For Authors

Papers should be prepared using standard manuscript form according to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), 7th edition (2019). (Visit www.apastyle.org for assistance.) Length should be 12–15 pages (4,000 words), exclusive of tables, figures, and references. Integrative reviews are limited to 5,000 words, exclusive of tables, figures, and references. 

Title Page: Include names, credentials, titles, and affiliations of all authors. 

Authorship/Contributors: All authors must contribute significantly to the manuscript and identify those contributions when prompted via the author form emailed to each author upon manuscript submission; authorship contributions are conceptualization and design, data collection, statistical support, analysis, and manuscript preparation. Those who do not meet authorship criteria should instead be acknowledged as contributors along with their contributions (e.g., recruitment, technical assistance).

The Oncology Nursing Society, Oncology Nursing Foundation, and Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation follow the American Nurses Association/American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANA/ANCC) recommendation for the listing of credentials. When submitting your credentials, please do so in the order listed below:

• Highest earned degree (e.g., PhD, MSN, BS)
• Licensure (e.g., RN, LPN)
• State designations or requirements (e.g., APRN, CNS)
• National certifications (e.g., ANCC, RN-BC)
• Awards and honors (e.g., FAAN)
• Other recognitions (e.g., EMT-Basic/EMT)

More information on displaying your credentials in this order can be found here. Please note that credentials may be subject to editing for style and length.

Structured Abstracts: An abstract is required for all articles and is limited to 200 words.

Quantitative Research: The following headings for reports of quantitative research must be included.

1. Objectives
2. Sample and Setting
3. Methods and Variables
4. Results
5. Implications for Nursing
6. Knowledge Translation: Include three points indicating new knowledge or cutting-edge practice innovations that may influence practice.

Qualitative Research: The following headings for reports of qualitative research must be included. 

1. Purpose
2. Participants and Setting
3. Methodologic Approach
4. Findings
5. Implications for Nursing
6. Knowledge Translation: Include three points indicating new knowledge or cutting-edge practice innovations that may influence practice.

Integrative/Systematic Reviews: Integrative reviews are limited to 5,000 words, exclusive of tables, figures, and references. In addition, authors should ensure that these reviews follow the PRISMA 2009 Checklist. For a full description regarding preparation of an integrative review, see: Whittmore, E.R., & Knafl, K. (2005). The integrative review: Updated methodology. Journal of Advanced Nursing,52, 546–553.

The following headings must be included in an abstract for an integrative review.

1. Problem Identification
2. Literature Search
3. Data Evaluation
4. Synthesis (evaluate applicability and develop recommendations)
5. Implications for Practice or Research
6. Knowledge Translation: Include three points indicating new knowledge or cutting-edge practice innovations that may influence practice.

Mixed Methods: The following headings for mixed methods research must be included. 

1. Problem Statement
2. Design
3. Data Sources
4. Analysis
5. Findings
6. Implications for Practice or Research
7. Knowledge Translation: Include three points indicating new knowledge or cutting-edge practice innovations that may influence practice.

Research Briefs: Preliminary research, pilot studies, and studies with very small samples or negative results may be submitted for publication consideration as Research Briefs. These brief reports of research should not exceed 1,500 words, exclusive of tables, figures, and references. They may be accompanied by a maximum of two tables or figures. Include a structured abstract (200 words maximum) with Objectives, Sample and Setting, Methods and Variables, Results, and Implications for Nursing. Three Knowledge Translation statements indicating new knowledge should be included. A maximum of 15 key references may be included. In addition to newly submitted manuscripts, full-length research manuscripts that previously have been deferred through the ONF peer review process may be reworked and resubmitted for consideration as a Research Brief. 

Keywords: Please include three to six keywords. For examples, visit the MeSH Browser. 

Text: Use headings and subheadings as appropriate. Include the names of the institutions participating in the study.

Implications for Nursing: Authors MUST include a section on "Implications for Nursing" after the Discussion and before the Conclusion. This section must highlight how the findings of the research or review can be used to change nursing practice or describe important knowledge that has the potential to increase nurses' knowledge on the topic. Manuscripts that omit this section will not be considered for publication. 

Patient Confidentiality: All patient information included in manuscripts, tables, or figures must be de-identified to avoid compromising patient privacy and confidentiality. Only those details essential for understanding and interpreting a specific case report or case series should be provided. 

Tables: Each should be typed, double spaced on separate pages placed at the end of the text. Every table must be referred to in the text.

Figures: Include on separate pages at the end of the manuscript. Every figure must be referred to in the text.

References: Authors are responsible for the accuracy and correct formatting of all reference citations. References will be checked for accuracy at the time of editing. Manuscripts found to contain errors are subject to delays in publication.

Permissions: The author is responsible for obtaining written permissions from the copyright owner for the use of any material (e.g., text, tables, figures, forms) previously published or printed elsewhere and to bear the cost, if any, of using the material. Permission is required for both print and electronic use. Original letters granting permission must be submitted when the final manuscript is uploaded. If the manuscript reports the results of an investigational study involving human subjects, the text must include a statement indicating approval by an institutional review board and cite its name, as well as noting informed consent when appropriate. Authors must obtain and forward a signed statement of informed consent to publish in print and online patient descriptions or case studies, photographs, and pedigrees from all individuals or parents or legal guardians of minors who can be identified in such written descriptions, photographs, or pedigrees. Such individuals should be shown the manuscript before its submission.

Acknowledgments: Any acknowledgments should be submitted with the manuscript.

Dissertations and Theses: A thesis or dissertation in entirety is not appropriate for submission to the Oncology Nursing Forum. Manuscript submissions that are substantially similar to or the same as a previously published dissertation or thesis will not be considered for publication. Text, tables, figures, etc., should be paraphrased to avoid duplication (self-plagiarism) and content should be substantially condensed. Submissions that fail to comply with this policy will be removed from publication consideration.

Online Manuscript Submission: All manuscripts must be submitted electronically via Editorial Manager. Complete instructions are provided, and assistance is available by contacting pubONF@ons.org.

All manuscript submissions (both original and revisions) should include the title page (including author names, credentials, titles, affiliations, and email addresses), the abstract, text, references, and all tables and figures. Do not blind the manuscript. (Note: Even though the title, abstract, and authors are entered into the information pages, they must still be included with the manuscript files.)

Author Rights: ONS grants the author the nonexclusive right to (a) reproduce, distribute photocopies of, and publicly display the article in the course of nonprofit teaching and research activities; (b) post the article on his or her personal website or that of the author's employer, provided any such site has commercially reasonable safeguards, including password protection, in place to protect against unauthorized copying or distribution of content; and (c) prepare, reproduce, distribute, and publicly display derivative works from the article, provided that, with respect to (a), (b), and (c) above, ONF is cited as the source of first publication of the article and that ONS is clearly indicated as the owner of the copyrights in the article. The sharing of any full-text version of the article via or facilitated by ResearchGate or any other social networking website is strictly prohibited. In compliance with National Institutes of Health funding requirements, and no sooner than six months after the article's publication, the author is permitted to post on PubMed Central the original draft of the article submitted for publication.

Financial Disclosure: Information for all contributing authors must be entered into the manuscript information pages. Upon submission of a manuscript, each author will receive an automated email, providing a link to an author copyright and disclosure form. This form transfers copyright to the Oncology Nursing Society. All authors must submit the form before the manuscript can proceed to peer review. If the manuscript is not accepted, copyright will transfer back to the authors.

Each author must disclose any financial interest in products mentioned in the manuscript or in the company that manufactures the products, as well as any compensation received for producing the manuscript. A submitted manuscript that is the result of funded research must cite the funding source on the title page. A manuscript that originated as a thesis or dissertation prepared by an author on an educational scholarship must cite the name of the scholarship. In general, this disclosure will not preclude publication in ONF providing that the manuscript meets the appropriate standards for acceptance. When appropriate, this information is shared with ONF reviewers and readers.

NIH Funding: Authors receiving government funding are required to comply with all of the terms of the NIH Public Access Policy, including submitting their funded articles to NIH for posting on PubMed Central. Authors are permitted to post the original draft of the article on PubMed Central no sooner than six months after the article's publication.

Plagiarism: All manuscripts will be reviewed for originality with a plagiarism software product. Manuscripts found to plagiarize the work of others will be prohibited from publication in ONF.

Letters to the Editor: Selection of letters to be published is the decision of the editor. For acceptance, letters must be signed. All letters are subject to editing. A letter that questions, criticizes, or responds to a previously published article automatically will be sent to the author of that article for a reply. This type of collegial exchange is encouraged. Send letters to ONFEditor@ons.org.  

Online Versus Print Publication: Selection of articles for print versus online publication is at the discretion of the editor.

The FAQs below are divided by phase of the publishing process. Or, contact us at pubONF@ons.org.

Submission

What do I need to include in my submission?

Include your manuscript and any tables or figures, as well as the following: 

• Title page, including names, credentials, affiliations, contact information, and funding for all authors
• Structured abstract based on article type
• Three knowledge translation points, providing new knowledge or practice innovations 
• Permission letters for previously published and copyrighted material 

Is there a limit to the number of authors that can appear on a paper?

We do not limit the number of authors; however, each author should have participated sufficiently in manuscript preparation. Contributors, such as those who provide technical help, general support, etc., should be listed in an acknowledgment. 

Is there a fee to publish with the Oncology Nursing Forum?

There are no author or page fees.

Can I publish my thesis or dissertation?

A thesis or dissertation in entirety is not appropriate for submission. Manuscripts that are substantially similar to or the same as a previously published dissertation or thesis will not be considered for publication. Text, tables, figures, etc., should be paraphrased to avoid duplication (self-plagiarism) and content should be substantially condensed. 

One of my coauthors accidentally declined affiliation. Help!

Please contact pubONF@ons.org to have the author status reset. 

I’m a coauthor. When I click the link to confirm my affiliation, I get an error message or do not see the questionnaire. How do I confirm my affiliation?

Ensure you are not already logged in to Editorial Manager when you click the link. If you are not logged in to an existing account and problems persist, contact pubONF@ons.org for assistance. 

Can I elect for my manuscript to be published in print or online?

Selection of articles for print versus online publication is at the discretion of the editor.

Peer Review

I submitted a paper a while ago and the status in Editorial Manager still is “Manuscript Submitted.” Why hasn’t it been reviewed?

Manuscripts do not proceed to the editor or peer reviewers until all authors have confirmed they are affiliated with the manuscript and completed their conflict of interest and disclosure. This status indicates one author (or more) has not completed those required documents.

My manuscript status is “Removed by Editor.” What happened?

There are two possibilities: (a) One author or more has not confirmed or has denied affiliation with the manuscript or (b) one author or more has not completed the conflict of interest and disclosure information. If this is not completed for 3-4 weeks, the submission is removed from consideration. 

My manuscript status is “Removed by Editor.” Can it be reinstated if all authors complete the forms now?

Once a manuscript is removed, it is deleted from the system and cannot be reinstated. The manuscript can be submitted again, and all authors will need to confirm their manuscript affiliation and submit their conflict of interest and disclosure information.

When will I know if a decision has been made for my manuscript?

The average time from submission to first decision is 4-6 weeks. For the status of your specific manuscript, contact pubONF@ons.org. 

Production

Why was I asked to provide copyright permissions?

Authors must acquire and provide permissions for all figures and tables they want to use that have been previously published. This includes work created by a colleague, coworker, or friend who gave verbal permission but is not an author. Copyright may be held by a journal, institution, or individual. More information to help you determine whether the content requires permission is available here.  

A table or figure in my manuscript is original, but I was asked to provide permission when my manuscript entered production. What do I do?

If we cannot definitively determine whether a table or figure is original, we will ask for copyright permission as a precaution. If the content is original, notify us at pubONF@ons.org.

How long will I have to respond to queries from the editor and copy editors? 

Authors have at least three days to reply but will be provided a specific deadline with the article layout. Please adhere to this timeline to avoid delaying publication.

I won’t be available when my manuscript is in production. What if I am late responding to queries?

Please provide us with the dates of your anticipated scheduling conflicts. We may be able to adjust the production schedule to accommodate you.

What if my manuscript is supported by federal funding?

Beginning in 2025, for compliance with the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy, if your manuscript is supported by federal funding, it must be made publicly accessible, without an embargo or cost. Your manuscript will still go through the peer review process, but it will be fast-tracked and posted online. It will then be slated for print publication in the next available print issue.

Can I share my article on ResearchGate or similar platforms once it is published?

Authors are not permitted to share the full text of their article on any social media or third-party website but may provide links to their online publications.

What does the timeline look like once my manuscript enters production?

Timelines can vary but generally look something like this:

• Three months to publication: Authors receive an email indicating their article is entering active production with a reminder to submit any permissions. 
• Two months to publication: Authors receive the manuscript’s layout to review, address any queries, and make final changes. Notify us if you will be unreachable for an extended period of time in the two months before publication.
• One month to publication: Authors receive the final version of the article as well as a satisfaction survey.