Submissions

Author Guidelines

Author Guidelines

General Information

Revista NOVA is an open-access and free scientific journal co-published by Universidad Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca (Unicolmayor) and Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia (UNAD). It specializes in disseminating biomedical research. Manuscripts may be submitted in Spanish or English, meeting the highest international standards of scientific quality.

NOVA strictly adheres to the Recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), updated in January 2025, ensuring scientific integrity, methodological transparency, and ethical rigor in all editorial processes.

1. Manuscript Categories

1.1 Original Article

An unpublished work derived from biomedical research that provides novel information on specific aspects and contributes significantly to the advancement of scientific knowledge. It must present a rigorous methodology, original results, and well-founded conclusions that represent a substantial contribution to specialized literature.

1.2 Systematic Review Article

A study and critical analysis of recent and relevant scientific literature that addresses a specific research question through a pre-established design and explicit methodology. NOVA accepts two modalities:

Qualitative systematic reviews: Structured narrative synthesis of evidence
Meta-analyses: Quantitative statistical analysis of homogeneous studies

Mandatory requirements:

Compliance with the 27 PRISMA 2020 criteria
Transparent methodology for search, selection, and analysis
At least 50 references in Vancouver style
Explicit declaration of methods for information retrieval and selection

Note: Narrative reviews without declared methodology will not be considered for evaluation.

1.3 Brief Communication

Concise report of partial or final research results whose rapid dissemination is a priority for the scientific community.

Technical specifications:

Maximum 1,000 words (excluding references)
Maximum 2 figures and/or tables
Simplified structure while maintaining methodological rigor

1.4 Technical Note

Detailed description of novel laboratory techniques or significant modifications to established procedures, emphasizing methodological advantages, innovations, and practical applicability in the biomedical context.

1.5 Essay

Reflective writing that presents the author’s well-founded opinion on relevant biomedical topics, based on a solid philosophical, literary, or scientific foundation, supported by appropriate references.

1.6 Letters to the Editor

Academic correspondence in which readers may:

Request clarification on published material
Provide constructive comments on previous articles
Present critical, analytical, or interpretative positions that enrich scientific debate

2. Manuscript Preparation

2.1 Adherence to International Standards

Authors must strictly follow the ICMJE 2025 Recommendations for the conduct, reporting, editing, and publication of scholarly work in medical journals. See the updated version at:
https://www.icmje.org/icmje-recommendations.pdf

2.2 Mandatory Manuscript Structure

Title Page

Main Title:

Maximum 165 characters (including spaces)
Descriptive, precise, and representative of the content
No unnecessary abbreviations

English Title:

Maximum 165 characters
Accurate and professional translation of the main title

Author Information:

Full names with only the first surname
Order of authorship based on scientific contribution
Full institutional affiliation: research group, institution, city, and country
Superscript numbering to link authors with affiliations
Administrative positions and academic titles must be omitted

Corresponding Author:

Responsible for editorial communication
Full and current postal address
Contact phone number
Institutional email
Mandatory ORCID: https://orcid.org
Public Google Scholar profile
For Colombian authors: updated public CvLAC

Structured Abstracts

General specifications:

Maximum 250 words per language
Structured format with subheadings: Introduction, Objective, Methods, Results, Conclusion
Prohibited: references, acronyms, or abbreviations without definition
Standalone text that allows independent comprehension of the article

Keywords

Spanish Terms:

Maximum 6 descriptors
Mandatory search in Descriptores en Ciencias de la Salud (DeCS)
Verification in LILACS: https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/

English Terms:

Maximum 6 descriptors
Mandatory search in Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Verification in PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh

2.3 Formatting and Text Presentation

Typographic Specifications:

Font: Arial, size 12 for main text
Font: Arial, size 10 for tables
Line spacing: Double spacing throughout the document
Alignment: Left, not justified
Paragraph spacing: No additional spaces between paragraphs
Punctuation: One space after a period (full stop)

Scientific Formatting:

Scientific terms: Italicized (no underlining)
Decimal numbers: Comma separation (Spanish format)
Units of measurement: Exclusively International System of Units (SI)

3. Mandatory Supplementary Sections

3.1 Acknowledgments

Recognition of individuals who made significant contributions without meeting authorship criteria, such as:

Specialized technical assistance
Methodological or statistical support
Funding and institutional support
Data collection collaboration

3.2 Declaration of Conflicts of Interest and Funding

Conflicts of Interest:
Explicit statement declaring the existence or absence of economic, professional, academic, or personal conflicts that could influence the objectivity of the work.

Funding Sources:
Detailed information on all sources of financial support, including:

Funding entities (institutions, foundations, companies)
Project or grant numbers
Type and modality of funding received

4. Vancouver Reference System

4.1 Fundamental Principles

NOVA requires the exclusive use of the Vancouver system for all bibliographic references, ensuring uniformity, precision, and verification.

4.2 Citation Methodology

Sequential numbering:

Assigned in order of appearance in the text
Consecutive numbering maintained throughout the document
Numbers placed in parentheses (not superscript or subscript)

Multiple citations:

Separate citations: (1,3,7)
Consecutive citations: (4-8)
Mixed citations: (2,5-7,12)

Placement in the text:

After author’s name: González (15) demonstrated...
At the end of a sentence: According to previous studies (8,12,14).
For more than two authors: Martínez et al. (9) reported...

4.3 Specific Reference Formats

a) Journal Article
Author(s). Article title. Abbreviated journal name. Year;volume(issue):first-last page. DOI or PMID.

Example:
Kolovou G, Daskalova D, Mikhailidis DP. Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and atherosclerosis. Angiology. 2003;54(2):159-71.

b) Entire Book
Author(s). Book title. Edition. City: Publisher; year.

Example:
Jiménez L, Montero FJ. Compendio de Medicina de Urgencias: guía terapéutica. 2nd ed. Madrid: Elsevier; 2005.

c) Book Chapter
Chapter author(s). Chapter title. In: Editor(s). Book title. Edition. City: Publisher; year. p. first-last page.

Example:
Mehta SJ. Abdominal pain. In: Friedman HH, editor. Manual de Diagnóstico Médico. 5th ed. Barcelona: Masson; 2004. p.183-90.

d) Electronic Resource
Author(s). Article title. Journal [Internet]. Year [cited date];volume(issue):[pages]. Available from: URL

Recommendation: Use professional reference managers (Mendeley, EndNote, Zotero) to ensure consistency and accuracy in Vancouver style.

5. Manuscript Submission Process

5.1 Submission Platform

Official OJS System: https://revistas.unicolmayor.edu.co/index.php/nova/login

Registration Procedure:

New users: Create an account with full institutional data
Registered users: Log in with existing credentials
Submission access: “Submissions” tab → Follow step-by-step instructions

5.2 Mandatory Metadata

Complete information for all authors:

Personal data and institutional affiliation
Abstracts in both languages
Keywords verified in DeCS/MeSH
Complete references in Vancouver style

5.3 Required Supplementary Documents

Originality statement (signed by all authors)
List of suggested reviewers (minimum 3, maximum 5)
Figures, tables, and illustrations in high resolution
Ethics committee approval (when applicable)
Conflict of interest and funding declarations

5.4 Authors’ Commitment

By submitting a manuscript, authors declare and accept that:

They are familiar with and have followed these guidelines in detail
All co-authors meet ICMJE international authorship criteria
No author meeting authorship requirements has been excluded
All authors approve the final submitted version
They have not engaged in violations of scientific integrity or ethical principles

6. Editorial Process

6.1 Preliminary Evaluation

Editorial pre-review: Verification of compliance with minimum quality, format, and adherence requirements using a standardized checklist.
Return criteria: Manuscripts not meeting minimum standards will be returned with specific observations before entering peer review.

6.2 Peer Review

Double-blind system: Mutual anonymity between authors and reviewers, ensuring objectivity and rigor.
Reviewer selection: The Editorial Committee appoints external academic peers specializing in the subject area, based on the authors’ suggested list and the editorial database.

6.3 Revision Process

Response deadline: Maximum 15 calendar days to address reviewer comments.
Response format: Detailed document addressing each point raised, indicating changes made and justifying decisions.
Non-compliance: Manuscripts without timely response will be automatically withdrawn from the editorial process.

6.4 Acceptance and Publication

Post-acceptance:
- No substantial content modifications allowed
- Mandatory submission of copyright transfer agreement signed by all authors
- Proofs review by corresponding author
- Proofs review deadline: Maximum 72 hours

6.5 Editorial Rights

Revista NOVA reserves the editorial right to:

Accept or reject manuscripts based on scientific quality
Suggest improvements for presentation and suitability
Make style corrections without altering scientific content
Determine publication scheduling according to editorial policies

7. Considerations etical

7.1 Research Involving Humans

Mandatory approval from an Institutional Ethics Committee
Documented informed consent
Compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and local regulations

7.2 Research Involving Animals

Adherence to the 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement)
Approval from an Institutional Animal Care Committee
Compliance with ARRIVE guidelines for reporting

7.3 Scientific Integrity

Prohibited: plagiarism, self-plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification
Mandatory: declaration of use of artificial intelligence, when applicable
Required: access to primary data for at least 10 years

Editorial Contact

Editor-in-Chief: Olga Lucia Ostos Ortiz
Email: revistanova@unicolmayor.edu.co
Website: https://revistas.unicolmayor.edu.co/index.php/nova/

Submission Preparation Checklist

Submission Requirements

All manuscripts submitted to Revista NOVA must meet the following requirements:

The manuscript has not been previously published nor is it under review by any other journal.
The submission file must be in Microsoft Word format.
The text must be double-spaced, in 12-point font, left-justified, and use italics instead of underlining (except for URLs).
The manuscript adheres to the stylistic and bibliographic conditions specified by the Vancouver guidelines, as detailed in the Author Guidelines.
Each author must submit a signed originality statement.
Authors must submit a list of potential reviewers (four national and four international), including complete information: full names, email addresses, and institutional affiliations that differ from those of the authors.
All authors must have an ORCID identifier and a publicly accessible Google Scholar profile.
Upon submission, all required metadata must be entered in the journal’s online platform: complete author details, keywords (in both Spanish and English), abstracts, and references separated by double spacing to facilitate validation and CrossRef deposit.
All illustrations, figures, and tables must be sequentially embedded in the manuscript and also provided as separate files, marked according to their order of appearance and in original formats for editing purposes.

Abstract

The submission must include a structured abstract in both Spanish and English, with a maximum length of 250 words.
The following bolded headings are required: Introduction, Objectives, Methods, Results, and Conclusions.
The structured abstract is mandatory only for original articles and short communications.

Article Structure: Original Articles, Short Communications, and Technical Notes

Title page: Spanish and English titles, authors, institutional affiliations, and full details of the corresponding author.
Abstracts and keywords in Spanish and English.
Main sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion.
End Sections: Acknowledgments, Conflict of Interest Statement, Funding, References.
Illustrations, figures, and tables must be inserted in the text following order of appearance and properly identified.

Illustrations, Figures, and Tables

Must appear sequentially in the manuscript, each with a caption and source.
Titles for figures and tables should not be part of the image but written below each element.
Figures and tables must also be submitted as separate files, labeled according to appearance (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.), in accepted formats: JPG, TIFF, GIF, EPS, or PNG.
Standard size: 2400 × 1500 pixels at 300 dpi. Minimum accepted size: 1200 × 750 pixels at 300 dpi.
Tables must be in Word or Excel, set in Arial 10-point, single-spaced.

References

References must strictly follow Vancouver guidelines.
Number the references according to their order of appearance in the text.
References cited in tables must maintain sequence with main text citations.

Nomenclature

Genus and species names are written in italics.
Microorganism names must appear in full on first mention (including in the title and abstract); thereafter, use only the first initial of the genus followed by the full species name.

Ethical and Funding Considerations

Attach the Ethics Committee approval for manuscripts reporting human or animal experimentation; mention this at the end of the Methods section.
For clinical intervention studies, include the site and registration number.
All manuscripts must include a statement of funding source.

Title and Affiliations

Include titles in both Spanish and English (maximum 165 characters).
Authors are listed only with their institutional affiliation, without academic ranks or titles; include city and country.
The corresponding author must provide complete contact information: full name, address, telephone number, and email.

Copyright Notice

Copyright and Publishing License Declaration

By submitting a manuscript to NOVA Scientific Publication in Biomedical Sciences, authors expressly declare and accept the following conditions regarding copyright and open access policies:

1. Open Access Policy

NOVA Journal is a free open access publication that guarantees immediate and unrestricted access to all its scientific content. All published articles are made available to the global scientific community without subscription or payment barriers, promoting free exchange of scientific knowledge in biomedical sciences.

2. Copyright Retention

Authors retain copyright of their works once published in NOVA. The journal does not require complete transfer of rights, allowing authors to maintain intellectual property of their scientific contributions while granting necessary permissions for publication and distribution.

3. Creative Commons License

All articles published in NOVA Journal are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), available at: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

This license allows users to:

Share: copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format, always with appropriate attribution

Under the following conditions:

Attribution: original authorship must be cited, include link to license and indicate if changes were made
NonCommercial: material may not be used for commercial purposes
NoDerivatives: distribution of derivative works from the material is not permitted

No legal terms or technological measures may be applied that restrict the permissions granted by this license.

4. Originality and Integrity Declarations

Authors guarantee and declare that:

Their contribution is completely original, except for appropriately referenced citations of copyrighted works
The manuscript contains no defamatory statements nor infringes copyright, trademarks, patents, or third-party property rights
It has not been previously published in any other journal or scientific communication medium
It is not being simultaneously considered for publication in another journal
All coauthors have approved the final version and agree with the submission

5. Publication Responsibilities

The corresponding author accepts and is responsible for:

Coordinating with all coauthors during the editorial process
Responding on behalf of all authors to editorial inquiries
Ensuring that all information provided is truthful and verifiable
Communicating any conflicts of interest or changes in research circumstances

6. Usage and Distribution Permissions

Authors grant NOVA the non-exclusive right to:

Publish the article on the journal's digital platform
Distribute content through scientific databases and bibliographic indexes
Reproduce the work in digital and physical formats necessary for distribution
Include the article in special issues, thematic collections, or scientific anthologies
Deposit the work in institutional and thematic repositories

7. Post-Publication Author Rights

Once the article is published, authors maintain the right to:

Use their work for academic, educational, and research purposes
Include the article in their curriculum, personal websites, and academic profiles
Share the work on academic social networks and scientific platforms
Deposit copies in institutional repositories with appropriate attribution
Reference the original NOVA publication in subsequent works

8. Third-Party Material Protection

When the manuscript includes third-party copyrighted material (figures, tables, photographs, etc.), authors declare that they:

Have obtained all necessary permissions for reproduction
Possess appropriate documentation of granted authorizations
Will indemnify the journal against any claims for misuse of protected material
Will comply with specific conditions established by rights holders

9. Scientific Integrity and Ethics

Authors commit to maintaining the highest standards of:

Scientific honesty: Not falsifying, fabricating, or plagiarizing data or results
Methodological transparency: Providing sufficient information for replicability
Complete declaration: Reporting conflicts of interest, funding sources, and study limitations
Shared responsibility: Each author assumes responsibility for the integrity of the complete work

10. Dispute Resolution

In case of copyright-related controversies:

Parties will seek amicable resolution through direct communication
Colombian legislation on intellectual property and copyright will apply
The journal reserves the right to withdraw articles that violate third-party rights
Authors will indemnify NOVA for any damages arising from rights infringements

Mandatory Acceptance

☐ I ACCEPT the conditions established in this Copyright Notice

By checking this box, I declare that:

I have read and fully understood all established terms and conditions
I act with express authorization from all coauthors to accept these conditions
I commit to comply with all obligations arising from this declaration
I acknowledge that acceptance of these conditions is an indispensable requirement for editorial processing of the manuscript

This copyright declaration reflects NOVA Journal's commitment to open science, ensuring free access to scientific knowledge while protecting the legitimate rights of authors and collaborators. Adherence to these principles strengthens editorial integrity and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in biomedical sciences globally.

Last updated: September 25, 2025
NOVA Journal - Universidad Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca - Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia

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