ICMJE | Recommendations | History of the Recommendations

<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <title>ICMJE | Recommendations | History of the Recommendations</title> <meta name="viewport" content="initial-scale=1.0"> <link href="/css/normalize.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="/css/styles.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="/css/font-awesome.min.css" rel="stylesheet">    <html lang="en-GB">  <script type="text/javascript" src="//ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.2.6/jquery.min.js"></script> <script src="/js/jquery.placeholder.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="/js/scripts.js" type="text/javascript"></script>  <script type="text/javascript"> var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-45669522-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 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Recommendations</h1> <p>The ICMJE has produced multiple editions of this document, previously known as the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals (URMs). The URM was first published in 1978 as a way of standardizing manuscript format and preparation across journals. Over the years, issues in publishing that went well beyond manuscript preparation arose, resulting in the development of separate statements, updates to the document, and its renaming as “Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals” to reflect its broader scope. Previous versions of the document may be found in the “Archives” section of <a href="/">www.icmje.org</a>.</p> <hr> <p><span class="badge">Next:</span> <a href="/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/defining-the-role-of-authors-and-contributors.html">Defining the Role of Authors and Contributors</a> <small>(in Roles & Responsibilities)</small></p> </div> </div>  <div id="sidebar"> <div class="inner">  <nav> <div id="nav_toggle"> <i class="icon-reorder icon-large icon-light"></i> </div> <ul> <li class="recommendations-link"><a href="/recommendations/">Recommendations</a> <div class="arrow-down"></div> <ul class="submenu"> <li class="browse"><a href="/recommendations/browse/">Browse</a> <ul> <li><a href="/recommendations/browse/about-the-recommendations/">About the Recommendations</a> <ul> <li><a href="/recommendations/browse/about-the-recommendations/purpose-of-the-recommendations.html">Purpose of the Recommendations</a></li> <li><a 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Trials</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="/recommendations/browse/manuscript-preparation/">Manuscript Preparation and Submission</a> <ul> <li><a href="/recommendations/browse/manuscript-preparation/preparing-for-submission.html">Preparing a Manuscript for Submission to a Medical Journal</a></li> <li><a href="/recommendations/browse/manuscript-preparation/sending-the-submission.html">Sending the Manuscript to the Journal</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="/recommendations/translations/">Translations</a></li> <li><a href="/recommendations/archives/">Archives</a></li> <li><a href="/recommendations/subscribe-to-changes/">Subscribe to Changes</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="conflicts-of-interest-link"><a href="/disclosure-of-interest/">Disclosure of Interest</a> <div class="arrow-down"></div> <ul class="submenu"> <li><a href="/disclosure-of-interest/translations/">Translations</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="journals-following-the-icmje-recommendations-link larger"><a 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ICMJE | Recommendations | History of the Recommendations