Transcript How to write an international manuscript

How to write an
international manuscript
Prof. Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong MD, PhD
Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine
Prince of Songkla University
Hat Yai, THAILAND
[email protected]
Objectives
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Importance of international publication
Concepts and techniques in writing an
international manuscript
Are you interested in
writing an international
manuscript?
Why international publication?
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Globalization
Information era
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Accessibility of information
Sharing of information
Utilization of information
Should be networking, not hierarchical
Why international publication?
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As a public health personnel, scientist
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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
Is it possible in your institute?
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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-five international publications from
Epidemiology Unit, PSU in 2008
How to begin?
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Aim for an international publication
International interest
Literature review from international journals
Think of new ideas
Clarify an idea to make a good proposal
Good proposal
PLAN
Good data
Good publication
CAREFULLY
Manuscript writing techniques
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
Introduction
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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
Manuscript writing techniques
Materials and methods
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Similar to your proposal with or without
modification
Write in past tense
Manuscript writing techniques
Results
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Study sample: response rate, excluded samples,
missing, loss to follow up, sample size
Key tables
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Baseline characteristics
Findings corresponding to study objectives
Text
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Summarize the table in nonnumeric form
Explain tables and graphs
Manuscript writing techniques
Discussion
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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
Manuscript writing techniques
Discussion
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Avoid putting #, %, in discussion.
Every sentence should have solid information,
reference, scientific evidence.
Do not over claim your findings.
Manuscript writing techniques
References
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Should be relevant or benchmark studies
Not too many references
Consistent formatting
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How do you feel?
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What do you want
to know?
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What do you want
to improve?
Discussion
Thank You