ICMJE | Recommendations

<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <title>ICMJE | 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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Annotated versions of this and earlier updates to the Recommendations are available in the announcement of the respective updates in <a href="/news-and-editorials/">ICMJE | News & Editorials</a>.</p> <p>Updated January 2024</p>  <div class="full-width"> <div class="banner-img"> <img src="/images/banner_rec.png" alt="Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals"> </div> <p> <a class="btn" href="/icmje-recommendations.pdf"><i class="icon-download-alt icon-large"></i> Download</a> </p> <p> <a href="/icmje-recommendations.pdf">Download the full PDF</a> to print or view on your computer and/or tablet.<br> <small><i class="icon-long-arrow-right"></i> Looking for <a href="/recommendations/translations/">Translations</a> or <a href="/recommendations/archives/">Archives</a>?</small> </p> </div>  <p>Rather access the Recommendations on the web? Browse the full content by choosing one of the sections below.</p> <div id="browse">  <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 href="/recommendations/browse/about-the-recommendations/who-should-use-the-recommendations.html">Who Should Use the Recommendations?</a></li> <li><a href="/recommendations/browse/about-the-recommendations/history-of-the-recommendations.html">History of the Recommendations</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/">Roles & Responsibilities</a> <ul> <li><a href="/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/defining-the-role-of-authors-and-contributors.html">Defining the Role of Authors and Contributors</a></li> <li><a href="/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/author-responsibilities--conflicts-of-interest.html">Disclosure of Financial and Non-Financial Relationships and Activities, and Conflicts of Interest</a></li> <li><a href="/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/responsibilities-in-the-submission-and-peer-peview-process.html">Responsibilities in the Submission and Peer-Review Process</a></li> <li><a href="/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/journal-owners-and-editorial-freedom.html">Journal Owners and Editorial Freedom</a></li> <li><a href="/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/protection-of-research-participants.html">Protection of Research Participants</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a 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ICMJE | Recommendations