Author Guidelines

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Author Guidelines

TSF Journal of Biology  |  EISSN: 3006-0478  |  PISSN: 3006-0869  |  TSF Nexus (Pvt) Ltd, Pakistan

In accordance with ICMJE, COPE, PMC/NLM, and EQUATOR Network standards. Version 2.0 — April 2026

Before You Submit: Please read these guidelines carefully and in full before preparing your manuscript. Submissions that do not comply with these guidelines may be desk-rejected without peer review. All submissions must be made through the OJS online portal. Manuscripts submitted by email will not be considered.

1. Pre-Submission Checklist

Before submitting, authors must confirm that all of the following conditions are met. Submissions not meeting these requirements will be desk-rejected without peer review.

• ✅ The manuscript is original and has not been published, submitted, or accepted elsewhere in any language.
• ✅ All authors meet the ICMJE authorship criteria and have approved the final version submitted.
• ✅ All required ethical approvals and informed consents have been obtained (see Section 7).
• ✅ A Data Availability Statement is included in the manuscript.
• ✅ Conflicts of interest for all authors have been declared.
• ✅ The manuscript has been checked for plagiarism by the authors prior to submission.
• ✅ The manuscript format complies with the requirements in Section 3.
• ✅ A Cover Letter is included (see Section 2).
• ✅ The applicable EQUATOR reporting checklist has been completed and is uploaded as a supplementary file (see Section 6).
• ✅ For clinical trials: the trial registration number and registry name are stated in the abstract and manuscript.
• ✅ For animal research: the ARRIVE 2.0 checklist is completed and uploaded.

2. Cover Letter

A cover letter is mandatory for all submissions. The cover letter must be uploaded as a separate file and must include all of the following statements:

• A clear statement that the manuscript is entirely original, has not been published, is not currently under review at another journal, and has not been submitted elsewhere in any language.
• Confirmation that all listed authors have contributed meaningfully to the research and have read and approved the final submitted manuscript.
• Full name, institutional affiliation, email address, and ORCID iD of the corresponding author.
• A brief (2–3 sentence) statement of the significance of the work and its relevance to the scope of TSF Journal of Biology.
• Declaration of any potential conflicts of interest for all authors.
• Suggested reviewers (optional, minimum 3): provide name, affiliation, email address, and ORCID iD. Authors may also list reviewers they wish to exclude, with reasons.
• For previously rejected manuscripts: the journal name from which the manuscript was rejected and a statement describing how the manuscript has been improved in response to prior reviewer comments.

A sample cover letter template is available for download on the journal’s Submissions page.

3. Manuscript Formatting Requirements

3.1 File Format and Layout

• File format: Microsoft Word (.docx or .doc). Do not submit PDF files at initial submission.
• Paper size: A4 (210 × 297 mm) with 25 mm (1-inch) margins on all sides.
• Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt for body text; 14 pt bold for section headings.
• Line spacing: Double-spaced throughout, including the abstract, references, tables, and figure legends.
• Line and page numbering: All lines and pages must be numbered consecutively. Use the automatic line numbering and page numbering functions in Word.
• Text alignment: Left-aligned (not justified). Do not use the word processor’s justify function.
• Columns: Single-column format only.
• Hyphenation: Do not use automatic hyphenation.

3.2 Manuscript Structure — Original Research Articles

Original Research Articles must be organised in the following sequence. Each section must begin on a new page:

Title Page → Abstract and Keywords → Introduction → Materials and Methods → Results → Discussion → Conclusion → Author Contributions → Mandatory Declarations → Acknowledgements → References → Figure Legends → Tables → Figures

Note: For Review Articles, Short Communications, Case Reports, Letters, and Commentaries, the order may differ — see Section 10 for article-type-specific requirements.

3.3 Title Page

The title page must be submitted as a separate file to enable double-anonymous peer review, and must include:

• Full title: Concise, informative, and descriptive (maximum 150 characters including spaces). Avoid abbreviations. Titles should reflect the key finding or focus of the study.
• Running title: An abbreviated title of no more than 60 characters.
• Authors: Full names of all authors in the order they appear on the manuscript. Indicate the corresponding author with an asterisk (*).
• Affiliations: Full institutional affiliation for each author (department, institution, city, country). Use superscript numbers to link authors to affiliations.
• ORCID iDs: ORCID iDs are strongly encouraged for all authors; the corresponding author must provide an ORCID iD.
• Corresponding author details: Full postal address, telephone number, and email address.
• Word count: Total word count of the main manuscript text (excluding abstract, references, figure legends, and tables).
• Number of figures and tables.

3.4 Abstract

The abstract must be on a separate page from the title page to facilitate double-anonymous review (the manuscript file must not contain any author-identifying information).

Original Research Articles require a structured abstract with the following headings: Background, Objectives, Methods, Results, and Conclusions. Maximum 250 words. The abstract should be comprehensible without reference to the main text and must not contain citations, abbreviations (unless defined), or unpublished data. It should convey: the scientific context; the precise question or hypothesis addressed; the key methods used; the principal quantitative findings; and the conclusions and their broader significance.

Review Articles require a structured abstract (Background, Scope, Key Findings, Conclusions), maximum 300 words. Short Communications and Case Reports require an unstructured abstract, maximum 250 words.

3.5 Keywords

Provide 5 to 8 keywords immediately following the abstract. Keywords should be specific and reflect the content of the manuscript. Avoid overly general terms and abbreviations. Use MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms where applicable. List keywords in alphabetical order, separated by semicolons.

3.6 Introduction

The Introduction should provide the necessary scientific context for the study, identify the specific gap in knowledge that the study addresses, and state clearly the objectives or hypothesis of the research. Avoid a comprehensive literature review; instead, cite only the most relevant and recent publications. The Introduction must not include methods, results, discussion, or conclusions. End with a concise statement of the study’s aims.

3.7 Materials and Methods

The Methods section must be sufficiently detailed to allow independent replication by a qualified researcher. It must include:

• Study design: Clearly state the study design (e.g., randomised controlled trial, case-control study, cohort study, in vitro experiment, observational study).
• Materials and reagents: Include manufacturer name and location (city, country) for all named equipment, instruments, software, and reagents. For commercially sourced biological materials, provide catalogue numbers where relevant.
• Statistical methods: Describe all statistical analyses in sufficient detail for a knowledgeable reader to reproduce them. State the name and version of all statistical software used (e.g., SPSS v26.0, IBM; R v4.3.1). Report measures of central tendency and dispersion, the statistical tests used, and the significance threshold applied (e.g., α = 0.05). Report exact p-values (not just “p < 0.05”). Include confidence intervals where appropriate. Justify sample size using a power analysis or equivalent.
• Ethics statement: Include the name of the ethics committee, the approval reference number, and the date of approval for all studies involving human participants or animals. For human studies, confirm informed consent was obtained. See Section 7 for full requirements.
• Previously published methods: May be summarised with a citation rather than described in full. Any modifications to published methods must be described in detail.
• Units: Use SI units throughout. Non-SI units may be given in parentheses.

3.8 Results

Present experimental findings clearly and objectively using appropriate tables and figures with concise accompanying text. Do not duplicate data in both text and figures/tables. Report all relevant results, including negative and inconclusive findings. Statistical results must include test statistics (e.g., t, F, χ²), degrees of freedom, exact p-values, and confidence intervals where applicable. Do not interpret findings in the Results section; reserve interpretation for the Discussion.

3.9 Discussion

The Discussion should interpret the findings in the context of existing knowledge, explain how the results address the stated research question, and discuss the broader implications. The Discussion must include: an explicit statement of the study’s principal findings; a comparison with and critical evaluation of prior relevant literature; a thorough discussion of the study’s limitations; and a statement of the generalisability of the findings. Do not simply restate the Results. Avoid overclaiming and unsupported speculation.

3.10 Conclusion

The Conclusion is a brief, separate section (maximum 6–8 sentences) that summarises the principal findings of the study and their significance. It must not introduce new data or speculation. State clearly what the study has contributed to the field and, where appropriate, what future research is warranted. Do not repeat the abstract verbatim.

4. Mandatory Declarations

All manuscripts must include the following declarations as a dedicated section immediately after the Conclusion and before the References. This section must be present in every submission; write “Not applicable” for any declaration that does not apply.

4.1 Author Contributions

Each author’s specific contribution must be stated using the CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy) framework. Use initials to denote each author. The 14 CRediT roles are: Conceptualisation; Data Curation; Formal Analysis; Funding Acquisition; Investigation; Methodology; Project Administration; Resources; Software; Supervision; Validation; Visualisation; Writing — Original Draft; Writing — Review & Editing.

4.2 Conflict of Interest Statement

All authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflict of interest, including: employment, consultancy fees, stock ownership, honoraria, paid expert testimony, patent ownership or applications, and research funding from organisations with a financial interest in the subject matter.

4.3 Data Availability Statement

All manuscripts must include a Data Availability Statement. Select the appropriate template:

Situation	Template Statement
Data in public repository	“The data supporting this study are openly available in [Repository Name] at [DOI/URL], reference number [number].”
Data available on request	“The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.”
No new data generated	“Data availability is not applicable as no new data were created or analysed in this study.”
Data restricted	“The data are not publicly available due to [ethical/legal/commercial restrictions]. Conditions for access: [specify].”

4.4 Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technology Disclosure

In accordance with TSF Journal of Biology’s Authorship Policy (Section 3.6) and COPE guidelines, authors must declare the use of any generative AI or AI-assisted tool in manuscript preparation. AI tools may not be listed as authors.

4.5 Funding Statement

Identify all sources of financial support for the research. State the role of the funder(s), if any, in study design; data collection, analysis, and interpretation; manuscript writing; and decision to submit.

4.6 Acknowledgements

Acknowledge individuals who contributed to the work but do not meet authorship criteria (e.g., technical assistance, language editing, provision of reagents). State the specific contribution of each acknowledged individual. Acknowledgement of language editing services must be disclosed. Individuals must consent to being acknowledged.

4.7 Supplementary Materials Statement

If supplementary materials are provided, include a statement at the end of the manuscript (after references): “Supplementary materials for this article are available online at [URL/DOI].” Describe each supplementary file briefly. If no supplementary materials are provided, this section may be omitted.

4.8 Other Disclosures

If the manuscript is derived from a doctoral thesis or dissertation available online, or if a preprint version of the manuscript has been posted, declare this here with the full citation and DOI. Omit if not applicable.

5. Authorship Policy

TSF Journal of Biology adheres to the authorship criteria of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Each author listed on a submitted manuscript must satisfy all four of the following criteria:

• Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work, OR to the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data;
• Drafting the manuscript or revising it critically for important intellectual content;
• Final approval of the version to be published;
• Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to accuracy or integrity are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Ghost authorship (excluding individuals who made substantial contributions) and gift or honorary authorship (including individuals who did not contribute substantially) are prohibited. Changes to the author list after submission require written approval from all authors and the consent of the Editor-in-Chief. Post-acceptance changes to authorship are only considered in exceptional circumstances. AI tools may not be listed as authors under any circumstances.

6. Reporting Standards — EQUATOR Network Guidelines

TSF Journal of Biology requires authors to follow the applicable reporting guideline from the EQUATOR Network and to upload the completed checklist as a supplementary file at submission. The appropriate checklist must be submitted alongside the manuscript; failure to do so may result in desk rejection. The applicable guidelines are:

Study Design	Required Guideline
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs)	CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials)
Observational studies (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional)	STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology)
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses	PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses)
Diagnostic accuracy studies	STARD (Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies)
Genetic association studies	STREGA (Strengthening the Reporting of Genetic Association Studies)
In vivo animal research	ARRIVE 2.0 (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments)
Qualitative research	COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research)
Case reports	CARE (Case Reports)
Economic evaluations	CHEERS (Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards)

For study types not listed above, consult the EQUATOR Network’s full library of reporting guidelines. If no applicable guideline exists, a brief justification should be provided in the cover letter.

7. Ethics Requirements

7.1 Human Subjects Research

All research involving human participants must have received prior approval from a recognised Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Ethics Committee before commencement. The Methods section must state: the full name of the approving committee; the unique reference number; the date of approval; and a statement of compliance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki (current revision). Informed consent must be confirmed as having been obtained from all participants prior to enrolment.

7.2 Animal Research

All in vivo animal experiments must have received prior approval from an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or equivalent body. Authors must demonstrate adherence to the 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) and must comply with the ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines for reporting. The Methods must state the approving committee, approval number, date, and compliance statement.

7.3 Patient Privacy and Identifiable Information

Individual participants must not be identifiable from the published manuscript unless explicit written consent for identification has been obtained. Clinical photographs, case details, or data that could identify a participant must be accompanied by documentation of written consent from the individual or legal guardian specifically authorising publication.

7.4 Clinical Trial Registration

All clinical trials must be prospectively registered in a publicly accessible registry recognised by the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) before the first participant is enrolled. The trial registration number and registry name must be stated as the last line of the abstract and in the Methods section. Retrospectively registered trials must include a justification.

8. References

TSF Journal of Biology follows the AMA citation style (American Medical Association Manual of Style, 11th Edition). References must be numbered consecutively in the order they first appear in the text, using Arabic numerals in square brackets [e.g., 1], [2,3], [4–7]. The same reference must carry the same number throughout the manuscript.

• List all authors if 6 or fewer. If 7 or more, list the first 3 authors followed by “et al.”
• Abbreviate journal names according to the NLM/PubMed Journals Database.
• Include DOIs for all references where available. Format DOIs as: doi:xx.xxxxx
• Only published works or articles formally accepted for publication (in press) may be cited in the reference list. Unpublished data, personal communications, and non-peer-reviewed web content should be cited in parentheses in the text only, not in the reference list.
• References cited only in tables or figure legends must be numbered according to their first mention in the text, tables, or figures.
• Authors are responsible for the accuracy of all references. Use reference management software (e.g., Mendeley, Zotero, EndNote) to minimise errors. Remove all field codes before submission.

8.1 Reference Format Examples

Journal Articles (Print):

Author(s). Article title. Abbreviated Journal Name. Year;Volume(Issue):Pages.

Ogedegbe ABO, Eloka EV. Biodiversity of termites on farmlands in Ugoniyekorhionmwon. Int J Pure Appl Sci Technol. 2015;27(2):65-76.

Journal Articles (Online, with DOI):

Author(s). Article title. Abbreviated Journal Name. Year;Volume(Issue):Pages. doi:xx.xxxxx

Abd-Elmonem AM, Elhady HS. Effect of rebound exercises on balance in children with spastic diplegia. Int J Ther Rehabil. 2018;25(9):467-474. doi:10.12968/ijtr.2018.25.9.467

Book Chapter:

Author(s). Chapter title. In: Editor(s), eds. Book Title. Edition. City: Publisher; Year:Pages.

Blair E, Cans C. The definition of cerebral palsy. In: Panteliadis CP, ed. Cerebral Palsy: A Multidisciplinary Approach. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2018:13-17.

Government/Organisation Report:

World Health Organization. Equitable access to essential medicines: a framework for collective action. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2004/WHO_EDM_2004.4.pdf. Published March 2004. Accessed December 6, 2005.

9. Figures, Tables, Images, and Statistical Display

9.1 Tables

• Tables must be editable (created using Word’s table function; not as images).
• Number tables consecutively with Arabic numerals (Table 1, Table 2, etc.) in the order they are first cited in the text.
• Provide a concise, descriptive title above each table.
• All abbreviations used in a table must be defined in a footnote below the table.
• Do not duplicate data that is presented in figures.
• Footnotes should be indicated by superscript lowercase letters (a, b, c).
• Statistical measures (mean ± SD, median [IQR], p-values, confidence intervals) must be clearly labelled.

9.2 Figures and Images

• Resolution: Minimum 300 DPI (dots per inch) for photographs and colour images; minimum 600 DPI for line art and combination figures. At final submission, provide original high-resolution image files.
• File formats: TIFF, JPEG, EPS, or PNG. Do not submit figures embedded in Word documents as the primary figure file at final submission.
• Numbering: Number all figures consecutively with Arabic numerals (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.) in the order cited in the text. Multi-panel figures are labelled Figure 1A, Figure 1B, etc.
• Figure legends: Provide a brief, self-explanatory legend for every figure. Legends should enable understanding of the figure without reference to the main text. Include definitions of all abbreviations and symbols used. Place all figure legends together on a separate page at the end of the manuscript, not embedded with the figures.
• Colour: Use distinct, accessible colours with sufficient contrast. Avoid using red and green together as the sole differentiating feature (colour-vision accessibility). Ensure all information is comprehensible in greyscale for readers who print in black and white.
• Typography: Use a consistent font in all figures (Arial or Helvetica is recommended). Minimum font size in figures: 8 pt.
• Reuse: Figures or images reproduced or adapted from previously published sources require written permission from the copyright holder and must acknowledge the original source in the legend. Authors are responsible for obtaining permissions before submission.

9.3 Graphs and Statistical Display

• Display individual data points wherever feasible rather than bar charts alone, particularly for small datasets.
• Include error bars in all graphs; state in the figure legend or methods what they represent (e.g., standard deviation [SD], standard error of the mean [SEM], or 95% confidence interval [CI]).
• Extend axes to zero unless data are logarithmic.
• Statistical significance symbols must be defined (e.g., *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001) in the figure legend.
• Statistical analyses should be performed only on independently repeated experiments, not on technical replicates.

9.4 Supplementary Materials

Supplementary materials are peer-reviewed materials directly relevant to the article’s conclusions but unsuitable for inclusion in the main text due to length or format constraints. Acceptable supplementary file formats include: Excel (.xlsx), Word (.docx), PDF, image files (TIFF, JPEG, PNG), video files (MP4). Each supplementary file must be accompanied by a concise description (maximum 50 words). Supplementary files must be submitted in final form, as they will be published exactly as received without editorial processing. Label supplementary files as Supplementary Table 1, Supplementary Figure 1, etc.

10. Article Type Specifications

10.1 Original Research Articles

Full-length reports of completed, original experimental or observational research that present significant new findings. Required structure: Title Page | Structured Abstract (250 words) | Keywords (5–8) | Introduction | Materials and Methods | Results | Discussion | Conclusion | Mandatory Declarations | Acknowledgements | References | Figure Legends | Tables | Figures. Word limit: 5,000–6,000 words (excluding abstract, references, figures, tables). Max 10 display items. Max 60 references.

10.2 Review Articles

Comprehensive, authoritative, and critical analyses of a defined research topic, synthesising published data to highlight gaps, controversies, and future directions. Reviews should convey scholarly excitement by combining historical context with the latest developments. Authors of Review Articles are encouraged to contact the Editorial Office before submission to confirm suitability. Required structure: Title Page | Structured Abstract (300 words) | Keywords | Introduction | [Thematic sections with descriptive headings] | Conclusion | Mandatory Declarations | References. Word limit: 5,000–6,000 words. Max 8 display items. Max 100 references. Use of systematic search methodology (with PRISMA checklist for systematic reviews) is strongly encouraged.

10.3 Short Communications

Concise reports of significant preliminary findings or observations that merit rapid communication to the scientific community. Structure follows that of Research Articles but is condensed. Word limit: 1,500–2,000 words (excluding abstract and references). Abstract: unstructured, max 250 words. Max 5 display items. Max 25 references.

10.4 Case Reports

Detailed descriptions of individual cases or small case series with exceptional scientific, diagnostic, or therapeutic significance. Cases must offer genuine and distinctive insight into a biological or disease process, or a novel methodological application. Patient privacy must be fully protected; written informed consent for publication is required. Follow the CARE reporting checklist. Word limit: 1,500–2,000 words. Abstract: unstructured, max 250 words. Max 3 display items. Max 25 references.

10.5 Letters to the Editor

Brief, focussed communications providing succinct reports of novel findings of broad significance, or informed scientific commentary on recently published articles in TSF Journal of Biology. The maximum number of authors is 10. No abstract required. Word limit: 1,500–2,000 words. Max 5 display items. Max 25 references. Letters commenting on previously published articles must be submitted within 6 months of the original article’s publication date.

10.6 Commentary / Opinion / Perspective / Obituary

Expert opinion or perspective on significant developments, emerging debates, methodological advances, or policy implications in the biological sciences. No abstract required. Word limit: 2,000 words including references. Max 1 display item. Max 10 references.

10.7 Editorials (Invited Only)

Commissioned by the Editor-in-Chief or Editorial Board. Unsolicited editorial proposals may be submitted for consideration to the Editorial Office. No abstract required. Word limit: 2,000 words including references. Max 1 display item. Max 15 references.

11. Language, Abbreviations, and Units

Manuscripts must be written in clear, grammatically correct English (British or American spelling used consistently throughout). Non-native English speakers are strongly encouraged to have their manuscript reviewed by a professional language editing service or a native English-speaking colleague before submission. TSF Journal of Biology provides complimentary language editing for accepted manuscripts only.

Abbreviations: Define all abbreviations and acronyms at their first use in the abstract and again at first use in the main text. Avoid abbreviations in the title. Abbreviations used fewer than three times should be written out in full throughout. Standard units and SI unit symbols do not require definition.

Units: Use SI (International System of Units) throughout. Non-SI units may be given in parentheses. Use the solidus (/) for unit fractions (e.g., mg/mL, km/h). Use a space between the numerical value and the unit (e.g., 5 mL, 37°C).

Nomenclature: Follow internationally recognised nomenclature: gene symbols in italics; protein names in roman; species names (genus and species) in italics at first mention, genus may be abbreviated thereafter.

12. Submission of Revised Manuscripts

When submitting a revised manuscript following peer review, authors must provide all three of the following as separate files:

• Point-by-point response letter: A detailed, item-by-item response to each comment raised by the editor and each reviewer. For each point, quote the reviewer’s comment, state whether you agree or disagree, describe the change made (or provide a scientific justification for any disagreement), and indicate the exact location of any changes in the revised manuscript (page number and line number).
• Annotated (tracked-changes) manuscript: A version of the revised manuscript with all changes clearly highlighted using the Word “Track Changes” function or by highlighting changed text. This assists editors and reviewers in identifying and evaluating revisions efficiently.
• Clean revised manuscript: A final clean version of the revised manuscript with all track changes accepted and formatting compliant with the guidelines in Section 3.

Revision deadlines: Minor revisions must be submitted within 14 calendar days of the revision decision. Major revisions must be submitted within 30 calendar days. Extensions may be requested by contacting the Editorial Office before the deadline. Manuscripts not resubmitted within the deadline without prior communication may be treated as new submissions.

13. Copyright, Open Access, and Article Processing Charges

TSF Journal of Biology is a fully open access journal. All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Authors retain copyright in their published work.

Upon acceptance of a manuscript, the corresponding author will receive an APC invoice. Publication will proceed upon receipt of payment or confirmation of an approved fee waiver. The applicable APCs are:

Author Category	APC	Notes
Local Authors (Pakistan)	PKR 8,500/-	Per article, charged upon acceptance
International Authors	USD 100	Per article, charged upon acceptance

There are no submission fees or peer review fees. APC waivers or reductions are available for authors from low-income countries. To request a waiver, contact the Editorial Office before submission. Waiver decisions do not influence editorial decisions.

14. Plagiarism, Research Integrity, and Duplicate Publication

All manuscripts are screened for plagiarism using detection software prior to peer review. Submission of a manuscript implies that all authors certify the work is original, has not been published before in any form, and is not under consideration at another journal. The following practices are considered violations of publication integrity and will result in rejection and/or post-publication action in accordance with COPE guidelines:

• Plagiarism — using others’ text, data, figures, or ideas without attribution
• Self-plagiarism — reproducing substantial portions of previously published work without disclosure and citation
• Data fabrication or falsification — inventing or manipulating research data or results
• Duplicate submission — submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously
• Duplicate publication — publishing the same data in more than one journal without disclosure and cross-referencing
• Salami slicing — inappropriately dividing a single study into multiple publications
• Image manipulation — altering or misrepresenting research images beyond accepted scientific standards

15. How to Submit

All manuscripts must be submitted exclusively through the TSF Journal of Biology online submission portal at tsfjb.com/ojs/index.php/tsfjb/about/submissions. Manuscripts submitted by email will not be accepted.

Files to upload at submission:

• Title page (separate file — must contain all author-identifying information)
• Manuscript file (separate file — must contain NO author-identifying information to enable double-anonymous review)
• Cover letter
• EQUATOR reporting checklist (applicable guideline — e.g., CONSORT, STROBE, ARRIVE)
• Supplementary files (if applicable — label clearly)
• Permission letters (if reproduced figures or data are included)

For queries regarding submission, contact the Editorial Office:

📧 editorial.office@tsfjb.com  |  🌐 tsfjb.com

TSF Journal of Biology — Author Guidelines v2.0 | April 2026

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