Scientific Writing for MCH Epidemiologists Jody W. Zylke, MD Senior Editor JAMA
Scientific Writing for MCH Epidemiologists
Jody W. Zylke, MD
Senior Editor
JAMA
What an editor looks for in a submission
Tips on writing a scientific paper
How to get started
What does an editor look for in a paper? Content
Ideal paper Addresses a novel question Addresses important clinical question that
will be of general interest Answers a controversial question
Real paper “Next steps” Not just confirmatory
What does an editor look for in a paper? Study design
Strong design—RCT, observational cohort, case-control
Design fits the hypothesis Data source provides information on
confounding variables Sufficient power Generalizable or clear about what
population results apply to
What does an editor look for in a paper? Presentation
Indicates what is known and not known about topic and how this study fills gap
Clearly analyze and present data Interpret data appropriately Well written
Editor Reading Papers
Fatal Flaws
Usually related to study design Negative underpowered study Predictive model that isn’t validated Survey with inadequate response rate
One strike you may be out
Topic of article doesn’t suit journal Case report, animal study, specialized
Failure to provide enough information on methods to judge validity
Failure to address sources of bias and study limitations
Conflicts of interest Sloppiness Failure to follow journal format, instructions
What an Editor Wants in a Paper
Study with original, clinically important idea Rigorously performed and analyzed Objectively interpreted Paper well organized and written
“Writing is easy. All you have to do is sit and stare at the blank sheet of paper until the drops of blood form on your forehead.”
---Gene Fowler
Tips for Scientific Writing
Just the Facts Follow the formula Three qualities of scientific prose
(Huth) Accuracy Clarity Brevity
Accuracy
Spelling errors Defective choice of verb tense
Past tense in describing your results; present tense describing literature
Commonly misused words Incidence vs prevalence That vs which Effect vs affect Case vs patient
Clarity
Ambiguous antecedents (“He is a person with many convictions.”)
Poor choice of verb tense
Modifiers (“Hospital nurse physician staff interaction”)
Brevity
“After careful consideration of all the foregoing lines of evidence, it is apparent to us that among all the antibiotics discussed penicillin is the one that should be chosen for the treatment of infections caused by the streptococcus.”
“We conclude that penicillin is the best antibiotic for treatment of streptococcal infections.”
“Streptococcal infections? Penicillin!”
Empty Words and Phrases
A majority of (Use “Most”) Accounted for by the fact that (Use
“Because”) Despite the fact that (Use “Despite”) Fewer in number (Use “Fewer”) In order to (Use “To”) It is often the case that (Use “Often”) Very, Extremely (Delete)
Abbreviations
Well known—MI, LBW Made up—VM (vitamin and mineral) Unnecessary—NORM (normal) Confusing—PA (pulmonary artery,
physician’s assistant) Silly—SALD (severe advanced lung
disease)
Grace
Dehumanizing words A diabetic vs a woman with diabetes Male and female
Pomposity “It is an inescapable conclusion that utilization of
this method in order to make the diagnosis . . .” Try “I conclude that use of this method . . .”
Slang, jargon, cliches prepped, lab, flat line, exam, status post
Other Prose Features
Vary Sentence Structure and Length “It is easy to craft a story about the FDA based on just a
couple of actions, out of hundreds taken each year. So competing narratives abound. Some claim the FDA is captive to manufacturers and too quick to approve new therapies; others assert the agency is safety obsessed and too slow to make treatments available.” –Joshua Sharfstein
Logical flow of paragraphs, Avoid passive voice (active verbs instead of forms
of “to be”) Use key terms consistently
Structure of a Scientific “Story”
Introduction Methods Results Discussion
How do you start?
Pick the section that seems easiest Schedule times to write Find your most creative time Eliminate distractions Find your most productive environment
Outline or phrases Rough draft Rewrite—again and again Cut excess: “I have made this letter
longer than usual, because I lack the time to make it short.” --Pascal
Get colleague input