Author Guideline

Authors who wish to submit manuscripts to Optimal Journal of Midwifery Research and Innovation (OJMRI) are required to prepare their manuscripts according to the following guidelines. Authors are encouraged to carefully follow all requirements to ensure an efficient review and publication process.

1. Manuscript Format

  • Manuscripts should be prepared using Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) format. OJMRI does not accept manuscript submissions in PDF or other non-editable formats.
  • The manuscript should be written in English with clear academic language.
  • The manuscript should use A4 paper size (21 cm × 29.7 cm) with margins of at least 2.5 cm on all sides.
  • The manuscript should be prepared using single spacing with a consistent formatting style according to the journal template.
  • The recommended font is Times New Roman, with:
    • Article title: 14 pt, bold
    • Main manuscript text: 12 pt
    • Tables, figures, and references: according to the journal template.
  • Authors are required to use the official OJMRI manuscript template provided by the journal.

2. Manuscript Length

  • The manuscript should contain approximately 3,000–5,000 words, excluding:
    • Title
    • Author information
    • Abstract
    • Keywords
    • References
  • The recommended manuscript length is approximately 10–15 pages, depending on the type of manuscript and complexity of the study.

3. Article Structure

Manuscripts submitted to OJMRI should follow appropriate scientific structures according to the article type.

For Original Research Articles, the manuscript should follow the IMRaD structure:

  1. Introduction
    • Background and rationale of the study
    • Research gaps
    • Objectives or research questions
  2. Methods
    • Research design
    • Setting and participants
    • Sampling methods
    • Data collection procedures
    • Measurement instruments
    • Data analysis
    • Ethical considerations
  3. Results
    • Presentation of research findings
    • Tables and figures when appropriate
  4. Discussion
    • Interpretation of findings
    • Comparison with previous studies
    • Implications for midwifery practice, education, policy, or research
  5. Conclusion
    • Main findings and recommendations

Other manuscript types (Systematic Review, General Review, Case Study, or other scholarly articles) should follow appropriate scientific structures.

4. Article Title

  • The title should be concise, informative, and accurately represent the content of the manuscript.
  • The recommended title length is approximately 12–15 words.
  • The title should avoid unnecessary abbreviations and uncommon terminology.
  • The title should clearly reflect the focus of the research, particularly in relation to midwifery research, education, practice, innovation, or women's health.

5. Author Information

  • All authors must be listed in the correct order according to their contribution to the manuscript.
  • Author names should be written without academic degrees or professional titles.
  • The full name of each author should be provided as it should appear in the published article.
  • Each author must include:
    • Full name
    • Institutional affiliation
    • Country
    • Email address
    • ORCID ID (recommended)
  • The corresponding author must be clearly identified and provide an active email address for communication during the review and publication process.

6. Structured Abstract

Authors must provide a structured abstract in English.

The abstract should contain a maximum of 250 words and include the following components:

  • Background
  • Objective
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Conclusion

The abstract should provide a concise overview of the research purpose, methodology, major findings, and implications for midwifery practice, education, research, or innovation.

7. Keywords

  • Authors should provide 3–5 keywords that represent the main concepts of the manuscript.
  • Keywords should be arranged alphabetically.
  • Keywords should not use uncommon abbreviations.
  • Authors are encouraged to use standardized terms from recognized databases such as MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) when applicable.

Example:

Keywords: Evidence-based practice; Maternal health; Midwifery care; Women's health

8. Article Categories

During submission, authors must select the appropriate manuscript category:

  • Original Research Article
  • Systematic Review
  • Literature Review
  • Case Study
  • Innovation Report
  • Other Scholarly Articles

Submitted manuscripts must represent original scientific work and must not have been previously published or simultaneously submitted to another journal.

9. Headings and Subheadings

  • Main headings and subheadings should be concise and clearly demonstrate the organization and hierarchy of the manuscript.
  • Authors should maintain consistency in formatting throughout the manuscript.
  • The use of excessive subheadings should be avoided.

10. Tables and Figures

  • Tables and figures should be presented clearly and contribute meaningful information to the manuscript.
  • All tables must be editable and created using Microsoft Word table format.
  • Figures should be submitted in high-quality electronic format (preferably JPEG or PNG).
  • Each table and figure must:
    • Have a clear title;
    • Be numbered consecutively using Arabic numerals;
    • Be cited appropriately within the manuscript text.

Example:

Table 1. Characteristics of Study Participants
Figure 1. Research Framework

  • Information presented in tables and figures should not be unnecessarily repeated in the main text.
  • The manuscript should focus on explaining the significance and interpretation of the findings.
  • The maximum number of tables is 5, and the maximum number of figures is 3 per manuscript.

11. Ethical Considerations

  • Research involving human participants, including pregnant women, mothers, newborns, or other vulnerable populations, must comply with appropriate ethical standards.
  • Authors must provide information regarding ethical approval when applicable.
  • Authors must ensure participant confidentiality and obtain informed consent when required.

12. References

  • References should primarily consist of recent and reliable scientific sources.
  • Authors are encouraged to use:
    • Journal articles published within the last 5 years;
    • Textbooks published within the last 10 years (when relevant).
  • Authors are recommended to use reference management software such as Mendeley, Zotero, or EndNote.
  • References and citations must follow the APA 7th edition referencing style.
  • The reference list should be arranged alphabetically according to APA formatting requirements.
  • Authors should prioritize references from reputable scientific journals and internationally recognized sources.

13. Manuscript Originality and Publication Ethics

By submitting a manuscript to OJMRI, authors confirm that:

  • The manuscript is original work.
  • The manuscript has not been published previously in any form.
  • The manuscript is not under consideration by another journal.
  • All sources and contributions from other works have been appropriately acknowledged.
  • The manuscript complies with ethical research and publication standards.

All submitted manuscripts are subject to editorial screening and plagiarism checking before publication.

Important Note

Authors are strongly encouraged to ensure that manuscripts align with the journal's focus areas:

  • Essential Competencies for Midwifery
  • Midwifery Education
  • Continuity of Midwifery Care Model of Practice
  • Midwifery Leadership
  • Midwifery Enabling Environment
  • Midwifery Commitment to Gender Equality and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)