Transcript PUBLISH OR PERISH Writing and Publishing Scientific

Manuscript structure
Title/title page
Abstract
Introduction
Methods and materials
Results
Discussion
References
Tables and Figures
What is the most important part of a
scientific article? ...
Journal of the International AIDS Society
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Title
The part most often read
Often the only part read
Short
Specific
Representative
Informative
Journal of the International AIDS Society
Title
Abstract
Main
text
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Title - Exercise
What different types of information does
this title contain?
Effect of multiple micronutrient supplementation
on survival of HIV-infected children in Uganda: a
randomised controlled trial
Journal of the International AIDS Society
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Title
intervention
outcome
Effect of multiple micronutrient supplementation on survival
of HIV-infected children in Uganda: a randomised controlled
trial
setting
design
cohort
Ndeezi et al, JIAS 2010
Journal of the International AIDS Society
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Abstract
• Main problems encountered by editors:
– Inconsistent 
– Incomplete 
Title
• Brief summary
• Complete
– Background
– Experimental design
– Major findings
– Conclusion
• Stand alone
• Consistent with the paper
Journal of the International AIDS Society
Abstract
Main
text
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Introduction - Exercise
In which order would you place these
sentences in your introduction?
– A
Although a more strategic monitoring for ART efficacy is now
also recommended, virological monitoring is still not feasible for
the majority of patients
– B
Here we describe virological outcome and emergence of drug
resistance in a cross-sectional study
– C
Implementation of ART is recognized as a public health priority
in resource-limited countries
– D
It is thus important to evaluate the outcome and effectiveness
of ART programmes in routine care settings
… And why?
Journal of the International AIDS Society
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C Implementation of ART is recognized as
a public health priority in resource-limited
countries
A Although a more strategic monitoring for
ART efficacy is now also recommended,
virological monitoring is still not feasible for
the majority of patients
D
It is thus important to evaluate the
outcome and effectiveness of ART
programmes in routine care settings
B
Here we describe virological outcome
and emergence of drug resistance in a
cross-sectional study
Journal of the
Society
Dagnra
etInternational
al, JIASAIDS
2011
www.jiasociety.org
Introduction: What was your question?
• Background – context for understanding the question
• Challenge – nature and importance of knowledge gap
• Question – underlying research
• Forecasting – mini-summary for readers
 Problem: the reason for the study is not clear
Funnel-shaped, from general to specific
Journal of the International AIDS Society
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