JMIR Publications journals do not impose a strict maximum word count. As digital journals, we can accommodate longer manuscripts when warranted. However, we strongly recommend a maximum length of 10,000 words for original research papers and review articles. Specific word limits and criteria for various other types of articles are noted in our guide “What are the article types for JMIR Publications journals?”
Concise manuscripts are generally read more closely, cited more often, and they move through production to publication more quickly. For these reasons, authors are encouraged to keep their submissions as focused and streamlined as possible.
To facilitate efficient peer review and production, authors should adhere to the recommended guidelines. If necessary, manuscript length can be managed by transferring supplementary information into multimedia appendices.
Moving Supplementary Material to Multimedia Appendices
To improve readability, we strongly encourage authors to keep the main manuscript concise and move highly detailed or supplementary content to a multimedia appendix where appropriate. This is often the easiest way to reduce length: relocating material to an appendix generally does not require further editorial review, provided the scientific content of the manuscript remains unchanged. (By contrast, substantive revisions to the main text may require additional editorial review and approval.)
Material commonly placed in multimedia appendices include:
- extended methodological details
- lengthy formulas or derivations
- supplementary analyses
- expanded datasets
- large tables, including those presenting illustrative quotes or detailed literature findings
- full versions of tables shown in abbreviated form in the main manuscript
Because appendices are published largely as submitted, please ensure they are complete and submission-ready before sending them to us. See our Knowledge base article for instructions on how to format it: What are the guidelines for supplementary files (figures, multimedia appendices, additional material for reviewers/editors only)?
Guidance for Large Tables
Very large tables are typically unsuitable for the main manuscript. As a general guideline, we ask that each table in the main text fit within three pages of an MS Word document at 10 pt font; larger tables may be moved to a multimedia appendix during production.
If a large table contains essential findings, authors could consider including an abbreviated version in the main manuscript and providing the complete version as a multimedia appendix at submission.
Manuscript Word Count Criteria
What is included in the word count?
The word count generally includes all manuscript content that requires copyediting and typesetting, including:
- title, abstract, and keywords
- manuscript body text
- table and textbox content
- table and figure captions
- abbreviations
- acknowledgements
- authors’ contributions
- conflicts of interest statement
- data availability statement
- funding statement
- generative AI use statement
What Is not included in the word count?
The following sections of the manuscript do not contribute to the total word count:
- author metadata (names, affiliations, addresses, etc)
- figure content
- multimedia appendices
- reference list
Related:
- Where/how do I submit my paper to a JMIR journal?
- How should tables be designed/submitted?
- How many tables and figures can I include in my article?