Before You Start
Many manuscripts are sent back before review for reasons that could be fixed in minutes. The purpose of this checklist is to catch such issues while correcting them is still inexpensive. Keep a copy of the checklist beside you while you prepare the final file.
Follow the sections in sequence. The final one deals with the period after uploading, when a number of preventable problems tend to arise.
Fit and Eligibility
- The research is original and has not been published
- No other journal is currently considering it
- The subject lies inside the journal's declared scope
- The journal has carried studies that use a similar method
- The journal takes this kind of article
- You have looked into your institution's expectations of the publication venue
- You have read the fee details and understand the amount due and the timing
Manuscript Structure
| Element | Check |
|---|---|
| Title | Precise, clear about the subject, and free of unexplained abbreviations |
| Authors | Complete names in the right order, affiliations given, corresponding author marked |
| Abstract | Stands on its own, covers the question, method, findings and implication, and respects the word limit |
| Key Terms | No more than the permitted count; words that readers really search for |
| Introduction | The problem, its importance, existing knowledge and the gap, all reached without delay |
| Literature review | Discusses earlier studies, including those that disagree with yours |
| Methodology | Thorough enough that other researchers could replicate it |
| Results | Results reported a single time with no interpretation |
| Discussion | Significance, connection to earlier research and particular limitations |
| In Summary | What has been shown, without fresh results |
| References | Complete and consistent |
Formatting
- Journal template applied
- Page numbers present, plus line numbers when the template allows
- A single citation style applied consistently
- Numbered sections and subsections
- Each abbreviation explained when first used, separately in the abstract and the main text
- SI units used, and a unit attached to every reported quantity
- Equations numbered and typed in the equation editor instead of pasted as pictures
- Heading styles taken from the template and not bolded manually
Figures and Tables
- Numbered by order of first mention, with each one cited in the text
- Captions that make sense without the nearby text
- Axes marked with quantities and their units
- Lettering in figures readable at the printed size
- Sufficient resolution for printing
- The same data not repeated in both a table and a figure
- Permission secured and the source acknowledged for all reproduced content
- No alteration that changes what the data really show
References
- Each in-text citation is in the reference list, and each listed entry is cited in the text
- Every reference verified against the original source rather than copied from another paper's list
- Full information: authors, year, title, venue, volume, issue and pages
- A DOI added whenever available
- The published version cited instead of the preprint when both are available
- No filler references to works you never used
Declarations
- Funding — all sources listed, with their grant numbers
- Competing interests — disclosed, or clearly stated to be absent
- Author contributions — each person's role
- Ethical approval — name the committee and the reference number for studies involving people or animals
- Consent — the way informed consent was gained, covering permission to publish identifiable material
- Data availability — the location of the data, or the reason they cannot be shared
- AI use — name any generative tool and state its purpose
At-a-Glance Checklist
- Scope confirmedThis type is published by the journal
- Template usedFonts, headings and numbering
- Figures legibleCaptions included
- Declarations addedEthics, conflicts and AI
- Author details preciseMatching certificates
The Last Ten Minutes
- View the PDF you intend to upload — and not the original source file
- Make sure fonts, tables and figures display — properly
- Re-check author details — spelling and sequence
- Re-check declarations — every one present
- Keep your confirmation — together with the paper ID
Co-Author Sign-Off
| Item | Approved by every author |
|---|---|
| Final manuscript | Yes / No |
| Author order | Yes / No |
| Corresponding author | Yes / No |
| Declarations | Yes / No |
Practical Tips for a Smooth Manuscript Submission Session
Most upload problems come from rushing at the last moment. These working habits help you prepare calmly, so the submission itself becomes a short administrative step rather than a source of stress.
- Gather everything in one folder. Place the manuscript, figures, supplementary files, cover letter and author details together before opening the portal. Searching for missing items mid-form is where errors creep in.
- Check author names against ID records. Make sure every name, affiliation and email address matches how authors want to be published. Corrections after acceptance are slower and sometimes impossible to reflect everywhere.
- Remove identifying traces. If the review is anonymous, inspect file properties, headers, acknowledgements and tracked comments for names. Hidden metadata is a frequent cause of accidental disclosure.
- Preview the generated PDF. After uploading, open the compiled proof and read it from start to finish. Conversion can shift tables, drop symbols or reorder figures without any warning.
- Keep the confirmation safe. Save the acknowledgement message and any reference code. You will need them for status enquiries, and they prove the submission was received correctly.
Prepare files and author details beforehand, strip hidden identifiers, preview the compiled proof, and keep your confirmation message.
Questions Researchers Often Ask
Which files must I provide when submitting to JMVRA?
Send the manuscript prepared in the JMVRA template (MS Word) with the figures and tables already inserted. Any additional documents are asked for once the paper is accepted.
Must author names be taken out for the review?
Yes. Because JMVRA runs double-blind review, the copy sent for review must not disclose who the authors are.
How much similarity is allowed?
It must stay under 15%. Run a similarity check ahead of submission and acknowledge every source.
Do all co-authors need to review the final file?
Yes. Each person must give approval before the paper is submitted.
What should I do if I spot a mistake right after submitting?
Write to the editorial office promptly, quoting your paper ID.
Your Paper's Journey at JMVRA, From Submission to Publication
- Send paperPaper ID provided
- ScreenScope & similarity
- ReviewDouble-blind
- DecideEmail & SMS
- ReviseAddressing each comment
- AcceptCopyright & fee
- ProduceDOI offered upon request
- PublishMonthly issue
How long review takes depends on the reviewers and on any revision required, so no set turnaround is promised; you are told of acceptance or rejection by email and WhatsApp.
Blinding
This matters only for journals that use blind review, yet it is often done badly.
- Names of authors, affiliations and acknowledgements deleted from the main document
- Your earlier work referred to in the third person instead of “our earlier study”
- Identifying metadata cleared from the document properties
- Institution names made anonymous wherever this does not harm the science
- Funding statements relocated to the separate declarations
Files
- Revision tracking and comments deleted
- The file type is one the portal accepts
- The file opens properly on a different computer
- Figures uploaded as separate files when the portal asks for it
- Supplementary files open correctly and are mentioned in the text
- Files clearly named
Portal Details
- Author names written exactly the way they should appear in print
- Order of authors right and accepted by all
- Affiliations complete
- Corresponding author's email address accurate and regularly checked
- An ORCID provided for every author who has one
- Mobile number accurate, since decisions are delivered by email and WhatsApp
Final Pass
- Go through the abstract and make sure the body supports each claim made in it.
- Compare the introduction with the conclusion — does what is promised match what is delivered?
- Examine the similarity report and look at where the matches occur, not only at the percentage.
- Make certain every co-author has viewed and approved this particular version.
- Read the journal's author guidelines through once more as a last step.
After Submitting
- Note the paper ID and include it in each message you send
- Watch both email and WhatsApp, including spam folders
- If you have received no reply, do not submit the paper again, since that produces a duplicate record. Contact the editorial office and quote the ID instead. A short, polite message with the key details usually gets the fastest answer.
- Avoid sending it to another journal while this one is still considering it
- Keep your contact information up to date until the paper is published
Read the peer review process to learn the next steps, and the publication guidelines for the complete requirements.
Ready to Publish? Submit to JMVRA
JMVRA is aligned with UGC's Suggested Parameters for Choosing Peer-Reviewed Journals.
JMVRA is a Transparent, Peer-Reviewed, Open Access Journal (Refereed Journal). Following the discontinuation of the UGC and UGC-CARE journal listing, and in alignment with the latest UGC-CARE recommendations and guidelines, JMVRA is aligned with UGC’s Suggested Parameters for Choosing Peer-Reviewed Journals.
Related pages on jmvra.org
Key Terms
Subjects and search phrases this article addresses.
Keep Reading on the JMVRA Blog
Published on the JMVRA journal blog, this guide gives practical direction on publishing, indexing, metrics and research integrity, with a focus on what can be verified instead of on promotion.
Related Reading
Further reading on the same theme from the JMVRA blog.