Type of Manuscript

TYPES OF MANUSCRIPTS

Journal of Maternal and Child Health Sciences (JMCHS)

The Journal of Maternal and Child Health Sciences (JMCHS) welcomes scholarly manuscripts that contribute to the advancement of knowledge, evidence-based practice, education, and healthcare services in midwifery, maternal and child health, reproductive health, and women's health.

JMCHS publishes scientific articles addressing clinical, educational, community-based, and public health perspectives, with particular attention to improving the quality of maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare.

The journal accepts the following types of manuscripts:

1. Original Research Articles

Original Research Articles present findings from original scientific investigations that provide empirical evidence relevant to midwifery and maternal and child health.

The journal welcomes quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research, including observational studies, experimental and quasi-experimental studies, randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, and community-based research.

Research topics may include antenatal care, intrapartum care, postpartum care, neonatal care, breastfeeding, family planning, reproductive health, adolescent health, maternal nutrition, and midwifery education.

Manuscript structure:

  • Title

  • Abstract and Keywords

  • Introduction

  • Methods

  • Results

  • Discussion

  • Conclusion

  • Acknowledgments (if applicable)

  • Funding Statement

  • Conflict of Interest Statement

  • References

2. Review Articles

Review Articles provide critical analyses and syntheses of existing scientific literature concerning midwifery, maternal and child health, reproductive healthcare, and related disciplines.

JMCHS accepts the following review approaches:

a. Systematic Reviews

Systematic Reviews identify, critically appraise, and synthesize relevant research evidence using transparent and reproducible methods. Authors should follow the PRISMA reporting guidelines.

b. Meta-Analyses

Meta-Analyses statistically combine results from multiple studies to estimate pooled effects or associations. Authors must clearly describe the search strategy, eligibility criteria, assessment of study quality, and statistical methods.

c. Scoping Reviews

Scoping Reviews systematically map available evidence, identify key concepts, and describe the extent and characteristics of research within a defined topic. Authors should follow the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines.

d. Narrative Reviews

Narrative Reviews provide a critical and well-organized discussion of relevant literature, theoretical developments, or emerging issues in midwifery and maternal and child health. Authors should explain their literature selection approach and provide balanced interpretations supported by appropriate references.

3. Case Reports

Case Reports describe clinically relevant or educationally significant cases encountered in midwifery and maternal and child healthcare.

Submissions may address unusual clinical presentations, complex maternal or neonatal conditions, challenging midwifery management, or clinical situations that provide meaningful lessons for healthcare practice.

Case Reports should demonstrate clear educational value, ethical clinical management, and relevance to evidence-based midwifery care.

Manuscript structure:

  • Title

  • Abstract and Keywords

  • Introduction

  • Case Presentation

  • Clinical Assessment and Management

  • Discussion

  • Conclusion

  • Patient Consent Statement

  • References

Authors should follow the CARE reporting guidelines and obtain appropriate informed consent for publication.

4. Short Communications

Short Communications present concise findings from original research that provide relevant scientific or clinical information but do not require the length of a full Original Research Article.

This category may include preliminary findings, pilot studies, feasibility studies, methodological observations, or focused investigations related to maternal and child health.

Although shorter in format, submissions must demonstrate methodological clarity, scientific validity, and relevance to the journal's scope.

5. Evidence-Based Midwifery Practice Articles

Evidence-Based Midwifery Practice Articles examine the application of current scientific evidence to clinical decision-making and midwifery services.

These articles may discuss evidence-based interventions, clinical practice improvements, patient-centered care, or implementation of research findings in maternal and child healthcare settings.

Submissions should describe the clinical or service-related problem, relevant supporting evidence, implementation process where applicable, and implications for midwifery practice.

Articles reporting implementation projects or quality improvement interventions should use an appropriate study design and recognized reporting guideline.

6. Community Health and Midwifery Intervention Articles

This category presents systematically evaluated community-based interventions, maternal health promotion programs, and initiatives intended to improve access to or quality of maternal and child healthcare services.

Relevant topics include maternal health education, breastfeeding support, antenatal education, family planning counseling, adolescent reproductive health, community-based neonatal care, and maternal health service innovations.

Submissions must provide clear objectives, implementation methods, evaluation procedures, measurable findings, and discussion of the implications for clinical practice or public health.

Descriptive activity reports without systematic evaluation or meaningful scientific findings are not considered sufficient for publication.

7. Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor provide scholarly comments, constructive criticism, or scientific discussion concerning articles previously published in JMCHS or important issues relevant to the journal's scope.

Letters should present focused arguments supported by appropriate scientific evidence and maintain a respectful academic tone.

The editorial team may invite authors of the original article to respond to submitted correspondence.

8. Editorials

Editorials present informed perspectives on important developments, emerging challenges, research priorities, or policy issues related to midwifery, maternal and child health, and reproductive healthcare.

Editorials are generally written by members of the editorial team or invited experts. Unsolicited editorial submissions may be considered at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief.

General Manuscript Requirements

All manuscripts submitted to JMCHS must meet the following requirements:

  1. Manuscripts must be original, scientifically sound, and relevant to the journal's aims and scope.

  2. Manuscripts must not have been previously published or be under consideration for publication elsewhere, except where permitted under the journal's preprint policy.

  3. Research involving human participants must comply with applicable ethical standards and provide information regarding ethical approval or exemption, as appropriate.

  4. Informed consent must be obtained when required, and participant privacy and confidentiality must be protected.

  5. Authors must disclose potential conflicts of interest and sources of research funding.

  6. Manuscripts must follow appropriate reporting guidelines, such as CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA, COREQ, CARE, or other relevant standards according to the study design.

  7. Authors must accurately report research methods, findings, and limitations without fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or inappropriate data manipulation.

  8. All authors must meet recognized authorship criteria and approve the final submitted manuscript.

  9. The use of artificial intelligence tools must be disclosed in accordance with the journal's publication ethics policy, where applicable.

  10. All manuscripts are subject to initial editorial screening. Manuscripts selected for further consideration undergo peer review according to the journal's editorial policies, while editorial correspondence and invited content may follow different editorial procedures.

The editorial board reserves the right to determine the suitability of submitted manuscripts, request revisions, or decline submissions that do not meet the journal's scientific, ethical, or editorial standards.