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.

Papers should report original research of relevance to the understanding and practice of clinical pathology. They should be written in the standard form: abstract; introduction; methods; and discussion.

The journal uses a structured form of abstract in the interests of clarity. This should be short (no more than 250 words) and include four headings:

1. Aims - the main purpose of the study
2. Methods - what was done, and with what material
3. Results - the most important results illustrated by numerical data but not p values
4. Conclusions - the implications and relevance of the results

Single case reports of outstanding interest or clinical relevance, short technical notes, and brief investigative studies are welcomed and usually published in the form of a Short/Technical report. At the discretion of the editor some case/short reports will be published in the correspondence section but will undergo the usual peer review process.

Word count: up to 1200 words.
Abstract: up to 150 words.
Tables/Illustrations: up to 2 (or 1 of each). If more are required the text must be reduced accordingly.
References: up to 10.

Letters must be typed in double line spacing, should normally be no more than 500 words and have no more than five references.

Best Practice articles are published by editorial invitation. Unsolicited best practice articles are unlikely to be accepted but the editor is always pleased to receive suggestions. The 'Best Practice' series is geared to practising pathologists as well as trainees on how to approach some of the more difficult/contentious issues in Pathology. We are looking for diagnostic algorithms, investigative trees and/or any other useful hint(s) that will facilitate making the best/right diagnosis. These can include molecular techniques which may not be within the remit of every laboratory but certainly something that is doable.

Word count: between 2500 and 3000 words.
Abstract: up to 250 words.
Illustrations: at editorial discretion.
References: up to 150.

My Approach and Demystified articles are published by editorial invitation. Unsolicited demystified articles are unlikely to be accepted but the editor is always pleased to receive suggestions. These articles are geared to practising pathologists as well as trainees on how to approach some of the more difficult/contentious issues in Pathology.

We are looking for diagnostic algorithms, investigative trees and/or any other useful hint(s) that will facilitate making the best/right diagnosis. These can include molecular techniques which may not be within the remit of every laboratory but certainly something that is doable.

Word count: between 2500 and 3000 words.
Abstract: up to 250 words.
Illustrations: at editorial discretion.
References: up to 150.

Any proposals for reviews should be discussed with the editor before submission.

Word count: between 2500 - 3000 words.
Abstract: up to 250 words.
Tables/Illustrations: at editorial discretion.
References: up to 150.

Leaders and Editorials are published by editorial invitation. Unsolicited leaders or editorials are unlikely to be accepted but the editor is always pleased to receive suggestions.

Word count: between 2500 words.
Abstract: up to 250 words.
Tables/Illustrations: at editorial discretion.
References: up to 150.

Letters in response to articles published in the Journal of Clinical Pathology are welcome and should be submitted electronically via the website. Contributors should go to the abstract or full text of the article in question. At the top right corner of each article is a "contents box". Click on the "eLetters: Submit a response to this article" link. Some letters in response to an article may be published in the print version of the journal.

Word count: up to 600 words.
Tables/Illustrations: up to 2.
References: up to 10.

The BMJ Publishing Group journals are willing to consider publishing supplements to regular issues. Supplement proposals may be made at the request of:

1. The journal editor, an editorial board member or a learned society may wish to organise a meeting, sponsorship may be sought and the proceedings published as a supplement.
2. The journal editor, editorial board member or learned society may wish to commission a supplement on a particular theme or topic. Again, sponsorship may be sought.
3. The BMJPG itself may have proposals for supplements where sponsorship may be necessary.
4. A sponsoring organisation, often a pharmaceutical company or a charitable foundation, that wishes to arrange a meeting, the proceedings of which will be published as a supplement.

For further information on criteria that must be fulfilled, download the supplements guidelines (PDF).