2. Rules about doing research
Choose the right research question
Use the most appropriate study design
Apply sound statistics
Consider external validity
3. Writing papers
Good writers are good artists!
Be creative
Express your personal style - be persuasive
No place for political views
4. Structure of a research paper
Title page
Abstract
Background (+objectives)
Methods
Results
Discussion
References
Acknowledgment
Figures and Tables
Covering letter – sell your product!
5. Discussion
Summarise main study findings
Interpret findings in light of research question
Point out strengths and weaknesses of study
Comparison with previous studies (be concise)
Implications for intended readers (be humble)
Make recommendations regarding future research
6. Principal findings
State the main findings in one sentence in
words.
“Our study shows that … .”
“Drinking coke causes cancer”.
“rates of pregnancy are falling”
Do not repeat data
7. Interpret study findings
Make sense of results in light of
suggested hypothesis
Use references that support your
interpretation
8. Strengths and weaknesses
Blow your own trumpet
“The strengths of this study are …”
The first, largest, best designed, only one from
your country….etc.
Be honest
“But it has the following weaknesses...”
Low follow up, not randomised, sample size...
etc
9. Literature search
Comprehensive
Learn what others have done before
Boundary between knowledge and
ignorance
Helps defining your research question
Place your project within the context of
existing knowledge – more in line
10. Comparison with previous studies
Previous studies or systematic reviews
Discuss differences in relation to each study’s
strengths and weaknesses
Justify your own results
Don’t be too critical
11. Implications for readers
Be realistic
Only direct implications
Be modest!
Do not over-sell your paper
12. Future research questions
Unanswered questions
Only those directly related to the study
Future research
Specific recommendations
If you have none, say nothing
DO NOT say “further research is needed”
13. Figures and tables
Do numbers add up?
Should stand alone:
Descriptive legends
Foot-notes if necessary
Explain all abbreviation
14. Objectives
Some rules about doing research
Some rules about writing up research
Submitting papers
Editorial process
Responding to editor’s decision
15. Submitting your paper
Choose the right journal
Read “Instructions for Authors”
Write paper according to instructions
Ask 2 colleagues to provide feedback
Proof read the manuscript
Submit the paper according to rules
16. Choosing the right journal
Subject fits with orientation and scope of journal
Journal readers are your target audience
Select journal of repute – Impact Factor
Seek advice from peers or seniors
Could write to the Editor-in-Chief
18. All articles need to be revised
Most need to be revised twice
Some need extensive revising
May be reviewed a second time
You don’t have to do what reviewers
ask
But you have to make strong case why not
Reviewer ‘not getting it’ sign of unclear writing?
Can be rejected after all the requested
revisions made
19. 10 reasons for MS rejection
1. Inappropriate or incomplete statistics
2. Over-interpretation of results
3. Inappropriate or suboptimal instrumentation
4. Sample too small or biased
5. Text difficult to follow
6. Insufficient problem statement
7. Inaccurate or inconsistent data reported
8. Incomplete, inaccurate or outdated review of lit
9. Insufficient data presented
10. Defective tables and figures
Bordage G. Academic Medicine 2001;76(9)
20. Rejection hurts
But it’s part of the game, especially
when starting out
Learn everything you can from it
Rejection may point to some real problems
in how the MS was prepared
If a reviewer makes constructive
comments, use them
Don’t just submit to another journal
They may review for the other journal too
21. Be optimistic
Quality work will find quality journals
They need you more than you need them
Writing is hard work but fun
always have a Plan B
And a Plan C