Medical Student Research Journal
The University of Utah Medical Student Research Journal (MSRJ) published by the Rural and Underserved Utah Training Experience & Regional Affairs serves as a platform designed to empower medical students by providing them with opportunities for publication and professional growth in the field of medicine. The journal invites submissions of abstracts, Op-Ed pieces, and research articles that contribute to medical science, clinical practice, and healthcare innovation, fostering an environment where students can share their findings and insights with a broader audience. By facilitating the peer-review process and ensuring mentorship from faculty, the journal aims to enhance students' research skills and deepen their understanding of scholarly communication. Ultimately, the Medical Student Research Journal is committed to supporting aspiring medical professionals in their pursuit of knowledge and excellence, while also contributing to the advancement of healthcare through student-driven research.
Submission Guidelines and Details
Eligibility
Who can submit?
- Any medical student at the University of Utah
- Students engaged in any research project related to medicine, healthcare, or clinical studies
- Submissions can include abstracts, Op-Ed pieces or research articles addressing any topic relevant to the medical field
Authorship
- Primary Author: Medical student leading the research project
- Co-Authors: Other medical students, faculty mentors, or professionals who made significant contributions to the project
- Acknowledgments: Include individuals or organizations that supported the research but did not qualify for authorship
Copyright
- Abstracts: Authors will retain copyright over their written work, while allowing the journal to place this unpublished work under a Creative Commons Atribution License. The abstract will be available online and could be found by searching.
- Op-Ed & Research Articles: The MSRJ team will reach out to your after submission of work.
Review Process
All submissions will undergo blind peer review by faculty members and medical professionals.
Reviewers will evaluate the submission based on:
- Scientific merit
- Relevance to medical science or clinical practice
- Clarity of presentation
- Novelty of findings or perspectives
Decision outcomes:
- Accepted: Ready for publication
- Minor revisions: Revisions requested before publication
- Major revisions: Substantial revisions required; resubmission necessary
- Rejected: Submission does not meet the criteria for publication
All submissions from University of Utah Medical Students that are approved by a qualified faculty mentor are accepted for publication. Faculty mentors or designated mentors are expected to review their mentee's submission.
Publication and Deadlines
- The Medical Student Research Journal will be published bi-annually with first publication releasing early January.
- Deadlines for Submission:
- Submission deadline is November 24th
Formatting Guidelines
Abstracts:
- Maximum of 1,000 words
- Should concisely describe the research objective, methods, results, and conclusion
Op-Ed Pieces:
- Maximum of 3,000 words
- Should offer personal insights or commentary on current medical challenges, innovations, or healthcare topics
Research Articles:
- Maximum of 5,000 words, excluding references
- Must include:
- Title Page: Title, full names of authors, and institutional affiliations
- Abstract: 150-250 words summarizing the research
- Introduction: Clearly state the purpose and significance of the research
- Methods: Outline the methodology used in the study
- Results: Present findings with appropriate figures or tables
- Discussion: Analyze the results and discuss implications
- References: Follow AMA citation style
Resources and Support
Online resources: Guidelines for writing research papers, abstracts, and Op-Ed pieces, along with example submissions, will be available on the university’s website.
- Education Series - https://our.utah.edu/education-events/ures/