Submissions
Submission Preparation Checklist
Submission Checklist
Before proceeding with your submission, you must confirm that your manuscript complies with all of the following mandatory requirements. Please review each point carefully.
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Originality and Exclusive Submission: The manuscript is an original work that has not been previously published in whole or in part. It is not currently under consideration by any other journal.
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File Format: The main manuscript file is in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx).
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Reference Integrity: All references have been checked for accuracy. Where available, URLs (DOIs are preferred) for the references have been provided and are functional.
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Manuscript Formatting: The text adheres to the journal's specific formatting requirements:
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Font: Times New Roman, 12-point.
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Spacing: 1.15 line spacing.
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Layout: A4 paper size with standard (Normal) margins. The upper header space must be 2.7 cm.
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Length: The submitted article must not exceed 30 pages.
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File Name: Do not include special characters in the main manuscript file name.
- Figures and Tables: All illustrations, figures, and tables are embedded within the main text at the appropriate points.
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Style Guide Compliance: The manuscript strictly follows the stylistic and bibliographic requirements (including citation and reference format) as detailed in the complete Author Guidelines.
By checking the boxes and proceeding, you acknowledge compliance with these requirements.
Research Articles
Review Articles
Standard Section Policy for Review Articles
This policy outlines the required structure and content for review articles. Adherence to this format ensures clarity, logical flow, and comprehensive synthesis of existing literature, which are essential for high-quality, impactful reviews.
1. Title Page
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Title: Must be clear, descriptive, and accurately reflect the article's content. It should often include standard phrases such as:
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"A Review of..."
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"Recent Advances in..."
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"The Role of...: A Systematic Review"
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Author Names and Affiliations: List full first and last names. All affiliations (institution, department, city, country) must be clearly indicated using superscript numbers.
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Corresponding Author: Provide full contact information, including institutional email address, full postal address, and ORCID iD.
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Abstract: (Typically 150-300 words)
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Content: This is a summary of the review's purpose and conclusions, not new data. It must state the:
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Main topic and its significance.
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Primary objective and scope of the review.
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Key themes, advances, or debates synthesized.
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Main conclusions and proposed future directions.
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Keywords: Provide 4-10 relevant keywords to aid in article discoverability.
2. Main Text Body
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Introduction
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Purpose: To define the topic, establish its importance, and justify the need for the review.
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Content:
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Define the core subject area and essential terminology.
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Explain the field's significance, breadth, and timeliness.
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Justify the review's necessity (e.g., rapid recent progress, conflicting findings, or a need to synthesize disparate fields).
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Clearly state the aim, scope, and focus of the review, explicitly outlining what will and will not be covered.
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Example of Scope: "This review will focus on the role of microplastics in marine trophic chains over the last decade, with a particular emphasis on molecular-level toxicity mechanisms. It will not cover freshwater ecosystems or policy implications in detail."
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Main Body (Organized by Themes)
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Purpose: This is the core of the article, dedicated to a critical synthesis of the literature.
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Structure: The body must be organized using informative subheadings that reflect the logical themes of the topic, as defined in the introduction. This is not a simple list of summaries but a narrative that connects and evaluates research findings.
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Example Subheadings:
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Historical Perspective and Key Discoveries
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Molecular Mechanisms of [a Specific Process]
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Comparative Analysis across Different Models or Taxa
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Major Methodological Approaches and Their Limitations
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Emerging Theories and Current Debates
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Content: The writing must be a critical synthesis that:
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Identifies trends and patterns.
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Contrasts differing viewpoints and findings.
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Highlights major breakthroughs and consensus areas.
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Critically evaluates methodologies and evidence.
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Conclusion and Future Perspectives
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Purpose: To summarize the current state of knowledge and chart a clear path forward.
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Content:
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Succinctly summarize the main points and the primary "take-home" message.
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Explicitly identify the key knowledge gaps and unresolved questions that emerged from the analysis.
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Propose specific, actionable future research directions to address these gaps.
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Discuss potential long-term applications or the broader impact of the field's progress.
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3. Back Matter
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Acknowledgments: Recognize non-author contributors, technical support, and any other non-financial assistance.
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Author Contributions: Detail the contribution of each author using relevant CRediT roles (e.g., Conceptualization, Writing – Original Draft, Writing – Review & Editing). A specific statement is required for review articles.
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Funding Statement: Provide a clear declaration of all financial support received for the work, including grant numbers.
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Conflicts of Interest:
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All authors must declare any financial, personal, or professional relationships that could be perceived as influencing the work.
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If no conflicts exist, state: "The authors declare no competing interests."
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References:
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This section is typically extensive, often containing 50 to over 200 references, depending on the review's scope.
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Ricos Biology Journal strictly follows APA citation style. Every reference must be formatted exactly as required by the latest APA Publication Manual.
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Only published or "in press" papers should be cited. Avoid excessive self-citation.
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Figure and Table Legends:
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Each figure and table must have a standalone legend that fully explains all elements, symbols, and abbreviations, allowing it to be understood without reference to the main text.
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Case Study
Case Report
Standard Section Policy for a Case Report
This policy outlines the standard structure and content required for the publication of a case report. Adherence to this format ensures clarity, completeness, and utility for the medical and scientific community.
1.0 Abstract
A concise summary of the entire case report, typically structured. It must succinctly state the Introduction (the clinical context and reason for reporting), the Case Presentation (key patient details and the primary issue), the Discussion (the novel or educational aspect of the case), and the Conclusion (the primary takeaway message and its implications for clinical practice).
Source Phrase: "A brief summary of the case, including the main findings."
2.0 Introduction
This section provides essential background context for the reported case. It should briefly review the relevant medical literature, including the prevalence and typical presentation of the condition in question. The introduction must clearly articulate the novelty, rarity, or educational value of the case and state the specific reason for its presentation.
Source Phrase: "Background information on the condition, including its prevalence and significance."
3.0 Case Presentation
This is a detailed, chronological account of the individual patient's medical experience. It must be a comprehensive narrative that includes:
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Patient demographics (age, sex, relevant background).
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Presenting symptoms and history of the present illness.
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Pertinent physical examination findings.
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Results of all diagnostic investigations (e.g., laboratory tests, imaging, pathological analysis).
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Details of the therapeutic intervention(s), including dosage and duration.
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The treatment outcome and follow-up data.
Source Phrase: "A detailed description of the patient's history, symptoms, physical findings, diagnostic tests, treatment, and follow-up."
4.0 Discussion
This section provides a critical analysis and interpretation of the case. It should not merely restate the findings but should:
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Compare and contrast the presented case with existing literature and similar published cases.
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Explain the case's uniqueness, such as an unusual presentation, a rare disease, an unexpected treatment effect, or a novel diagnostic method.
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Discuss the rationale behind the diagnostic and therapeutic choices.
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Explicitly state the case's contribution to medical knowledge and propose any new hypotheses it may generate for future research.
Source Phrase: "An analysis of the case, comparing it with existing literature, and highlighting its significance."
5.0 Conclusion
A final, brief summary that distills the key "lesson learned" from the case. It should reinforce the primary message, state its clinical relevance, and may suggest directions for future investigation or changes in clinical practice.
Special Ethical and Data Policies
This journal adheres to the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing. Authors must comply with the following:
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Ethical and Permitting Statements: For research involving live animals, the manuscript must include explicit statements.
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Ethical Approval: If handling or collection occurred, provide confirmation of approval from an institutional ethical review board.
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Permits: Document all necessary collection and research permits from relevant wildlife authorities and landowners.
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Policy Compliance: All research must be conducted in accordance with:
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The World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki (https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki-ethical-principles-for-medical-research-involving-human-subjects/).
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The recommendations of the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) on publication ethics policies (https://wame.org/).
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The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing (https://publicationethics.org/resources/guidelines-new/principles-transparency-and-best-practice-scholarly-publishing).
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Example Statement: "This study was conducted under research permit #2024-123 from the [Name] Department of Natural Resources. All procedures involving the animal were performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations and were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of [University Name]."
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Data Availability:
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Purpose: To ensure the verifiability and long-term accessibility of the case study data.
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Statement: For a case study, the primary data are the observations and specimens. A typical statement is: "All data and images supporting this case report are included in this published article. The physical specimen has been deposited in the [Museum Name] under voucher number [Voucher #].
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Rationale and Scope for Case Reports
A case report is a detailed description of an individual patient's medical experience, serving as a fundamental tool for sharing unique clinical insights. These reports are crucial for documenting unusual or novel occurrences that contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge.
Key Characteristics:
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Focus on an Individual: Centers on a single patient's experience, providing depth rather than breadth.
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Detailed Account: Offers a comprehensive narrative of the patient's clinical journey.
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Novelty or Rarity: Typically describes unusual, unexpected, or previously unrecorded clinical phenomena.
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Contribution to Knowledge: Aims to generate new hypotheses, inform future research, and improve clinical practice.
Examples of Suitable Cases:
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A rare disease or a unique presentation of a common illness.
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An unexpected adverse or beneficial effect of a medication or intervention.
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The application of a novel diagnostic technique.
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A report of two or more concurrent, unexpected conditions in a single patient.
Importance to Medical Literature:
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Early Identification: Can serve as the first alert for a new disease or a new manifestation of a known condition.
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Insights into Rare Conditions: Provide valuable data on diseases that are not frequently encountered in larger studies.
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Identification of Unusual Treatment Responses: Highlight unexpected outcomes that can inform future therapeutic strategies.
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Hypothesis Generation: Spark new research questions and guide the design of subsequent larger-scale studies.
Educational Notes
Policy on Educational Notes
Ricos Biology Journal welcomes submissions to its "Educational Notes" section. This category publishes concise, peer-reviewed teaching materials designed to support educators and learners in the biological sciences. These notes make expert-level knowledge and pedagogical resources broadly accessible and citable.
1. Definition and Purpose
Educational Notes are structured academic publications derived from lectures, courses, or other teaching contexts. Their primary purposes are to:
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Enhance Learning: Provide clear, digestible explanations of complex biological topics for students and lifelong learners.
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Support Teaching: Offer ready-to-use resources for educators, such as structured lesson outlines, case studies, or methodological guides.
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Disseminate Knowledge: Broaden access to expert insights and effective teaching methodologies without the requirement of original research data.
2. Submission Guidelines
All submissions must adhere to the following requirements:
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Structure: Manuscripts must follow the required elements include:
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A mandatory Abstract (max 150 words).
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A list of Keywords.
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Introduction.
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Clearly structured sections (e.g., "Core Concepts," "Teaching Applications," "Examples").
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Summary or Conclusion.
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References.
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Optional appendices for supplementary materials (e.g., slide decks, exercises, datasets).
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Length: Submissions should be between 3,000 and 5,000 words.
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Licensing: Accepted Educational Notes will be published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license or, alternatively, require a copyright transfer to the journal, as specified upon acceptance.
3. Peer Review Process
All Educational Notes undergo a rigorous peer review to ensure quality and utility.
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Review Criteria: Submissions are evaluated for:
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Accuracy of the scientific content.
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Clarity of exposition and presentation.
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Educational Utility and relevance to the journal's audience.
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Originality of the pedagogical approach.
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Review Panel: Each submission is reviewed by at least two experts, typically including one subject-matter specialist and one educator with expertise in pedagogy.
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Revisions: Minor revisions may be approved directly by the section editor at their discretion. Major revisions will require a second round of peer review.
4. Indexing, Archiving, and Identification
To ensure visibility and permanent access:
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Digital Object Identifier (DOI): Each published Educational Note receives a unique DOI through Crossref, with an "EN" prefix for clear identification (e.g.,
10.1234/ricosbio.2024.en001). -
Indexing: Notes are submitted for indexing in major databases, including:
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Journal metadata will explicitly classify these works as "non-research content" to ensure proper categorization.
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Archiving: Educational Notes are published within the journal's regular issues or annual supplements and are permanently archived accordingly.
5. Citation and Recognition
Educational Notes are treated as full, citable academic contributions.
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Citation Format:
Author(s). (Year). Title of note. Ricos Biology Journal, Volume(Issue), Educational Notes, Page range. DOI -
Supplementary Materials: Authors are encouraged to host and link to supplementary materials (e.g., slides, videos) on trusted repositories like Zenodo or Figshare, which will also receive a citable DOI.
6. Editorial Oversight and Promotion
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Section Editor: The Educational Notes section is managed by Prof. Abouelhag H. A., who provides editorial oversight with a focus on pedagogical quality and relevance.
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Promotion: Published Educational Notes are highlighted as Open Educational Resources (OER) in the journal's newsletters and social media channels to maximize reach and impact within the educational community.
Copyright Notice
Author(s) who publish article in Ricos Biology, agree to the following terms:
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Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under license Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
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Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
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Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
Privacy Statement
Privacy Statement
1. Introduction
Ricos Biology Journal is committed to maintaining the trust and confidence of its authors, reviewers, and readers. This privacy statement outlines how we collect, use, and protect the personal information you provide when interacting with our journal website.
2. Information We Collect
We collect personal information that is necessary for the operation of an academic journal. This typically includes:
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Name
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Email Address
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Institutional Affiliation
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ORCID iD (if provided)
3. How We Use Your Information
In line with our commitment to your privacy, the names and email addresses entered in this journal site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of this journal. This includes:
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Managing the submission, peer-review, and editorial process.
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Communicating with you about your submission, review, or editorial role.
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Sending you confirmation and notification emails related to your interaction with the journal.
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(Optional) Informing you about new issues, calls for papers, and other relevant journal news (you can opt-out at any time).
4. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We uphold a strict non-disclosure policy. Your personal information will not be made available for any other purpose or to any other party. We do not sell, rent, or trade our user lists with any third parties.
5. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect the personal data we hold from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
6. Your Rights
You have the right to access, correct, or request the deletion of your personal data held by us. To do so, please contact us at info@ricosbiology.net
