How To Get A How To Get A Manuscript PublishedManuscript Published

Mohammad Jahanzeb, M.D., F.A.C.P.Mohammad Jahanzeb, M.D., F.A.C.P.

Van Vleet Endowed Professor in Medical OncologyVan Vleet Endowed Professor in Medical Oncology

Chef, Division of Hematology/OncologyChef, Division of Hematology/Oncology

Interim Director, UT Cancer InstituteInterim Director, UT Cancer Institute

University of Tennessee College of Medicine, MemphisUniversity of Tennessee College of Medicine, Memphis

Submit a Good Manuscript To An Submit a Good Manuscript To An Appropriate Journal . . . Affix PostageAppropriate Journal . . . Affix Postage

(How do I write a good manuscript?)(How do I write a good manuscript?)

To Write A Good Manuscript . . .To Write A Good Manuscript . . .Have A Great Project Or Topic To Write AboutHave A Great Project Or Topic To Write About

(How do I get a great project or topic?)(How do I get a great project or topic?)

Key ElementsKey Elements

TopicTopic JournalJournal Matching Topic and JournalMatching Topic and Journal Quality of ManuscriptQuality of Manuscript

Quality of ManuscriptQuality of Manuscript

Scientific ContentScientific Content OriginalityOriginality ApplicabilityApplicability TimelinessTimeliness ComplianceCompliance LanguageLanguage Validity of ConclusionsValidity of Conclusions Adherence to InstructionsAdherence to Instructions

Medical Journal Editor’s Uniform Medical Journal Editor’s Uniform Requirements For Manuscripts Requirements For Manuscripts

submitted to Biomedical Journalssubmitted to Biomedical Journals

www.icmje.orgwww.icmje.org

Sections Of A ManuscriptSections Of A Manuscript AbstractAbstract IntroductionIntroduction MethodsMethods ResultsResults

– TextText– TablesTables– FiguresFigures

DiscussionDiscussion ReferencesReferences

ExamplesExamples

StepsSteps

Generate an idea / gather dataGenerate an idea / gather data Clarify your thinkingClarify your thinking Gather literatureGather literature Think of the audience (Journal)Think of the audience (Journal) Create an outlineCreate an outline Write the first draftWrite the first draft Second draft to conform to the instructionsSecond draft to conform to the instructions Solicit feedbackSolicit feedback

Common Causes of RejectionCommon Causes of Rejection

1.1. Problems with the literature review (20) (e.g., Problems with the literature review (20) (e.g., inadequate coverage of prior work, failure to inadequate coverage of prior work, failure to provide a coherent rationale)provide a coherent rationale)

2.2. Methodological problems (26)Methodological problems (26)a.a. Inadequate description of treatments (31)Inadequate description of treatments (31)

b.b. Insufficient sample size (26)Insufficient sample size (26)

c.c. Lack of a rationale for measures (13)Lack of a rationale for measures (13)

d.d. Control group problems (10)Control group problems (10)

e.e. Validity of measures not demonstrated (8)Validity of measures not demonstrated (8)

Common Causes of Rejection Common Causes of Rejection (Continued)(Continued)

3.3. Results (107)Results (107)a.a. Presence of confounding variables (30)Presence of confounding variables (30)

b.b. Confusing presentation of findings (22)Confusing presentation of findings (22)

c.c. Insufficient data (22)Insufficient data (22)

d.d. Questionable statistics (16)Questionable statistics (16)

e.e. Reliability issues (10)Reliability issues (10)

f.f. Overly technical reporting (7)Overly technical reporting (7)

Common Causes of RejectionCommon Causes of Rejection(Continued)(Continued)

4.4. Interpretation problems (29)Interpretation problems (29)a.a. Overly speculative (16)Overly speculative (16)

b.b. Ineffective integration (8)Ineffective integration (8)

c.c. Failure to discuss implications (5)Failure to discuss implications (5)

5.5. Stylistic issues (5)Stylistic issues (5)