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Scientific Writing for MCH Epidemiologists

Scientific Writing for MCH Epidemiologists. Jody W. Zylke, MD Senior Editor JAMA. Writing the Scientific Paper. Introduction Methods Results Discussion Abstract Title. Purpose of an Abstract. To provide a short but accurate overview of the study. Importance of Abstract.

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Scientific Writing for MCH Epidemiologists

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  1. Scientific Writing for MCH Epidemiologists Jody W. Zylke, MD Senior Editor JAMA

  2. Writing the Scientific Paper • Introduction • Methods • Results • Discussion • Abstract • Title

  3. Purpose of an Abstract • To provide a short but accurate overview of the study

  4. Importance of Abstract • Important for 3 reasons • May persuade someone to read the whole article • Allow busy readers to learn main points without reading the whole article • Captured in computerized databases

  5. Goals of Abstract • Make sense when read alone • Convey main results • Shouldn’t contain anything not in paper • Follow journal guidelines for structure and length

  6. Structure of Abstract • Context • Objective • Design, setting, participants • Main outcome measure • Intervention • Results • Comment

  7. Dataless Abstract • Results: Compared with children who showed high self-regulation in both behavioral protocols at ages 3 and 5 years, children who exhibited a compromised ability to self-regulate had the highest BMI z scores at each point and the most rapid gains in BMI z scores over the 9-year period. Effects of pubertal status were also noted for girls.

  8. Context, objective, design, setting, participants, main outcome measures, results, conclusion Background, methods, results, conclusions Objective, methods, results, conclusions Background, methods, findings, interpretation Unstructured Pediatrics Lancet New England Journal of Medicine JAMA American Journal of Epidemiology Match the Journal

  9. JAMA Abstract

  10. New England Journalof Medicine Abstract

  11. Pediatrics Abstract

  12. Lancet Abstract

  13. American Journal ofEpidemiology Abstract

  14. Purpose of Title • Captures reader’s attention • Used to index article • Represents article in reference lists

  15. Structure of Title • Types—declarative, questions, catchy • Subtitles • Independent variable, dependent variable, study population: Effect of x on y in z

  16. Titles in September Pediatrics--Examples 1. Health behaviors and infant health outcomes in homeless pregnant women in the United States

  17. 1. Fine

  18. 2. Suicidal behavior differs among early and late adolescents treated with antidepressant agents

  19. 2. Gives away the conclusion of the study. Better: Suicidal behavior among early and late adolescents treated with antidepressants

  20. 3. Fasting might not be necessary before lipid screening: a nationally representative cross-sectional study

  21. 3. The title contains the implications of the study. Better: Relationship between length of fast and lipid screening levels in children

  22. 4. Relationship of maternal snuff use and cigarette smoking with neonatal apnea

  23. 4. Good

  24. 5. Parent involvement in pain management for NICU infants: a randomized controlled trial

  25. 5. Good use of subtitle

  26. 6. Sleep disorders in children: a national assessment of primary care pediatrician practices and perceptions

  27. 6. Title tells little about study and subtitle is too long. Better: Pediatricians’ perceptions and practices for sleep disorders in children

  28. 7. Premasticating food for weaning African infants: a possible vehicle for transmission of HIV

  29. 7. Subtitle is study background, and not clear what aspect of premastication was looked at. Better: Characteristics of premastication practices for weaning infants in South Africa

  30. 8. Use of models to identify cost-effective interventions: pertussis-vaccination for pediatric health care workers

  31. 8. Title tells little about study; main title is really subtitle. Better: Cost-effectiveness of pertussis vaccination for NICU workers

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