1. Scientific Writing for MCH Epidemiologists
Jody W. Zylke, MD
Senior Editor
JAMA

2. Writing the Scientific Paper
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Abstract
Title

3. Purpose of an Abstract
To provide a short but accurate overview of the study

4. Importance of Abstract
Important for 3 reasons
May persuade someone to read the whole article
Allow busy readers to learn main points without reading the whole article
Captured in computerized databases

5. Goals of Abstract Make sense when read alone Convey main results
Shouldn’t contain anything not in paper
Follow journal guidelines for structure and length

6. Structure of Abstract Context Objective Design, setting, participants
Main outcome measure
Intervention
Results
Comment

7. Dataless Abstract
Results: Compared with children who showed high self-regulation in both behavioral protocols at ages 3 and 5 years, children who exhibited a compromised ability to self-regulate had the highest BMI z scores at each point and the most rapid gains in BMI z scores over the 9-year period. Effects of pubertal status were also noted for girls.

8. Match the Journal Pediatrics Lancet New England Journal of Medicine
Context, objective, design, setting, participants, main outcome measures, results, conclusion
Background, methods, results, conclusions
Objective, methods, results, conclusions
Background, methods, findings, interpretation
Unstructured
Pediatrics
Lancet
New England Journal of Medicine
JAMA
American Journal of Epidemiology

9. JAMA Abstract

10. New England Journal of Medicine Abstract

11. Pediatrics Abstract

12. Lancet Abstract

13. American Journal of Epidemiology Abstract

14. Purpose of Title Captures reader’s attention Used to index article
Represents article in reference lists

15. Structure of Title Types—declarative, questions, catchy Subtitles
Independent variable, dependent variable, study population: Effect of x on y in z

16. Titles in September Pediatrics--Examples
1. Health behaviors and infant health outcomes in homeless pregnant women in the United States

17. 1. Fine

18. 2. Suicidal behavior differs among early and late adolescents treated with antidepressant agents

19. 2. Gives away the conclusion of the study
2. Gives away the conclusion of the study. Better: Suicidal behavior among early and late adolescents treated with antidepressants

20. 3. Fasting might not be necessary before lipid screening: a nationally representative cross-sectional study

21. 3. The title contains the implications of the study
3. The title contains the implications of the study. Better: Relationship between length of fast and lipid screening levels in children

22. 4. Relationship of maternal snuff use and cigarette smoking with neonatal apnea

23. 4. Good

24. 5. Parent involvement in pain management for NICU infants: a randomized controlled trial

25. 5. Good use of subtitle

26. 6. Sleep disorders in children: a national assessment of primary care pediatrician practices and perceptions

27. 6. Title tells little about study and subtitle is too long
6. Title tells little about study and subtitle is too long. Better: Pediatricians’ perceptions and practices for sleep disorders in children

28. 7. Premasticating food for weaning African infants: a possible vehicle for transmission of HIV

29. 7. Subtitle is study background, and not clear what aspect of premastication was looked at. Better: Characteristics of premastication practices for weaning infants in South Africa

30. 8. Use of models to identify cost-effective interventions: pertussis-vaccination for pediatric health care workers

31. 8. Title tells little about study; main title is really subtitle
8. Title tells little about study; main title is really subtitle. Better: Cost-effectiveness of pertussis vaccination for NICU workers