Chapter 32

Question 1

Research articles almost always have the same structure:

Answer 1

Abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion.

Question 2

What are some of the widely used checklists?

Answer 2

1) STROBE
2) CONSORT
3) COREQ
4) PRISMA

Question 3

Outlining a paper down to the paragraph level before writing allows authors to:

Answer 3

1) Track progress towards a complete manuscript

2) Ensure that no critical information is inadvertently omitted.

Question 4

What is the most important function of the abstract?

Answer 4

Advertisement for the manuscript, catching the eye of potential readers.

Question 5

What is a structured abstract?

Answer 5

Uses subheadings, like objective, methods, results, and conclusion, to highlight content.

Question 6

What is an unstructured abstract?

Answer 6

Same outline as structured abstract, but does not list the section titles.

Question 7

What are the three checklists for case series studies?

Answer 7

1) CARE
2) STARD
3) TRIPOD

Question 8

STROBE is a checklist for which 3 studies?

Answer 8

1) Cross-sectional
2) Case-control
3) Cohort

Question 9

What are the 5 checklists for experimental studies?

Answer 9

1) CONSORT
2) SPIRIT
3) SQUIRE
4) CHEERS
5) TREND

Question 10

COREQ and SRQR are a checklists for which type of study?

Answer 10

Qualitative study

Question 11

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have which checklists?

Answer 11

1) PRISMA

2) MOOSE

Question 12

Strong abstracts usually use:

Answer 12

Synonyms

Question 13

What does the introduction section (or background section) typically provide?

Answer 13

Information about key definitions and foundational theories as well as overall goal and specific aims of the paper

Question 14

What does the method section describe?

Answer 14

It describes the study design, data collection, analysis methods, and ethical considerations

Question 15

A well written method section exhibits:

Answer 15

1) Coherence: quality of being logical and consistent

2) Transparency: being open and clear.

Question 16

The results section describes:

Answer 16

The study population and the key quantitative and/or qualitative results (without interpretation), using tables/figures when possible

Question 17

One common organizational strategy for the results section is to:

Answer 17

Match results paragraphs to the specific aims of the study. (1 paragraph for each aim + 1 paragraph for characteristics of study population)

Question 18

Another organizational approach for the results section is to:

Answer 18

Write one paragraph about each table and figure. 

Question 19

Follow the three’s approach to storytelling in a scientific paper:

Answer 19

3 specific aims -> 3 tables -> 3 results -> 3 answers to key questions-> 3 explanations

Question 20

What does the discussion section do?

Answer 20

Begins with a brief summary of the key findings of the new study, then puts them in context by comparing them to previous studies.

Question 21

The answer to the main research question posed at the end of the introduction section should be answered where?

Answer 21

In the first few sentences of the discussion section.

Question 22

Every paper needs to include at least one paragraph in the discussion section about:

Answer 22

The strengths and limitations of the study

Question 23

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

Answer 23

Bias

Question 24

The first paragraph of the discussion should state:

Answer 24

The conclusions and implications of the study.

Question 25

All conclusions must stem directly from:

Answer 25

The results of the study.

Question 26

What is end matter?

Answer 26

The information between the end of the main text of an article (conclusion) and the start of the reference list

Question 27

What is contained in the end matter?

Answer 27

Author affiliations, specific contributions, acknowledgments, ethical aspects, funding, conflicts of interest.

Question 28

What is the most common tables and figures limit?

Answer 28

4 tables and figures combined

Question 29

Tables should be used to

Answer 29

Organize and present statistical results that cannot easily be listed in a sentence

Question 30

Figures should be used when

Answer 30

A visual presentation of the material is more effective than words or numbers at conveying a result

Question 31

A table and/or graph should provide enough information so that it can:

Answer 31

Be independently interpreted and understood even in the absence of the text