The word count excludes the title page, abstract, tables, acknowledgements and contributions and the references.

Also see detailed instructions for online submission and formatting your manuscript.

Please note: As a matter of conformity with BMJ policy (BMJ. 2001; 322(7298):1320-1321) this Journal does not permit the use of the word 'accident' except where it appears in a formal title e.g. Child Accident Prevention Trust.

Page Charges: All papers submitted after Jan 1 2004 that are accepted for publication will be subjected to charges of (£100; US$190; €150) for each complete printed page. This charge will be waived for those in low income countries (click here for a list of low income countries), for all current subscribers, and for contributors who agree to subscribe prior to publication to either the print (£128; US$243; €189) or online version (£69; US$131; €102). [NB. These are personal subscription prices only; for institutional prices (please visit www.injuryprevention.com). We deeply regret that we are forced to take this position but it reflects the current economic climate for publishing journals with no other sources of revenue (e.g. advertising).

Original articles should be double spaced and should not exceed 3000 words in length. Three or four keywords or phrases should be provided.

Please note that we require registration of clinical trials and reporting of randomized clinical trials according to the CONSORT guidelines.

We also ask that authors follow the STROBE guidelines when reporting observational studies.

Although not required for publication in Injury Prevention, authors are encouraged to review similar published guidelines for the reporting of systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and assessments of diagnostic test.

Conclude the manuscript with “key messages” as described above and a statement of contributorship.

Word count: up to 3000 words
Structured Abstract: up to 250 words
Tables/Illustrations: up to 6
References: up to 40

Brief reports are intended to highlight interesting findings that do not warrant the space required of an original article. They differ from Correspondence in that they present data or findings that stand on their own, rather than referring to a work already published.

Conclude the manuscript with “key messages” as described above and a statement of contributorship.

Length: up to 1500 words
Abstract: up to 150 words
Tables/Illustrations: up to 4
References: up to 20

New methodological contributions are important to this field, as are studies or appraisals of existing methodological approaches. Papers with this focus are reviewed in the same manner as Original Articles. Detailed items (tables or graphs) may be included but could be placed only on the website and not appear in print.

Word count: up to 3000 words
Structured Abstract: up to 250 words
Tables/Illustrations: up to 6
References: up to 40

We encourage review papers, preferably systematic reviews, and if well justified, they could run as long as 4000 words. Completed Cochrane reviews will also be considered for publication in this section. Detailed tables may need to be posted on the website and not printed. Conclude the manuscript with “key messages” as described above and a statement of contributorship.

Word count: up to 4000 words
Structured Abstract: up to 250 words
Tables/Illustrations: up to 6
References: up to 60

Injury Prevention is pleased to receive, review and publish protocols for studies in injury prevention that have been proposed or funded and that may or may not yet be recruiting subjects.

Study protocols will be considered for

1. Randomized controlled trials
2. Systematic reviews; and
3. Controlled observational studies

Protocols accepted for publication will have a citable abstract in the print edition, with full text and supplemental materials available online.

Submitted protocols must conform to the appropriate reporting guidelines.

All clinical trials must be prospectively registered. Any study protocol currently enrolling subjects must have evidence of appropriate ethical review.

Protocols that have secured funding from an agency following scientific peer review will be screened by an editorial team for originality, suitability of design and general interest to the readership. Protocols passing this initial screen will be published without additional review. Post-publication commentary is available on the website and may be useful to authors in revising or updating protocols.

If the protocol has not been funded on the basis of peer review, the protocol will be screened and may be sent for formal peer review by the journal with the option of returning the manuscript to the authors for revision.

Word count: unlimited online
Structured Abstract: up to 250 words for print journal

Reviews of methodology in injury control research and evaluation are featured. These papers highlight the context in which the methodology is useful, the key components of the method, and common pitfalls in its use or interpretation. Submissions should refer to examples of published work in which the method was appropriately and successfully employed. Methods that are uniquely suited to injury research (or have been adapted to be so) are of particular interest.

Authors wishing to contribute papers in this category should discuss their ideas with the editor in advance of submission.

Word count: up to 3000 words.
Abstract: up to 250 words.
Tables/Illustrations: up to 6.
References: up to 40.

Critical reviews of best practices in injury control are offered. These papers differ from systematic reviews in that they address not only the evidence base of applied injury prevention but also studies of effectiveness and implementation in diverse settings. Given the level of detail desired, practice reviews will typically be narrow in scope.

Typical sections in these manuscripts include:

1. Epidemiology: a description of the epidemiology, risk and protective factors related to the injury issue addressed. If epidemiology differs between the higher income and low/middle income countries, this should be acknowledged.
2. Countermeasures: a consideration of potential interventions. These should be related to identified risk or protective factors.
3. Best Practice: identification of successful countermeasures, including anticipated effect size, key program features associated with success, and issues of generalizability.
4. Implementation: economic, political or technical barriers to implementation and strategies to address these.
5. Research Agenda: identification of high-priority research questions still to be resolved to advance the field in this area.
6. Resources: Reference to online or print resources useful for replicating evidence-based best practices.

Authors wishing to contribute papers in this category should discuss their ideas with the editor in advance of submission.

Word count: up to 3000 words.
Abstract: up to 250 words.
Tables/Illustrations: up to 6.
References: up to 40.

Papers in this section focus on concepts, curricula and pedagogic techniques used to teach the science and practice of injury prevention. These papers highlight initiatives used to engage and train researchers, public health students, clinicians, policy makers and other groups instrumental in injury control. Submissions should identify the audience targeted, the expected educational outcomes, the results of any formal evaluation of the techniques presented and variation in implementation encountered in diverse settings. An important component of these papers is online access to training materials, resources or references.

Authors wishing to contribute papers in this category should discuss their ideas with the editor in advance of submission.

Word count: up to 3000 words.
Abstract: up to 250 words.
Tables/Illustrations: up to 6.
References: up to 40.

Policy Forum is a section for articles aspects of injury policy affecting any country or countries. Articles or commentaries may discuss, for example, policy formulation, advocacy, enactment, implementation, or enforcement. Manuscripts identifying risk factors for injury or evaluating the effects of programs should be submitted as Original Articles, Methodology, or Brief Reports, as appropriate.

For further information please see Vernick JS. Injury prevention policy forum. Injury Prevention 2006;12:382-384. You may also contact the section editor, Jon Vernick at jvernick{at}jhsph.edu

Word count: up to 3000 words.
Abstract: up to 250 words.
Tables/Illustrations: up to 6.
References: up to 40.

Special Features is a category reserved for papers that do not fit neatly in any of the other categories. Authors with what they believe to be such papers are encouraged to communicate with the editor by email before submission. As a rule, special features will be about 3000 words but many are shorter and a few longer. A special feature need not follow the customary structure e.g., of an Original Article.

This section is edited by Mike Hayes and contributions to it should be sent directly to him by email (mh{at}capt.org.uk)

This column highlights injury research published in other journals but likely to be of interest to our readership. This section is edited by Anara Guard. Contributions should be sent directly to her by email (aguard{at}edc.org)

Books, video, software and other media of interest to the injury prevention community are occasionally reviewed. Ian Scott edits this section (ianscott@virtual.net.au)

Reports of recently completed Cochrane reviews are submitted by the Cochrane Injuries Group.

Correspondence should be double spaced and may be published in a shortened form at the discretion of the Editor. Correspondence should relate to material that has been recently published in the journal. These letters can be spirited, but statements that may be viewed as slanderous or libelous will not be permitted.

eLetters may occasionally appear in the print copy but as a rule, they will not. The Editor alone decides which Correspondence to accept and it is not peer reviewed. Letters that are off topic, redundant or unlikely to be of interest to the general readership will not be considered.

Word count: up to 300 words.
Tables/Illustrations: up to 4.
References: up to 4

The BMJ Publishing Group journals are willing to consider publishing supplements to regular issues. In all cases, it is vital that the journal’s integrity, independence and academic reputation is not compromised in any way. For further information on criteria that must be fulfilled, download the supplements guidelines (PDF).