TYPES OF MANUSCRIPTS

Research (Clinical Investigation or Brief Practice Report). Research articles involve the results of original research. They include, but are not limited to, clinical studies involving therapeutic outcomes assessment, characterization of pharmacological activity in pediatric patients of various ages, medication administration problems or techniques, administrative and service descriptions, medication stability testing, health care policy, pharmacoeconomic analysis, and ethical and legal issues. Research articles undergo peer review and JPPT’s editorial process.

Brief Practice Report. These are similar to research manuscripts as they follow the same rigor, format and guidelines, but are shorter papers that are designed for small-scale research or research that is in early stages of development. These may include preliminary studies that use a simple research design or a small sample size and that have produced limited pilot data and initial findings that indicate need for further investigation. They may also describe or evaluate the impact of a policy or procedure change and implementation. Brief Practice Reports may be well suited for publication of resident projects.

Clinical Vignettes (Case Reports or Case Series). Clinical Vignettes are brief case reports that describe the medical course for one patient or a series of pediatric patients. Clinical Vignettes undergo the same peer review and editorial process as Research articles.

Education (Reviews or Therapeutic Dilemma). These are either evidence-based reviews of topics relevant to those practicing in the area of pediatric pharmacology and therapeutics of may be therapeutic dilemma, which are teaching cases that are based on real or contrived patients. The case is constructed to allow for discussion of an area of therapeutics that is novel or often misunderstood by practitioners. The discussion may be written by the same individual who developed the case or the Editor may identify a recognized expert clinician to provide a discussion of the case. Review and therapeutic delimma articles undergo the same peer-review and editorial process. Ethical topics, legal concerns, pharmacoeconomic, and healthcare policy papers are welcome. Reviews are usually unsolicited, but occasionally the Editor solicits a manuscript. To prevent duplication of a topic, contact the editorial office ([email protected]) before writing a Review. Review articles undergo the same peer review and editorial process as Research articles and Clinical Vignettes.

Therapeutic Dilemma. Are educational cases that are based on real or contrived patients. The case is constructed to allow for discussion of an area of therapeutics that is novel or often misunderstood by practitioners. The discussion may be written by the same individual who developed the case or the Editor may identify a recognized expert clinician to provide a discussion of the case. These pieces undergo the same peer-review and editorial process.

Opinion (Editorials, Position Papers, Letters to the Editor). An opinion generally provides commentary and analysis on an article in the issue in which it appears. Opinions may also provide a perspective on a selected topic. They are usually solicited, but the Editor is willing to discuss those that have not been requested. Another opinion piece is a Letter to the Editor, which is a brief communication that expresses an opinion in response to an article previously published in JPPT. A Letter must be submitted within 2 months of publication of a paper.