Chapter Guidelines
Comprehensive instructions for structuring, formatting, and submitting your chapter. Follow these guidelines to ensure a smooth editorial process.
Chapter Organization
Follow this standard structure to ensure consistency across the volume.
Standard Chapter Outline
Title & Authors
Concise title (max 15 words), author names, affiliations, ORCID IDs
Abstract
150-250 words summarizing objectives, methods, results, and conclusions
Keywords
4-6 keywords for indexing, not repeating title words
Introduction
Background, rationale, and chapter objectives
Main Body
Logical sections with descriptive headings (H2, H3 hierarchy)
Conclusion
Summary of key findings and implications
Acknowledgments
Funding sources, contributors, conflicts of interest
References
Numbered Vancouver style, minimum 20 references
Heading Hierarchy
Use maximum 3 levels of headings. Main sections as H2, subsections as H3, and sub-subsections as H4. Avoid deeper nesting for readability.
First-Person Usage
First-person plural ("we") is acceptable when describing your research. Avoid first-person singular unless quoting personal experience.
Abbreviations
Define all abbreviations at first use, except universally understood terms (DNA, WHO, etc.). Include an abbreviation list if using more than 10.
Cross-References
Reference other chapters in the same volume using "see Chapter X" format. External citations follow standard reference style.
Document Specifications
Technical requirements for manuscript preparation and file submission.
File Format
Submit manuscripts in Microsoft Word format (.docx). LaTeX submissions accepted with prior approval.
- Microsoft Word (.docx) preferred
- Single file, all content included
- Maximum file size: 25MB
Typography
Use consistent font settings throughout for a professional, readable manuscript.
- Times New Roman, 12pt
- Double line spacing throughout
- 2.5cm (1 inch) margins all sides
- Left-aligned, ragged right
Page Setup
Standard page configuration ensures consistent formatting across chapters.
- A4 page size (210×297mm)
- Continuous page numbering
- Continuous line numbering
- Portrait orientation only
Figures & Tables
Requirements for images, diagrams, charts, and tabular data.
Image Specifications
- Minimum 300 DPI resolution
- TIFF, EPS, or high-quality JPEG format
- CMYK color mode for print
- Maximum width: 17cm (single column) or 35cm (full page)
- Embed fonts in vector graphics
Caption Format
- Number figures consecutively (Figure 1, Figure 2...)
- Place captions below figures
- Include source attribution if not original
Table Format
- Use Word's table function (no images)
- Keep tables simple and readable
- Avoid vertical lines where possible
- Maximum 10 columns recommended
- Use footnotes for explanatory notes
Caption Format
- Number tables consecutively (Table 1, Table 2...)
- Place captions above tables
- Define all abbreviations in footnotes
Reference Style
Vancouver (numbered) citation style is required for all NeucitePress chapters.
Vancouver Style Format
Citations appear as superscript numbers in the text, corresponding to numbered references at the end. Numbers are assigned in order of first appearance.
"Recent studies have shown significant improvements in outcomes.1,2"
Reference list:
1. Smith AB, Jones CD. Title of article. Journal Name. 2024;15(3):123-130.
2. Johnson EF. Book Title. 3rd ed. Publisher; 2023.
Minimum References
Chapters must include at least 20 references. Review chapters typically require 50-100 references.
Reference Age
Prioritize recent literature (within 5 years) unless citing foundational works. At least 50% should be from the last 5 years.
DOI Inclusion
Include DOIs for all references where available. Format: https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx
Self-Citation Limit
Self-citations should not exceed 15% of total references unless directly relevant to the chapter topic.
Word Count Requirements
Chapter length varies by type. Consult your editor if unsure.
| Chapter Type | Word Count | Figures/Tables | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Chapter | 5,000 - 8,000 words | 4-8 combined | 20-50 |
| Extended Chapter | 8,000 - 12,000 words | 8-15 combined | 40-80 |
| Review Chapter | 10,000 - 15,000 words | 10-20 combined | 80-150 |
Word counts include main text only (abstract through conclusion). References, figure captions, and supplementary materials are counted separately. If your chapter significantly exceeds the limit, consider splitting into two chapters or moving detailed methodology to supplementary materials.
Pre-Submission Checklist
Complete all items before submitting your manuscript.
Final Review Checklist
Manuscripts missing required elements will be returned for completion before peer review.
Content Requirements
- ☐ Title page with all author information
- ☐ Abstract (150-250 words)
- ☐ 4-6 keywords
- ☐ Complete reference list (20+ citations)
- ☐ Acknowledgments section
- ☐ Conflict of interest disclosure
- ☐ All figures and tables cited in text
Technical Requirements
- ☐ Word format (.docx)
- ☐ Continuous line numbers
- ☐ Continuous page numbers
- ☐ Figures as separate files (300+ DPI)
- ☐ Vancouver reference style
- ☐ Spell check completed
- ☐ Plagiarism check completed
Common Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about chapter preparation.
Limited reuse of your own previously published work is acceptable with proper attribution and copyright clearance. The chapter must contain substantial new content (typically 70%+ original material). All reused content must be clearly identified and permissions obtained from the original publisher.
If your content cannot be condensed, discuss options with your volume editor. Possibilities include splitting into two chapters, moving detailed methodology to supplementary materials, or requesting an extended chapter allowance. Do not submit significantly over-length manuscripts without prior approval.
Yes. Supplementary materials (extended data, additional figures, video content, code repositories) can be hosted on our platform and linked from your chapter. These undergo the same peer review as main content. Discuss supplementary plans with your editor early in the process.
Yes. A Word template with pre-formatted styles is available upon request or from your volume editor. Using the template significantly speeds up the production process and ensures consistent formatting. Contact us to receive the latest template.
Authors are responsible for obtaining permissions for any third-party content (figures, tables, extensive quotes). Submit permission documentation with your manuscript. For figures adapted from other sources, indicate "Adapted from [source] with permission" in the caption. We can provide permission request templates upon request.
All manuscripts are checked using iThenticate before peer review. We recommend authors run their own check before submission. Similarity scores above 15% (excluding references and properly quoted material) require revision. Self-plagiarism from authors' previous publications is included in this check.