Article Types
Each article is assigned a type depending on its content. This classification informs readers about the kind of content they can expect in the article (original research, review, communication, etc.) and provides indexing services with the ability to filter search results. This section describes the most common article types in detail, but this list is not exhaustive. The final decision on which type should be assigned to a published article rests with the editors. Scientists are encouraged to publish their experimental, theoretical, descriptive studies and observations in as much detail as possible to ensure the reproducibility of the results. Articles that do not contain sufficient detail may not be considered suitable for peer review.
Article
These are articles that contain original research findings. The study should report scientifically sound experiments and provide a substantial amount of new information. The article should include the most up-to-date and relevant references in the field. Structurally, it should consist of Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusions (optional) sections. For specific instructions and templates, please refer to the journal's webpages.
Review
Reviews provide a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature in a specific field of study, identifying current gaps or problems. They should be prepared with a critical and constructive approach and offer recommendations for future research. New, unpublished data should not be presented. Review articles may include Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Relevant Sections, Discussion, Results, and Future Directions sections.
Scoping Review
Articles in the form of a Scoping Review can be submitted as a Review. The structure is similar to that of a review article. Scoping reviews must strictly follow the PRISMA checklist for scoping reviews (https://www.prisma-statement.org/scoping) and submit this checklist as unpublished material during the submission process. Flowchart templates can be downloaded from the PRISMA website, and the diagram should be included in the main text. Authors are strongly encouraged to register their detailed protocols in a publicly accessible registry system, such as the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/) or Inplasy (https://inplasy.com/), before starting the data extraction process. Authors should include a statement in the Methods section about compliance with PRISMA guidelines and registration information (if available).
Systematic Review
Systematic review articles provide a detailed examination of previous research on a specific topic; this examination is carried out by identifying, categorizing, analyzing, and reporting the evidence on a specific topic, using clearly defined search parameters and methods. Structurally, they are similar to review articles; however, they must include a Methods section.
Systematic reviews must strictly follow the PRISMA checklist (https://www.prisma-statement.org/prisma-2020-statement) and include a completed PRISMA flow diagram as part of the main text or Supplementary Materials. Flowchart templates can be downloaded from the PRISMA website. Authors are strongly encouraged to register their detailed protocols in a publicly accessible registry system such as PROSPERO (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/) before starting the data extraction process. Authors should include a statement in the Methods section about compliance with PRISMA guidelines and registration information (if available).
Short Report
Short reports are brief, observational studies that report preliminary results or a short, completed study or protocol. Short reports usually contain two figures and/or one table; however, the Materials and Methods sections should be detailed to ensure the reproducibility of the presented work. The structure is similar to that of a research article.
Communication
Communications are short articles that present groundbreaking preliminary results or important findings that are part of a larger study spanning several years. They may also include the latest methods or experiments and the development of new technology or materials. The structure is similar to that of a research article.
Hypothesis
Hypothesis articles introduce a new hypothesis or theory or a new interpretation of that theory. These articles should provide: (1) a new interpretation of recent data or findings in a specific research area; (2) an accurate presentation of previously proposed hypotheses or theories; (3) the hypothesis presented, which should be testable within the framework of current knowledge; and (4) the possible inclusion of original data as well as personal insights and opinions. If new data are presented, the structure should follow that of a research article. If no new data are included, the structure may be more flexible but should still include an Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Relevant Sections, and Concluding Remarks.
Protocol
Protocols provide a detailed, step-by-step description of a method. They should be proven to be robust and reproducible and should accompany a previously published article that uses this method. All materials and equipment used should be clearly listed. Conditions, quantities, concentrations, etc. should be given. Critical time points and steps, as well as warnings, should be emphasized in the text. Structurally, they should include Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Experimental Design, Materials and Equipment, Detailed Procedure, and Expected Results sections.
Project Report
Project reports are brief and/or rapid announcements of project results and their impact. They should include a research strategy or approach, the activities, technologies, and details of the undertaken project, the results, and recommendations for the future direction of work in the field. The structure is similar to that of a research article but allows for a higher degree of flexibility.
Registered Report
Registered reports are scientific articles that undergo peer review before research is conducted and data are collected. Ideas that meet high scientific standards, such as rigor, robustness, significant importance, and impact for the scientific community, are provisionally accepted for publication before data collection begins.
Technical Note
Technical notes are short articles focused on a new technique, method, or procedure. These should describe significant modifications or unique applications for the described method. Technical notes can also be used to describe a new software tool or computational method. Structurally, they should include Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusions sections.
Essay
Essays are a type of article widely used in the humanities and social sciences to present provocative arguments that aim to stimulate readers to re-evaluate their thoughts on specific topics. The structure is similar to that of a review article. Arguments should be supported by relevant references.
Opinion
Opinions are short articles that reflect the author's views on a particular subject, technique, or recent findings. They should highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the topic presented in the opinion piece. The structure is similar to that of a review article; however, they are significantly shorter and focused on the author's opinion rather than a comprehensive, critical review.
Perspective
Perspectives are usually an invited type of article that showcases current developments in a specific field. Emphasis is placed on future directions of the field and the author's personal assessment. Comments should be placed in the context of the existing literature from the past 3 years to the present. The structure is similar to that of a review article.
Book Review
Book reviews are short literary criticisms that analyze the content, style, and merit of a recently published book. Full book details should be provided at the beginning of the article. Structurally, it should only include an Introduction and a discussion of critical points without sections or conclusions.
Editorial
These are non-peer-reviewed texts used to announce the launch of a new journal, a new section, a new Editor-in-Chief, a Special Issue, or an invited editorial. The main text should provide a brief introduction to the purpose and aim of the Editorial - to present the new journal, to conclude the Special Issue, to report on an urgent topic, etc. Editorials should not contain unpublished or original data but should provide a Conflict of Interest statement. Editorials prepared for the launch of new journals may also include a short biography of the Editor-in-Chief.
Interesting Images
This article type presents interesting images selected for educational, diagnostic, illustrative, or aesthetic purposes. The number of images included is at the discretion of the author, and there are no restrictions on the use of color or image size; however, high-resolution images with sharp features should be provided. The structure of Interesting Images includes an unstructured Abstract and Keywords without a regular article text (introduction/methods/results/discussion). The images should be accompanied by detailed descriptions that focus on the features of the image and their relevance, not a report of a case study. Reference citations should appear in the descriptions. There are no restrictions on the length of the descriptions.
Abstract and Proceeding Paper
Abstracts can be a short single paragraph summarizing the main topic and findings presented at the conference or an extension of a typical abstract that includes a moderately detailed account of the work. They should be submitted before the conference and provide details supporting a presentation made at the conference. The main text usually does not contain sections but may include tables, figures, and references. The length should not exceed four pages.
Proceeding papers report new evidence or results and are extended versions of work presented in a conference presentation. Conference proceedings can be incomplete findings reporting on an idea, technique, or significant results, thus providing readers with a brief overview of recent work or specific projects of significant interest. The structure is similar to a standard research article and should include sections such as Introduction, Methods, Results, Conclusions, etc. It is recommended that the length should not exceed eight pages.
Conference Report
Conference reports are records of the events of a conference, seminar, or meeting. They should provide a comprehensive overview of a meeting or session along with relevant background information for the reader. Structurally, they should include Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Conference Sections, and Concluding Remarks sections. They may also include all accepted meeting abstracts.
All published items will be assigned a digital object identifier (DOI) and will be citable, and posters, videos, or PPT presentations can be published alongside as Supplementary Materials.