1. How to Get Your Paper Published in a Highly Ranked Journal
Spencer King MD MACC FESC
St Joseph’s Heart and Vascular Institute, Atlanta
Editor in Chief JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions
Relationships of Interest: None

2. Spencer B. King, MD Honoraria: Celonova Biosciences nContact Surgical
Consulting Fees:
Network for Continuing Medical Education

3. The preparation of a research paper begins with the planning of the project
A well planned project will inherently address most recommendations for preparing a research paper
However, presentation can make a difference

4. The Fundamental Characteristics of a Superior Research Paper
Novelty (New)
Accuracy (True)
Importance (Relevant)

5. For review papers and meta analyses make sure that there hasn’t been a reasonably well done one published recently. This also applies to original research papers but it is particularly likely that in this meta analysis era you will fine multiple people doing the same thing

6. Novelty Being the first report is best
Being definitive in an area of controversy
Extending and confirming prior findings
Presenting the largest study
Presenting confirmatory data is least
Especially “in the current era”

7. Accuracy
Study group characteristics, power calculations, and protocol are crucial
Methodology must be capable, validated, reproducible and precise
Confounding variables must be eliminated
Process of validation and confirmation is important
Especially in genetics and biomarkers

8. Importance Implications for management (best)
Establishing diagnosis-quantifying severity
Defining mechanisms
Prognosis (usually significant)
Hypothesis generation
Avoid the “so what” response

9. Stratagem 1: Pose a Hypothesis
Answer a question or fulfill a goal
Avoid:
Observational that is not very carefully done
Descriptive
Phenomenology
If observational, emphasize:
Mechanism
Hypothesis generation

10. Stratagem 2: Document Novelty
State that it is first
State what is new
May involve study or results
(differ from other)
Distinguish from prior studies

11. Stratagem 3: Describe Methodology
Describe in specific detail
Support validity with references
Detail patient acquisition
How to avoid ascertainment problems
Include a control group
Beware limitations of outdated and administrative databases

12. Stratagem 4: Provide Power Calculations
Detailed explanation of how sample size was calculated and data or assumptions upon which this was based

13. Stratagem 5: Don’t Slice Data Too Thin
One comprehensive paper is much stronger than several smaller ones
Avoid “salami science”
Conversely, don’t be too broad
Especially relevant to substudies of trials
Must make a strong argument for importance of reporting one subgroup alone

14. Stratagem 6: Perform Careful Analysis
Acknowledge association vs. cause
Avoid/acknowledge surrogates
Recognize difference between statistical and biological significance
Avoid inadequate subgroups
Account for all important variables in multivariate analysis

15. Stratagem 7: Craft the Discussion
Present all important results in 1st paragraph
Don’t merely repeat results in discussion. Emphasize synthesis
Give a scholarly and complete review of existing literature
Avoid excessive length
Insure that grammar and syntax are correct

16. Stratagem 8: Create Good Figures/Legends
Figures and legends are often the most overlooked part of manuscript
Illustrations should clearly demonstrate the findings reported
Findings should be well delineated on the illustration (arrows, etc.)
Legends should clearly explain the figures
Limit figures to those necessary

17. Stratagem 9: Preparation
Select an appropriate title
Craft a descriptive running title
Consider the length of the author list
Insure that abstract reflects the study

18. Stratagems and Pitfalls in Publishing a Scientific Paper
Publishing a paper involves science and art
A well planned project will address most pitfall issues
However, manuscript preparation matters
Thoughtful presentation of a good project almost always results in acceptance