Chapter 32 Flashcards
Research articles almost always have the same structure:
Abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion.
What are some of the widely used checklists?
1) STROBE
2) CONSORT
3) COREQ
4) PRISMA
Outlining a paper down to the paragraph level before writing allows authors to:
1) Track progress towards a complete manuscript
2) Ensure that no critical information is inadvertently omitted.
What is the most important function of the abstract?
Advertisement for the manuscript, catching the eye of potential readers.
What is a structured abstract?
Uses subheadings, like objective, methods, results, and conclusion, to highlight content.
What is an unstructured abstract?
Same outline as structured abstract, but does not list the section titles.
What are the three checklists for case series studies?
1) CARE
2) STARD
3) TRIPOD
STROBE is a checklist for which 3 studies?
1) Cross-sectional
2) Case-control
3) Cohort
What are the 5 checklists for experimental studies?
1) CONSORT
2) SPIRIT
3) SQUIRE
4) CHEERS
5) TREND
COREQ and SRQR are a checklists for which type of study?
Qualitative study
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have which checklists?
1) PRISMA
2) MOOSE
Strong abstracts usually use:
Synonyms
What does the introduction section (or background section) typically provide?
Information about key definitions and foundational theories as well as overall goal and specific aims of the paper
What does the method section describe?
It describes the study design, data collection, analysis methods, and ethical considerations
A well written method section exhibits:
1) Coherence: quality of being logical and consistent
2) Transparency: being open and clear.
The results section describes:
The study population and the key quantitative and/or qualitative results (without interpretation), using tables/figures when possible
One common organizational strategy for the results section is to:
Match results paragraphs to the specific aims of the study. (1 paragraph for each aim + 1 paragraph for characteristics of study population)
Another organizational approach for the results section is to:
Write one paragraph about each table and figure. 
Follow the three’s approach to storytelling in a scientific paper:
3 specific aims -> 3 tables -> 3 results -> 3 answers to key questions-> 3 explanations
What does the discussion section do?
Begins with a brief summary of the key findings of the new study, then puts them in context by comparing them to previous studies.
The answer to the main research question posed at the end of the introduction section should be answered where?
In the first few sentences of the discussion section.
Every paper needs to include at least one paragraph in the discussion section about:
The strengths and limitations of the study
The limitation paragraph should identify potential types of ____ and other problems that could make the study results inaccurate, invalid, or not generalizable beyond the study population
Bias
The first paragraph of the discussion should state:
The conclusions and implications of the study.
All conclusions must stem directly from:
The results of the study.
What is end matter?
The information between the end of the main text of an article (conclusion) and the start of the reference list
What is contained in the end matter?
Author affiliations, specific contributions, acknowledgments, ethical aspects, funding, conflicts of interest.
What is the most common tables and figures limit?
4 tables and figures combined
Tables should be used to
Organize and present statistical results that cannot easily be listed in a sentence
Figures should be used when
A visual presentation of the material is more effective than words or numbers at conveying a result
A table and/or graph should provide enough information so that it can:
Be independently interpreted and understood even in the absence of the text
