Post on 11-May-2015
Research Paper Technical Writing and Editing“Increasing the chances of a research manuscript to be
accepted for publication”June 6, 2008
Dante P. Bornales, MD, MHPEd, FPNAEditor-in-chief, Philippine Journal of Neurology
Why think of publishing a research work?Why think of publishing a research work?
intellectual curiosityintellectual curiosity contribute in the local and contribute in the local and global health care delivery systemsglobal health care delivery systems
disseminating information to the greatest number of disseminating information to the greatest number of readers readers to assure utilization in the health to assure utilization in the health
sciencessciences
“ “publish or perish!!” publish or perish!!” value of documenting one’s value of documenting one’s workwork
personal and professional growthpersonal and professional growth
The Status of Neurology Research in the Philippines Collantes EV, PhilJNeurol vol 9 no 2 (Nov 2005)
740 submitted researches to the PNA(1989-2004)
Only 10% were published (8.5% in various local journals; 1.5% international journals)
The Status of Neurology Research in the Philippines Collantes EV, PhilJNeurol vol 9 no 2 (November 2005)
740 total # of submitted researches to the PNA (1989-2004):
Only 10% were published (8.5% in various local journals; 1.5% international journals)
lack enthusiasm/support to publish the research outputs? quality of research materials?
lack of knowledge and rigorous “technical” training on research paper writing?
Outline of this presentation:Outline of this presentation:
1.1. Increase the awareness of the PNA Fellows on the present Increase the awareness of the PNA Fellows on the present status of the PhilJNeurolstatus of the PhilJNeurol
where is our journal now?where is our journal now?
2.2. Using the PhilJNeurol evaluation standards and the Using the PhilJNeurol evaluation standards and the guidelines of the ICMJE, discuss the technical details of guidelines of the ICMJE, discuss the technical details of research paper writing and editingresearch paper writing and editing
what to look for in a manuscript for it to what to look for in a manuscript for it to be be worthy of publicationworthy of publication
3. 3. Enumerate some operating procedures on matters about Enumerate some operating procedures on matters about “duplication of publication”“duplication of publication”
Choosing the right biomedical journal for the publication of researches:
wide circulation, preferably beyond the local/regional geographical area
“always think big!” “always go global”
established peer review systempublished regularlyaccepted and generally referenced
PhilJNeurol
wide circulation, preferably beyond the local/regional geographical area
“always think big!” “always go global”
established peer review system published regularly accepted and generally referenced
Philippine Journal of NeurologyPhilippine Journal of Neurology (PhilJNeurol) (PhilJNeurol)
regularly publishedregularly published
circulated locally and in the ASEAN regioncirculated locally and in the ASEAN region
peer-reviewed journal with an established “blind” peer peer-reviewed journal with an established “blind” peer review processreview process
published papers are uploaded in the published papers are uploaded in the WPRIMWPRIM
Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical JournalsSubmitted to Biomedical Journals (International Committee of Medical Editors, ICMJE)(International Committee of Medical Editors, ICMJE)
Western Pacific Region Index Medicus (WPRIM)
a project of the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office in collaboration with several institutions in its member states
this is the region’s contribution to the Global Health Library (GHL) initiative which aims to extend to all - the benefits of the knowledge that is essential to the fullest attainment of health
Western Pacific Region Index Medicus (WPRIM)
WPRIM will be deployed and hosted with the index medici of other WHO Regions, at the Global Index Medicus portal under the Global Health Library platform, where searches can be conducted individually or simultaneously through federated search engine
Western Pacific Region Index Medicus Western Pacific Region Index Medicus (WPRIM)(WPRIM)
Goal:Goal:
The creation of an online index of medical The creation of an online index of medical and health journals published in member states and health journals published in member states of the WHO Western Pacific Region which of the WHO Western Pacific Region which can can be accessed on the internetbe accessed on the internet thus ensuring thus ensuring
global accessibilityglobal accessibility of medical and health of medical and health research research done in the regiondone in the region..
WHO-WPRIM Philippine Focal TeamWHO-WPRIM Philippine Focal TeamPCHRDPCHRD
(February 2006)(February 2006)
>140 local medical and health journals>140 local medical and health journals
18 journals selected on the basis of regularity of issues 18 journals selected on the basis of regularity of issues and peer review processand peer review process
13 journals were finally chosen to be included in 13 journals were finally chosen to be included in the database uploading for WPRIMthe database uploading for WPRIM
PhilJNeurolPhilJNeurol was included was included
Philippine Journal of Neurology (PhilJNeurol)Philippine Journal of Neurology (PhilJNeurol)
MOA MOA partnership with the PCHRD partnership with the PCHRD
79 research articles and abstracts in the 79 research articles and abstracts in the PhilJNeurol from 1991 to 2006 November are PhilJNeurol from 1991 to 2006 November are
already uploaded in the WPRIM website already uploaded in the WPRIM website databasedatabase
http://wprim.wpro.who.int
How to increase the chances of a research paper to be accepted for publication in a biomedical journal
Preparing a manuscript for submission to a biomedical journal
Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals (International Committee of Medical Journals Editors, ICMJE;
updated Feb 2006)
Title and authorshipTitle and authorshipAbstractAbstract
IntroductionIntroductionMethodsMethodsResultsResults
Discussion and ConclusionDiscussion and ConclusionReferencesReferences
What constitute a good title?What constitute a good title?
““fewest possible words that fewest possible words that adequately describe the contents adequately describe the contents of the paper” of the paper”
Common errors:Common errors: too shorttoo shorttoo longtoo longpoor syntaxpoor syntax
Title and AuthorshipTitle and Authorship
Analyze the evolution of this title:Analyze the evolution of this title:
““The effects of a neuroprotectant in The effects of a neuroprotectant in Stroke”Stroke”
““Preliminary findings on the effects of a neuroprotectant in Preliminary findings on the effects of a neuroprotectant in Stroke”Stroke”
““Preliminary findings on the effects of Citicholin on the size of Preliminary findings on the effects of Citicholin on the size of ischemic penumbra in cases of Stroke”ischemic penumbra in cases of Stroke”
““Preliminary findings on the effects of Citicholin on the size of Preliminary findings on the effects of Citicholin on the size of ischemic penumbra in cases of large-vessel ischemic stroke”ischemic penumbra in cases of large-vessel ischemic stroke”
Title and AuthorshipTitle and Authorship
SyntaxSyntax
• most grammatical errors in titles are most grammatical errors in titles are due to faulty word orderdue to faulty word order
““Alteration of mice’ non-transmissible Alteration of mice’ non-transmissible encephalitis course induced by encephalitis course induced by
Newcastle disease virus”Newcastle disease virus”
Avoid:Avoid:
use of abbreviationsuse of abbreviations chemical formulaechemical formulae hanging titleshanging titles questionsquestions proprietary name of drugsproprietary name of drugs
““Use of interferon in chronic relapsing Multiple Use of interferon in chronic relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: Is it necessary?”Sclerosis: Is it necessary?”
Title and AuthorshipTitle and Authorship
Title PageTitle Page(ICMJE)(ICMJE)
1. Title of the article1. Title of the article2. Author/s name (with the academic degree/s) 2. Author/s name (with the academic degree/s)
and affiliationand affiliation3. Disclaimers3. Disclaimers4. Corresponding author/s with the address for 4. Corresponding author/s with the address for
reprintsreprints5. Source of support or grants5. Source of support or grants6. Word count6. Word count
Conflict of Interest Notification Page Conflict of Interest Notification Page a separate page a separate page
AuthorshipAuthorship
Participation in the research processParticipation in the research process
each author should have participated sufficiently each author should have participated sufficiently in the in the work represented by the article and able work represented by the article and able to take responsibility for the intellectual to take responsibility for the intellectual
contentcontent
participation solely in the collection of data (or participation solely in the collection of data (or evidence) evidence) does notdoes not justify authorship justify authorship
(Rosales, R: Principles of Authorship; Research Center for the Health Sciences, UST)
AuthorshipAuthorship
ContentContent
each part of the contenteach part of the content of the paper and of the paper and each stepeach step that led to its publication must be attributable to that led to its publication must be attributable to at least one authorat least one author
a. conception or design or analysis and a. conception or design or analysis and
interpretation of the data, or both;interpretation of the data, or both;
b. drafting the article or revising it for critically b. drafting the article or revising it for critically important content;important content;
c. final approval of the version to be publishedc. final approval of the version to be published
(Rosales, R: Principles of Authorship; Research Center for the Health Sciences, UST)
AuthorshipAuthorship
Contributors who “do not justify” authorshipContributors who “do not justify” authorship
contributors may be named and their contribution contributors may be named and their contribution must be described in separate paragraphmust be described in separate paragraph
““advise”advise”““critical review proposal”critical review proposal”““data collection”data collection”““participation in clinical trial”participation in clinical trial”““comments on the research content comments on the research content
from a senior staff of afrom a senior staff of adepartment”department”
AbstractAbstract
Abstracts are the only substantive portion of the article indexed in many electronic databases, and the only portion many readers read!!!
Authors need to be careful that the abstracts reflect the content of the article accurately. Unfortunately, many abstracts disagree with the text of
the article (Pitkin RM et al, JAMA 1999).
• length and structure vary by journal, should follow the title page
• should not be more than 200 words(some journals: not more than 250 words)
• “structured” form
• should be factual presenting the reason for the study, main findings, and conclusions
• 3 to 10 “key words” ideally should follow the Medical Subjects Headings (MeSH) list of the Index Medicus
AbstractAbstract
Sample structured Abstract
Endovascular Coiling for Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysm
Objective: To present the clinical outcome of 23 patients who underwent endovascular coiling for ruptured aneurysm in a local tertiary center.
Methods: Chart review of all consecutive patients more than 18 years old with ruptured intracranial aneurysm admitted or co-managed by the Section of Neurology of a local tertiary hospital from August 2003 to July 2006 who underwent endovascular coiling.
Results: Of the 154 patients with non-traumatic aneurysm SAH, only 25 patients underwent endovascular coiling, but 2 were excluded because of incomplete chart data. Demographic and clinical characteristics were … Of the 4 patients who died, 3 had pulmonary embolism.
Conclusions: This study showed that: 1)Most (65%) of the patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysm who underwent endovascular coiling in this institution were discharged functionally trials…Therefore endovascular coiling promises to be a viable alternative to aneurysm management especially for cases when surgical management may not be ideal.
Leonardo Z, Picar R; PhilJNeurol vol 11 no 1 (2007)
• Define the problem being studiedDefine the problem being studied
- Background info on what is currently - Background info on what is currently knownknown
- Indicate:- Indicate: Significance Significance RelevanceRelevanceRationaleRationale
• Include statement of the Include statement of the purpose/objectivespurpose/objectives of of the study and the delimitationsthe study and the delimitations
IntroductionIntroduction
What should a good introduction contain?What should a good introduction contain?Look for:Look for:
1.1. a background on the nature and scope of the research problem a background on the nature and scope of the research problem and its significanceand its significance
2.2. orientation on part of the reader orientation on part of the reader by reviewing pertinent by reviewing pertinent literatureliterature
3.3. Statement/s of the objectives of the studyStatement/s of the objectives of the study
4.4. May include: method of investigationMay include: method of investigation ““principal” results of the investigationprincipal” results of the investigation
IntroductionIntroduction
Avoid:
1. “book description” of the subject
impertinent information lack of relevant info on the subject
2. excessively lengthy and verbose “the nobela type”
“squid technique”
3. the objectives: too broad excessive to become realistic! overly ambitious
IntroductionIntroduction
“…should include information that was/were available at the time the plan or protocol for the study was written.”
“… all info obtained during the conduct of the study belongs in the Results section.”
MethodsMethods
Guiding principle: how and why the study was done Guiding principle: how and why the study was done
Look for:Look for:a. research designa. research designb. selection and description of participantsb. selection and description of participants
inclusion/exclusion criteriainclusion/exclusion criteriadescription of the source populationdescription of the source population
c. study site/s and time period covered/durationc. study site/s and time period covered/duration
d. operational definitionsd. operational definitionseg.eg. “… late Parkinson disease was operationally “… late Parkinson disease was operationally
defined defined as those patients falling under stage 3 as those patients falling under stage 3 or 4 of the Hoehn and Yahr staging”or 4 of the Hoehn and Yahr staging”
MethodsMethods
Look for :Look for :
e. study proceduree. study procedurecopies ofcopies of IRB or ERB approvalIRB or ERB approvalRandomization done, blindingRandomization done, blindingsubject selectionsubject selectiondata gathered, etc, etc.data gathered, etc, etc.
f. Data analysisf. Data analysisstatistical testsstatistical testslevel of significancelevel of significanceactual computer program used (registered software!)actual computer program used (registered software!)outcome measuresoutcome measures
g. for experimental studies involving non-humansg. for experimental studies involving non-humans- include scientific nomenclature - include scientific nomenclature (Genus and species)(Genus and species)- indicate the guide for the care of lab animals based - indicate the guide for the care of lab animals based
on national or institutional committeeson national or institutional committees
MethodsMethods
Look for:Look for:
h. for drugs, use generic names followed by the h. for drugs, use generic names followed by the trade name and the manufacturertrade name and the manufacturer
i. for equipment:i. for equipment:state the equipment used state the equipment used manufacturer’s name and addressmanufacturer’s name and address
j. for experiments using certain techniques, state full details j. for experiments using certain techniques, state full details (in order to permit replication for others to (in order to permit replication for others to
utilize)utilize)
k. for studies involving human subjects or patients:k. for studies involving human subjects or patients:observe strict confidentialityobserve strict confidentialitycopies of the written informed consents for publicationcopies of the written informed consents for publicationpedigrees should have written consentpedigrees should have written consentphotographs – masking and with written consentsphotographs – masking and with written consentsshould indicate if authors followed the should indicate if authors followed the
Helsinki Declaration of 1975, revised 2000Helsinki Declaration of 1975, revised 2000
MethodsMethods
Look for:Look for: 1. demographics and outcome measures1. demographics and outcome measures
2. results!!! (continuous variables, percentages) 2. results!!! (continuous variables, percentages) reserve the correlation and reserve the correlation and interpretation for interpretation for
the the discussionsdiscussions
3. statistical analysis3. statistical analysis- use of numerical data and not generalizations- use of numerical data and not generalizations- use of actual p value (followed by the actual test - use of actual p value (followed by the actual test that was that was
used)used)eg.eg. p=0.005, chi squarep=0.005, chi square
4. others: 4. others: spell out “per cent”spell out “per cent”be consistent on decimal placesbe consistent on decimal places
ResultsResults
• use tables if there are many categoriesuse tables if there are many categories
- no need to state in the textual part of the results all the - no need to state in the textual part of the results all the contents of the tablescontents of the tables
- simple format with complete title- simple format with complete title- put p values (if applicable)- put p values (if applicable)- observe: 1 double-spaced table per page- observe: 1 double-spaced table per page
• use figures and graphs sparingly!use figures and graphs sparingly!- efficient when illustrating “trends”- efficient when illustrating “trends”- less useful than tables - less useful than tables - no need to repeat in figure or graphs what has already - no need to repeat in figure or graphs what has already
been shown in tables!been shown in tables!- don’t forget the complete title of the figure- don’t forget the complete title of the figure- no 2-D or 3-D figures please!- no 2-D or 3-D figures please!
ResultsResults
Sensitivity (%)
Specificty (%)
Plasma
ELISA
Acute
84 40
Convalescent
89 50
HI test 68 18
CSF
ELISA 84 40
Cell IFA 58 20
Table 2. Radioimmunoassay techniques used in the diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis
Sensitivity (%)
Specificty (%)
Plasma
ELISA
Acute
Convalescent
HI test
CSF
ELISA
Cell IFA
84
89
68
84
58
40
50
18
40
20
Sample table:Sample table:
… it is useful to begin by summarizing briefly the main findings, then explore possible mechanisms or explanations for the findings
… compare and contrast the results with other relevant studies, state the limitations of the study, and explore the implications of the findings for future research and for clinical practice
DiscussionDiscussion
Look for:Look for:
1.1. generalizations derived from the resultsgeneralizations derived from the results
2.2. limitations, exceptions and any lack of correlationlimitations, exceptions and any lack of correlation
3. 3. elaboration on the unsettled pointselaboration on the unsettled points
DiscussionDiscussion
4.4. relationship of the new information with the previous relationship of the new information with the previous “published” works“published” works
5.5. applicability of the results applicability of the results (theoretical and practical implications of (theoretical and practical implications of the results; relate present findings that were argued in the introduction)the results; relate present findings that were argued in the introduction)
6.6. conclusion/s with brief summary of the evidences conclusion/s with brief summary of the evidences (should (should clearly answer the research questions!)clearly answer the research questions!)
Avoid:Avoid:
1.1. Repetition of the statements resultsRepetition of the statements results
2.2. Too verbose, theoretical texts that are irrelevant to Too verbose, theoretical texts that are irrelevant to the research problem*the research problem*
3. 3. Inadequate discussions on the significant resultsInadequate discussions on the significant results
4. 4. Failure to justify negative resultsFailure to justify negative results
5.5. Failure to end with a brief “climax”Failure to end with a brief “climax”
DiscussionDiscussion
PhilJNeurol’s “Instructions to Authors”PhilJNeurol’s “Instructions to Authors”
Avoid:Avoid:
o personal communicationspersonal communicationso AbstractsAbstractso unpublished dataunpublished datao ““in press” or in press” or
“forthcoming”“forthcoming”
ICMJE Standard style: NLMICMJE Standard style: NLM
ReferencesReferences
Submitting the paper to the PhilJNeurolSubmitting the paper to the PhilJNeurol
Submission LetterSubmission Letter (printed or electronic)(printed or electronic)
¤ address the letter to the editor-in-chiefaddress the letter to the editor-in-chief¤ intention for its publicationintention for its publication¤ some description of the manuscriptsome description of the manuscript¤ include names of all authorsinclude names of all authors¤ willingness to undergo review and editingwillingness to undergo review and editing
¤ attach:attach: “ “good” copies of the manuscriptgood” copies of the manuscript “ “Manuscript Submission Manuscript Submission
Agreement”Agreement”
(Conflict of interest; IRB approval; informed consents; (Conflict of interest; IRB approval; informed consents; Copyright Transfer) Copyright Transfer)
Summary: Summary:
In order to get the better chances of getting your In order to get the better chances of getting your work published in a biomedical journal:work published in a biomedical journal:
organizeorganizebe simplisticbe simplisticlogicallogical
From the time of drafting the research proposal until the final editing of the manuscript!!!
Manuscripts already published (or undergoing review) in a Manuscripts already published (or undergoing review) in a locally-locally-circulatedcirculated biomedical journal biomedical journal
will not be accepted for PhilJNeurol will not be accepted for PhilJNeurol publicationpublication
Manuscripts already published (or undergoing review) in an Manuscripts already published (or undergoing review) in an international international peer-reviewed biomedical journalpeer-reviewed biomedical journal
may be accepted for PhilJNeurol publication may be accepted for PhilJNeurol publication provided that there is a written permission from the editorial provided that there is a written permission from the editorial board of the journal where the paper was first publishedboard of the journal where the paper was first published
Manuscripts already published (or undergoing review) in the Manuscripts already published (or undergoing review) in the PhilJNeurol, wherein the author/s intend/s to submit the same PhilJNeurol, wherein the author/s intend/s to submit the same in:in:
a. a locally-circulated biomedical journala. a locally-circulated biomedical journal
may not be allowed by the PhilJNeurol may not be allowed by the PhilJNeurol editorial boardeditorial board
Manuscripts already published (or undergoing review) in the Manuscripts already published (or undergoing review) in the PhilJNeurol, wherein the author/s intend/s to submit the same PhilJNeurol, wherein the author/s intend/s to submit the same in:in:
b. to an b. to an internationalinternational peer-reviewed medical journal peer-reviewed medical journal
permission may be granted provided that permission may be granted provided that the the author/s can justify such intentionauthor/s can justify such intention
Outline of this presentation:Outline of this presentation:
1.1. Increase the awareness of the PNA Fellows on the present Increase the awareness of the PNA Fellows on the present status of the PhilJNeurolstatus of the PhilJNeurol
where is our journal now?where is our journal now?
2.2. Using the PhilJNeurol evaluation standards and the Using the PhilJNeurol evaluation standards and the guidelines of the ICMJE, discuss the technical details of guidelines of the ICMJE, discuss the technical details of research paper writing and editingresearch paper writing and editing
what to look for in a manuscript for it to what to look for in a manuscript for it to be be worthy of publicationworthy of publication
3. 3. Enumerate some operating procedures on matters about Enumerate some operating procedures on matters about “duplication of publication”“duplication of publication”
PhilJNeurol Editorial BoardPhilJNeurol Editorial Board
Dante P. Bornales, MD, MHPEdDante P. Bornales, MD, MHPEdEditor-in-chiefEditor-in-chief
Raquel M. Alvarez, MDRaquel M. Alvarez, MDAssociate EditorAssociate Editor
Ma. Epifania V. Collantes, MD, MSc (cand)Ma. Epifania V. Collantes, MD, MSc (cand)Carissa Paz C. Dioquino, MD, MPHCarissa Paz C. Dioquino, MD, MPH
Paul Matthew D. Pasco, MD, MSc (cand)Paul Matthew D. Pasco, MD, MSc (cand)Maria Lina D. Renales, MDMaria Lina D. Renales, MD
Gerardo Carmelo B. Salazar, MDGerardo Carmelo B. Salazar, MDMaria Cristina Z. San Jose, MDMaria Cristina Z. San Jose, MD
Madeleine Grace M. Sosa, MD, MScMadeleine Grace M. Sosa, MD, MSc
Thank you