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From “Zero” to “Hero”. Dr Theodoros Kofidis Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery NUH/NUS. How to avoid Annoying a Reviewer. Show a good methodology and experimental design. Use simple, easy-to-read tables and figures.
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From “Zero” to “Hero” Dr Theodoros Kofidis Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery NUH/NUS
How to avoid Annoying a Reviewer • Show a good methodology and experimental design. • Use simple, easy-to-read tables and figures. • Follow the rules of stantard English usage (check spelling and grammar). • Be clear, brief and interesting - eliminate redudancy. • Include appropriate statistical analysis, and show that you understand it. • Be sure that the conclusions are completely supported by Results and Methods. • Follow the journal‘s instructions for authors.
Some Tips and Hints of Good Style • Substraction: Be brief! • Be simple! • Be consistent! • Use active voice, not passive • Use verbs • Let someone proof read
Let´s make an example… • Title:"Administration of Stem Cells into the Area of Injury Following LAD-Ligation Results in Improved Parameters of Heart Function“ • Beginning the discussion: Despite encouraging results of heart transplantation, the shortage of donor organs stimulates scientists to search for alternate techniques of heart failure therapy.
Pejorative Term Wheelchair-bound people The elderly In 43 patients used as controls Epileptics Preferred Term Persons who use wheelchairs Older people For 43 patients who served as controls People with Epilepsy Problematic Term 45 males Managing patients Patients who developed X Had surgery Had a complication Preferred Term 45 male patients, 45 men Treating patients Patients in whom X developed Underwent surgery Experienced a complication Pejorative terms to avoid Diplomatic terms to use
Examples of Colloquialisms, Clichés, Euphemisms, and Slang • Landed a patient in the ICU • State of the art • Kept in mind • On top of his • Nonsurvivors • The rat was sacrificed • Lab • Temp
Sentence Beginnings to Avoid • As a matter of fact • Based on the fact that (try “because”) • Here • Hopefully • In order to (Try “To”) • Note well that • That is to say • It has been shown • Yet • They
How to draft a paper or a study • Title: • Message: • Length: • Market: • Authors:
Results Methods Introduction Discussion The Zero Draft and the Arboretum Diagram What? Why? How? So what?
The Two Columns of Academic Production (Clinical, Basic) Short term Long term Low-risk High-risk
The Collaboration and Multiplication Effect B C A Project 3 Project 5 Project 1 Project 6 Project 4 Project 2 2 2 2 3 X 2
You see You make You hear You sing You read You write! Make reading to your habit! • CTS-Net: Literature review of the month • "Elements of Style " • Webster – Thesaurus • Why not say it clearly? (Lester S. King) • Your own „expressions“ list • Hemingway
Departmental strategy: • Monthly research meetings • Literature reviews • Organize databases • Set goals: Assess our citation index and beat it next year • Work in teams / share • Involve in a clinical/basic research project • Set time lines: 1 week, 1 month, 1 year