Information for Authors

Most of the clinical and business/management articles published in In Practice are commissioned by the Editorial Board. However, suggestions for articles to be considered by the board are welcome. These should be emailed to inpractice{at}bva-edit.co.uk, and accompanied by a brief (up to 200 word) synopsis.

The intended audience is the general veterinary practitioner who may not be familiar with the specific subject of the article. The approach should be simple and straightforward, with the emphasis on readability and the use of illustrations to make the article visually attractive.

Clinical articles are peer-reviewed.

All articles are subject to editing and formatting.

All material published is the copyright of the British Veterinary Association.

Clinical articles

Content and format
Clinical articles should not exceed 3000 words. Articles should include both an introductory paragraph that puts the subject into context, and a concluding paragraph to summarise the topic. Articles should also include subheadings and text boxes where appropriate. Word limits do not include tables, diagrams or references. Manuscripts should be double-line spaced and all pages should be numbered.

What's new?
Current lines of research that are likely to have significant practical applications in the future may be discussed in a 'What's new?' section at the end of the article. These more 'cutting edge' developments should be summarised briefly in the context of the topic under discussion.

If possible, we would appreciate if you could also submit a short quiz to accompany your article. This would be published at the end of your article and could be in the form of one or more of the following:

• Multiple choice questions
• A 'What is your diagnosis? scenario
• A picture quiz

Please provide the quiz with answers, when submitting your article, as it, too, will undergo peer-review. Both the article and quiz should be emailed to inpractice{at}bva-edit.co.uk

Style guide
For further information relating to illustrations, units, references, medicines, parasite nomenclature and ethics, click here

Management articles

Content and format
The maximum word length for business/management articles is 2000 words. Articles should include both an introductory paragraph that puts the subject into context, and a concluding paragraph to summarise the topic. Articles should also include subheadings and text boxes where appropriate. Word limits do not include tables, diagrams or references. Manuscripts should be double-line spaced and all pages should be numbered.

Style guide
For further information relating to illustrations, units, references, medicines, parasite nomenclature and ethics, click here

Everyday Ethics

Everyday Ethics articles should be around 500 words long and consider ethical dilemmas that can arise in veterinary practice. They should include an ethical dilemma (the dilemma itself may be provided or you may provide your own), issues to consider and a possible way forward (although there is rarely a simple answer in most cases). It is intended that these articles should provide a framework that will help practices find solutions when facing similar dilemmas.

Everyday Ethics articles are usually commissioned; however, if you would like to contribute an article or suggest a dilemma that might be discussed, please email inpractice{at}bva-edit.co.uk

A Practitioner Ponders

Contributions to this column should be no more than 500 words long and be written by a veterinary practitioner. The aim of the column is to entertain, but it can consider serious issues in a light-hearted way. If you have any ideas for articles or would like to contribute, please email inpractice{at}bva-edit.co.uk