International Journal of Ethology - Instructions for Authors
Modern, submission ready guidance for fast, fair review
Author Preparation Blueprint
This page is a practical blueprint for preparing manuscripts for the International Journal of Ethology. It is designed to help your research move through peer review quickly and with fewer revisions.
Well structured submissions allow reviewers to evaluate scientific merit rather than formatting, which improves decision speed and transparency.
We publish original research, reviews, brief reports, case reports, and editorials across ethology, behavioral ecology, comparative cognition, conservation biology, and related fields.
Use ManuscriptZone or the simple submission form and choose the workflow that best fits your team and institution.
Before submission, align with study specific reporting guidelines such as CONSORT, PRISMA, ARRIVE, or STROBE and prepare the required checklists.
Include complete ethics approvals, consent statements, funding disclosures, and conflict of interest statements at first submission.
Describe study species, populations, sampling locations, and analytical methods clearly to strengthen reproducibility and impact.
If your study includes specialized assays, imaging protocols, or computational pipelines, describe enough detail for replication and cite software versions.
Consistency across text, tables, and figures reduces editorial queries and helps production maintain the final record.
Use clear, concise language to support interdisciplinary readers across ethology, ecology, and cognition.
If you need guidance on scope or format, contact the editorial office before submitting.
Quick Compliance Panel
- Title page includes affiliations, ORCID, funding, and contributions
- Structured abstract and keywords aligned to indexing terms
- IMRAD main text with continuous line numbering
- Figures at 300 dpi and tables submitted as editable files
- Ethics and consent statements included where required
- Data availability statement with repository links or access terms
- References in Vancouver style with DOI links when available
- Cover letter confirms exclusivity and preprint disclosure
- Report statistical software and version numbers in methods
- State limitations and reproducibility steps in the discussion
Why These Standards Matter
A modern, compliant submission improves review speed, clarity, and credibility.
Clear Structure
IMRAD format, structured abstracts, and logical headings improve readability and reduce reviewer friction.
Ethics and Integrity
Animal ethics approvals, field permits, and similarity screening protect the record and author reputation.
Data Transparency
Data availability statements and repository links strengthen trust, reuse, and citation potential.
Technical Quality
High resolution figures and editable tables reduce production delays and avoid rework.
Reviewer Focus
Complete methods and statistics keep review centered on scientific value and ecological relevance.
Funder Compliance
Reporting and licensing alignment supports grants, institutional policies, and public access mandates.
Manuscript Preparation Standards
Clear sub sections make your submission easy to review and easier to publish.
Title Page
Title PageEstablish authorship, accountability, and funding transparency.
- Full author names, affiliations, and ORCID identifiers
- Corresponding author email and address
- Funding sources and grant numbers
- Conflict of interest and author contribution statements
- Cover letter summarizing novelty and confirming exclusive submission
Abstract
AbstractMake your work searchable and easy to interpret.
- Structured abstract for original research manuscripts
- Clear objectives, methods, results, and conclusions
- Four to six keywords aligned with database indexing terms
- Trial registration listed when required
- Short, direct sentences that make the study easy to scan
Main Text
Main TextProvide a complete narrative with reproducible methods.
- IMRAD structure for original research
- Clear study design and statistical reporting
- Study species, population, and context descriptions
- Use SI units and define abbreviations at first use
- Include limitations and reproducibility considerations in the discussion
| Formatting | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| File format | Word (.doc or .docx) | Main text in one file, figures separate |
| Font and spacing | 12 pt, double spaced | Use standard fonts |
| Line numbers | Continuous | Required for review |
| Word limits | See article type | Excludes references and legends |
| Figures | 300 dpi | TIFF, JPEG, or PNG |
Figures and Tables
Figures/TablesEnsure data presentation is clear and publication ready.
- Figures at 300 dpi in TIFF, JPEG, or PNG formats
- Editable tables with titles and footnotes
- Complete figure legends and scale bars
- Supplementary files cited in the main text
- Consistent naming so files match order of appearance
References
ReferencesAccurate citations speed production and improve discovery.
- Vancouver style references
- DOI links included where available
- Complete and consistent formatting
- Check for accuracy before submission
- Cite software and datasets with versions and access dates
Ethics and Data Callouts
These statements are reviewed early in screening and must be clear at submission.
Ethics Statement Required
Provide IACUC or equivalent approvals, field permits, and compliance details for animal behavior studies. Include approval identifiers and dates.
Data Availability Statement Required
State where data are stored, include repository links or accession numbers, and describe any access restrictions or embargoes.
Image and Similarity Checks
All submissions undergo similarity screening. Image adjustments must be minimal and documented, and raw data should be retained.
Submission Pathway
Use this pathway to keep your submission compliant and on schedule.
Assemble Core Files
Prepare title page, main manuscript, figures, tables, and supplementary files with clear naming. Confirm that all files are cited in the text.
Run Compliance Check
Confirm ethics approvals, consent, trial registration, and data availability statements. Ensure conflicts and funding are fully disclosed.
Apply Technical Formatting
Use Word format, twelve point font, double spacing, and continuous line numbering. Keep headings consistent across sections.
Quality Review
Verify statistics, reproducibility details, and reference accuracy including DOI links. Check that figures match legends and labels.
Submit via Preferred Method
Submit through ManuscriptZone or the simple submission form. Upload figures separately and include a concise cover letter.
Post Submission Readiness
Respond quickly to editorial queries and provide marked and clean revisions. Address reviewer feedback point by point.
Proof and Publish
Review page proofs carefully for accuracy. Confirm that metadata, author details, and data links are correct. Report any corrections immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Important Points
- Use two submission methods: ManuscriptZone and the simple submission form.
- Ensure references are accurate and include DOI links where possible.
- Define all abbreviations in every table and figure.
- Include trial registration numbers when required by study design.
- Provide ORCID identifiers to improve author attribution.
- Use SI units and standard ethology terminology.
- Keep file names short, descriptive, and consistent with figure order.
- Include scale bars and recording parameters in all visual or audio figures.
- Use continuous line numbering to speed reviewer feedback.
- Add a running title and corresponding author details on the title page.
- Confirm that all coauthors approve the submission.
Submit Your Manuscript
Use the submission system below to start your International Journal of Ethology review process.
For assistance, contact us at [email protected]
