Submissions

Submissions

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Submission Preparation Checklist

As part of the submission process, authors are required to check off their submission's compliance with all of the following items, and submissions may be returned to authors that do not adhere to these guidelines.
  • The submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration (or an explanation has been provided in Comments to the Editor).
  • The submission file is in OpenOffice, Microsoft Word, or RTF document file format.
  • Where available, URLs for the references have been provided.
  • The text is single-spaced; uses a 12-point font; employs italics, rather than underlining (except with URL addresses); and all illustrations, figures, and tables are placed within the text at the appropriate points, rather than at the end.
  • The text adheres to the stylistic and bibliographic requirements outlined in the Author Guidelines.

Author Guidelines

Synthēsis — Author Guidelines

1) Scope & article types

  • Short Meta-Analysis (≤1,000 words)
    One focused clinical/diagnostic/prognostic/public-health question. Transparent methods, reproducible code/data.

  • Methods Note (≤1,000 words)
    Concise techniques/clarifications for meta-analysis (e.g., handling HRs, small-study effects, prediction intervals).

  • Brief Update (≤800 words)
    Update to a prior meta-analysis where new studies materially shift conclusions.

Word limit excludes abstract, references, figures, tables, captions, and appendices/supplementary files.

2) Submission format

  • File: Microsoft Word (.docx), A4, 1.5 line spacing, margins 2.5 cm.

  • Font: 11-pt Calibri or 12-pt Times New Roman; consistent throughout.

  • Blinding: Peer review is single-anonymous (reviewers anonymous). Authors are named in the manuscript.

  • English: UK or US spelling (be consistent).

  • Identifiers: Provide ORCID for all authors; include CRediT contribution roles.

  • Ethics: If human/animal work is new (e.g., individual-patient data not yet public) provide IRB/consent details; otherwise state “No new human/animal research conducted.”

3) Manuscript structure (Short Meta-Analysis)

Title (≤18 words; avoid abbreviations).
Authors & affiliations (ORCIDs; corresponding author email).
Abstract (≤250 words, structured: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions; align with PRISMA-Abstracts).
Main text (≤1,000 words):

  1. Background — 2–3 sentences framing the clinical question.

  2. Methods — pre-registered protocol ID/DOI; databases & final search date (YYYY-MM-DD); inclusion criteria; effect measure(s); random-effects model with estimator (REML) and Hartung–Knapp if few studies/uneven weights; heterogeneity metrics (I², τ², 95% prediction interval [PI]); handling of small-study effects (e.g., funnel/Egger if k ≥ 10); software/package versions.

  3. Results — k studies, total N, pooled effect (with 95% CI), I², τ², PI, key sensitivity/subgroups (one-liners), small-study effects statement.

  4. Discussion — clinical interpretation anchored to PI; limitations; GRADE certainty; implications.

  5. Funding; Competing interests; Data/Code availability (DOI links); Acknowledgements.
    References (numeric Vancouver style).
    Figures/Tables (see specs).
    Appendix/Supplementary (search strings, PRISMA flow, extraction table + RoB judgments, analysis code + session info, extended results + GRADE table).

Methods Notes & Brief Updates follow the same logic but shorter/intended for techniques or evidence refresh.

4) Reporting requirements (mandatory)

  • Protocol pre-registration: PROSPERO or OSF (provide ID/DOI).

  • PRISMA 2020: Checklist + flow diagram with exact counts/reasons.

  • Risk of Bias: RoB 2 (trials) / ROBINS-I (observational); one-line rationale per domain.

  • Model & heterogeneity: Random-effects by default; report I², τ², PI; state τ² estimator (REML).

  • Small-study effects: Consider funnel plot/Egger if k ≥ 10; interpret cautiously.

  • GRADE: SoF snapshot in main text; full table in appendix.

  • Reproducibility: Public data & code with DOIs (e.g., Zenodo/OSF) + session info; list SHA-256 checksums in an appendix.

5) Figures, tables, and files

  • Figure limit:
    Short Meta-Analysis: 1 required (forest); optional funnel (k ≥ 10).
    Methods Note: up to 2 figures if essential.

  • Figure formats: SVG or PDF preferred (vector); PNG at ≥300 dpi acceptable. Include clear axis labels, model name, τ² estimator.

  • Alt text: Provide 1–2 sentences for accessibility (what the figure shows & takeaway).

  • Tables: Editable (not images). Supply as Word tables or CSV/Excel in supplement.

  • PRISMA diagram: Vector (SVG/PDF) recommended.

  • Supplementary: Provide as separate files with descriptive names.

6) Data, code, & materials

  • Deposit data (CSV/Excel), code (R, Python, RevMan export), and figures in Zenodo or OSF → obtain DOIs.

  • Cite DOIs in the manuscript and reference list (see examples).

  • Provide software/package versions (e.g., R 4.3.2; meta 6.5-0; metafor 4.4-0; RevMan Web build/date).

  • Provide checksums (SHA-256) for all deposited files in an appendix.

7) Use of AI tools

  • Authors must disclose any AI assistance (e.g., language editing, code generation) in the Acknowledgements; authors remain responsible for accuracy and originality; no AI-generated fabrication (citations, data) is permitted. Provide prompts and tools used if they influenced methods or text.

8) Bibliographic style & citation examples (Vancouver/AMA numeric)

In-text citations

  • Number references in the order first cited in the text: “…random-effects model.^12” (superscript) or “…random-effects model [12].” (bracketed)—choose one style and be consistent.

  • Re-use the same number for subsequent mentions.

Reference list format (general rules)

  • Authors: Surname Initials (no periods between initials), up to six authors; if >6, list first three et al.

  • Title: sentence case; do not capitalize minor words unless proper nouns.

  • Journal: abbreviated per NLM (PubMed).

  • Year;Volume(Issue):Pages. doi: (no URL if DOI present).

1) Journal article

  1. Smith AB, Khan R, Patel V, et al. Colchicine after myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis of randomized trials. Eur Heart J. 2025;46(3):210-220. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehad123

2) Preprint

  1. Lopez J, Ahmed S, Zhou T. Prognostic value of CMR strain in heart failure: systematic review and meta-analysis. medRxiv. Posted 2025-02-18. doi:10.1101/2025.02.18.123456

Include server, posting date, and DOI. Update the record if the article is later published.

3) Book

  1. Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, et al., eds. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. 2nd ed. Wiley; 2019.

4) Book chapter

  1. Riley RD, Tierney JF. Meta-analysis of time-to-event outcomes. In: Cooper H, Hedges LV, Valentine JC, eds. The Handbook of Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis. 3rd ed. Russell Sage Foundation; 2019:449-480.

5) Website / guidance

  1. PRISMA 2020. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. prisma-statement.org. Accessed 2025-11-08.

Include site name, URL (no DOI), and accessed date.

6) Dataset (with DOI)

  1. Smith AB, Khan R. Dataset for colchicine post-MI meta-analysis (CSV). Zenodo. 2025. doi:10.5281/zenodo.1234567

7) Software / package

  1. R Core Team. R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing; 2025.

  2. Balduzzi S, Rücker G, Schwarzer G. Package ‘meta’ version 6.5-0. CRAN. 2025. https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=meta

  3. Viechtbauer W. metafor: Meta-Analysis Package for R (version 4.4-0). CRAN. 2025. https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=metafor

8) Code archive (GitHub + DOI)

  1. Khan R, Patel V. Analysis scripts for colchicine meta-analysis (R). Zenodo. 2025. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7654321

9) Trial registry

  1. NCT01234567. Colchicine for Prevention of Adverse Events After MI (COL-MI). ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated 2025-08-14. Accessed 2025-11-08.

10) Conference paper/abstract

  1. Lee D, Mensah K, O’Connor J. Colchicine after STEMI: pooled analysis of early vs late initiation. Circulation. 2025;142(Suppl_3):A12097.

If the abstract is in a journal supplement, cite it like a journal article with supplement designation.

Reference management: Use Zotero/EndNote/Mendeley with Vancouver (JAMA/AMA) style; ensure NLM journal abbreviations; include DOIs where available.

9) Author information & CRediT

Provide CRediT roles (Conceptualization; Methodology; Software; Validation; Formal analysis; Investigation; Data curation; Writing—original draft; Writing—review & editing; Visualization; Supervision; Project administration; Funding acquisition).
Example:

  • MA: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal analysis, Writing—original draft

  • XY: Data curation, Software, Visualization

  • ZZ: Supervision, Writing—review & editing

10) Editorial & ethics policies

  • Conflicts of interest: required statement for all authors.

  • Funding: disclose sources or state “None.”

  • Preprints: allowed; cite version/DOI; disclose under “Prior dissemination.”

  • Plagiarism & image integrity: checked on submission.

  • Data/code availability: mandatory with DOIs unless legal/ethical restrictions (explain clearly).

  • Corrections/Retractions: follow COPE guidance.

11) How to submit

  • Prepare the .docx manuscript, figure files (SVG/PDF/PNG), tables (editable), PRISMA checklist/flow, RoB/GRADE appendices, and data/code DOIs.

  • Submit via the Synthēsis online system (or email submissions@synthes.is if instructed).

  • Peer review targets: initial decision in 2–4 weeks for compliant submissions.

Copy-and-use checklist (Short Meta-Analysis)

  • Title, authors, ORCIDs, affiliations

  • Abstract ≤250 words (PRISMA-Abstracts)

  • Protocol ID/DOI (PROSPERO/OSF)

  • Final search date + full strings (appendix)

  • Inclusion/exclusion criteria stated

  • Random-effects (REML); H-K if applicable

  • Report I², τ², 95% PI

  • Sensitivity/subgroup notes; small-study effects if k ≥ 10

  • GRADE snapshot (main) + table (appendix)

  • Forest plot (SVG/PDF); funnel if k ≥ 10

  • Data & code DOIs; checksums listed

  • Conflicts/Funding/Acknowledgements included

  • References in Vancouver style

Articles

Section default policy

Meta-analysis

Meta-analysis

Original quantitative syntheses answering a single, well-defined clinical, diagnostic, prognostic, public-health, or health-services question across medicine.

Format. Main text ≤1,000 words (excludes abstract, references, figures, tables, supplements). One required figure (forest plot); funnel plot when k ≥ 10.
Methods & reporting. Protocol pre-registered (PROSPERO/OSF) and cited. Search strategy and PRISMA 2020 flow provided. Risk-of-bias: RoB 2 (trials) or ROBINS-I (observational). Random-effects by default (state τ² estimator—REML; use Hartung–Knapp when few/unequal). Report I², τ², and 95% prediction interval. Assess small-study effects when k ≥ 10. Include GRADE certainty (SoF snapshot in main text; full table in supplement).
Reproducibility. Public data & code with DOIs (e.g., Zenodo/OSF) and session info; list file SHA-256 checksums.
Ethics & integrity. Conflicts/funding declarations required; preprints allowed (link VoR on publication). Single-anonymous peer review.

Aims & scope. The Meta-analysis (MA) section publishes concise, high-quality quantitative syntheses across all areas of medicine. Submissions must address a single, clearly specified clinical, diagnostic, prognostic, public-health, or health-services question and prioritise actionable interpretation.

Article limits. Main text ≤1,000 words (not including abstract, references, figures, tables, or supplements). One mandatory figure (forest plot). A funnel plot is expected when k ≥ 10. Tables must be editable (not images).

Methods & transparency. Authors must pre-register a protocol (PROSPERO or OSF) and cite the ID/DOI. Provide complete database search strings and the PRISMA 2020 flow diagram with exact counts. Apply an appropriate risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2 for trials; ROBINS-I for observational studies) with one-line rationales per domain.

Statistics. Use random-effects as default; state the τ² estimator (REML). Apply Hartung–Knapp adjustments when study numbers are small or weights imbalanced. Report, at minimum: pooled effect and 95% CI; I², τ², and 95% prediction interval. Define outcome measures consistently (RR/OR/HR/MD/SMD). Explore small-study effects with funnel/Egger when k ≥ 10 (interpret cautiously). Sensitivity analyses (e.g., leave-one-out; alternative τ² estimators) should be summarised briefly.

Certainty & usefulness. Provide GRADE certainty (summary-of-findings snapshot in the main text; full table in supplement). Interpret results for real-world settings using the prediction interval.

Reproducibility. Deposit data (CSV/Excel) and analysis code (R/RevMan/Python) in a trusted repository (e.g., Zenodo/OSF) with DOIs and software/package versions; include SHA-256 checksums in a supplement. Clearly label any third-party material that is not covered by the article’s CC licence.

Policies. Conflicts of interest and funding statements are required. Preprints are allowed; link to the Version of Record on publication. Single-anonymous peer review; desk rejection possible for missing transparency items.

Submission checklist

  • Protocol ID/DOI (PROSPERO/OSF)

  • Final search date + full strings; PRISMA 2020 flow

  • RoB tool and domain rationales

  • Model: random-effects (τ² estimator stated; H-K if applicable)

  • Report I², τ², 95% PI

  • GRADE snapshot (main) + full table (supplement)

  • Forest plot (SVG/PDF); funnel if k ≥ 10

  • Data & code DOIs + SHA-256 checksums

  • Conflicts/Funding statements

Methods notes

Synthēsis is pleased to announce a new article category: Methods Notes.
These concise reports (up to 1,000 words) describe innovations, analytical workflows, or practical lessons that improve the transparency and reproducibility of meta-analysis in medicine.

Submissions may cover topics such as:

  • Novel approaches to bias assessment or heterogeneity

  • R or Python code for automation in screening or data extraction

  • Statistical workflows (e.g., Hartung–Knapp, REML, Bayesian methods)

  • Guidelines for better data and code sharing

Copyright Notice

Copyright & Licence Agreement

By submitting, I/we confirm that:

  1. I/we are the copyright holders of the work (except where third-party material is identified and permission obtained), and the work is original, accurate to my/our knowledge, and not under consideration elsewhere.

  2. I/we retain copyright and publish this article Open Access under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. The final published version may be shared, reused, text- and data-mined with attribution.

  3. I/we grant Synthēsis a non-exclusive licence to publish the article, identify itself as the original publisher, and distribute the article (including to indexers/repositories such as PubMed Central).

  4. All authors approve the final manuscript, agree to its submission, and the corresponding author is authorised to enter into this agreement on behalf of all authors.

  5. Any third-party material is properly credited and used under a licence or permission suitable for CC BY 4.0 publication.

  6. I/we have disclosed funding, competing interests, ethics approvals (if relevant), and any use of AI tools; data and code are provided under open licences as stated below.

 

  1. Copyright retention
    Authors retain copyright in their articles. Upon acceptance, authors grant Synthēsis a non-exclusive, irrevocable, worldwide licence to publish the article, identify Synthēsis as the original publisher, and to archive, index, and distribute the article (including deposit in repositories such as PubMed Central/PMC).

  2. Open Access licence (default)
    All articles are published Open Access under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
    This licence permits sharing, adaptation, commercial use, and text- and data-mining with appropriate credit to the authors and to Synthēsis as the original publisher.
    The article must include the statement:

    “© The Author(s) [year]. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.”

  3. Author warranties
    By submitting, authors warrant that the manuscript is original; does not infringe any copyright, privacy, or other rights; does not contain unlawful content; and is not under consideration elsewhere. Authors further warrant that all third-party material (figures, tables, images, questionnaires, proprietary scales, or large text excerpts) is either (a) used under an open licence compatible with CC BY 4.0, or (b) used with written permission obtained by the authors prior to publication.

  4. Third-party material & identifiable individuals
    Any images, audio, or video of identifiable persons require written consent for publication. For previously published material, authors must provide permission letters or proof of compatible licences. Where third-party material cannot be relicensed under CC BY, it must be clearly indicated in the caption/legend and excluded from the CC BY grant.

  5. US Government, Crown, and institutional works
    Works authored solely by US Government employees in the course of their duties are in the public domain in the United States; outside the US, a licence may still be required—authors must notify the editor during submission. UK Crown or other institutional works follow their statutory regimes; the article page will carry the appropriate rights statement.

  6. Preprints and prior dissemination
    Synthēsis permits (and encourages) preprinting. Authors should disclose any preprint DOI/URL on submission; upon publication, authors should link the preprint to the Version of Record (VoR) using the article DOI.

  7. Data, code, and materials
    To maximise reuse and compliance with funder mandates, Synthēsis requires:

    • Data: deposit in a trusted repository (e.g., Zenodo/OSF) under CC0 or CC BY 4.0, with a DOI.

    • Code: deposit under an OSI-approved licence (e.g., MIT, Apache-2.0, GPL-3.0) with a DOI.

    • Materials/protocols: provide persistent links/DOIs.
      The article must include a Data & Code Availability statement and cite the dataset/code DOIs in the reference list.

  8. Text and data mining (TDM)
    CC BY 4.0 permits TDM. Machine-readable versions and metadata may be redistributed with attribution. Please cite the article DOI in outputs that use TDM.

  9. Funding and mandates
    Authors are responsible for ensuring that the chosen licence meets funder requirements (e.g., Plan S, NIH, Wellcome). Synthēsis’ default CC BY 4.0 is compliant with all major OA mandates.

  10. Version of record and corrections
    The Version of Record (VoR) will carry the CC BY 4.0 licence. Post-publication corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions follow COPE guidance; updated notices will retain the original licence.

  11. Author acceptance statement
    The corresponding author confirms that all co-authors have read and agreed to this policy and authorise the corresponding author to accept the licence terms on their behalf.

 

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