Longer and shorter articles

If we accept your original research paper for publication in the LJPC we will publish it in full on bmj.com with a shorter version in the printed journal. Using this process, which we call ELPS (electronic long, paper short), we aim to please both authors and readers. We believe that a well written short version (say 1000-1500 words) in the printed journal can encourage casual readers to read something they might otherwise miss, while a longer version on bmj.com allows serious readers enough detail.

When we offer to publish an article using ELPS we ask authors to produce just one version, the longer one. This should be the full paper with a structured abstract and all the necessary scientific detail, probably with several tables. We edit it and publish it on bmj.com with a much shorter abridged version prepared by LJPC editors; authors receive proofs of both before publication. Only the shorter version appears in the printed LJPC, with an ELPS logo that alerts readers to the presence of more on www.londonjournalofprimarycare.org

The ELPS concept does not mean that authors can feel free to submit very long papers or lengthen them at the stage of revision after peer review. Our ideal limit for an original research paper is still 2000 words, because we know that to be a readable and effective length. Some papers, for example systematic reviews, may warrant up to 3000 words. But very long articles are nearly always too longwinded for editors, peer reviews and, most importantly, readers. So please continue to make every word count, and please try to keep within any word limits that we set.