Evidence before
automation.

Scientific progress depends on the quality of the questions we ask—and the evidence we use to answer them.

STATWHY is grounded in a straightforward principle: AI should strengthen evidence-based research, verify claims and references, and serve human scientific judgment. It should not replace that judgment.

The journal’s purpose is to provide a home for careful research and constructive discussion about research methods, statistical reasoning, evidence appraisal, and responsible uses of AI. A faster workflow has value only when its outputs remain accurate, traceable, and open to scrutiny.

STATWHY was created by Prof. Javad Alizargar. His faculty affiliation is National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences; the affiliation is provided for identification and does not imply institutional sponsorship of this journal.

Manuscript types

Use the following initial limits for the main text, excluding the abstract, references, tables, and figure legends. Explain any necessary exception in the cover letter.

Formatting and manuscript structure

• Write in clear English. Supply an editable DOCX file and a matching PDF; use a readable 11–12 pt font, double spacing, page numbers, and continuous line numbers.
• Provide a separate title page with the manuscript title, author names, affiliations, corresponding author contact details, and ORCID identifiers where available. Do not include author-identifying information in the main manuscript file.
• Include an abstract and 3–6 keywords. For original research, use Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions in the abstract; organize the main text as Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.
• Report study dates, eligibility criteria, sample-size rationale, missing-data handling, statistical methods, software and versions, effect estimates, and uncertainty. Distinguish exploratory analyses from prespecified analyses.
• Number tables and figures in citation order. Provide descriptive titles, self-contained legends, units, and definitions of abbreviations. Supply figures as separate high-resolution files when requested.
• Include funding, conflicts of interest, author contributions, ethics approval and consent where applicable, data/code availability, and AI-use disclosures. Give the ethics body and approval identifier, or explain why approval was not required.
• Use a reporting guideline appropriate to the study design and include its completed checklist where applicable. For reviews, provide databases, complete search strategies, search dates, selection criteria, and the synthesis approach.

Reference verification policy

Use numbered references in order of first citation, with consistent Vancouver-style bibliographic details. Include a DOI or stable source link where available. Cite the original source for a claim whenever possible and identify preprints as preprints.

• Locate and read each cited source. Confirm authors, title, publication, year, volume/pages or article identifier, and DOI against the original publication or publisher record.
• Check that the source actually supports the linked claim; a valid DOI alone does not establish support. Check for corrections and retractions and describe any that affect interpretation.
• Do not use AI-produced bibliographies without source-by-source verification. Remove nonexistent, unverifiable, or irrelevant citations. Never submit fabricated references.
• In the cover letter, confirm: “All authors have reviewed the manuscript, and all cited references have been verified for bibliographic accuracy and support for the associated claims.”

AI-use disclosure policy

Disclose generative AI and other AI assistance in a section titled “AI-use disclosure,” including language editing, coding, screening, analysis, images, and reference checking. AI tools cannot be authors. Do not upload confidential, identifiable, or restricted data to a tool without appropriate permission and protections.

Identify the tool and provider, model/version if available, dates of use, tasks performed, the affected manuscript sections or research stages, and how humans verified the output. For AI used in research methods, provide enough detail—including relevant prompts and settings—to enable appraisal and, where feasible, reproduction.

Example disclosure template: “We used [tool/provider, model/version, dates] for [specific tasks]. [Authors/roles] checked the output against [original sources, data, or validation procedures] and revised it as needed. The authors take responsibility for the final content.”

If no AI tools were used, state: “No AI tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript or in the reported research.” Adapt the statement accurately if AI use was limited to a specific stage.

Submission process

1. Check scope and launch status. Read these instructions and the current submission notice.
2. Prepare the submission package. Include a cover letter, separate title page, anonymized manuscript, matching PDF, tables/figures, applicable reporting checklist, and supporting data or code availability information.
3. Complete integrity checks. Verify references and claims; obtain all authors’ approval; declare funding, conflicts, ethics, and AI use. Disclose related manuscripts or preprints and avoid simultaneous submission of the same work to another journal.
4. Use the confirmed journal channel when announced. The current StatWhy login link provides access to the existing platform. It is not yet a confirmed journal manuscript intake service.
5. Retain confirmation. A journal submission is complete only after the editorial office issues a manuscript acknowledgment or identifier. For revisions, provide a point-by-point response and clearly identify changes.

Editorial assessment procedures, peer-review arrangements, publication charges, licensing, and publication schedules will be announced before journal intake opens. No review timelines, acceptance guarantees, indexing status, or impact-factor claims are made on this site.

Prepare your research. Verify your sources. Keep the scientific decisions yours.

The existing StatWhy platform remains available through its login page. Journal-specific manuscript intake has not been confirmed. Signing in does not submit a manuscript, and this landing site does not collect files or personal information through a form.

Before intake opens, this page will also identify the review process, applicable charges, and publication terms so authors can make an informed decision.