How to write a paper !

1. How to write a paper ! Gilbert Massard

2. Why should be write • To get renowned ! • For CV • job application • Grant applicatio, • For institution • rating of universities • rewarding

3. How to get published good papers ? • Financement • Methodology • Statistics • Documentation • Virtuosity with software • Adequate presentation !!!

5. Different types of publication • Original article • Review • Case report • How I do it • Letter to the editor

6. General rules • Simple language, without « nice writing » • Be precise: indicate numbers • Be short: avoid unnecessary words • Avoid repetition between sections • Do not describe extensively tables , rather summarize ! • Read carefully « instructions for authors » • Carefully select the journal for submission !

7. Structure of an original article • Title • Abstract & key words • Introduction • Materiel and methods • Results • Discussion • Conclusion • References • Tables and figures • Aknowledgements – conflict of interest

9. Title • To be chosen at the very end • Should be descriptive of content

10. Abstract • To be written as last part of the manuscript • Word count ++ • Structured: • introduction • material & methods • results • conclusion • No acronymes • Carefully select key-words according pubmed

11. Introduction • Must end with a sentence like : « the aim of this study was ….. » • Presents an update on the state of the art of the problem • Must lead to the question on scrutiny and explain why the study has been made

12. Material & methods • Which kind of study ? • Material : • Description of material used for the study • Methods : • how did we work (techniques, reactives, etc) • which parameters we studied and how we recorded them • Criteria for judgement • which statistics were used ? Text may be shortened by adequate use of tables !

13. Results • Please describe only results without any comment ……. • …….but describe all results ! Text may be shortened by adequate use of tables

14. Discussion • Limited to« material & methods » and « résults » • State of the art has to be placed into the introduction • Do not indicate complementary results • Any statement must be argumented with a reference to a publication

15. Conclusion • Must comply to the introduction and answer the question « the aim of the study was ….»

16. References • Listed according to instructions for authors • Give preference to international journals • Give preference to journals listed in pubmed • Do not use dissertations or abstracts, or program booklets of congresses

17. Tables & figures • Instead of text !!! • Expensive for the editor ! • Restricted to data resulting from the study • Avoid figures which do not add information or help to understand the study • Title and legens should make it comprehensive

18. Acknowlegements –conflict of interest • To thank people or organisations who contributed to the work • Conflict of interest : • sponsors of the study • Personal situation of authors

19. Authors • Should be listed only those who actively took part in the study • Limited number for some journals • 1st : the one who did the work • 2nd : the best helper • Last : the senior author

21. How does work a medical journal • Manuscript submitted to editor in chief • Reviewing & comments by selected experts • Decision : accepted – rejected – modifications • Resubmission of revised manuscript and final decision • Editing of proofs

22. How papers are rated • Citation index • Dangers of impact factor ! • Selection of journal • specialty • orientation of the journal • Impact factor