Critical Issues on Full- - Critical Issues on Full Length Articles Length Articles
Objectives Objectives � How to Read Scientific Manuscripts How to Read Scientific Manuscripts � � Critical Issues for Research Articles Critical Issues for Research Articles � � Appraising Review Articles Appraising Review Articles � � Exercise Exercise - - Link sentences Link sentences �
Why Are Papers Rejected? Why Are Papers Rejected? � The study The study � – did not address an important scientific issue did not address an important scientific issue – – was not original was not original – – did not actually test the authors' hypothesis did not actually test the authors' hypothesis – – was uncontrolled or inadequately controlled was uncontrolled or inadequately controlled – � The statistical analysis was incorrect or The statistical analysis was incorrect or � inappropriate inappropriate � The authors drew unjustified conclusions The authors drew unjustified conclusions � from their data from their data � The paper was so badly written that it was The paper was so badly written that it was � incomprehensible incomprehensible
Checklist for Manuscript Appraisal Checklist for Manuscript Appraisal Appraise Research Articles in this order: Appraise Research Articles in this order: Introduction Introduction Methods Methods Results Results Discussion Discussion References References The Title and Abstract are not useful for critical The Title and Abstract are not useful for critical appraisal appraisal
Checklist for Manuscript Appraisal Checklist for Manuscript Appraisal Appraise Research Articles in this order: Appraise Research Articles in this order: 1 Methods 1 Methods 2 Results 2 Results 3 Discussion 3 Discussion 4 References 4 References 5 Introduction 5 Introduction The Title and Abstract are not useful for critical The Title and Abstract are not useful for critical appraisal appraisal
Methods are Most Informative Methods are Most Informative To decide whether a paper is worth reading, To decide whether a paper is worth reading, focus on the design of the Methods section focus on the design of the Methods section – Not on the interest of the hypothesis Not on the interest of the hypothesis – – Not on the nature or potential impact of the Not on the nature or potential impact of the – results results – Not on the speculation in the Discussion Not on the speculation in the Discussion –
Methods Methods Is the experimental design appropriate? Is the experimental design appropriate? – Sample selection and size Sample selection and size – – Adequacy of controls Adequacy of controls – – Justification for doses/concentrations, etc. Justification for doses/concentrations, etc. – – Timing of measurements Timing of measurements – – Validity and accuracy of measurements Validity and accuracy of measurements –
Methods Methods � Is there enough detail (with judicious use of Is there enough detail (with judicious use of � referencing) for experiments to be repeated? referencing) for experiments to be repeated? � Are the statistics clearly described and valid? Are the statistics clearly described and valid? � – non non- -parametric tests on skewed data parametric tests on skewed data – – repeat tests with correction repeat tests with correction –
Results Results � Are the data presented fairly? Are the data presented fairly? � – absolute values reported absolute values reported – – uniform scaling between graphs uniform scaling between graphs – – complete data for all experiments complete data for all experiments – � Are the textual statements factually Are the textual statements factually � correct and supported by the statistics? correct and supported by the statistics? – cross reference to Figures/Tables cross reference to Figures/Tables – � Is there duplication of material in Figures Is there duplication of material in Figures � and Tables? and Tables? � Are the statistics biologically meaningful? Are the statistics biologically meaningful? � � Are any correlations valid and useful? Are any correlations valid and useful? �
Discussion Discussion � Does it summarise (not re Does it summarise (not re- -state) the main state) the main � findings? findings? � Does it re Does it re- -visit the hypothesis/problem? visit the hypothesis/problem? � � Does it contextualise the study in relation to Does it contextualise the study in relation to � previous work in a fair and balanced manner? previous work in a fair and balanced manner? � Does it address any unexpected results, Does it address any unexpected results, � discrepancies and sources of error? discrepancies and sources of error?
Discussion Discussion � Does it make logical (and scientific) sense? Does it make logical (and scientific) sense? � � Are the overall conclusions justified and Are the overall conclusions justified and � limitations stated? limitations stated? � Is there over Is there over- -speculation? speculation? � References References � Are the references from high Are the references from high- -quality (high quality (high � impact) journals? impact) journals?
Introduction Introduction � Is it a fair background, specific to the study Is it a fair background, specific to the study � (not a review)? (not a review)? � Does it have a statement of the problem Does it have a statement of the problem � and/or a hypothesis to be tested? and/or a hypothesis to be tested? � Does it outline or summarize how the study Does it outline or summarize how the study � was done? was done?
Abstract and Title Abstract and Title � You can not critically appraise a paper on the You can not critically appraise a paper on the � basis of the Title or Abstract basis of the Title or Abstract � However, use these to initially evaluate the However, use these to initially evaluate the � article article – is the article of interest to you? is the article of interest to you? – � Does the Abstract state the Does the Abstract state the aims aims of the study, of the study, � outline the methods methods used, summarise the main used, summarise the main outline the results and state the and state the conclusion? conclusion? results
Common Errors Common Errors made by ESL Writers by ESL Writers made Use of Noun and Verbs Use of Noun and Verbs
Use the Verb! Use the Verb! � Consider the following sentence: Consider the following sentence: � – "The low rate of encounters was a reflection of "The low rate of encounters was a reflection of – the reduction in population density." the reduction in population density." � The verbs, "to reflect" and "to reduce" are The verbs, "to reflect" and "to reduce" are � used as nouns, and the sentence is swollen used as nouns, and the sentence is swollen and less direct than when they are used as and less direct than when they are used as verbs: verbs: – "The low rate of encounters reflects a reduced "The low rate of encounters reflects a reduced – population density." population density."
How to Read Scientific Manuscripts How to Read Scientific Manuscripts � What is the question (hypothesis)? What is the question (hypothesis)? � � Did the experiments test it? Did the experiments test it? � � Were there secondary hypotheses? Were there secondary hypotheses? � � What are the strengths and weaknesses of the What are the strengths and weaknesses of the � experimental design? experimental design? � Are the controls appropriate and sufficient? Are the controls appropriate and sufficient? �
Why Was the Study Done, and What Why Was the Study Done, and What Questions Were Addressed? Questions Were Addressed? � The introductory sentence of a research paper should The introductory sentence of a research paper should � state the background for the research state the background for the research � The hypothesis that the authors tested should be The hypothesis that the authors tested should be � clearly stated in the Introduction section of the paper clearly stated in the Introduction section of the paper – If the hypothesis is presented in the negative, such as "the If the hypothesis is presented in the negative, such as "the – addition of metformin to maximal dose sulphonylurea addition of metformin to maximal dose sulphonylurea therapy will not improve the control of type 2 diabetes," therapy will not improve the control of type 2 diabetes," it is known as a null hypothesis it is known as a null hypothesis
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