Transcript medical writing

Scientific Writing
Table:
Part-2
Please don’t consider any
of these suggestions to be
substitutes for carefully
thinking about your
specific situation.
Outline: Table
• General considerations
• Building a table
–Title
–Headings
• Exercise
Table
precise numeric
values
large numbers
of related data
Summarizing
(list tables)
complex
information
Table/text ratio
• If a typical paper in the journal has an estimated
text length of 3300 words accompanied by 4
tables, the ratio of tables to text is 4/3.3
thousand or 1.2 tables per one thousand words
of text.
• If your paper has a text of about 4800 words,
round this figure down to 4000. Then 4 x 1.2:
4.8 tables; in round numbers, 5 tables.
Table/text ratio
• A useful general rule is no more than I table (or
illustration) per 1000 words of text.
• Because the average page of text in a manuscript with
double spaced text and with l-inch (or 3-centimeter)
margins usually runs to between 200 and 250 words,
the rule can be stated roughly as no more than I table
(or illustration) per 4 pages of manuscript text.
• Some journals may accept a larger number of tables in
relation to text length, but many will not because of the
resulting difficulties in avoiding confusing page
layouts.
don’t use
tables
data can be
summarized
(text)
relations or
time sequence
(graph)
options
data can be
summarized
(text)
relations or
time sequence
(graph)
Readers want
exact values
(table)
Level of Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter and the
Risk of Death from Cardiovascular Causes in Women.
Estimated Hazard Ratios for the Time to the First Cardiovascular Event or Death
Associated with an Exposure Increase of 10 μg per Cubic Meter in the Level of Fine
Particulate Matter (PM2.5).*
Changes in Glycated Hemoglobin and Fasting Plasma
Glucose Levels during the 13-Week Study Period.
Plasma Aspartate Aminotransferase and Alanine
Aminotransferase Concentrations during the Run-in Period
, the Treatment Period and the Post-Treatment Follow-up Period
PARTS OF A
TABLE
PARTS OF A TABLE
PARTS OF A TABLE
TABLE COMPONENTS
Table
title
row
heading
column
heading
Field/
data
footnotes
The tables
• All tables are basically structured the
same way, with four main parts:
1. title,
2. column headings,
3. body, and
4. footnotes.
Building
A table
Title
Column
Row
headings headings
Fields
Foot
notes
The tables: title
• The title of a table, like the title of
a figure, states
–the topic or
–the point
The tables: title
• The details included in a title depend on the
type of table.
• For tables that give background information, the
title should state the topic of the information
listed in the body of the table (that is, the
variables) and also the animal or population, the
material described, or both.
• The form is: Y in Z or Y of Z.
The tables title: Y in Z or Y of Z.
• For example, in the title
of Table 1 , “Clinical
Characteristics of the
Infants,” “clinical
characteristics” is the
topic (Y) and “the
infants” (that is, the
infants in the study) is
the population described
(Z).
The tables: title
• In the title “Phospholipid Composition of
Cardiac Lymph from Normal Dogs,”
– “phospholipid composition” is the topic (Y),
– “cardiac lymph” is the material described (Z),
– “normal dogs” are the animals (Z).
The tables: title
• For tables that present data from experiments
that have only dependent variables, similar titles
are appropriate.
• For example, in the title “Dimensions of Cell
Bodies in the Tracheal Ganglia of Ferrets,”
– “dimensions” is the topic (dependent variable) (Y),
– “cell bodies in the tracheal ganglia” is the material
described (Z), and
– “ferrets” are the animals (Z).
The tables: title
• For tables that present data from experiments that have
both independent and dependent variables, the title
should state
– the independent variable(s) (X),
– the dependent variable(s) (Y),
– the animal or population, the material described, or both (Z).
• It is not necessary to mention the controls in the title.
• Two standard forms for these titles are
– Effect of X on Y in Z
– Y during X in Z.
Find variables and pattern!
The tables title: Effect of X on Y in Z
• For example, in the title “Effects of
Methacholine on Electrical
Properties and Ion Fluxes in
Tracheal Epithelium From Cats and
Ferrets,”
– “methacholine” is the independent
variable,
– “electrical properties and ion
fluxes” are the dependent
variables,
– “tracheal epithelium” is the
material, and
– “cats and ferrets” are the animals.
(See also the title for Table 2.)
Find variables and pattern!
The tables title Y during X in Z.
• In the title “Plasma
Variables Before and After
Protein Loss in Lambs,”
– “plasma variables” are the
dependent variables,
– “before and after” is used
instead of “during,”
– “protein loss” is the
independent variable, and
– “lambs” are the animals. (See
also Table 3.)
stating the point
• Even better than stating the topic in the title of
the table is stating the point (narrowing down
the TS).
• When the title states the point, the reader knows
exactly what to look for in the table.
• For example, in the title “Increase in Helicity of
Abortifacient Proteins in the Presence of
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate,” “increase in helicity”
is the point.
• It is not usual due to multiple variables in tables
TITLE
Topic
Stating the Point
Same as a
broad TS
Same as a
narrow TS
category term
• To keep titles brief, use a
category term instead of
listing all the dependent
variables.
• For example, in Table 3,
“hemodynamic variables”
is the category term for all
the dependent variables in
the table.
category term
• To ensure that the title
relates clearly to the
table, use the same key
terms in the title as in
the column headings,
or use a category term
in the title instead of
two or more column
headings. ?
category term
• For example: "Effects of inhalational
anaesthetic X on systemic haemodynamics") in
the title rather than repeating several column
headings (for example, "Effects of inhalational
anaesthetic X on arterial blood pressure,
central venous pressure, cardiac output, and
systemic vascular resistance".
category term
• For example, in Table 1,
“infants” in the title
corresponds with “infant” in
the first column heading,
and “clinical characteristics”
is a category term for the
remaining column headings
(sex, birth weight,
gestational age, age at study,
postconceptual age,
diagnosis).
BUITDING A TABTE: Title
• Example: consider a table summarizing in three
groups of columns the admission diagnosis and
roentgenographic and autopsy findings in 20
fatal cases of pulmonary embolism.
• Its column headings identify the nature of the
findings as
– "Admission Diagnosis",
– "Chest Film", and
– "Autopsy",
• and its row headings run down from "patient l "
to "patient20".
BUITDING A TABTE: Title
• ANSWER:
• The table title can be simply "cases of Fatal
Pulmonary Embolism" rather than
"Twenty cases of Fatal Pulmonary Embolism:
Admission Diagnosis, chest Film, and Autopsy
Findings".
Category term?
Find a category term : Y in Z or Y of Z.
Clinical and biochemical variables for all subjects and
for those with an iGFR < or ≥ 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2
Find a category term
Test characteristics for various markers of renal function
for detecting moderate chronic kidney disease (iGFR cutoff of < 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2)
Find category term
The tables: title
• Keep the title brief, and
ensure that it relates
clearly to the content of
the table.
• The title should be
sufficiently descriptive
to tell the reader what
will appear in the table.
• "Results of the Study" is
not good enough.
The tables: title
• Keep the title brief, and
ensure that it relates
clearly to the content of
the table.
• The title should be
sufficiently descriptive
to tell the reader what
will appear in the table.
• "Results of the Study" is
not good enough.
The tables: title
• However, the title should not provide detailed
background information or summarize or
interpret the results ; these explanations are best
given in the text.
• When several related tables are presented
together, the context of the study should be
included in the first, but it need not be repeated
in the others if such repetition becomes tedious
or requires too much space.
Relations of Tables
• Check the relation of the remaining tables to
the text to be sure that their sequence is
correctly tied into the text sequence; then
number the tables accordingly. Next consider
the tables as a sequence, with appropriate
relations to one another.
Relations of Tables
• In many clinical papers the title of the first table
may adequately identify the main subject of the
paper, with shorter titles for the following
tables.
• Example : The first table, for example, in a
review of 25 cases of puncture wound of the
heart, might be titled "puncture wound of the
Heart: clinical Features".
• The second table might then be simply
"operative Findings and Postoperative course".
• !
Relations of Tables
• A look-at the tables by themselves in the
proposed sequence will help you judge whether
the table, are understandable on their own (and
they should be) and however their titles are
related to one another.
The tables: title
• The rules on which words in a table title should
be capitalized will vary from journal to journal.
Look at the tables in the publication in which you
are interested and style your table titles the same
way.
Relations
of tables
Title
Sequence
TITLE
Use Variables
Stating the Point
Use Category terms
TITLE
Background
Topic
One variable
Two variable
Y in Z orY of Z.
Effect of X on Y in Z
Y during X in Z.
Y in Z orY of Z.
Name of table
needs details?
Specific/clear
Need not details?
Foot note
Title
Which title is more satisfactory?
Topic-point-variable
• Characteristics of patients
– But usual in base line characteristics table!
• Baseline characteristics of patients
– ok
• Comparison between group one and two
– Not ok
• Predictors of quality of life
– Not ok
• Baseline Characteristics of the Subjects and Outcome
at 6 Months
– ok
the independent variable(s) (X),
the dependent variable(s) (Y),
the animal or population, the material described, or both (Z).
The tables: title
the independent variable(s) (X),
the dependent variable(s) (Y),
the animal or population, the material described, or both (
The tables: title
Use identical key terms in the title and column headings,
or use a category term.
Better title?
Exercise : Checklist
• Title:
• Need refer back to the text : group Vs given name
• Topic or point
• the independent variable(s) (X),
• the dependent variable(s) (Y),
• the animal or population, the material described, or both (Z).
• category term
Building
A table
Title
Column
Row
headings headings
Fields
Dates
Foot
notes
Column Headings
•
Column headings consist of:
1. headings that identify the items listed in the
columns below them,
2. subheadings as necessary, and
3. units of measurement as necessary.
Column headings should be brief.
Headings
•
There are two main groups of headings,
corresponding to the two main groups of information
in the body of the table:
1. the items for which data are given, in one or more
columns on the left side of the table, and
2. the data, in one or more columns on the right.
• In tables for experiments that have both independent
and dependent variables, the independent variable(s)
are in the column(s) on the left and the dependent
variable(s) are in the column(s) on the right, as in
Tables 2,3,4 and 5.
Headings
• For example, in Table 3,
the column labeled
“Ventilatory condition”
is the independent
variable and the
remaining columns are
the dependent variables.
Headings
• In Table 4, the columns
labeled “Incubation
conditions” and “Sample”
describe the independent
variable and the remaining
columns are the dependent
variable.
Column and row heading should use
terms that appear in the text
• Readers enter a table through column and row
headings; thus, familiar terms in headings
(terms also used in the text) are usually more
effective than unfamiliar terms.
Column and row heading should use
terms that appear in the text
• A common source of confusion is the
inconsistent use of terms for study groups
anywhere in the text.
• For example, authors may speak of a study's:
–
–
–
–
–
–
participants,
patients,
survivors,
individuals,
subjects,
volunteers, and so on.
Column and row heading should use
terms that appear in the text
• They may speak of the
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
treatment,
intervention, or
active group, and of the
placebo,
control,
untreated, or
inactive group.
• Consistency is usually more important than the
specific term chosen.
Headings
• The headings within a table should be
informative.
• Avoid using terms such as group A,
group B, group C, etc.: This makes
readers constantly refer back to the
text to remind themselves what group
A means.
Headings
• Instead, use a brief phrase that summarizes
group A's characteristics (e.g., cirrhotic, steroiddependent), which can be described in greater
detail in the text.
• Column headings, including the one that
describes what will appear in the rows, should
be easy to distinguish (e.g., italicized).
Headings
• The column headings should reflect the
comparisons of primary interest.
• If, for example, the purpose of the table is to
show how a particular measurement changed
over time, then the different times (baseline,
week 1, and week 6) should be the column
headings.
• If the primary comparison is between groups
(smokers and nonsmokers), then the groups will
be the column headings.
Headings
• Each type of information should have its own
vertical column, and each column should have
its own heading.
• Do not combine two types of information in one
column. For example, under a column headed
“Drug,” only the names of the drugs should
appear, not both the drugs and the doses.
• Do not omit the heading that states the name of
the first column on the left.!
Headings
• The first column heading almost always
contains a description of what appears in each
row.
• As much as possible, put units in parentheses
immediately after the row descriptions.
• The meaning of every item in a table should be
obvious; the reader should not have to refer
back to the text (logic).
Headings
• The Problem?
Headings
• For example, in Table 3,
the first column on the
left (the independent
variable) needs a
heading (“Ventilation
condition”) just as the
other columns (the
dependent variables) do.
Headings
• Do not omit the column heading
that states the name of the
dependent variable [for example,
“Recovery (%)” in Table 5],
even in simple tables that have
only one dependent variable that
is named in the title.
• It is clearest for the reader if the
dependent variable is named
both in the title and in the
column headings.!?
Headings
• For example, in a table titled “Effects of
Enzymes on Antibody Reactivity,” the column
headings should not be merely “Enzyme,”
“4E4,” “3F11,” “4D4,” “4D8.”
• The last four headings, which are names of
antibodies, should be subheadings under
“Antibody Reactivity (% of control),” because
the data in the columns are antibody reactivity,
not types of antibodies.
Headings
• In addition to the
column headings and
columns for the
independent and
dependent variables, a
third column heading
and column can be
given: sample size (n)
(see Table 2, “Number
of explants”).
size of subject
• Some journals prefer that the size of
subject populations be included in the
title, others that this information be
listed under the column heading.
Subheadings
• When necessary, subheadings can be used to
subdivide a heading into two or more
categories. For example, in the column heading
the dependent variable and the unit of
measurement are in the main heading and two
sites in which this variable was measured are in
the subheadings. (See also Tables 2, 4, and 5.)
• Note that terms in column headings and
subheadings are singular, not plural (for
example, “Recovery,” not “Recoveries”).
lf necessary, number columns or rows to
help integrate the text and the table.
• A table can sometimes require extensive
explanations in the text, and extensive
explanations in the text sometimes require
frequent reference to a table.
• In such cases, it can be helpful to number the
column or row heads to help readers find their
place in the table faster (Table 20.24; see also
the discussion of age adjustment in Chapter 12).
lf necessary, number columns or rows to
help integrate the text and the table.
Column Headings
• Each column heading for numerical data
should include the unit of measure for the
data. That unit should apply to all data
under the heading.
• Another unit of measure (and
corresponding data) should not be used
farther down in the column.
Column Headings
• Rather than forcing the reader to take note
of a second kind of unit in a single
column, restructure the table to
accommodate the second kind of unit and
its accompanying data in another column.
• Example:
Column Headings
• If groups of columns logically belong together,
label them with a grouped-column heading and
place a heading straddle-rule over the column
headings to which it applies.
The straddle rule will eliminate any uncertainty about which
column headings are included under the grouped-column heading.
Exercise : Checklist
• Title:
• Informative without text: group Vs given name
• Topic or point
• the independent variable(s) (X),
• the dependent variable(s) (Y),
• the animal or population, the material described, or both (Z).
•
•
•
•
•
category term
Headings
Dependent and independent variables
Similar to the text
Informative
Thank you