Style and Formatting Guide

This style guide defines the writing, formatting, and submission standards for submissions to PURE Insights. The goal is to ensure clarity, consistency, and scientific rigor across all published articles.

For any specifications not mentioned in this guide, refer to the PURE Insights Article Template.

 

FORMATTING GUIDELINES

These guidelines apply throughout the manuscript.

  • Font: Arial, 10pt.
  • Line spacing: Single-spaced.
  • Margins: 0.5 inch on all sides.
  • Header and Footer: Should be formatted according to the template provided.
  • Acceptable file formats: MS Word, RTF.

TITLE

  • Should summarize the article in a single statement of 15 words or less.
  • Left aligned; follows formatting guidelines.

AUTHOR LIST

  • List all authors by full name, followed by their institutional affiliation on the same line.
  • List each author on a separate line, even when affiliations are identical.
  • Use the official institution name (e.g., Western Oregon University).
  • Identify the faculty sponsor on a separate line, preceded by the label “Faculty Sponsor:”.
  • Include the sponsor’s professional title (e.g., Dr.) before their name.

ABSTRACT  

  • Mandatory where applicable.
  • Word limit: 250 words.
  • Adhering to discipline standards, can include: background, methods, key results, and conclusions.

KEYWORDS 

  • Begins with the label “Keywords:”, italicized, followed by a list of relevant terms.
  • 2-3 keywords, separated by commas.
  • Avoid repeating words already used in the title.

INTRODUCTION 

  • The section must be clearly labeled “Introduction.”
  • It should provide relevant context and explain the purpose and motivation for the study.
  • The final paragraph should briefly highlight the primary findings and overall conclusions.

LANGUAGE AND STYLE

  • Consistent throughout the manuscript.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

  • Use abbreviations and acronyms sparingly and only when they improve readability.

  • Spell out the full term on first reference, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses.
  • Common abbreviations (e.g., GPA, SAT) do not require definition.
  • Avoid periods in abbreviations unless standard usage requires them (e.g., U.S.).
  • Choose articles (a, an) based on pronunciation, not spelling.
  • Do not use “&” in place of “and” unless it is part of an official name.

Numbers, Dates, and Time

  • Spell out numbers one through nine; use numerals for 10 and above.
  • Always use numerals for ages, years, times, phone numbers, and measurements.
  • Do not begin sentences with numerals, unless the number is a year.
  • Dates use numerals without ordinal endings (e.g., Oct. 13).
  • Use a.m. and p.m. in lowercase; prefer noon and midnight.

Addresses and Locations

  • Spell out state names when used alone.
  • Use standard state abbreviations when paired with a city.

Capitalization

  • Avoid unnecessary capitalization.
  • Capitalize official titles only when they precede a name.
  • Capitalize formal department, division, and college names.

Equations, Mathematical Formulas, and Computer Code

  • Use the “equation” tool in Microsoft Word to insert equations, formulas, and variables.
  • Use the “Easy Code Formatter” tool in Microsoft Word to format any programming code.

Names and Titles

  • Use full name and title on first reference; last name only thereafter.
  • Capitalize formal titles before names; lowercase otherwise.
  • Use abbreviated titles (Dr., Gov., Sen.) only when standard.

Diversity, Gender, and Identity

  • Use inclusive, respectful language.
  • Follow individual preferences whenever possible.
  • Avoid unnecessary references to identity unless relevant.
  • Capitalization and terminology should align with current best practices.

Punctuation

  • Always use the Oxford comma (or serial comma) in lists of more than three items.
  • Place commas and periods inside quotation marks.
  • Use apostrophes correctly for possession and contractions.

Technical Language and Jargon

  • Use specialized terminology only when appropriate for the audience.
  • Favor clarity over concision when writing for a general readership.
  • Define or simplify jargon when its use is necessary.

FIGURE AND TABLES

Figures

  • Submit as TIFF/JPEG/PDF at 300 DPI.
  • Use clear labels and legible text.
  • Multi-panel figures labeled (A, B, C…)
  • All figures should include a figure caption below them, clearly describing the figure.

Tables

  • Editable format (not images.)
  • Include a header row.
  • Titles above tables, table captions below.
  • Do not duplicate data presented in figures.

STATISTICAL REPORTING

  • Describe statistical methods in the Methods section.
  • Report exact p-values (e.g., p = 0.032.)
  • Italicize statistical symbols (n, p, t, F.)
  • Include confidence intervals where appropriate.
  • Use the “equation” tool in Microsoft Word to insert variables and symbols.

CITATIONS AND REFERENCES

In-Text Citations

  • Use the author–date system.
  • Format: (Author, Year)
  • Narrative citation: Author (Year)
  • One author: (Smith, 2022.)
  • Two authors: (Smith & Jones, 2021.)
  • Three or more authors: (Smith et al., 2020.)
  • Direct quotes must include page numbers: (Smith, 2022, p. 45.)

Reference List

  • Use APA style to format citations.
  • Double-spaced throughout.
  • Use a hanging indent (0.5 inch.)
  • Entries listed alphabetically by first author’s last name.
  • Use sentence case for article titles.
  • Italicize journal titles and volume numbers.
  • Include DOIs when available (formatted as URLs.)
Example Reference

Bates, B.T., Dufek, J. S. & Davis, H. P. (1992). The effect of trial size on statistical power. Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise. 24(9), 1059-1068. 


ETHICAL AND COMPLIANCE STANDARDS

Manuscripts must include:

  • Ethics approval statements such as IRB/ICUC approval where applicable (human/animal research.)
  • Informed consent where applicable.
  • Conflict of interest disclosures where applicable.
  • Funding statements where applicable.
  • Data availability statements where applicable.

PLAGIARISM AND ORIGINALITY

  • Submissions must be original and not under review elsewhere.
  • Proper citation is required for all reused ideas, data, or text.
  • Plagiarism screening will be conducted prior to acceptance.
  • Articles written wholly or in part using generative AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.) will not be accepted for publication.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

  • Submit all relevant supplementary materials (supplementary text, figures, and tables) in an appropriate number of files.
  • Files are published as provided; authors must remove all tracked changes and comments before submission.
  • The title and author list in the Supplementary Information must match the main manuscript.
  • Supplementary sections, figures, and tables must be clearly labeled, numbered, and cited in the main text.
  • All supplementary content must appear under named, citable section headings.
  • Figures require captions, error bars must be explained, and mathematical content must follow journal formatting standards.
  • Uncropped images must be included when cropped versions appear in the main manuscript.
  • Large datasets should be submitted as Supplementary Data files, while smaller datasets may appear as Supplementary Tables.
  • Supplementary references must be listed separately and be complete and independent.
  • Multimedia or software files must be labeled, cited in the manuscript, and submitted separately with legends provided during submission.
  • Individual Supplementary files should be kept under 50 MB.