1. How to Get a Manuscript Published in English? From Study Design to Submission Keming Gao, MD, PhD Case Medical Center Case School of Medicine Case Research Institute University Hospitals UH Medical Group University Hospitals at Case Medical Center is the primary affiliate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Associate Professor of Psychiatry Case Western Reserve University Clinical Director, Mood Disorders Program Medical Director, ECT Service Director, Mood and Anxiety Clinic Keming.gao@uhhospitals.org

2. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine2 Objectives Briefly review key elements and types of scientific manuscripts Detailed discussion on how to write a strong manuscript Discuss strategies to increase the odds for a manuscript of being accepted

3. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine3 In science, the credit goes to the man who convinces the world, not to the man to whom the idea first occurs. Sir Francis Darwin In writing, the burden of clarity is on the author. Joseph R. Calabrese, MD

4. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine4 The Key to Publish a Manuscript in English Journals Topic Journal Matching Topic and Journal Quality of Manuscript

5. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine5 Quality of Manuscript Scientific Content Originality (quality of data) Applicability Timeliness Compliance Language (writing skill) Validity of Conclusions Adherence to Instructions

6. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine6 How to Collect High Quality Data? Know the standard of different study designs Retrospective vs. prospective Open-label vs. double-blind vs. single-blind Efficacy vs. effectiveness Know the standard data analysis for different datasets Original data Review data binary analysis vs. meta-regression Consulting expert earlier Working with a statistician early and closely

7. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine7 “To call in the statistician after the experiment is done may be no more than asking him to perform a post mortem examination: he may be able to say what the experiment died of.” Sir R.A. Fisher Indian Statistical Congress, Sankhya, c. 1938

8. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine8 The Art of Scientific Writing Clarity, clarity, and clarity…..

9. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine9 General Structure of a Full Article Title Abstract Keywords Main text (IMRAD) –Introduction –Methods –Results –And –Discussions Conclusion Acknowledgement References Supporting Materials Journal space is precious. Make your article as brief as possible. Make them easy for indexing and searching! (informative, attractive, effective) Each section of a paper has a definite purpose

10. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine10 The progression of the thematic scope of a paper general  particular  general However, we often write in the following order: –Figures and tables –Methods, Results and Discussion –Conclusions and Introduction –Abstract and title

11. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine11 Title Attract the reader ’ s attention Be specific Keep it informative and concise Avoid jargon and abbreviations Tell readers what your paper is all about

12. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine12 Abstract Tell readers what you did and the important findings One paragraph (between 50-300 words) Advertisement for your article A clear abstract will strongly influence if your work is considered further

13. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine13 Introduction Provide context to convince readers that you clearly know why your work is useful, important, or innovative. Be brief (no more than 2 pages of double-space) Clearly address the following (like an expert) –What is the problem? –Are there any existing solutions? –Which solution is the best? –What is its main limitation? –What do you hope to achieve? Try to be consistent with the nature of the journal

14. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine14 The Section of Study Design and Methods is the Heart of a study, grant, and manuscript !!

15. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine15 How to write Methods Section ? Write clearly how your study is carried out; If your methods have never been used before, you should write in a step-by-step fashion; inclusive is better; If your methods are different from others, please state why; If your methods have been used, you can discuss briefly.

16. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine16 How to write Methods Section? Statistics Make sure to use statistics properly because your results depend on your analyses; To consult a statistician before writing; Hypothesis testing vs. hypothesis generating (fishing); Adjust for multiple comparisons if necessary; Be thoughtful.

17. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine17 How to Write Results Section? Baseline Characteristics Most important finding – primary outcome Secondary outcomes Other findings such as subgroup or subtypes may be better to publish separately Use tables or figures properly Provide information as much as possible and may use supplemental materials

18. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine18 How to Write Discussion Section? First paragraph – summarize the main findings, but don’t repeat results section to refresh reviewers and readers’ memory Be straightforward, clear, no room for guessing Be modest, don’t over-interpret your results; If your results are inconsistent with others, please give possible explanations with good evidence. It is ok to speculate, but any assumption/speculation must be supported by evidence which may be indirectly related to your findings.

19. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine19 Why Is Language Important? Save your editor and reviewers the trouble of guessing what you mean Complaint from an editor: “[This] paper fell well below my threshold. I refuse to spend time trying to understand what the author is trying to say. Besides, I really want to send a message that they can't submit garbage to us and expect us to fix it. My rule of thumb is that if there are more than 6 grammatical errors in the abstract, then I don't waste my time carefully reading the rest.”

20. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine20 Scientific Language- Overview Key to successful scientific writing is to be alert to common errors: –Sentence construction –Incorrect tenses; used passive as less as possible –Inaccurate grammar –Mixing languages Check the Guide for Authors of the target journal for any language specifications Write with clarity, objectivity, accuracy, and brevity.

21. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine21 Improve your Manuscript Quality with the Help of Others – a “Quick Fix” Find a prototype of your research, but don’t copy others exactly; Use your co-authors, but not abuse them; understand the difference between proof-read and revision; Make a list of phrases typical used in English language journals. Hire a good English-speaking editor; Have a colleague with good English skills read your manuscript;

22. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine22 Improve Manuscript yourself–Essential (Don’t frustrate your co-authors) Learn English grammar and style rules Focus on the content Stick to the topic; one thought per sentence Use key term Use headers Revised, Revised, Revised --- before sending to your co-authors (10-20 times?)

23. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine23 What Journal to Send – Know the Journal Appropriateness of your message – your audience Type and length and Impact factor Likelihood of publication – may ask the editor first Journal circulation Familiar with the review process, 2 reviewers vs. 4 reviewers Know where to send, regional vs. main office

24. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine24 Cover Letter Summarize your results – a few sentences. Praise the journal To make sure that the letter is addressed to the journal you submit Follow the format of the journal Name the reviewers Name those people whom you don’t want to review your manuscript

25. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine25 The Role of Editor in the Peer Review Process The editor is the intermediary, but also the ultimate judge; Referees make recommendations, but the editor is under no obligation take their advice; If the editor disagrees with referees’ recommendation, the editor can send the manuscript out for additional review or decide then and there; The editor alone can decides the fate of a manuscript. J Young Investigator 2005

26. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine26 How to Increase Your Odds for a Good Peer-Review? A track record of good publications Increase your reputation – peer reviewing other’s manuscript Building your own network - Personal communication - Scientific meetings – poster presentation - Collaboration - Mentoring Use your co-authors’ network

27. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine27 Conclusions In order to publish a manuscript in English 1)The manuscript has to be strong 2)The time of submission has to be right 3)The manuscript has to be match well with the journal 4)Always expect rejection 5)Perseverance can pay off

28. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine28 Final Advice Scientific writing is an art. Like any art, practice makes perfect. After you reach or pass certain threshold (accepted by majority of people), everything will become easier; Listen to other’s feedback and appreciate other’s help. You are the person responsible for the integrity of your manuscript and acceptance for publication; This is no short-cut, practice, practice, practice, and practice with the right way.

29. 11/14/06University Hospitals Case Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine29 Thank You!! 谢