The Wits Students' Physician Society

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The South African Undergraduate Research Competition

SAMA Journal

Introduction

Launching in its pilot year, SUMRC is a national essay and research submission competition open to Health Sciences Students from Wits University and UCT.

In collaboration with The Undergraduate Research in Health Journal (URHJ), YOU will stand a chance to be published in the next journal edition

The following categories will be accepted for submission:
Research Article, Literature review, Short Scientific Reports, Short Communications

Prizes:

The winners will be awarded the following:

  • Published in the Undergraduate Research in Health Journal

Runner ups:

  • Prizes from Wits PhysSoc & UCT MedSoc

All participants receive a digital certificate of recognition!

UCT Med Soc
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Undergradute Research in Health
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Wits PhysSoc
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Submissions

Long Form

Research Article

Based on an original research study with the following sections:

  • Structured abstract,
  • Introduction including the objectives (the introduction section should include a succinct review of the literature)
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion

Max 3000 words (excl. abstract & bibliography), may include max 6 figures or tables (any combination) and between 10 to 25 references.

Literature Review

Reviews that focus on important current topics relevant to Health professions and sciences with the following sections:

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Headings as relevant to the review
  • Conclusions

Max 3000 words, may include max 6 tables and/or graphs and max of 50 references.

Short Form

Short Scientific Reports

Shorter length, scholarly research articles based on single-institution, and/or studies with sample sizes <100, with the following sections:

  • Abstract (~250 words)
  • Background
  • Objectives
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Conclusion

Max 1500 words, may include only 1 illustration or table and max 8 references.

Short Communications:


Manuscripts that share work in progress or lessons learnt from research on a topic of interest, with the following sections:

  • Why was the idea necessary? (Problem)
  • What was tried? (Approach)
  • What were the lessons learnt? (Outcomes).

Mx 500 words, may have table/figure and max 3 references.

Suggested Topics & Themes

Clinical Medicine:

Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, etc.

Public Health & Global Health:

Health Policy, Digital Health, AMR, etc.

Translational Research:

Immunotherapy, Biomarkers, Infectious Diseases

Competition Process

When Does It Start?
From 31 March 2025 08:00 Until 30 June 2025 23:59
Who Can Enter?
ALL Health Sciences Students from Wits University and UCT
How To Enter?
Submission Preparation Checklist All submissions must meet the following requirements.
  • The submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration (or an explanation has been provided in Comments to the Editor).
  • Where available, URLs for the references have been provided.
  • The submission file is in Microsoft Word file format.
  • The text is single-spaced; uses a 12-point Times New Roman, font; employs italics, rather than underlining (except with URL addresses); and all illustrations, figures, and tables are placed within the text at the appropriate points, rather than at the end.
  • Are you a registered Undergraduate student or recent graduate? For current students - please supply your student number and institution in your manuscript or cover letter. For recent graduates - please supply your year of graduation and the name of your academic supervisor in a cover letter. Please note that your submission will not be processed without this information. An anonymous version of the manuscript will be uploaded, for reviewers to access. Please note that your submission will not be processed without this version.
  • The text adheres to the stylistic and bibliographic requirements outlined in the Author Guidelines.
  • Disclosure of whether any artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technologies (such as Large Language Models [LLMs], chatbots, or image creators) has been used in the production of submitted work.

How to submit:

  1. Fill out the application below with your full name, surname and email address
  2. You will receive a cover page in the mail, please ensure that this gets filled out thoroughly
  3. Create an account here https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/urhj/user/register
  4. Submit a submission ensuring you include the cover page provided
Submit your entry via the application form:

    The Undergraduate Research in Health Journal (URHJ) will review the qualifying
    entries and select the winning piece in each category for publication in the October
    edition of the Journal
    Submissons Recieved
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    For any Queries

    Email Wits PhySoc, cc UCT MedSoc