6. Abstract
• The abstract is a summary of the article.
• Most journals limit abstracts to a maximum of 150 to
250 words.
• A structured abstract uses subheadings, like
objective, methods, results, and conclusion, to
highlight content.
• An unstructured abstract usually follows the same
outline but does not list the section titles.
7. Introduction / Background
• The introduction provides the background
information that a reader must know to understand
the methods and results of the article.
• Most introduction sections conclude with a statement
about the importance or significance of the study and
the specific aims, objectives, or hypotheses that the
paper will address.
8. Methods
• The methods section should begin by clearly
identifying the study design used.
• Definitions should be provided for the key exposures,
outcomes, and other variables.
• All data collection methods should be described.
• Ethical considerations should be briefly described.
• The section should end with a description of the
statistical methods used.
9. Results
• The results section should start with a description of
the study population.
• Additional results of statistical analysis should then
be provided.
• Tables and figures should be used to provide results
when possible.
10. Discussion
• The discussion section usually begins with a
summary of the key findings of the new study.
• The next paragraphs should compare the new study to
previous studies.
• Every paper needs to include at least one paragraph
on the limitations of the study.
• The final paragraph of the discussion should state the
conclusions and implications of the study.
11. Endmatter
• Some journals list information between the
conclusion and the reference list.
• The endmatter may include author affiliations and
contributions, acknowledgments, information about
some ethical aspects of research, a list of funding
sources, and/or disclosure about possible conflicts of
interest.
12. Tables & Figures
• Many health journals limit the number of tables and
figures allowed for each article, often to a maximum
total of four (tables and figures combined).
• This limit means that the content for tables and
figures must be carefully selected to highlight the
most important aspects of the study.
13. Tables & Figures
• Tables should be used to organize and present
statistical results that cannot easily be listed in the
text in a sentence or two.
• Graphs and other figures should be used when a
visual presentation of the material is more effective
than words at conveying a result.
• Any images used should be meaningful, not merely
decorative.
• There is no need to repeat information in the text that
is provided in a table or figure.
14. Tables
• A table should provide enough information so that it
can be independently interpreted and understood even
in the absence of the text.
• The rows and columns should each have a descriptive
label.
• For each statistic, provide a confidence interval, p-
value, and/or other measure of uncertainty.
• Consistent fonts, spacing, and number of decimal
points should be used for all tables in the manuscript.
15. FIGURE 29- 1 Example Frequency
Table for a Case Series
16. Figures
• A graph should provide enough information in the
title, figure, and/or legend or key for a reader to be
able to interpret the graph even without reading the
related portion of the text.
• High-resolution photographs, maps, flowcharts, and
other images made by the authors can also be figures.
• Photographs of study participants are usually not
allowed without the written permission of the
subjects.
17. FIGURE 29- 2 Examples of Correct
and Problematic Graphs
18. FIGURE 29- 3 Key Content for Articles
Reporting on Analysis of Individual-Level Data
19. FIGURE 29- 3 Key Content for Articles
Reporting on Analysis of Individual-Level Data
