About the Journal

Aims and scope of Journal

The Journal of Medical Laboratory Science & Technology of South Africa is published under the auspices of the Society of Medical Laboratory Technology of South Africa. In this realm, it is supported by the Pathology disciplines covering the disciplines registered under the Health Professions Council of South Africa such as Haematology, Chemistry, Histology, Cytology, Cytogenetics, Microbiology, Virology, Molecular Biology, Immunohaematology and related fields.

It therefore provides a platform for multi-disciplinary articles in research or on a diagnostic level. 

The journal supports primary scientific articles, technical reports, short communications and review articles.

This is a name change from the previous Journal of Medical Technology South Africa. The MTSA Journal archives can be found using the MTSAJ archive link here

Publication frequency

The Journal of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology of South Africa (JMLSTSA) is published bi-annually. 

Full versions of the journal can be found using the link here

Open access policy

JMLSTSA provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

Abbreviation 

The correct abbreviation for abstracting and indexing purposes is JMLSTSA.

ISSN

The international standard serial number (ISSN) for The Journal of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology of South Africa is ISSN 2664-2549

SUBMISSION POLICIES

Original research articles, review articles, technical reports, book reviews, case reports and letters to the editor are invited and should be submitted online at https://jmlstsa.smltsa.org.za/index.php/JMLSTSA.  

Manuscripts are submitted on the understanding that they have not and will not be published elsewhere. The Editor retains the right, to modify the style and length of the submitted manuscript and to decide the time of publication. The JMLSTA publishes all material on the understanding that the design of the work has been approved by a relevant ethics committee and/or it conforms to the professional standards and legislation currently applied in the country of origin.

Authors are requested to read the following guidelines carefully and to adhere to the requirements herein. Failure to comply may lead to delay in publication. Copyright on all published material belongs to the Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists of South Africa (SMLTSA). It is understood that all proprietary rights other than copyright are reserved to the authors, as well as the right to reproduce original figures and tables from this item in their future works, provided full credit is given to the original publication Journal of Medical Science and Technology of South Africa ISSN 2664-2549.

In consideration of the reviewing and editing done by the editors of JMSTSA, the author/s are required to transfer, assign, or otherwise convey all copyright ownership world-wide, in all languages, to the Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists of South Africa in the event that this manuscript is accepted for publication. If the manuscript has been commissioned by another person or organisation, or if it has been written as part of the duties of an employee, full authorisation must be given by the representative of the commissioning organisation or employer before the manuscript is published in the Journal of Medical Science and Technology of South Africa.

 

PEER REVIEW PROCESS

Original articles are first reviewed by an editor or sub editor who will assess the suitability of the manuscript for the journal. If suitable, the manuscript will be referred for a double blinded review. JMSTSA obtains: (a) two reviews on ALL MATERIAL except case reports in which one review from an expert in the field is required.

Reviewers consider the material in terms of the following:

  • Whether it contains new and relevant information for the field of study.
  • If appropriate methods and statistical analyses were used.
  • Ethical clearance and the use of good ethical practice.
  • Scholarly and scientific writing including grammar, clarity of meaning.
  • Relevance and accuracy of tables and figures.
  • Relevance and suitability of references.
  • Areas in need of improvement.

Reviewers advise the editor whether to accept reviewed material for publication. The JMSTSA uses a grading system for peer reviewers and reviewed material should be returned to the editor within fourteen (14) days. After changes and corrections have been made to the manuscript it is sent out for a second round of review. Persons who are experts in their fields and who have published material are invited to review manuscripts on a voluntary basis. Interested persons are welcome to volunteer to review material and are invited to register on the website.