Article Type

1.1 Research Article

Research Articles present original, hypothesis-driven studies with comprehensive experimental or computational data.

Requirements:
  • Structured abstract (Background, Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusion) (up to 250 words)
  • Full methodological description enabling reproducibility
  • Robust statistical and analytical validation
  • Typically 4000–5000 words (excluding references)
  • Figures/illustrations and tables (maximum 8)

1.2 Review Article

Review Articles provide a comprehensive and critical synthesis of existing literature.

Requirements:
  • Non-structured abstract (up to 250 words)
  • Clearly defined scope and objectives
  • Critical analysis rather than descriptive summary
  • Identification of research gaps and future directions
  • Typically 6000–8000 words, but not more than 10000 words (excluding references)
  • Figures/illustrations and tables (maximum 10)

1.3 Systematic Review / Meta-Analysis

These must follow standardized reporting frameworks such as PRISMA.

Requirements:
  • Structured abstract (Background, Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusion (upto 250 words)
  • Clearly defined research question
  • Systematic search strategy
  • Inclusion and exclusion criteria
  • Risk-of-bias assessment
  • Quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis) where applicable
  • Typically 5000–8000 words (excluding references)
  • Figures/illustrations and tables (maximum 10)

1.4 Short Communication

Short Communications report novel and significant findings that require rapid dissemination.

Requirements:
  • Structured abstract (Background, Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusion) (up to 200 words)
  • Concise format (2000–3000 words) (excluding references)
  • Figures/illustrations and tables (maximum 4)
  • Focus on key findings without extensive discussion

1.5 Method Article

Advanced Drug Sciences welcomes methodological manuscripts that introduce innovative experimental, analytical, or computational approaches relevant to pharmaceutical and biomedical research. Method articles should present reproducible techniques that significantly advance experimental capability or improve existing methodologies. For a methods article, there are no specific limits on words, figures/illustrations, or tables.

1.5.1 Scope of Methodological Contributions

Suitable submissions may include:

  • Novel analytical or experimental techniques in drug discovery and development
  • Improved pharmaceutical formulation or drug delivery methodologies
  • Advanced analytical methods for pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic studies
  • Computational or modeling approaches applicable to drug sciences
  • Innovative bioassays, screening platforms, or experimental workflows

Methods that provide substantial improvements in accuracy, sensitivity, reproducibility, efficiency, or scalability are particularly encouraged.

1.5.2 Requirements for Method Manuscripts

Methodological novelty or advancement

The manuscript must describe either:

  • A new method, or
  • A significant improvement of an established method.

Incremental procedural modifications without demonstrable advantages are generally not considered suitable.

Reproducible protocol description

Authors must provide sufficient methodological detail to enable independent replication of the procedure. Submissions should include:

  • Comprehensive descriptions of materials, reagents, and equipment
  • Experimental parameters and instrumentation settings
  • Data acquisition and analysis procedures
  • Step-by-step methodological workflow

Method validation

The performance of the proposed method must be validated through appropriate experimental or computational evaluation. Validation may include:

  • Comparative benchmarking against existing techniques
  • Statistical analysis of accuracy, precision, or sensitivity
  • Reproducibility assessments across independent experiments

Demonstration of practical utility

The manuscript should clearly demonstrate how the proposed method addresses a significant experimental or analytical challenge within drug sciences. Authors should discuss the potential applications, advantages, and limitations of the method.

1.5.3 Structured presentation

Methodological manuscripts should generally include the following sections:

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Principle of the Method
  • Materials and Equipment
  • Experimental Procedure
  • Data Analysis
  • Validation and Performance Evaluation
  • Applications and Limitations
  • Conclusions

Detailed descriptions of critical steps and troubleshooting guidance are strongly encouraged.

1.5.4 Data availability and reproducibility

Authors should ensure that all data, protocols, software scripts, and analytical workflows necessary to reproduce the method are accessible to readers.

1.5.5 Editorial Evaluation

Method manuscripts submitted to ADS are assessed based on:

  • Scientific rigor and methodological soundness
  • Reproducibility and transparency of experimental procedures
  • Demonstrated improvement over existing techniques
  • Relevance and utility to the broader drug sciences community

Submissions that primarily report biological findings without introducing methodological innovation should be submitted as original research articles rather than method papers.

1.6 Perspective

Perspective Articles provide forward-looking scholarly analyses that highlight emerging scientific directions, conceptual advances, or technological innovations in drug sciences. These articles are intended to stimulate scientific discussion, propose new research frameworks, and critically evaluate emerging opportunities or challenges in pharmaceutical and biomedical research.

Unlike conventional review articles, Perspectives focus on interpretation, synthesis, and conceptual advancement rather than exhaustive literature coverage. Authors are expected to integrate recent scientific developments with expert insight to identify key research gaps and propose future research trajectories.

Perspective articles should maintain a balanced and evidence-based argument, supported by relevant literature and clearly articulated reasoning. Authors should avoid speculative claims that are not supported by scientific evidence. Authors are encouraged to include conceptual diagrams or graphical frameworks that illustrate proposed models or emerging research directions.

Requirements:
  • Non-structured abstract (up to 200 words)
  • Concise format (3000–4000 words) (excluding references)
  • Figures/illustrations and tables (maximum 6)

1.7 Opinion / Viewpoint

Opinion or Viewpoint Articles provide concise scholarly commentary on contemporary scientific, technological, regulatory, or policy developments relevant to pharmaceutical research and drug development. These contributions present informed interpretations or critical reflections on current developments that may influence the future trajectory of drug sciences.

Opinion articles are typically shorter and more focused than Perspectives and emphasize timely commentary or scholarly interpretation rather than extensive conceptual analysis. Authors should maintain a professional and evidence-based tone. While opinion pieces may present personal scholarly viewpoints, arguments should be supported by credible evidence and relevant literature.

Requirements:
  • Structured abstract (Background, Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusion) (200 words)
  • Concise format (1500–2500 words) (excluding references)
  • Limited figures/illustrations and tables (maximum 3)

1.8 Letter to the Editor

Letters to the Editor provide a formal mechanism for scholarly discussion and post-publication evaluation of research published in Advanced Drug Sciences. These contributions allow readers to comment on recently published articles, highlight methodological considerations, discuss alternative interpretations of findings, or raise scientific questions relevant to the published work.

Letters are intended to facilitate constructive scientific dialogue and should maintain a professional and evidence-based tone. Personal criticism or unsupported claims are not appropriate for this article type.

Letters must clearly reference the ADS article being discussed and should focus on specific scientific issues, including methodological concerns, data interpretation, statistical analysis, or broader implications of the published findings.

Whenever appropriate, authors of the original article may be invited by the editorial office to provide a formal reply, which may be published alongside the Letter.

Letters that introduce substantial new experimental data or extensive original analyses should instead be submitted as Research Articles or Short Communications.

Letters are assessed primarily by the editorial office and may undergo external peer review if the scientific issues raised require expert evaluation. The editorial team may also invite a response from the authors of the original article.

Requirements:
  • Maximum 700 words
  • No abstract
  • Limited references (≤5)
  • Must relate to recently published articles
  • Maximum one visual item (Figure/Illustration/Table)

1.9 Correspondence

Correspondence articles provide concise scholarly discussions addressing specific scientific questions, clarifications, or brief observations relevant to drug sciences. Unlike Letters to the Editor, Correspondence submissions are not necessarily linked to a specific article previously published in ADS.

These contributions are intended to highlight focused scientific issues, methodological considerations, emerging research questions, or brief analytical insights that contribute to scholarly dialogue within the field.

Correspondence articles should be concise and analytical, emphasizing clarity and relevance to ongoing scientific discussions.

Submissions presenting extensive datasets or experimental results should instead be submitted as Research Articles or Short Communications.

The editorial office may determine whether external peer review is required depending on the scientific complexity of the topic.

Requirements:
  • Maximum 1200 words (including references)
  • No abstract
  • Limited references (≤12)
  • Limited figures/illustrations and tables (maximum 2)

1.10 Editorial

Editorial articles are written by members of the editorial board or invited experts and provide commentary on important scientific developments, emerging research priorities, or issues related to scholarly publishing in drug sciences.

Editorials may also introduce special issues, thematic collections, or strategic initiatives of the journal.

Requirements:
  • Maximum 1000 words (including references)
  • No abstract
  • Limited references (≤8)
  • Limited figures/illustrations/tables (maximum 1)

2 Special Issues

ADS publishes thematic collections and conference-based issues managed by guest editors. All submissions undergo standard peer review and must meet the same scientific and ethical standards as regular submissions.

 3 ADS News

ADS News is an editorial section dedicated to communicating developments shaping the global academic and scientific ecosystem. It publishes accessible yet intellectually rigorous content covering research, policy, academic careers, and postgraduate education.