How to Prepare a Publishable Manuscript Editor-in-chief of JACC - - PDF document

1

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)

2

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

How to Prepare a Manuscript

3

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

• Answer a question or fulfill a goal
• Avoid observational, descriptive, or

phenomenology

• If observational, emphasize mechanism,

hypothesis generation

How to Prepare a Manuscript STRATAGEM # 1: Pose a hypothesis

4

• 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 # 2 : Document Novelty

• 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• Beware limitation of outdated and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

How to Prepare a Manuscript

STRATAGEM # 3 : Describe Methodolgy

5

• Detailed explanation of how sample size

was calculated and data and assumptions upon which this was based

How to Prepare a Manuscript

• STRATAGEM # 4 : Provide power calculations
• 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

How to Prepare a Manuscript

STRATAGEM # 5 : Don't slice data too thin

6

• 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 # 6 : Perform Careful Analysis

• 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

How to Prepare a Manuscript

STRATAGEM # 7 : Craft the Discussion

7

• Figures and legends are often the most
• verlooked 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 # 8 : Create good figures /legends
• Select an appropriate title
• Craft a descriptive running title
• Consider the length of the author list
• Insure that abstract reflect the study

How to Prepare a Manuscript

• STRATAGEM # 9 : Preparation

8

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

How to Prepare a Manuscript