Structure of a Manuscript Microdis Annual Meeting Brussels- Feb

Structure of a Manuscript 1.Overview 2.Title 3.Writing an abstract 4.The introduction 5.Methods 6.Results 7.Discussion 8.Tables & Figures 9.References and Citations

Generalities –Structure=packaging of the message –Objective: to present findings Coherently/Logically Clearly Consistently –Active voice; short sentences (one idea per sentence)

Generalities II –Read “Instructions to Authors” always carefully –Decide about length and format: Brief report Original Research Qualitative Report Review Policy paper- Viewpoint

Title –Coherent-Clear-Consistent Short better than long Should convey or hint at main message(s) –Should be conform to journal preference Declarative: “Provider self-efficacy and attitudes related to cardiovascular prevention are not associated with better treatment outcomes” Hypothesis-driven: “Data Quality Bias: An Under-Recognized Source of Misclassification in Pay for Performance Reporting?”

Title II Indicative of design: “Association of Intervention Outcomes with Practices’ Capacity to Change: Subgroup analysis from a group- randomized trial” Descriptive: “Association of Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status with Physical Fitness in Healthy Young Adults: the CARDIA Study” Provocative: “Is epidemiology really dead, anyway?”

Writing an Abstract –Should meet criteria above –Should conform to journal preference (structured vs. “unstructured”; word count) –Summarize but be specific

Writing an abstract One format: Introduction/Background (2-3 sentences): Methods (4-5 sentences): Study design, Setting, Sample, Main measures (predictors and outcomes), Analytic approach Results (4-5 sentences): Descriptive (participant characteristics; response rate), main findings – bivariate, then multivariate results if appropriate; Discussion/Conclusion (2-3 sentences): DO NOT REPEAT RESULTS; interpret findings within context of the current state of knowledge;

Introduction WRITE THIS THIRD –Maximize clarity; logical flow of ideas; showcase novelty of approach –Set the stage for the objective (what are the knowledge gaps?, why are they important? Hint at implications) –State the objective –Avoid mentioning methods and results here  MANY EDITORS STOP READING HERE

Methods  WRITE WHILE WAITING FOR RESULTS !!! –3-4 pages –Must match objective –Describe study design early – be explicit Setting Participants (inclusion, exclusion) Conceptual model (as appropriate) Measures (definition of outcome; definition of predictors; definition of covariates and explanation for why they are included)

Methods II Analytical strategy (+/- analytic software used); supplemental analyses (provide rationale) Comment on power if quantitative study; comment on expected number for theme saturation if qualitative study Human subjects considerations/approvals Avoid mentioning results here unless part of rationale for analytic strategy  THIS IS THE SECTION OFTEN MOST CAREFULLY SCRUTINIZED BY REVIEWERS

Results  WRITE THIS SECTION FIRST –short enough 1 – 1 ½ pages –Use Tables, Figures as extra space to present results (add visual interest) –DO NOT REPEAT CONTENTS OF TABLES/FIGURES in narrative; –Make sure you identify the key findings; –look for consistency and patterns among results; –Start thinking about interpretation, implications, alternate explanations

Discussion  WRITE LAST –(3-4 pages) –Paragraph 1: main message(s) –Paragraphs 2-5+: interpretation, comparison with other work, alternate explanations –Paragraph 6: limitations/strengths –Last paragraph: conclusions (repeat main message and provide implications) –Don’t make any statements that are unsupported by your data –Be aware of the tone of your writing; should be balanced rather than strident

Tables & Figures  GENERATE WHEN WRITING RESULTS –Must “stand-alone” (use descriptive title, explanatory notes or legend) –Intended to facilitate presentation (therefore, should not be data-dense) –Contents are driven by nature of study (case-control, qualitative)

References and Citations –Formatting must adhere to instructions for Authors –Consider using a reference managing program, e.g. EndNote or Reference Manager

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