Standard of Reporting
To ensure transparency, reproducibility, and scientific integrity, authors submitting to the SAPS are strongly encouraged to adhere to recognized reporting guidelines appropriate to the design and type of their study. These guidelines provide a standardized framework to help authors clearly report their objectives, methodology, results, and conclusions. Following these checklists improves the clarity and completeness of reporting, facilitates peer review, and enhances the reproducibility and impact of the research. Adhering to established reporting standards also promotes consistency across publications and upholds the trustworthiness of the scientific record.
List of internationally recognized reporting standards:
• Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs): CONSORT Statement and SPIRIT Checklist
• Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses: PRISMA Statement and the Cochrane Handbook
• Observational Studies (Cohort, Case-Control, Cross-sectional): STROBE Statement
• Diagnostic Accuracy Studies: STARD Checklist
• Clinical Case Reports: CARE Guidelines
• Animal Studies: ARRIVE Guidelines
• Environmental and Occupational Health Studies: STROBE-EE Statement
• Non-Randomized Interventional Studies: TIDieR Checklist
• Qualitative Studies: COREQ Checklist
• Health Technology Assessment Studies: ISPOR Good Research Practices
• Economic Evaluation Studies: Guide for the Economic Evaluation of Health Technologies: Canada (GHTC)
• Network Meta-Analyses: Network Meta-analysis Handbook (e.g., from ISPOR or Cochrane)
• Mixed-Methods Studies: COREQ-MM Checklist
Authors must clearly indicate in their manuscript whether a reporting guideline was followed and, where applicable, submit the relevant checklist as a supplementary file.
Nomenclature Policy
To promote clarity, accuracy, and consistency in scientific communication, all manuscripts submitted to SAPS must comply with standardized international nomenclature conventions. This policy applies to the use of scientific terms, chemical names, biological classifications, and genetic sequences across all article types.
Nomenclature Guidelines:
• Scientific and Medical Terms: Use terms that are widely accepted in the scientific community. Define specialized or discipline-specific terminology clearly for broader understanding.
• Chemical Compounds: Follow the naming conventions of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and relevant standards from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• Biological Entities: Names of species, genera, and taxa should follow the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, or the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, as appropriate.
• Genetic Sequences and Variants: Follow guidelines provided by the Human Genome Variation Society (HGVS) or Genome Reference Consortium (GRC) when describing genetic mutations or sequences.
Importance of Consistent Terminology
• Prevents ambiguity and misinterpretation
• Ensures cross-study comparability
• Supports effective indexing and discoverability of published work
• Upholds scientific credibility
Authors and reviewers are collectively responsible for ensuring that nomenclature used in each manuscript meets international standards.
