Tips on Writing Your Biomedical Research Paper and New Journal Policies to Know About Mary KemperMedical EditorMayfield Medical Communications

Mini quiz

Which part of a paper is most often read? In an abstract, give ~% for each section

(Introduction, Methods, Results, Conclusions) Who is credited with the modern IMRAD

format? What section should you usually write first? What 3 criteria constitute authorship? Cost to reuse your figure if published by JNS?

The goal is clear writing

Marshal the details of your biomedical research into a story with a clear message

Write clearly so that readers understand your message

Examine IMRAD components Briefly look at supporting parts Reveal some tips that make writing your

next paper easier New journal policies and copyright issues

IMRAD a mirror of your research process

IntroductionMaterial & MethodsResultsAndDiscussion

Ask a questionAttempt to answer the questionObtain and compile data

Answer the question

Rejection rates for select journals

Journal ~% rejectedNEJM 96

Neurosurgery 80 to 90

The Laryngoscope 75

Journal of Neurosurgery 60 to 66Surgical Neurology 52

Title identifies central topic

Most often read Title and key words to index Title (general topic): subtitle (specific topic) Independent and dependent variables Name of species if not human Do not use abbreviations, jargon, chemical

formulas, series identifiers Identify central topic: be creative

Running Title

Use independent and dependent variable Omit species Be creative Adhere to journal guidelines

Abstract most important part of your paper

Introduction/background: what was the purpose (10%)

Material and methods: what was the study design, techniques, and statistical methods (30-35%)

Results: what are the most important findings (35-45%)

Conclusions: why are the results important (20-25%)

Cornett, 2001

Goals of abstractmaximum info into minimum space

Structured Use headings to

identify Follows IMRAD

format Typical in North

American journals 250 words

Unstructured Arranged in 1

paragraph Follows IMRAD

format Typical in European

journals 125-150 words

What makes a good abstract?

Follows guidelines of the journal or meeting Stands alone (no references, use key words,

give abbreviations, avoid jargon) Is an independent unit of information, even

with a paper Is accurate (check for inconsistencies and

omissions) Is readable and coherent Includes specific data

Cornett, 2001

6 steps for writing your abstract

1. Identify guidelines, meeting or journal2. Highlight key features 3. Insert sentences into abstract format4. Write, revise, and condense5. Edit sentences and words6. Check final

IMRAD

Concept originated by Pasteur Established by American Standards

Institute in 1972 Serves as an organizational format Know the nuances of your journal’s format IMRAD is a format, each paper differs

Introduction begin to tell a story

Part 1 Begin with what is known2 State what is unknown3 End with what your study will

answer

Introduction, Part 1 what is known

Begin with a background statement or 2 to describe scope of study

Give enough background to introduce the problem, but not overwhelm

Give background specific to your topic Move your story forward

Introduction, Part 2 what is unknown

Describe what gaps your paper fills Mention other abstracts and preliminary

reports Avoid using names of other investigators Keep references to a minimum Omit unnecessary detail

Introduction, Part 3 what your study will answer

State your specific research question Precede with a phrase that the answer is

coming, “In this study, we…” or “To answer this question, we…”

Repeat key terms: title, objectives, independent and dependent variables, species, etc.

Be sure what is new and what is important are evident

Awaken interest

Material and Methods reads like a cookbook

Write this section first! How was the problem studied Usually arranged chronologically Subdivided into subsections according to

type of information Material: chemicals, experimental materials,

animals or humans Methods: preparation, protocol, purposes of

protocol and methods, methods, data analysis

Example Material & Methods

Clinical Patient population

Protocol (independent, dependent, control)

Methods for each

Analysis of data

Anatomical Materials

Sample preparation for each

Procedures for the dependent variables

Analysis of data

Study Design

Include sentence about compliance Example: “The protocol was approved by

the IRB of each participating hospital…” Example: “The study was a double-blind,

randomized, placebo-controlled designed to compare…”

Provide IRB protocol number

Important: Patient Authorization or Waiver of Authorization from IRB required to view patient charts

Study Protocol what was done

Repeat description of study population Give inclusion and exclusion criteria Explain how study was randomized for a

randomized trial Explain how you project target sample size

and end points Account for all materials

(drugs, culture media, buffers, gases, subjects, instruments/equipment, etc.)

Study Protocol (continued)

If questionnaire, tell how administered and by whom

Include methods that failed to lead to desired conclusion

If method is not well established, explain and give references

Use tables (e.g., patient characteristics) and figures (e.g., surgical step) to clarify

Explain limitations in brief

Study Protocol (continued)

Last paragraph is statistical analysis -how data are summarized, statistical test, measurements compared, P value

Consult statistician early Use subheadings Write in past tense Use either passive or active voice or both

Results what were the findings

Functions: state results of experiments and present data that supports results Content: results and data Consistency: check this in results,

discussion, and abstract Organization: chronological or from most

to least important

Results uses the same order as Methods

Material & Methods Study subjects Study protocol Calculations Statistical analysis

Results Clinical characteristics Systemic effects Specific effects Adverse effects

Results see the forest through the trees

Be brief and uncluttered Mention species and material again Use past tense Give specific comparisons Present detailed data in figures and tables

to keep written data to a minimum Express results, give data Provide appropriate statistical details Begin each paragraph with a result

Visual data

Type of visual What it summarizesFlow charts (algorithms) ProtocolsTables Complex dataLine graphs Response to treatmentBar graphs Complex data to compare

categoriesPie charts Percentage of the whole

Diagrammatic illustrations

Simplify or enhance figures

Discussion what do your findings mean

Answers the question posed in Introduction Explain the significance of your results Explain the findings, relationships, and

generalizations of your results Explains how results support answers and

how answers fit with existing knowledge on the topic

Has a beginning, middle, and end

Discussion Part 1, beginning

The question posed in Introduction…“… to test whether abnormal vasospasm

before angioplasty increases the likelihood of restenosis.”

Is answered in your Discussion…“…the presence of abnormal vasospasm

before angioplasty was associated with an increased likelihood…”

Part 1, Beginning present strongest evidence firstBegin with significance of your resultsNever begin with background

informationNever repeat information from

IntroductionNever begin with historical overviews

This is what everyone is waiting for!

Part 2, Middle interpret your results

Show how your results fit into the literature and how they support your answer

Give in descending order of importanceCompare your results with other studies,

your work or others Use one idea per paragraph

Part 3, Endingbe strong

Restate answer to question, and signal this ending

Mention possible applications, implications, or speculations

Pull out as a separate Conclusions section Suggest future work if needed

Authorship an ethical consideration

Included in acknowledgments

List as author

NOT included in acknowledgments: NOT listed as author

Included in acknowledgments

Invo

lvem

ent i

n St

udy

Involvement with Manuscript

High

HighLow

Low

Cramer and Rieger, 2001

Final checklist

Author affiliations correct (include TNI)? Is your story clear? Do abstract and paper agree? Each method has a result? Each result has a method? Each reference cited? Tables and figures numbered

consecutively? Do you meet journal requirements?*

Response to peer reviewstrategies for success

Follow the journal editor’s instructions Carefully answer each point, whether you

agree or not (cut and paste into your rebuttal)

Stay focused Be polite, sincere, and generous Be timely Check your paper again for completeness,

accuracy, and consistency in each section

$, conflict of interest, disclosure, and IRB requirements

Who pays for your paper? Identify conflict of interest Make your disclosures Provide IRB protocol number Provide HIPAA waiver Mayfield Clinical Trial review

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