
7. Ethical Statements Required
- Human studies: Must include informed consent and ethics committee approval
- Animal studies: Must follow institutional and international guidelines
- Conflict of Interest: Full disclosure required for all authors
- Funding: Declare all sources of financial support
Editorial Process
1. Submission
- Authors submit their manuscript through an online submission system or via email, following the journal’s formatting and ethical guidelines.
- Required documents usually include the manuscript, cover letter, figures/tables, and statements on conflicts of interest or ethical approvals.
2. Initial Evaluation (Editorial Screening)
- Editorial Office Check: The manuscript is checked for completeness, adherence to submission guidelines, and plagiarism.
- Scope & Fit: The Editor-in-Chief or handling editor evaluates whether the manuscript aligns with the journal’s aims and scope.
- Decision: Manuscripts that fail these checks are either returned to the authors for correction or rejected outright (desk rejection).
3. Peer Review
- Selection of Reviewers: Editors select experts in the relevant field to evaluate the manuscript. Usually, 2–3 reviewers are assigned.
- Review Process: Reviewers assess the manuscript for originality, significance, methodology, clarity, and ethical compliance.
- Reviewer Feedback: Reviewers provide comments and recommend acceptance, minor revisions, major revisions, or rejection.
- Editor Decision: Based on reviewer reports, the editor decides whether to proceed to revision or reject the manuscript.
4. Revisions
- Author Revision: Authors revise the manuscript according to reviewer comments, providing a detailed response letter explaining changes.
- Re-evaluation: The revised manuscript may be sent back to the original reviewers or evaluated by the editor.
- Final Acceptance: Once the revisions meet the journal’s standards, the editor issues a formal acceptance.
5. Copyediting and Editing
- Language & Style Editing: Professional editors correct grammar, punctuation, and adherence to journal style.
- Technical Editing: Formatting of tables, figures, references, and equations is finalized.
- Author Proofing: Authors review the edited manuscript and approve final changes.
6. Production
- Typesetting & Layout: The manuscript is converted into the journal’s final format (PDF/HTML).
- Proofreading: Final checks are done for errors in text, figures, tables, and references.
- Publication: The article is published online and/or in print, often assigned a DOI for citation purposes.
- Indexing & Dissemination: The article is indexed in databases and made accessible to readers.
Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement
British Journal of Surgical Science (BJSS)
The British Journal of Surgical Science (BJSS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and takes all possible measures against publication malpractice. BJSS follows the principles and best practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expects authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers to adhere to these ethical standards.
Plagiarism Policy
BJSS has a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism. All submitted manuscripts may be screened using plagiarism-detection software before peer review and publication.
Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:
- Copying text, data, figures, or tables without appropriate attribution.
- Presenting another person's work or ideas as one's own.
- Self-plagiarism or redundant publication without proper disclosure.
- Unattributed reproduction of previously published material.
Manuscripts found to contain significant plagiarism may be rejected immediately. If plagiarism is discovered after publication, the journal reserves the right to publish corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions as appropriate.
Corrections
BJSS is committed to maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record.
A correction may be published when:
- An error affects the accuracy of the publication but does not invalidate the study's findings.
- Author names, affiliations, acknowledgements, or funding information require amendment.
- Minor factual or typographical errors require correction.
Corrections will be linked to the original article and will clearly identify the changes made.
Retractions
BJSS may retract a published article when:
- There is clear evidence that the findings are unreliable due to misconduct or honest error.
- Plagiarism has occurred.
- Data fabrication or falsification is identified.
- Duplicate or redundant publication is confirmed.
- Unethical research practices are discovered.
- Serious violations of publication ethics are established.
Retraction notices will remain permanently available, be linked to the original article, and clearly state the reasons for retraction. Retracted articles will remain accessible as part of the scholarly record but will be clearly marked as retracted.
Expressions of Concern
The Editor-in-Chief may issue an Expression of Concern when:
- There is inconclusive evidence of research or publication misconduct.
- An institutional investigation is pending.
- Serious concerns have been raised regarding the integrity of a published article but sufficient evidence for retraction is not yet available.
Expressions of Concern will remain associated with the article until a final decision is reached.
Research Misconduct
Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- Fabrication of data.
- Falsification of data, images, or results.
- Plagiarism.
- Misrepresentation of authorship.
- Failure to disclose conflicts of interest.
- Unethical research involving human participants or animals.
- Manipulation of the peer-review process.
When allegations of misconduct arise, BJSS will investigate following COPE guidelines. The journal may request explanations from authors, institutions, ethics committees, or funding bodies and may take appropriate editorial action, including manuscript rejection, correction, retraction, or notification of relevant institutions.
Complaints Procedure
BJSS welcomes complaints regarding editorial processes, publication ethics, peer review, or journal management.
Complaints should be submitted in writing to the Editorial Office and should include:
- Full name and contact details of the complainant.
- Details of the article or manuscript involved.
- A clear description of the complaint.
- Supporting evidence where available.
The journal will acknowledge receipt of the complaint and conduct an impartial investigation. All complaints will be handled confidentially and fairly.
Appeals Process
Authors may appeal editorial decisions if they believe a decision was based on a misunderstanding, procedural error, or factual inaccuracy.
Appeals must:
- Be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief.
- Clearly state the grounds for appeal.
- Provide supporting evidence or rebuttal to reviewer comments.
The Editor-in-Chief may seek advice from additional editors or independent reviewers. The decision following an appeal will be considered final.
Ethical Oversight
Authors submitting research involving human participants must confirm that appropriate ethical approval was obtained and that informed consent was secured where required.
Research involving animals must comply with institutional, national, and international guidelines for animal welfare and ethical conduct.
Authors must disclose any conflicts of interest, funding sources, and relevant ethical approvals within their manuscript.
Editorial Independence
Editorial decisions are based solely on the scientific merit, originality, significance, and relevance of submitted manuscripts. Editorial decisions are independent of commercial, financial, or personal interests.
Post-Publication Responsibility
BJSS is committed to preserving the integrity of the academic record. Concerns raised after publication will be investigated promptly and transparently. Where necessary, corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions will be issued in accordance with established ethical publishing standards.
Contact
Questions regarding publication ethics, complaints, appeals, or research misconduct may be directed to the Editorial Office of the British Journal of Surgical Science through the journal's official contact channels.
