Small Methods Template
Draft for Small Methods with confidence. The template sets the correct structure, abstract, and references up front, so your manuscript clears editorial screening.
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How to Use the Small Methods Template | A Step-by-Step Guide
Authored by Sumalatha Gangadhar | Published on 25 July, 2026
Submitting to Small Methods goes smoothly when your draft already matches the journal's own rules. Editors screen new manuscripts against the Small Methods guide for authors before peer review, so formatting, structure, and required statements should be right on the first draft rather than repaired during upload. This template sets that structure up for you.
What is the Small Methods Template?
It is a manuscript shell aligned to Small Methods. It covers front matter, the abstract the journal expects, a body organized to the journal's article types, and a reference list in the journal's required style. Confirm current scope and article types on the Small Methods journal page before you draft.
What's actually in a SM submission:
Prepare the title, authors, affiliations, and ORCID iDs. Write the abstract to the journal's rule and word limit, organize the body to the article type, and apply the required reference style from the first citation. Complete every declaration (ethics, competing interests, funding, data availability) the Small Methods guide for authors lists, and cite figures and tables in order.
What separates a clean submission from one that gets kicked back:
The common failure modes are formatting or reference style that does not match the guide for authors, missing required statements, and an incomplete portal checklist. Clear all three against the Small Methods guide for authors before you submit.
What does this Small Methods Template include?
The shell mirrors what editorial staff check first: article-type fit, the abstract rules, required declarations, and the journal's reference style. For more detail see the author resources. When your draft is ready, upload it through ScholarOne / Research Exchange.
Steps to Use This Template with Scispace Agent
- Click Start Writing on this page. The Scispace Agent prompt screen opens with the template loaded.
- Use the loaded template, or upload a version your group already uses for SM.
- Edit the prompt with your topic and article type, and note any requirement from the Small Methods guide for authors.
- Run the prompt. The agent drafts into the correct structure and reference style.
- Use View Outputs to verify required statements and formatting are present.
- Export and submit through ScholarOne / Research Exchange.
Small Methods Template Structure at a Glance
| Element | SM requirement |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Unstructured abstract required for all primary research and review articles (Research Articles, Reviews, Perspectives). Maximum 200 words. Must be written in present tense and impersonal style (avoiding 'we'). |
| Main text | Section order and length per article type |
| Declarations | Ethics, competing interests, funding, data as required |
| Figures/tables | Publication-ready; cited in order |
| Supplemental | Upload separately when used |
| Keywords | 3 to 7 keywords required (mandatory for Research Articles, Reviews, and Perspectives). |
| References | Numbered citations in square brackets, numbered in order of citation. Any consistent style permitted at initial submission (will be reformatted to journal house style if accepted). |
| Peer review | Single-anonymous (single-blind). Referees' identities are not released to authors or other reviewers unless a referee voluntarily signs their comments. |
| Submission | authorservices.wiley.com |
Quick Tips for Using the Small Methods Template
Read the Small Methods guide for authors once before drafting and once before upload. Draft the abstract after results are stable. Set the reference style before adding citations. Keep a cover letter that states your contribution and fit to Small Methods in under a page.
Best Practices
Skim two or three recent SM papers to calibrate depth and figure style. Make the novelty clear in the first two pages. Deposit data and code when the policy on the Small Methods journal page requires it. Disclose any preprint or conference version with identifiers in the cover letter.
Before You Submit: Final Check
Do one focused pass against the Small Methods guide for authors: scope, length, reference style, required declarations, and figure quality. Then submit through ScholarOne / Research Exchange.
