Guide for Authors

Science, Technology, and Health (CTS) is an indexed journal aimed at disseminating research and postgraduate knowledge from the University of San Carlos of Guatemala and the national and international academic community. It is a biannual, non-profit publication available in digital format through Open Journal System (OJS) and in print. Manuscripts accepted for publication undergo a double-blind peer review process, ensuring a high level of academic rigor for both authors and readers.

Manuscript Review Charges

All manuscripts submitted to the journal are exempt from any review or publication charges.

Instructions for Authors (Please read all instructions carefully)

The journal Science, Technology, and Health publishes the following types of manuscripts:

I. Scientific Articles
II. Review Articles
III. Essays
IV. Reviews
V. Case Reports
VI. Conference Abstracts
VII. Policy Briefs

The journal considers only unpublished and original articles in Spanish or English, which have not been previously published nor are under review elsewhere. If the material has been partially presented in another context (e.g., conferences), this information must be indicated at the end of the abstract.

Manuscripts involving research with humans or animals must include a section on ethical aspects, approval by an Ethics Committee if applicable, informed consent in studies with humans, and procedures for the ethical handling of laboratory animals. Works must have at least 15 references, except for reviews.

Submission Process

Manuscripts must be submitted through the OJS platform, following the specified instructions. To submit a manuscript, registration as an author on the website is required (see the registration section). Only documents that comply with the instructions for authors will be accepted; incomplete articles will be returned without evaluation.

All manuscripts must be submitted in MS Word format (version 2007 or later) or LaTeX format (using the template available at https://github.com/hepfpeh/ctsDIGI). Use letter size, Times New Roman 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing, 2.5 cm margins, single-column, unjustified text, numbered pages, and citations and references according to the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition. The metric system should be used, and words in another language should be italicized, except for common abbreviations (e.g., et al., per se).

All submissions must include a cover page with a short title (no more than 11 words), title in Spanish and English, author names, institutional affiliation (with Arabic numerals in superscript), email address for correspondence (indicated with an asterisk), and ORCID identifiers (you can create your ORCID record at the following link: https://info.orcid.org/es/documentation/features/orcid-registry/).

Authors are encouraged to review a previous issue of the journal to familiarize themselves with the article format.

Publication Process

The publication process consists of three stages. First, the Editorial Committee reviews the format, writing, structure, and statistics; then, an external double-blind peer review is conducted, and in case of conflicting opinions, a third reviewer is consulted. Finally, the final editing (philology), layout, and proof acceptance are performed. Authors must respond to corrections within 30 days; otherwise, the manuscript will be considered rejected and the process must start again. During the review process, the author must submit the revised version, highlighting all additions or modifications using blue text. Additionally, a detailed letter must be submitted to the Editorial Committee explaining the changes and justifying any omissions.

In the OJS platform, authors can view the status of their manuscript and use the discussions section for inquiries, maintaining the workflow order.

Tables and Figures

Tables and figures must follow the guidelines of the APA 7th edition. They should be placed at the end of the references section and uploaded in their original format (e.g., .png, .jpg, TIFF) in separate files. Images must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. For maps, include credits, coordinate system, and scale. Examples can be found on the official APA website at the following link: https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/tables-figures.

Supplementary Material

Include any material that complements and supports your article, such as datasets, videos, additional tables, figures, etc. Use supplementary material to provide greater depth and context to your research, facilitating better understanding for the reader. Reference the supplementary material within the article text to guide readers. Provide clear descriptions and detailed documentation for each item of supplementary material, ensuring its usefulness and relevance. Regarding research data, it is recommended to place the data in an appropriate public repository, preferably from your university. If your university or research center does not have one, it is recommended to upload it to Zenodo or search on Re3data.

Conflict of Interest

All conditions, whether personal, financial, or academic, under which professional judgment regarding the primary objective of the research could be influenced by secondary interests, must be mentioned. This includes, but is not limited to, any factor that may compromise the objectivity or impartiality in the evaluation and presentation of research findings.

Sections of the Journal

Science, Technology, and Health publishes a variety of sections, each with specific requirements detailed more clearly in the writing guide. Below are the sections of the journal:

Scientific Articles
These articles report results from research projects. The maximum length is 20 pages and includes:

Abstract (with five keywords)
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
Tables and Figures

Submit a new manuscript to the Scientific Articles section.

Scientific Essays
Essays are works in which the author presents their interpretation of a relevant topic in science, technology, or health, arguing personal opinions based on scientific literature, concluding with a position on the selected topic. The maximum length is 20 pages and includes:

Abstract (with five keywords)
Introduction
Content
Conclusions
References
Tables and Figures

Submit a new manuscript to the Scientific Essays section.

Review Articles
Review articles present important topics addressed by experts and are accepted only by invitation from the Editorial Board. The maximum length is 20 pages and includes:

Abstract (with five keywords)
Introduction
Content
Conclusions
References (minimum 50 references)
Tables and Figures

Submit a new manuscript to the Review Articles section.

Case Reports
These articles present detailed and documented special cases that deserve attention within the scope of the journal. They can be clinical, technological, or from other scientific fields. The maximum length is 10 pages and includes:

Abstract (with five keywords)
Introduction
Case Presentation
Discussion
References
Tables and Figures

Submit a new manuscript to the Case Reports section.

Reviews
Reviews are critiques and comments on new books (with ISBN), videos, or other works. The maximum length is two pages, and the format is free. It should include the full bibliographic reference, a photograph of the work, and an electronic address if applicable.

Submit a new manuscript to the Reviews section.

Conference Abstracts
These are summaries of original research presented at a conference or scientific event on any topic covered by the journal. The organizing committee of the event requests the Editorial Board of the journal to allocate space for publishing the relevant abstracts from the event, which have been selected, reviewed, and edited by a specific committee of the organizing committee. Oral or poster presentations, innovative works that meet the following requirements, will be published:

Title in Spanish and English
Author names and affiliations
Corresponding author
Abstract: objective, methodology, most relevant results, and conclusion (maximum 250 words). Include five keywords
Name of the conference, location and date, and presentation mode (oral or poster).

Submit a new manuscript to the Conference Abstracts section.

Policy Briefs
These briefs focus on informing and analyzing current issues or challenges related to specific topics in science, technology, health, and society. Their main objective is to facilitate the transformation of research into clear and actionable policies, promoting informed decision-making and public discussion based on scientific evidence and rigorous analysis at the national and regional levels, offering an impartial and reliable perspective on complex issues. They are intended to be essential tools for decision-makers, such as legislators, government officials, international organizations, and the general public. They serve as bridges between the scientific community and decision-makers, providing impartial and reliable analysis that can guide actions and policies based on the most recent scientific evidence. The maximum length is 10 pages and includes:

Abstract (no more than 250 words). Include five keywords
Introduction: this section should establish the purpose and objectives of the article in the context of the policy it addresses. It is essential to clearly define the scope and relevance of the topic for the reader.
Content: this section should provide the reader with the background, analysis, implications, and actionable recommendations, supported by relevant data, research, and evidence.
Discussion/Conclusion: this section should highlight the key points and final considerations on the topic.
References (APA style)
Tables and Figures

Submit a new manuscript to the Policy Briefs section.