Principles of Scientific Writing and Biomedical Publication A JAMA Editors Guide for Authors

Principles of Scientific Writing and Biomedical Publication is a practical, comprehensive, state-of-the-art guide designed to enhance understanding of the principles of scientific publication, promote improved writing and manuscript preparation skills, and help navigate the seemingly complex pathway from manuscript submission, through peer review and revision, to successful publication. The book presents common issues that arise during the scientific publishing process; describes the ethical and practical aspects related to manuscript preparation, reporting research, and writing reviews and opinion articles; and guides authors on effectively interacting with journal editors. The unique feature of this book is that all contributors currently serve or have served as editors for major biomedical journals, including JAMA and the JAMA Network Journals, or have extensive experience and knowledge related to biomedical publications and information dissemination. Collectively, the authors of the 41 chapters in this book have published thousands of articles, including research reports and opinion articles, and have hundreds of "editor-years" of experience serving as editors of major journals. The authors also have been extensively involved with numerous aspects of biomedical publishing, including developing and implementing editorial policies and procedures; organizing and participating in international and national conferences and committees on peer review, scientific publishing, reporting guidelines, and biomedical information dissemination; and teaching scientific writing and publishing at academic centers and major conferences. Accordingly, the information, recommendations, and advice in this book are based on the collective insights of experienced editors and other experts in biomedical publication and will help guide the preparation of high-quality manuscripts suitable for publication in biomedical journals and demystify the scientific publication process.

Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA, Former Executive Editor, JAMA and the JAMA Network; Adjunct Professor, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Annette Flanagin, RN, MA, Executive Managing Editor and Vice President of Editorial Operations, JAMA and the JAMA Network

Philip Greenland, MD, Senior Editor, JAMA; Harry W. Dingman Professor, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Preface
Foreword
Editors and Contributors

Biomedical Journals
1. Principles of Biomedical Writing and Publication-Perspectives and Advice From Editors
Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA, Annette Flanagin, RN, MA, and Philip Greenland, MD
2. Scientific Journals and the Dynamic Publication Landscape
Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA, Howard Bauchner, MD, and Annette Flanagin, RN, MA
3. Selecting a Journal
Jody W. Zylke, MD
4. Electronic Publishing
Michael Berkwits, MD, MSCE

Scientific Writing
5. Formulating an Organized Critical Argument in a Scientific Manuscript
Philip Greenland, MD
6. Strategies for Efficient, Effective Scientific Writing
Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA
7. Advice on Writing for Biomedical Journals
Frederick P. Rivara, MD, MPH
8. Avoiding Spin and Boasting in Scientific Writing
Frederick P. Rivara, MD, MPH
9. Scientific Writing: Tone, Terminology, and Technical Aspects
Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA, and Annette Flanagin, RN, MA

Manuscript Components
10. Creating an Informative and Effective Title
Jody W. Zylke, MD
11. Writing an Informative Abstract
Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA
12. Writing a Compelling Introduction
Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA, and Philip Greenland, MD
13. Writing the Methods Section
Robert M. Golub, MD
14. Presenting the Results Section
Jay F. Piccirillo, MD
15. Writing a Convincing Discussion Section
Jody W. Zylke, MD
16. Referencing and Using Reference Managers
Pamela L. Shaw, MSLIS, MS, Kristi Holmes, PhD, and Philip Greenland, MD
17. Effective Use of Figures and Tables in Scientific Articles
David L. Schriger, MD, MPH, and Stephen M. Schenkel, MD, MPP
18. Creating Effective and Efficient Tables
David L. Schriger, MD, MPH
19. Effective Use of Figures and Graphs in Scientific Publications
Mary L. Disis, MD, and Denise L. Cecil, PhD

Specific Types of Articles
20. Clinical Trials
Neil M. Bressler, MD
21. Meta-Analyses
Christopher C. Muth, MD
22. Review Articles
Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA
23. Brief Reports and Research Letters
Jody W. Zylke, MD
24. Letters to the Editor
Robert M. Golub, MD
25. Editorials
Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA
26. Other Opinion Articles
Jody W. Zylke, MD

Editorial Process and Peer Review
27. Manuscript Assessment and Editorial Decision-Making
Robert Steinbrook, MD, and Rita F. Redberg, MD, MSc
28. Peer Review in Scholarly Publication
Annette Flanagin, RN, MA
29. Reviewing Manuscripts for Peer-Reviewed Journals
Frederick P. Rivara, MD, MPH
30. Communicating and Interacting With Journal Editors
Mary M. McDermott, MD
31. Responding to Journal Decision Letters and Reviewers' Comments
Frederick P. Rivara, MD, MPH
32. Pet Peeves of Editors
Jody W. Zylke, MD

Authorship and Ethical Issues
33. Authorship Criteria and Ethical Aspects
Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA, Howard Bauchner, MD, and Annette Flanagin, RN, MA
34. Group Authorship and Team Science
Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA, Howard Bauchner, MD, and Annette Flanagin, RN, MA
35. Ethical Issues in Biomedical Publication
Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA, Howard Bauchner, MD, and Annette Flanagin, RN, MA
36. Plagiarism
Melina R. Kibbe, MD
37. Conflict of Interest and Biomedical Publication
Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA, Howard Bauchner, MD, and Annette Flanagin, RN, MA
38. Legal Issues in Biomedical Publication
Joseph P. Thornton, JD

Current and Evolving Issues
39. Data Sharing
Howard Bauchner, MD, and Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA
40. Preprints, Preprint Servers, and Biomedical Publication
Gregory D. Curfman, MD
41. Interacting With the News Media
Deanna Bellandi, MPH, and Philip Greenland, MD