How to Prepare a Publishable Manuscript Editor-in-chief of JACC Antony N. DeMaria How to Prepare a Manuscript • The fundamental characteristics of a superior research paper are:- - Novelty (New) - Accuracy (True) - Importance (Relevant) 1
How to Prepare a Manuscript NOVELTY : is one of the most important characteristics • Being the first report is best • Being definitive in an area of controversy • Extending and confirming prior findings • Presenting the largest study • Presenting confirmatory data is least especially in "the current era" How to Prepare a Manuscript ACCURACY : • Study group characteristics, power calculations, and protocol are crucial • Methodology must be capable, validated, reproducible and precise • Confounding variables must be eliminated • Process of validation and confirmation is important, especially in genetics and biomarkers 2
How to Prepare a Manuscript IMPORATNCE : Clinical relevance: • Implications for management (best) • Establishing diagnosis-quantifying severity • Defining mechanisms • Prognosis (usually significant) • Hypothesis generation • Avoid the "so what" response How to Prepare a Manuscript STRATAGEM # 1: Pose a hypothesis • Answer a question or fulfill a goal • Avoid observational, descriptive, or phenomenology • If observational, emphasize mechanism, hypothesis generation 3
How to Prepare a Manuscript STRATAGEM # 2 : Document Novelty • State that it is the first • State what is new (may involve study or resuits different from others) • Distinguish from prior studies How to Prepare a Manuscript STRATAGEM # 3 : Describe Methodolgy • Describe a specific detail • Support validity with references • Detail patient acquisition, how to avoid ascertainment problems • Include a control group • Beware limitation of outdated and administrative databases 4
How to Prepare a Manuscript • STRATAGEM # 4 : Provide power calculations • Detailed explanation of how sample size was calculated and data and assumptions upon which this was based How to Prepare a Manuscript STRATAGEM # 5 : Don't slice data too thin • One comprehensive paper is much stronger than several smaller ones : avoid salami science. Conversely, don't be too broad • Especially relevant to substudies of trials. Must make a strong argument for importance of reporting one subgroup alone 5
How to Prepare a Manuscript STRATAGEM # 6 : Perform Careful Analysis • Acknowledge association vs. cause • Avoid/acknowledge surrogates • Recognize difference between statistical and biological significance • Avoid inadequate subgroups • Account for all important variables in multivariate analysis How to Prepare a Manuscript STRATAGEM # 7 : Craft the Discussion • Present all important results in first paragraph • Don't merely repeat results in discussion; emphasize synthesis • Give a scholarly and complete review of existing literature • Avoid excessive length • Insure that grammar and syntax are correct 6
How to Prepare a Manuscript • STRATAGEM # 8 : Create good figures /legends • Figures and legends are often the most overlooked part of the manuscript • Illustrations should clearly demonstrate the reported findings • Findings should be well delineated on the illustrations ( arrows etc.) • Legends should clearly explain the figures • Limit figures to those necessary How to Prepare a Manuscript • STRATAGEM # 9 : Preparation • Select an appropriate title • Craft a descriptive running title • Consider the length of the author list • Insure that abstract reflect the study 7
How to Prepare a Manuscript Overrated stratagems • A lengthy cover letter - make the points in the manuscript • Emphasis on presentation at meetings • Emphasis on support by grants • "Cute titles" • Eponym titles which are inappropriate How to Prepare a Manuscript Stratagems and Pitfalls in Publishing a Scientific Paper • Publishing a paper involves science and art • A well planned project will address most pitfalls issue • However, manuscript presentation matters • Thoughtful presentation of a good project almost always results in acceptance 8
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