Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences Striving towards Visibility

Summary of article contents:

Introduction

The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS), celebrating its 25th anniversary, has made significant strides in becoming an integral part of the biomedical community by achieving indexing in PubMed. This demonstrates its commitment to enhancing the quality and visibility of biomedical research, particularly from Asian authors. The journal's focus on maintaining a high-quality standard for published manuscripts has resulted in a high rejection rate, which, while limiting the number of published works, serves to ensure that the journal's impact in the scientific community continues to grow.

Impact of Manuscript Submission Patterns

One of the crucial changes has been the adaptation of the ScholarOne™ Manuscript system, which has improved both the quantity and quality of manuscript submissions. In 2012, MJMS received a total of 223 submissions, a notable increase of 14.35% from the previous year. Original articles emerged as the predominant type of submission, constituting over 55% of total submissions, alongside case reports and brief communications. Additionally, manuscripts were predominantly submitted by authors from South-East Asia, particularly Malaysia, which accounted for 40% of all submissions. This shift not only indicates a rising interest in academic publishing among biomedical researchers but also highlights the need for rigorous training in manuscript preparation and submission protocols.

Conclusion

As MJMS embarks on future aspirations, it aims to improve its publication frequency to handle the increasing number of submissions while maintaining high-quality standards. The journal envisions being indexed in prestigious databases like Medline and ISI, further extending its reach in the scientific community. The successful digital transition and ongoing quality evaluation processes promise to position MJMS as a leading biomedical journal in Asia, thereby enhancing its contribution to global biomedical literature. With thoughtful planning and strict adherence to publication guidelines, MJMS hopes to facilitate access to scientific research, especially for newcomers in the field, ultimately strengthening the knowledge base within the biomedical sciences.