Trevor Lane, PhD Senior Editor, Edanz Graduate School of Nursing, Chiba University 4 September 2015 Publishing Your Research & Increasing Your Research Impact
Trevor Lane, PhD Senior Editor, Edanz
Graduate School of Nursing, Chiba University
4 September 2015
Publishing Your Research & Increasing Your Research Impact
Be an effective communicator
Your goal should be not only to publish, but also to be widely read and cited
Choose the best journal
Logically organize your ideas
Clearly communicate your ideas
Journal selection What editors want (1)
State conflicts of interest
No plagiarism or redundancy
Clear author contributions
No fabrication or falsification
Consequences of unethical behavior
• Unable to publish • Loss of employment
Always follow ethics guidelines
Study design/data analysis, Writing, Approval, Responsibility
Financial, Personal
Journal selection What editors want (1)
Always follow ethics guidelines
Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
Good Publication Practice 3 (GPP3)
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
Journal selection What editors want (2)
Declare in your cover letter…
Not submitted to other journals
Funding, donations
All authors agree and contributed
Original and unpublished
State potential conflicts of interest
Research ethics
For clinical journals: authorship, COI, consent, CONSORT, copyright
Journal selection
Increase impact
High quality research
Well reported Engaging…
Original and novel research
Well-designed study Logically organized
Real-world applications
What editors want (3)
“Impact Factor” = No. citations ÷ No. articles
Journal selection Factors to consider when choosing a journal
v
Aims & scope, Readership
Publication speed/frequency
Online/Print Open access
Indexing, Rank Impact factor
Acceptance rate/criteria
Article type / evidence level
Evaluate all factors of potential journals
Traditional / Megajournal Online first, Supplemental materials, Cost
Fast track
Journal selection Choose your journal first!
Author guidelines • Manuscript structure • Word limits, References • Author rights
Aims and scope • Topics • Readership • Be sure to emphasize
• Check relevant references • Check originality, importance
& usefulness!
Journal selection
• Not addressing relevant questions • Incomplete literature review • Inappropriate methodology • Incomplete reporting • Registered clinical trials but unpublished
Avoid research waste
~85% of biomedical research is waste
Lancet 2009; 374: 86–89
Journal selection Research with impact
1. Read primary literature
2. Identify trends: reviews, editorials, theme issues, Calls for papers
3. Identify an important question, gap in knowledge/evidence, incomplete answer
• Do you have the expertise/resources? • What is new? How is it useful? • Is the question focused?
Journal selection Evaluating impact
How new are your findings? Low or high impact journal
Novelty
Develop new material as a catalyst/enzyme, or a new method • Medium to high impact factor journal Improve efficiency of catalyst/enzyme, or improve a method • Low to medium impact factor journal
Assess your findings objectively
Journal selection
How broadly relevant are your findings? International/regional & general/specialized
Relevance
Applicable only to Asia • Regional journal is more appropriate Applicable worldwide • International journal is more appropriate (emphasize this)
Assess your findings objectively
Evaluating impact
Journal selection
How broadly relevant are your findings? International/regional & general/specialized
Relevance
Applicable only to specific field • Specialized journal is more appropriate Applicable to other fields • Broad-focused journal is more appropriate (emphasize this)
Assess your findings objectively
Evaluating impact
Journal selection Publication success = Academic success
S
Publication Metrics and Success on the Academic Job Market van Dijk et al. Current Biology. 2014; 24: R516-R517.
• >25,000 researchers in PubMed • Determined which factors positively correlated
with academic success
• Number of publications • Impact factor of the journal • Number of citations • University ranking • Gender
Journal selection Journal Selector www.edanzediting.co.jp/journal_selector
Insert your proposed abstract or keywords
Journal selection
Matching journals
Journal Selector www.edanzediting.co.jp/journal_selector
Filter by: • Field of study • Impact factor • Open access • Publishing
frequency
Journal’s aims & scope, IF,
and publication frequency
Journal selection Journal Selector www.edanzediting.co.jp/journal_selector
• Author guidelines • Journal website
Are they currently publishing similar articles?
Similar published articles
Effective writing
Writing outlines
Logically organizing your ideas
Communicating in English
2 factors to consider when writing a manuscript
Write outline & draft abstract
Write manuscript & finalize abstract
Effective writing
Writing outlines
Where to start?
Your findings are why you want to publish your work
Form the basis of your manuscript
First step is to logically organize your findings
Figure 1
Figure 2
Table 1
Figure 3
Logical flow (chronology, least to most
important, general to specific,
whole+parts)
Is anything missing?
? Additional analyses?
Effective writing
Writing outlines
I. Introduction A. General background B. Related studies C. Problems in the field D. Aims
II. Methods A. Subjects/Samples/Materials B. General methods C. Specific methods D. Statistical analyses
III. Results A. Key points about Figure 1 B. Key points about Table 1 C. Key points about Figure 2 D. Key points about Figure 3 E. Key points about Figure 4
IV. Discussion A. Major conclusion B. Key findings that support conclusion C. Relevance to published studies D. Limitations E. Unexpected results F. Implications G. Future directions
Knowing what you need to discuss, write down your key ideas
Use short bullet points to list ideas
Don’t let “writing correct English sentences” get in the way of outlining your ideas
List important information from your reading in the appropriate section with citations
Effective writing International clinical reporting guidelines
PRISMA Systematic reviews &
Meta-analyses
STROBE Observational studies
CARE Case reports
CONSORT Randomized controlled
clinical trials
http://www.equator-network.org/
ARRIVE Animal studies
Effective writing
Writing abstracts
First impression of paper: clear/concise/convincing
Importance of your results
Validity of your conclusions
Relevance of your aims
Readers judge your communication style
Maybe the only part that will be read
Your abstract summarizes your study
Effective writing
Writing abstracts
Context Background, problem, aim
Results Outcomes, effects,
properties, statistics
Conclusion Relevance, implications Learning points, future
Methods Patients/materials/animals Treatments, measurements
Clinical: funding & trial registration number after abstract
Effective writing
Unstructured abstract
Numerous systemic treatment options exist for patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS); however, the comparative efficacy of these treatments is unclear. We performed a retrospective analysis of our cutaneous lymphoma database to evaluate the treatment efficacy of 198 MF/SS patients undergoing systemic therapies. The primary end point was time to next treatment (TTNT). Patients with advanced-stage disease made up 53%. The median follow-up time from diagnosis for all alive patients was 4.9 years (range 0.3‒39.6), with a median survival of 11.4 years. Patients received a median of 3 lines of therapy (range 1‒13), resulting in 709 treatment episodes. Twenty-eight treatment modalities were analyzed. We found that the median TTNT for single- or multiagent chemotherapy was only 3.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.2‒5.1), with few durable remissions. α-interferon gave a median TTNT of 8.7 months (95% CI 6.0‒18.0), and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) gave a median TTNT of 4.5 months (95% CI 4.0‒6.1). When compared directly with chemotherapy, interferon and HDACi both had greater TTNT (P < .00001 and P = .01, respectively). In conclusion, this study confirms that all chemotherapy regimens assessed have very modest efficacy; we recommend their use be restricted until other options are exhausted.
Modified from: Cannegieter et al. Blood. 2015; 125: 229‒235.
Effective writing
Unstructured abstract
Conclusion In conclusion, this study confirms that all chemotherapy regimens assessed have very modest efficacy; we recommend their use be restricted until other options are exhausted.
Results
We found that the median TTNT for single- or multiagent chemotherapy was only 3.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.2‒5.1), with few durable remissions. α-interferon gave a median TTNT of 8.7 months (95% CI 6.0‒18.0), and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) gave a median TTNT of 4.5 months (95% CI 4.0‒6.1). When compared directly with chemotherapy, interferon and HDACi both had greater TTNT (P < .00001 and P = .01, respectively).
Aims/ Methods
We performed a retrospective analysis of our cutaneous lymphoma database to evaluate the treatment efficacy of 198 MF/SS patients undergoing systemic therapies. The primary end point was time to next treatment (TTNT). Patients with advanced-stage disease made up 53%. The median follow-up time from diagnosis for all alive patients was 4.9 years (range 0.3‒39.6), with a median survival of 11.4 years. Patients received a median of 3 lines of therapy (range 1‒13), resulting in 709 treatment episodes. Twenty-eight treatment modalities were analyzed.
Background Numerous systemic treatment options exist for patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS); however, the comparative efficacy of these treatments is unclear.
Implications
Modified from: Cannegieter et al. Blood. 2015; 125: 229‒235.
Effective writing
Unstructured abstract
Modified from: Cannegieter et al. Blood. 2015; 125: 229‒235.
Numerous systemic treatment options exist for patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS); however, the comparative efficacy of these treatments is unclear. We performed a retrospective analysis of our cutaneous lymphoma database to evaluate the treatment efficacy of 198 MF/SS patients undergoing systemic therapies. The primary end point was time to next treatment (TTNT). Patients with advanced-stage disease made up 53%. The median follow-up time from diagnosis for all alive patients was 4.9 years (range 0.3‒39.6), with a median survival of 11.4 years. Patients received a median of 3 lines of therapy (range 1‒13), resulting in 709 treatment episodes. Twenty-eight treatment modalities were analyzed. We found that the median TTNT for single- or multiagent chemotherapy was only 3.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.2‒5.1), with few durable remissions. α-interferon gave a median TTNT of 8.7 months (95% CI 6.0‒18.0), and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) gave a median TTNT of 4.5 months (95% CI 4.0‒6.1). When compared directly with chemotherapy, interferon and HDACi both had greater TTNT (P < .00001 and P = .01, respectively). In conclusion, this study confirms that all chemotherapy regimens assessed have very modest efficacy; we recommend their use be restricted until other options are exhausted.
How does your study contribute to your field?
What did you find?
What did you do?
Why did you do the study?
Effective writing
Improving readability
Use short sentences Limit your sentences to 15–20 words
One idea per sentence
Use active voice More simple, direct, and easier to read
Recommended by most writing style guides and journals! “Nature journals prefer authors to write in the active voice”
(http://www.nature.com/authors/author_resources/how_write.html)
Effective writing
Improving readability
Avoid nominalizations
Use strong verbs instead of converting a verb into a noun
Estimate Estimation
Decide Decision
Confirm Confirmation
Assess Assessment
Effective writing
Improving readability
Avoid nominalizations
Use strong verbs instead of converting a verb into a noun
…estimation?
…decision?
…confirmation?
We made a…
Subject Verb
Still no idea what this sentence is about!
Effective writing
Improving readability
Avoid nominalizations
Use strong verbs instead of converting a verb into a noun
We estimated…
We decided…
We confirmed…
We made a…
Subject Verb
Still no idea what this sentence is about! Clear and direct
Effective writing
Improving readability
We conducted an evaluation to determine if the program increased the recruitment of students and the maximization of faculty time.
Effective writing
Improving readability
We evaluated if the program recruited more students and maximized faculty time.
20 words
12 words
We conducted an evaluation to determine if the program increased the recruitment of students and the maximization of faculty time.
Effective writing
“I should use complex words to make my writing more impressive.”
Use simple language!
• Your ideas and findings are already complex
• Explain these complex ideas simply to your reader
“The definition of genius is taking the complex and making it simple.”
– Albert Einstein
Effective writing
To ascertain the efficaciousness of the program, we interrogated the participants upon completion.
Avoid complex words
Effective writing
To ascertain the efficaciousness of the program, we interrogated the participants upon completion.
To determine the success of the program, we questioned the participants upon completion.
Avoid complex words
Effective writing Avoid complex words
Preferred Enough Clear Determine Begin Try Very Size Keep Enough End Use
Avoid Adequate Apparent Ascertain Commence Endeavor Exceedingly Magnitude* Retain Sufficient Terminate* Utilization
*OK in certain fields
Effective writing Be concise – Avoid unnecessary words
“A number of studies have shown that the charged group...”
“...as described in our previous study.”
“...at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min.”
“As a matter of fact, such a low-temperature reaction…”
“That is another reason why, we believe…”
“It is well known that most of the intense diffraction peaks...” “It is well known that most of the intense diffraction peaks...”
“As a matter of fact, such a This low-temperature reaction…”
“A number of studies have shown that the charged group...”
“That is another reason why Therefore, we believe…”
“...as described previously in our previous study.”
“...at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min.”
Effective writing Be concise – Avoid unnecessary words
Avoid At a concentration of 2 g/L At a temperature of 37C At a wavelength of 340 nm In order to In the first place Four in number Green color Subsequent to Prior to
Preferred At 2 g/L At 37C At 340 nm To First Four Green After Before
Effective writing Common mistakes
A(n): refers to a non-specific noun
The: refers to a specific noun
“A theory that describes economic development…” Suggests there is more than one theory
“The Big Bang theory…” Suggests there is only one theory
“A participant was chosen based on education level.
The participant was then given a questionnaire to determine…”
Effective writing Common mistakes
Data is the plural form of datum
The data was analyzed... This data suggests…
The data were analyzed… These data suggest…
Effective writing Common mistakes
Compared with is for saying how similar things are different Compared to is for saying how different things are similar
The toxicity of the new scaffold was reduced compared to that of the previous scaffold.
The toxicity of the new scaffold was reduced compared with that of the previous scaffold.
Telomeres can be compared with the ends of shoelaces.
Telomeres can be compared to the ends of shoelaces.
Effective writing Common mistakes
The viral infection that the patient caught on her recent trip to the outbreak-prone areas in Africa spread quickly.
Effective writing Common mistakes
The viral infection that the patient caught on her recent trip to the outbreak-prone areas in Africa spread quickly.
The patient caught a viral infection on her recent trip to the outbreak-prone areas in Africa, and this infection spread quickly.
Effective writing
Write logical sentences!
A is 4 times larger than B A is 4-fold larger than B A is 4 times as large as B
B is 4 times smaller than A
B is 75% smaller than A; B is 25% the size of A
A B
Scientific writing style
Effective writing
Write logical sentences!
A is 4 times larger than B A is 4-fold larger than B A is 4 times as large as B
B is 4 times smaller than A
B is 75% smaller than A; B is 25% the size of A
A B
Comparing data; Method-Purpose; Condition-Effect; Reason-Effect; Cause-Effect; Contrast; Similarity;
Sequence; Elaboration
Scientific writing style
Effective writing
Scientific writing style
“Cell viability was generally not affected by the pure EGCG…”
“Cell viability was reduced by only 3.5% by the pure EGCG…”
?
“One of the many candidate mechanisms for how loneliness affects blood pressure is arterial stiffness. Reasons why this is a candidate are because of diet and obesity.”
“Arterial stiffness is a candidate mechanism for how loneliness affects blood pressure through diet and obesity.”
27
16
Be accurate and concise!
Effective writing
Readers focus at the end of the sentence to determine what is important.
1. You deserve a raise, but the budget is tight.
Which sentence suggests that you
will get a raise?
2. The budget is tight, but you deserve a raise.
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/flow/
Scientific writing style
Stress position
Link your sentences & paragraphs!
Effective writing
The budget is tight, but you deserve a raise. Your salary
will increase at the beginning of next year. Stress position Topic position
The topic position introduces the idea of the current sentence
The stress position also introduces the topic of the next sentence
Scientific writing style
Effective writing
Scientific writing style
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality for men and women. Despite smoking prevention and cessation programs and advances in early detection, the 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is only 16% with current therapies. Although lung cancer incidence rates have recently declined in the United States, more lung cancer is now diagnosed when considered together in former- and never-smokers than in current smokers. Thus, even if all of the national anti-smoking campaign goals are met, lung cancer will remain a major public health problem for decades. New ways to treat or prevent lung cancer are therefore needed. One potential therapeutic target for lung cancer is the Wnt signaling pathway. The canonical Wnt signaling pathway in mammals consists of a family of secreted lipid-modified Wnt protein ligands that bind to a family of 7-pass transmembrane Frizzled (Fzd) receptors, as reviewed…
Busch et al. BMC Cancer. 2012; 13: 211.
Topic sentence
Stress sentence
Topic sentence
Support
Effective writing activity
Improve the readability of the following sentences.
To ascertain whether our hypothesis was correct, the data was carefully analyzed with the appropriate methods.
As a matter of fact, it was apparent that the drug was more effective compared to the control.
In order to make a decision if the statistical test was appropriate, we conducted an assessment of the normality of the data distribution.
The experiments were terminated once a sufficient amount of data was collected.
Effective writing activity
Improve the readability of the following sentences.
To ascertain whether our hypothesis was correct, the data was carefully analyzed with the appropriate methods.
As a matter of fact, it was apparent that the drug was more effective compared to the control.
In order to make a decision if the statistical test was appropriate, we conducted an assessment of the normality of the data distribution.
The experiments were terminated once a sufficient amount of data was collected.
determine were
passive
To determine whether our hypothesis was correct, we analyzed the data.
We analyzed the data to determine whether our hypothesis was correct.
Effective writing activity
Improve the readability of the following sentences.
To ascertain whether our hypothesis was correct, the data was carefully analyzed with the appropriate methods.
As a matter of fact, it was apparent that the drug was more effective compared to the control.
In order to make a decision if the statistical test was appropriate, we conducted an assessment of the normality of the data distribution.
The experiments were terminated once a sufficient amount of data was collected.
clear
with
It was clear that the drug was more effective compared with the control.
It was clear that the drug was more effective than the control.
Effective writing activity
Improve the readability of the following sentences.
To ascertain whether our hypothesis was correct, the data was carefully analyzed with the appropriate methods.
As a matter of fact, it was apparent that the drug was more effective compared to the control.
In order to make a decision if the statistical test was appropriate, we conducted an assessment of the normality of the data distribution.
The experiments were terminated once a sufficient amount of data was collected.
To decide
assessed
To decide if the statistical test was appropriate, we assessed the normality of the data distribution.
We assessed the normality of the data distribution to decide if the statistical test was appropriate.
Effective writing activity
Improve the readability of the following sentences.
To ascertain whether our hypothesis was correct, the data was carefully analyzed with the appropriate methods.
As a matter of fact, it was apparent that the drug was more effective compared to the control.
In order to make a decision if the statistical test was appropriate, we conducted an assessment of the normality of the data distribution.
The experiments were terminated once a sufficient amount of data was collected. enough were passive ended
We ended the experiments once enough data were collected.
We ended the experiments once we collected enough data.
Manuscript structure Writing your manuscript
Abstract modified from: Cannegieter et al. Blood. 2015; 125: 229‒235.
Numerous systemic treatment options exist for patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS); however, the comparative efficacy of these treatments is unclear. We performed a retrospective analysis of our cutaneous lymphoma database to evaluate the treatment efficacy of 198 MF/SS patients undergoing systemic therapies. The primary end point was time to next treatment (TTNT). Patients with advanced-stage disease made up 53%. The median follow-up time from diagnosis for all alive patients was 4.9 years (range 0.3‒39.6), with a median survival of 11.4 years. Patients received a median of 3 lines of therapy (range 1‒13), resulting in 709 treatment episodes. Twenty-eight treatment modalities were analyzed. We found that the median TTNT for single- or multiagent chemotherapy was only 3.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.2‒5.1), with few durable remissions. α-interferon gave a median TTNT of 8.7 months (95% CI 6.0‒18.0), and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) gave a median TTNT of 4.5 months (95% CI 4.0‒6.1). When compared directly with chemotherapy, interferon and HDACi both had greater TTNT (P < .00001 and P = .01, respectively). In conclusion, this study confirms that all chemotherapy regimens assessed have very modest efficacy; we recommend their use be restricted until other options are exhausted.
How does your study contribute to your field?
What did you find?
What did you do?
Why did you do the study?
Manuscript structure Writing your manuscript
How does your study contribute to your field?
What did you find?
What did you do?
Why did you do the study?
Manuscript structure Writing your manuscript
Title/Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Abstract
Methods
Results
Discussion
Introduction
Abstract /Title
write
Title/Abstract
Intro: Aim
Figures/ Results
{Methods}
Discussion: Conclusion
[Intro / IMRaD]
read
Manuscript structure Introduction
Why is your study needed?
Current state of the field
Background information
Specific aim/approach Aim
Problem in the field
Previous studies
Current study
General
Specific Importance/Hypothesis
Worldwide relevance? Broad/specialized?
Up-to-date International
Manuscript structure
Match your aim to the problem
Currently, the standard procedure used to evaluate hepatic steatosis is the histopathological examination of cross-liver sections… …this is an invasive practice that presents inherent risks... Therefore, it is essential to establish new non-invasive approaches to accurately determine hepatic fat concentration…
Aim
The purpose of our prospective study…was to evaluate the potential of multi-echo MRI to quantitate the hepatic triglyceride concentration.
Problem
Jiménez-Agüero et al. BMC Med. 2014;12:137.
Proposed solution
Manuscript structure Methods
How the study was done
• Processes, treatments • Variables (direct/proxy) • Outcome/endpoints (1o, 2o) • Measurements, replication
• Quantification/models • Statistical tests (& P level) – Consult a statistician
Who/what was studied
• Participants, controls • Enrollment, N (& “power”) • Instruments, materials, DBs
Data analysis
Describe all aspects of the design
Manuscript structure Methods
Describe all aspects of the design
Established techniques
• Cite previously published studies • Briefly state modifications
• Enough detail for reproducibility • Use Supplementary Information
Organization • Arrange in subsections • Parallel order with the figures
New techniques
Manuscript structure Results
Synthesis/properties Group/subgroups
Uni-/bi-/multivariable
Each subsection corresponds to
one figure /method
What you found, not what it means
(& Data accessibility)
Logical presentation
Subsections
Factual description
Present results logically and factually
Manuscript structure Discussion
Summary of findings
Relevance
Conclusion
Similarities/differences Unexpected/negative results Limitations (validity, reliability)
Implications
Previous studies
Current study
Future studies
Specific
General
How do you advance your field?
Manuscript structure Conclusion
In conclusion, we found an independent, graded association between lower levels of the estimated GFR and the risks of death, cardiovascular events, and hospitalization. These risks were evident at an estimated GFR of less than 60 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 and substantially increased with an estimated GFR of less than 45 ml per minute per 1.73 m2. Our findings support the validity of the National Kidney Foundation staging system for chronic kidney disease but suggest that the system could be further refined, since all persons with stage 3 chronic kidney disease (GFR, 30 to 59 ml per minute per 1.73 m2) may not be at equal risk for each outcome. Our findings highlight the clinical and public health importance of chronic kidney disease that does not necessitate dialysis.
Conclusion
Key finding
Implications
Future directions
Importance
Go et al. N Engl J Med. 2004; 351: 1296–1305.
Why is your study important?
Manuscript structure Conclusion
In summary, the correlation between obesity and gut microbes has been demonstrated in this study. We found an imbalance of gut microbes in Chinese children with obesity. Our results from the two real-time PCR assays showed that obese children had significantly lower levels of Bifidobacteria and higher levels of E. coli, compared with the matched control children. The findings suggest that human studies on gut microbes may have advantages over animal models. However, more investigations are necessary to clearly define the roles of gut microbe imbalance in both healthy and pathological states, so as to provide therapeutic targets to treat obesity. From this study, it is clear that lower Bifidobacteria colonization and imbalance of gut microbes may be important in the development of obesity.
Conclusion
Key finding
Implications
Future directions
Importance
Modified from: Gao et al. BMC Pediatrics. 2015; 15: 64.
Why is your study important?
Manuscript structure Link your ideas
General background
Aims
Methodology
Results and figures
Summary of findings
Implications for the field
Relevance of findings
Problem in the field
Current state of the field
Solution
Situation/Problem
Evaluation/Comment
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Manuscript structure Link your ideas
…chronic job stress can endanger well-being and may even cause serious damage and illness.
There is a lack of research on Asian gaming employees’ experience of work stress and problem gambling.
…this study confirms that increased job stress places casino employees in an at-risk group for developing gambling problems.
Background
Problem
Conclusion
Discussion
Introduction
Modified from: Wong & Lam. Asian J Gambl Issues Pub Health. 2013; 3: 7.
This study investigated whether job stress was a risk factor for the development of gambling problems.
Aim
Manuscript structure After the first draft….
Update your references
• 75% from the last 5 years • Avoid too many self-citations • Include international citations
Most references Introduction
Discussion Methods Some references
No references Conclusion Abstract Results
S
1. Based on the following problem identified in the field, choose which aim is the most appropriate.
Problem: Currently it is not clear if group therapy in combination with weight management programs helps to prevent weight gain after smoking cessation in men.
A. In this study, we compared the efficacy among three popular weight management programs for the prevention of weight gain after smoking cessation.
B. In this study, we compared the efficacy of group therapy plus weight management with that of weight management alone in preventing weight gain in men after smoking cessation.
C. In this study, we evaluated if group therapy or weight management was more effective in preventing weight gain in men after smoking cessation.
Manuscript structure activity
S
1. Based on the following problem identified in the field, choose which aim is the most appropriate.
Problem: Currently it is not clear if group therapy in combination with weight management programs helps to prevent weight gain after smoking cessation in men.
A. In this study, we compared the efficacy among three popular weight management programs for the prevention of weight gain after smoking cessation.
B. In this study, we compared the efficacy of group therapy plus weight management with that of weight management alone in preventing weight gain in men after smoking cessation.
C. In this study, we evaluated if group therapy or weight management was more effective in preventing weight gain in men after smoking cessation.
What about group therapy?
Manuscript structure activity
S
1. Based on the following problem identified in the field, choose which aim is the most appropriate.
Problem: Currently it is not clear if group therapy in combination with weight management programs helps to prevent weight gain after smoking cessation in men.
A. In this study, we compared the efficacy among three popular weight management programs for the prevention of weight gain after smoking cessation.
B. In this study, we compared the efficacy of group therapy plus weight management with that of weight management alone in preventing weight gain in men after smoking cessation.
C. In this study, we evaluated if group therapy or weight management was more effective in preventing weight gain in men after smoking cessation.
Directly addresses the problem
Manuscript structure activity
S
1. Based on the following problem identified in the field, choose which aim is the most appropriate.
Problem: Currently it is not clear if group therapy in combination with weight management programs helps to prevent weight gain after smoking cessation in men.
A. In this study, we compared the efficacy among three popular weight management programs for the prevention of weight gain after smoking cessation.
B. In this study, we compared the efficacy of group therapy plus weight management with that of weight management alone in preventing weight gain in men after smoking cessation.
C. In this study, we evaluated if group therapy or weight management was more effective in preventing weight gain in men after smoking cessation.
Does not address problem
Manuscript structure activity
S
2. Match the aim from an Introduction with the most appropriate major conclusion from the Discussion.
Aim: To date, few studies have investigated the influence of literacy on economic growth. In this study, we aimed to evaluate how literacy rates affected the economic growth of various countries from 2000 to 2010.
A. Our results demonstrate the need to improve education to promote literacy in developing countries.
B. This study showed that increased literacy rates are positively correlated with economic growth.
C. In this study, we showed that economically developed countries spend more money on education, leading to improved literacy rates.
Manuscript structure activity
S
2. Match the aim from an Introduction with the most appropriate major conclusion from the Discussion.
Aim: To date, few studies have investigated the influence of literacy on economic growth. In this study, we aimed to evaluate how literacy rates affected the economic growth of various countries from 2000 to 2010.
A. Our results demonstrate the need to improve education to promote literacy in developing countries.
B. This study showed that increased literacy rates are positively correlated with economic growth.
C. In this study, we showed that economically developed countries spend more money on education, leading to improved literacy rates.
Manuscript structure activity
Implications
S
2. Match the aim from an Introduction with the most appropriate major conclusion from the Discussion.
Aim: To date, few studies have investigated the influence of literacy on economic growth. In this study, we aimed to evaluate how literacy rates affected the economic growth of various countries from 2000 to 2010.
A. Our results demonstrate the need to improve education to promote literacy in developing countries.
B. This study showed that increased literacy rates are positively correlated with economic growth.
C. In this study, we showed that economically developed countries spend more money on education, leading to improved literacy rates.
Manuscript structure activity
Addresses the problem
S
2. Match the aim from an Introduction with the most appropriate major conclusion from the Discussion.
Aim: To date, few studies have investigated the influence of literacy on economic growth. In this study, we aimed to evaluate how literacy rates affected the economic growth of various countries from 2000 to 2010.
A. Our results demonstrate the need to improve education to promote literacy in developing countries.
B. This study showed that increased literacy rates are positively correlated with economic growth.
C. In this study, we showed that economically developed countries spend more money on education, leading to improved literacy rates.
Manuscript structure activity
Key finding
Coverage and Staffing Plan Cover Letters
Communicating your research Your multiple audiences
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Dear Dr Lippman,
Please find enclosed our manuscript entitled “Evaluation of the Glasgow prognostic score in patients undergoing curative
resection for breast cancer liver metastases,” which we would like to submit for publication as an Original Article in the Breast
Cancer Research and Treatment.
The Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) is of value for a variety of tumours. Several studies have investigated the prognostic value of the GPS in patients with metastatic breast cancer, but few studies have performed such an investigation for patients undergoing liver resection for liver metastases. Furthermore, there are currently no studies that have examined the prognostic value of the modified GPS (mGPS) in these patients. The present study evaluated the mGPS in terms of its prognostic value for postoperative death in patients undergoing liver resection for breast cancer liver metastases.
A total of 318 patients with breast cancer liver metastases who underwent hepatectomy over a 15-year period were included in this study. The mGPS was calculated based on the levels of C-reactive protein and albumin, and the disease-free survival and cancer-specific survival rates were evaluated in relation to the mGPS. Prognostic significance was retrospectively analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Overall, the results showed a significant association between cancer-specific survival and the mGPS and carcinoembryonic antigen level, and a higher mGPS was associated with increased aggressiveness of liver recurrence and poorer survival in these patients. This study is the first to demonstrate that the preoperative mGPS, a simple clinical tool, is a useful prognostic factor for postoperative survival in patients undergoing curative resection for breast cancer liver metastases. This information is immediately clinically applicable for oncologists treating such patients. As a premier journal covering the broad field of cancer, we believe that the Breast Cancer Research and Treatment is the perfect platform from which to share our results with the international medical community.
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Ideas are not logically organized; Poor presentation Purpose and relevance are unclear Cited studies are not up-to-date Topics in the Results/Discussion are not in the Introduction Methods are unclear (variables, missing data); Ethics Wrong (statistical) tests; statistical vs clinical significance Unclear statistics: Power, Need exact P values, 95% CI,
Association/Causation, Confounders, Fishing expeditions Not discussed: Negative results, limitations, implications Discussion has repeated results; Conclusions too general
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Reviewer Comment: In your analysis of the data you have chosen to use a somewhat obscure fitting function (regression). In my opinion, a simple Gaussian function would have sufficed. Moreover, the results would be more instructive and easier to compare with previous results.
Response: It’s very clear that you’re not familiar with the current analytical methods in the field. I recommend that you identify a more suitable reviewer for my manuscript.
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Reviewer Comment: In your analysis of the data you have chosen to use a somewhat obscure fitting function (regression). In my opinion, a simple Gaussian function would have sufficed. Moreover, the results would be more instructive and easier to compare with previous results.
Response: Although a simple Gaussian fit would facilitate comparison with the results of other studies, our tailored function allows for the analysis of the data in terms of the “Pack model” [Pack et al., 2015]. Hence, we have explained the use of this function and the Pack model in our revised Discussion section (Page 12, Lines 2–6).
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