1. به نام یگانه آفریدگاری که انسان را به زیور«اندیشه» آراست

2. How to write a qualified manuscript? Roya Kelishadi, MD Isfahan University of Medical Sciences,Isfahan,Iran February 2014

3. Manuscript Writing Part I –About writing and what makes a good paper –Parts of a manuscript –Figures and tables –Writing strategies Part II –Essentials of good writing –Sentences-Paragraphs –Common writing mistakes

4. Key problems Many papers are poorly constructed and written –Some scientists have not learned good manuscript writing techniques –Others do not enjoy writing, and do not take the time or effort to ensure that the prose is clear and logical. Authors are typically so familiar with the material that it is difficult to step back and view it from the point of view of a reader not familiar with the science –Peer review is therefore critical

5. The Avoidable Downfall Your research Carefully planned Novel Flawlessly designed and executed Your paper Poorly designed and written—rejected or delayed The loss or delay of disseminating important critical information to the science community

6. Types of Manuscripts Full research report –3000 words –3-4 main/supporting points –3-4 tables figures Brief report –1800 words –1-2 main/supporting points –1-2 table/figure Research letter –800 words –1 point –0-1 table/figures

7. Types of Manuscripts (Cont.) Review Article Editorial Case report Hypothesis/opinion …

8. Structure of an original manuscript Title page Abstract Introduction Methods Results Tables/Figures Discussion Acknowledgements

9. Order of writing Introduction (brief literature review) Ghost Tables/Figures (analytic plan) Methods Tables/Figures Results Discussion Abstract Title page Acknowledgements

10. Introduction Nature of problem and significance Context within prior knowledge Specific research objectives and preplanned analyses, including subgroup analyses

11. Introduction 3 paragraphs Paragraph #1: What we know –Limit to only pertinent references Paragraph #2: What we don’t know. Paragraph #3: What we did to find out –Primary and secondary research objectives –Preplanned subgroup analyses

12. Figures/Table Aim for 3-4 total Table 1: Patient characteristics Table 2-4: one each research objective

13. Tables Purpose –Concise display of info –Provide several levels of detail –Reduces length of text Restrict table/figures to explain argument and assess report

14. In scientific research papers, tables are commonly used for two purposes: 1.To present background information related to methods for example, the characteristics of patients in a study ( Table 1) TABLES

16. 2. To present data that support results (Table 2)

18. The Main Parts of a Table Title Column Headings Body Footnote

19. The Title of the Table The title of a table, like the title of a figure, is a phrase, not a sentence, that states the topic 'or the point of the table. The details included in a title depend on the type of table. For tables that give background information, the title should state the topic of the information listed in the body of the table (that is, the variables) and also the species or population, the material described, or both. The form is:Y of Z Y in Z or

20. For tables that present data from experiments that have both independent and dependent variables, the title should state the independent variable(s) (X), the dependent variable(s) (y), and the species or population, the material described, or both (Z). It is not necessary to mention the controls in the title. Two standard forms for these titles are : Effect of X on Y in Z Y during X in Z

21. Column’s Headings There are two main groups of headings: 1.the items for which data are given, in one or more columns on the left side of the table, and 2.the data, in one or more columns on the right. In tables for experiments that have both independent and dependent variables, the independent variable(s) are in the column(s) on the left and the dependent variable(s) are in the column(s) on the right.

25. Number of Decimal Places Have the same number of decimal places in all values for one variable. Have the same number of decimals. Use the fewest decimal places necessary to decimal places in the SD as in the mean (Tables 2, 3).

27. Tables Double space on single page Number consecutively in order of first citation in text Title should summarize data Do not use horizontal lines Give each column a brief/abbreviated heading Footnote explanatory matter Identify statistical measures of variation

28. Figures Number consecutively according to order cited High resolution images Letters numbers and symbols need to be clear and sufficient size Include titles and detailed explanations in legend rather than figure Double space legend on separate page

29. Methods Study design Subject selection –Source population –Inclusion criteria –Exclusion criteria –Rationale for inclusion/exclusion criteria

30. Methods Technical information –Variable definition and measurement –Reference well known procedures –Briefly describe and reference less known procedures –Describe in detail new procedures –Provide rationale for procedure selection –Apparatus: manufacturer name and city in parentheses

31. Methods Statistical/Analytic methods –Provide enough detail for a knowledgeable reader with access to original data to verify results Specific analytic methods Software –Approach to bias/confounding Human subjects approval

32. Methods 3-5 paragraphs Paragraph #1: participant selection Paragraph #2-4: variables and procedures for each primary and secondary objective Last paragraph: analytic methods

33. Results Narrative should be same logical sequence as tables/figures Summarize rather than repeat all data from tables in text Include absolute numbers with percentages

34. Results 3-4 paragraphs Paragraph #1 –Patient recruitment Accept/decline –Patient characteristics Paragraph #2 –Evidence for first objective Paragraph #3 –Evidence for second objective Paragraph #4 –Evidence for third objective

35. Discussion Summarize new and important findings Conclusions should follow objectives Suggest mechanism Suggest clinical implications Discuss limitations

36. Discussion 5 paragraphs Paragraph 1 –Summarize main finding Paragraph 2 –Summarize supporting findings Paragraph 3 –What are the implications –How does it change practice? Paragraph 4 –Limitations Paragraph 5 –Summary/conclusion

37. References Cite relevant and update references Avoid abstracts when possible “in press” articles require permission Avoid personal communication unless it provides essential information not available from a public source – include person and date Check accuracy and formatting

38. Abstract Content or background Study purpose Basic procedures –Selection of subjects –Key variables –Analytic methods Main findings including effect sizes/statistical significance Principal conclusions

39. Key Words 3-10 works that capture main topics for indexing - MeSH

40. Abbreviations Only standard abbreviations Use full term, then abbreviation in parentheses after first use

41. Acknowledgement Individuals who made essential contributions Funding source

42. The Title First reviewed by Journal Editors before abstract Short Specific, Relevant, Descriptive Write last—your findings and conclusions may alter your title

43. Title: Ask Yourself What is the single most important point of this study? How would I tell my colleague, in one short descriptive sentence: what’s this study about? A descriptive, specific title perfectly framing your study will be apparent only after you’ve written the paper and abstract. –Start with a short descriptive working title

44. Unnecessary Title Phrases A Study of… A Study to Determine Results of… An Innovative Method… Contributions to (of)… Investigations on (concerning, about)… Observations on… A Trial Comparing…

45. Title Page Concise title that includes important info –Study design –Research question/finding –Makes electronic retrieval sensitive and specific Authors names and institutional affiliations Corresponding author: name, mailing address, fax, email Sources of grant support Running head (<40 characters) Word count for text only Number of figures/tables

47. Simple as 19 Sentences One topic sentence per paragraph Introduction –#1: What we know –#2: What we don’t know. –#3: What we did to find out Methods –#4: participant selection –#5-9: variables and procedures for each primary and secondary objective –#10: analytic methods Results – #11 Patient recruitment and characteristics –#12 Evidence for first objective –#13 Evidence for second objective –#14 Evidence for third objective Discussion –#15 Summarize main finding –#16 Summarize supporting findings –#17 What are the implications/how does it change practice? –#18 Limitations –#19 Summary/conclusion

48. Strategies For Success 2 uninterrupted hours per day Write intro/methods while collecting data Consider opinion/review paper while collecting data Prepare ghost tables to guide analysis Write topic sentence for each paragraph

50. SUBMISSION

51. Who is the AUTHOR? Co-author party?

52. New Authorship Criteria Substantial contribution to –Conception and design, or –Acquisition of data, or –Analysis and interpretation AND Drafting and critical revision of manuscript for intellectual content AND Final approval of submitted version AND Accepting the responsibility of the manuscript content

53. Authorship Order First author –Design/conceive the study –Writes first draft –Partners with last author for subsequent drafts Last author –Usually experienced investigator who partners with first author in interpretation, analysis, and writing Second author –Major contribution Third author –Important contributions Middle authors –Everyone else who qualifies for authorship

54. Corresponding Author Usually first or senior author Submits manuscript Corresponds with publisher/editor –Revision –Gallies Receives subsequent correspondence from outside investigators

55. Conflict of Interest Financial or personal relationship that inappropriately influences author, reviewer or editor –Employment consultancies, stock ownership, expert testimony –Same institution, relative, mentor, student, academic adversary –All potentially perceived rather than just actual conflicts should be disclosed

56. Redundant Publication Substantial overlap with another manuscript in print or electronic media Preliminary reporting to media, government agencies or manufactures violates editorial policy of many journals Related work should be referred to and referenced Consider including copies of related material Does not apply to presentations at scientific conferences

57. Cover letter Format of article Brief summary of finding Statement of non-redundancy of submission of publication Conflict of interest Read and approved by all authors Contact info for corresponding author

60. Submission Process 6-15 months Approval of co-authors of final manuscript Submission of manuscript and cover letter Editorial review (2-3 weeks) –Reject –Send out for review 1 st review (6-12 weeks) –Reject –Reject and revise –Conditionally accept –Accept 2 nd Review (2-8 weeks) Gallies (2-6 months) Publication (1-3 months)

61. Manuscript Reviews Receipt of manuscript by editorial asst ManuscriptEditor Title & Abstract HeadingsReferencesTables/Figures Read Through Journal Decision Editor Revise-Acceptance ? Revise-Accepted Acceptance - Outright Rejection - Outright Editor Reports Summary of peer reviews Summary of editor’s review Appropriate to journal? Conform to guidelines Conform to guidelines? No - DOA Yes Peer Reviewers Masked review

62. REVISION Rebuttal letter Reply to reviewer’s comments

66. Journal Editor: What’s A Good Manuscript? Title descriptive and specific Abstract descriptive, specific, and correct length Introduction and background short and strong Research question clearly stated Literature cited is comprehensive and relevant Methods descriptive enough to be replicated; appropriate statistical analyses Figures and Tables stand on their own, support conclusions, well constructed Citations relevant to topic Discussion within boundaries of findings; demonstrate how findings have helped resolve stated problem; implications and future work addressed Writing clear, terse, logical Manuscript follows journal guidelines

67. Top 10 Reasons Manuscripts Rejected 1.Wrong journal, format, preparation 2.Disorganized study design 3.Defective tables, figures 4.Poor organization throughout, writing, spelling 5.No hypothesis or problem statement 6.No or insufficient conclusion 7.Overinterpretation of results 8.Article unfocused, too verbose and long 9.Inappropriate statistical methods; methods not sufficient to repeat study 10.Poorly written abstract/title Pierson DJ, Respiratory Care 49(10), 2004 Byrne DW, Publishing Medical Research Papers, Williams and Wilkins, 1998 Byrne DW, Publishing Medical Research Papers, Williams and Wilkins, 1998 Avoidable

70. Checking PLAGIARISM

82. Able to check English and Persian texts

86. DUPLICATE PUBLICATION

87. Duplicate publication From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Duplicate publication, multiple publication, or redundant publication refers to publishing the same intellectual material more than once, by the author or publisher. It does not refer to the unauthorized republication by someone else, which constitutes plagiarism, copyright violation, or both.

92. Guidance on writing research papers International Committee of Medical Journal Editors uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals http://www.icmje.org/ Reporting guidelines for research, at the EQUATOR network resource centre http://www.equator-network.org /