Venue Templates

assets/journals/plos_one.tex

% PLOS ONE Article Template
% PLOS ONE drafting scaffold; other PLOS journals have independent instructions
% Reviewed: 2026-10-01
% Drafting scaffold, not the official PLOS LaTeX package.
% Check https://journals.plos.org/plosone/s/submission-guidelines
% and the current journal-specific LaTeX package before submission.

\documentclass[10pt,letterpaper]{article}

% Packages
\usepackage[top=0.85in,left=2.75in,footskip=0.75in]{geometry}
\usepackage{amsmath,amssymb}
\usepackage{changepage}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage{textcomp,marvosym}
\usepackage{cite}
\usepackage{nameref,hyperref}
\usepackage[right]{lineno}
\usepackage{microtype}
\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage[table]{xcolor}
\usepackage{array}
\usepackage{authblk}
\usepackage{setspace}
\doublespacing

% Line numbering
\linenumbers

% Set up authblk for PLOS format
\renewcommand\Authfont{\fontsize{12}{14}\selectfont}
\renewcommand\Affilfont{\fontsize{9}{11}\selectfont}

% Title
\title{Your Article Title Here: Concise and Descriptive}

% Authors and Affiliations
\author[1]{First Author}
\author[1,2]{Second Author}
\author[2,$\dagger$]{Third Author}

\affil[1]{Department of Biology, University Name, City, State, Country}
\affil[2]{Institute of Research, Institution Name, City, Country}

% Corresponding author
\affil[$\dagger$]{Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]}

\date{}

\begin{document}

\maketitle

% Abstract
\begin{abstract}
\noindent
Write an abstract of no more than 300 words; use the study-type structure required by the current instructions. The abstract should be accessible to a broad readership and should clearly state: (1) background/rationale, (2) objectives, (3) methods, (4) principal findings with key data, and (5) conclusions and significance. Do not include citations in the abstract.
\end{abstract}

% Introduction
\section*{Introduction}

Provide background and context for your study. The introduction should:
\begin{itemize}
    \item Present the rationale for your study
    \item Clearly state what is currently known about the topic
    \item Identify the knowledge gap your study addresses
    \item State your research objectives or hypotheses
    \item Explain the significance of the research
\end{itemize}

Review relevant literature \cite{smith2023,jones2022}, setting your work in context.

State your main research question or objective at the end of the introduction.

% Materials and Methods
\section*{Materials and Methods}

Provide sufficient detail to allow reproduction of your work.

\subsection*{Study Design}
Describe the overall study design (e.g., prospective cohort, randomized controlled trial, observational study, etc.).

\subsection*{Participants/Samples}
Describe your study population, sample collection, or experimental subjects:
\begin{itemize}
    \item Sample size and how it was determined (power analysis)
    \item Inclusion and exclusion criteria
    \item Demographic information
    \item For animal studies: species, strain, age, sex, housing conditions
\end{itemize}

\subsection*{Procedures}
Detail all experimental procedures, measurements, and interventions. Include:
\begin{itemize}
    \item Equipment and reagents (with manufacturer, catalog numbers)
    \item Protocols and procedures (step-by-step if novel)
    \item Controls used
    \item Blinding and randomization (if applicable)
\end{itemize}

\subsection*{Data Collection}
Describe how data were collected, including instruments, assays, and measurements.

\subsection*{Statistical Analysis}
Clearly describe statistical methods used:
\begin{itemize}
    \item Software and version actually used, including package versions
    \item Statistical tests performed (e.g., t-tests, ANOVA, regression)
    \item Significance level ($\alpha$, typically 0.05)
    \item Corrections for multiple testing
    \item Sample size justification
\end{itemize}

\subsection*{Ethical Approval}
Include relevant ethical approval statements:
\begin{itemize}
    \item Human subjects: IRB approval, protocol number, consent procedures
    \item Animal research: IACUC approval, protocol number, welfare considerations
    \item Field studies: Permits and permissions
\end{itemize}

Example: "This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of University Name (Protocol [actual approval identifier]). All participants provided written informed consent."

% Results
\section*{Results}

Present your findings in a logical sequence. Refer to figures and tables as you describe results. Do not interpret results in this section (save for Discussion).

\subsection*{First Major Finding}
Describe your first key result. Statistical results should include effect sizes and confidence intervals in addition to p-values.

As shown in Figure~\ref{fig:results1}, [report the actual estimate, uncertainty, denominators, and analysis].

\begin{figure}[!ht]
\centering
% \includegraphics[width=0.75\textwidth]{figure1.png}
\caption{{\bf Figure 1. Title of first figure.}
Detailed figure legend describing what is shown. Include: (A) Description of panel A. (B) Description of panel B. Sample sizes (n), error bars represent [SD, SEM, 95\% CI], and statistical significance indicated by asterisks (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001). Statistical test used should be stated.}
\label{fig:results1}
\end{figure}

\subsection*{Second Major Finding}
Describe your second key result, referencing Table~\ref{tab:results1}.

\begin{table}[!ht]
\centering
\caption{{\bf Table 1. Title of table.}}
\label{tab:results1}
\begin{tabular}{lccc}
\hline
\textbf{Condition} & \textbf{Measurement 1} & \textbf{Measurement 2} & \textbf{p-value} \\
\hline
Control & [estimate] & [estimate] & -- \\
Treatment A & [estimate] & [estimate] & [result] \\
Treatment B & [estimate] & [estimate] & [result] \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\begin{flushleft}
Define estimates, uncertainty, sample sizes, experimental units, and actual statistical comparisons. These cells are placeholders, not data.
\end{flushleft}
\end{table}

\subsection*{Additional Results}
Present additional findings as needed.

% Discussion
\section*{Discussion}

Interpret your results and place them in the context of existing literature.

\subsection*{Principal Findings}
Summarize your main findings concisely.

\subsection*{Interpretation}
Interpret your findings and explain their significance. How do they advance understanding of the topic? Compare and contrast with previous studies \cite{brown2021,williams2020}.

\subsection*{Strengths and Limitations}
Replace the prompts below with demonstrated strengths and limitations. Sample size alone does not establish adequate power, and PLOS ONE does not require a claim of novelty:

\textbf{Strengths:}
\begin{itemize}
    \item {[Actual design or precision advantage, with supporting evidence.]}
    \item {[What the implemented controls establish.]}
    \item {[Other supported methodological strength.]}
\end{itemize}

\textbf{Limitations:}
\begin{itemize}
    \item {[Study-design limitations on interpretation.]}
    \item {[Population or setting limiting generalizability.]}
    \item {[Relevant residual confounding or other uncertainty.]}
\end{itemize}

\subsection*{Implications}
Discuss the practical or theoretical implications of your findings.

\subsection*{Future Directions}
Suggest directions for future research.

% Conclusions
\section*{Conclusions}

Provide a concise conclusion summarizing the main findings and their significance. Avoid repeating the abstract.

% Acknowledgments
\section*{Acknowledgments}

Acknowledge individuals who contributed but do not meet authorship criteria, technical assistance, and writing assistance. Example: "We thank Dr. Jane Doe for technical assistance with microscopy and Dr. John Smith for helpful discussions."

% References
\section*{References}

% Using BibTeX
% To use BibTeX, obtain the style from the current official PLOS package and
% replace the manual placeholder bibliography below. Do not enable both.
% \bibliographystyle{plos2015}
% \bibliography{references}

% Or manually formatted (Vancouver style, numbered):
\begin{thebibliography}{99}

\bibitem{smith2023}
Replace with the verified source for the cited claim.

\bibitem{jones2022}
Replace with the verified source for the cited claim.

\bibitem{brown2021}
Replace with the verified source for the cited claim.

\bibitem{williams2020}
Replace with the verified source for the cited claim.

\end{thebibliography}

% Supporting Information
\section*{Supporting Information}

List all supporting information files (captions provided separately during submission):

\paragraph{S1 Fig.}
\textbf{Title of supplementary figure 1.} Brief description.

\paragraph{S2 Fig.}
\textbf{Title of supplementary figure 2.} Brief description.

\paragraph{S1 Table.}
\textbf{Title of supplementary table 1.} Brief description.

\paragraph{S1 Dataset.}
\textbf{Raw data.} Complete dataset used in analysis (CSV format).

\paragraph{S1 File.}
\textbf{Supplementary methods.} Additional methodological details.

% Author Contributions (CRediT taxonomy recommended)
\section*{Author Contributions}

Use CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy):
\begin{itemize}
    \item \textbf{Conceptualization:} FA, SA
    \item \textbf{Data curation:} FA
    \item \textbf{Formal analysis:} FA, SA
    \item \textbf{Funding acquisition:} TA
    \item \textbf{Investigation:} FA, SA
    \item \textbf{Methodology:} FA, SA, TA
    \item \textbf{Project administration:} TA
    \item \textbf{Resources:} TA
    \item \textbf{Software:} FA
    \item \textbf{Supervision:} TA
    \item \textbf{Validation:} FA, SA
    \item \textbf{Visualization:} FA
    \item \textbf{Writing – original draft:} FA
    \item \textbf{Writing – review \& editing:} FA, SA, TA
\end{itemize}

(FA = First Author, SA = Second Author, TA = Third Author)

% Data Availability Statement (REQUIRED)
\section*{Data Availability}

Choose one of the following:

\textbf{Option 1 (Public repository):} 
All data are available in the [repository name] repository at [URL/DOI].

\textbf{Option 2 (Supporting Information):}
All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.

\textbf{Option 3 (Justified restricted access):}
For ethical or legal restrictions allowed by the PLOS data policy, state the specific reason. Data are available from the [independent institutional contact or access committee] (contact via [email]) for researchers who meet the criteria for access to confidential data.

\textbf{Option 4 (Third-party):}
Data are available from [third party] (contact: [details]) for researchers who meet criteria for access.

% Funding Statement (REQUIRED)
\section*{Funding}

State all funding sources including grant numbers. If no funding, state "The authors received no specific funding for this work."

Example: "This work was supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) [actual award number and recipient] and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) [actual award number and recipient]. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript."

% Competing Interests (REQUIRED)
\section*{Competing Interests}

Declare any financial or non-financial competing interests. If none, state: "The authors have declared that no competing interests exist."

If competing interests exist, declare them explicitly: "Author TA is a consultant for Company X. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials."

\end{document}

% Notes for Authors:
% 1. PLOS ONE has no length limit - be concise but thorough
% 2. Use Vancouver style for citations [1], [2], [3]
% 3. Check current PLOS figure instructions: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/s/figures
% 4. A data availability statement is required; follow PLOS policy for justified access restrictions
% 5. Include line numbers for review
% 6. PLOS ONE focuses on scientific rigor, not novelty or impact
% 7. Include the required reporting checklist for the actual study type
% 8. Ethical approval required for human/animal studies
% 9. All authors must agree to submission
% 10. Submit via PLOS online submission system