How to write an international manuscript

Prof. Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong MD, PhD

Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine

Prince of Songkla University

Hat Yai, THAILAND

cvirasak@medicine.psu.ac.th

Objectives

Importance of international publication Concepts and techniques in writing an

international manuscript

Are you interested in writing an

international manuscript?

Why international publication?

Globalization Information era

Accessibility of information Sharing of information Utilization of information

Should be networking, not hierarchical

Why international publication?

As a public health personnel, scientist should access to the public knowledge should contribute to the public domain

More accessible, more readers High quality

Good papers can benefit your institute

Give accreditation to your institute

Is it possible in your institute?

This is possible to do in your institute. Do not think that a local study would not be of

interest to the international community. Do not do a study that just because it has

never been done.

Thirty international publications from Epidemiology Unit, PSU in 2007

How to begin?

Aim for an international publication International interest Literature review from international journals Think of new ideas Clarify an idea to make a good proposal

P L A N C A R E F U L L Y

Good proposal Good data Good publication

Manuscript writing techniques

To read an article: Title Abstract Introduction Materials and methods Results Discussion

To write a manuscript: Title Results Discussion Materials and methods Introduction Abstract

Manuscript writing techniques

Results Study sample: response rate, excluded samples,

missing, loss to follow up, sample size Key tables

Baseline characteristics Findings corresponding to study objectives

Text Summarize the table in nonnumeric form Explain tables and graphs

Manuscript writing techniques

Discussion Summarize each table based on findings Contrast of findings for negative findings Comparison of the findings to other studies Explanations of the differences Use your results to explain others (downstream) Use other results to explain yours (upstream) Strengths and limitations Recommendations

Manuscript writing techniques

Discussion Avoid putting #, %, in discussion. Every sentence should have solid information,

reference, scientific evidence. Do not over claim your findings.

Manuscript writing techniques

Materials and methods Similar to your proposal with or without

modification Write in past tense

Manuscript writing techniques

Introduction General information about a study Importance of the problem and problem size Move quickly to the main focus Benchmark study Knowledge gap (rather than sympathy) Explain why and how your study contribute to the

new knowledge Your justification for doing the study Clear objectives

Manuscript writing techniques

References Should be relevant to benchmark studies Not too many references Consistent formatting

How do you feel?

What do you want to know?

What do you want to improve?

Discussion

Thank You