How to write an international manuscript

1. How to write an international manuscript Prof. Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong MD, PhD Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine Prince of Songkla University Hat Yai, THAILAND cvirasak@medicine.psu.ac.th

2. Objectives • Importance of international publication • Concepts and techniques in writing an international manuscript

3. Are you interested in writing an international manuscript?

4. Why international publication? • Globalization • Information era • Accessibility of information • Sharing of information • Utilization of information Should be networking, not hierarchical

5. Why international publication? • As a public health personnel, scientist • should access to the public knowledge • should contribute to the public domain • More accessible, more readers • High quality Good papers can benefit your institute Give accreditation to your institute

6. Is it possible in your institute? • This is possible to do in your institute. • Do not think that a local study would not be of interest to the international community. • Do not do a study that just because it has never been done. • Thirty international publications from Epidemiology Unit, PSU in 2007

7. How to begin? • Aim for an international publication • International interest • Literature review from international journals • Think of new ideas • Clarify an idea to make a good proposal P L A N C A R E F U L L Y Good proposal Good data Good publication

8. To read an article: Title Abstract Introduction Materials and methods Results Discussion To write a manuscript: Title Results Discussion Materials and methods Introduction Abstract Manuscript writing techniques

9. Manuscript writing techniques Results • Study sample: response rate, excluded samples, missing, loss to follow up, sample size • Key tables • Baseline characteristics • Findings corresponding to study objectives • Text • Summarize the table in nonnumeric form • Explain tables and graphs

10. Manuscript writing techniques Discussion • Summarize each table based on findings • Contrast of findings for negative findings • Comparison of the findings to other studies • Explanations of the differences • Use your results to explain others (downstream) • Use other results to explain yours (upstream) • Strengths and limitations • Recommendations

11. Manuscript writing techniques Discussion • Avoid putting #, %, in discussion. • Every sentence should have solid information, reference, scientific evidence. • Do not over claim your findings.

12. Manuscript writing techniques Materials and methods • Similar to your proposal with or without modification • Write in past tense

13. Manuscript writing techniques Introduction • General information about a study • Importance of the problem and problem size • Move quickly to the main focus • Benchmark study • Knowledge gap (rather than sympathy) • Explain why and how your study contribute to the new knowledge • Your justification for doing the study • Clear objectives

14. Manuscript writing techniques References • Should be relevant to benchmark studies • Not too many references • Consistent formatting

15. How do you feel? • What do you want to know? • What do you want to improve?

16. Discussion

17. Thank You