Not all articles are created equal.
Chapter 1 of the AMA Manual of Style reviews the different types of articles encountered in a typical scientific journal.
While most professionals are familiar with the standard research article, chapter 1 reviews the nuances between a systemic review verses a narrative review, the differences between invited commentaries and letters, and the distinction between educational articles and otherwise topical reviews.
The chapter then outlines the requirements of a scientific research article. Research articles advance our knowledge and provide scientists, academics, and healthcare professionals with new insights. To ensure clarity and transparency, results are published in established formats and follow recognized guidelines.
The Standard Scientific Article
Scientific journals expect research articles to maintain a consistent format. This generally includes the following components:
- Word Count: 3,000–3,500 words
- Tables/Figures: Fewer than 5
- References: 50 to 75
- Abstract: A structured summary of the study’s purpose, methods, results, and conclusions
- Key Points: Highlighting the main points
- Adherence to guideline checklists: the guideline required will depend on the type of study conducted
Reporting Guidelines
Reporting guidelines were created to promote transparency, accuracy, and consistency in scientific research. They help provide a framework for authors to present their findings in a way that facilitates peer review and future replication.
In addition to specific reporting guidelines, many journals follow the Recommendations for Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publishing of Scholarly Works in Medical Journals set out by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). More information can be found at www.icmje.org.
The following are some commonly used guidelines.
Clinical trials: CONSORT
The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guideline ensures that authors provide detailed information about the trial’s design, conduct, analysis, and results. The checklist includes:
- Participant flow diagrams
- Randomization methods
- Blinding procedures
- Statistical analyses
Observational Studies: STROBE
The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guideline applies to cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies. Key elements of STROBE include:
- Clear definitions of study variables
- Detailed descriptions of the population and sampling methods
- Addressing potential confounders
Meta-Analysis: PRISMA or MOOSE
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses require meticulous reporting to ensure reproducibility. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) is the most widely used guideline for this purpose. The PRISMA checklist includes:
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
- Search strategy and database use
- Data extraction methods
- Risk of bias assessment
Alternatively, MOOSE (Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) provides guidance for reporting meta-analyses of observational studies.
Non-Randomized Controlled Trials: TREND
The Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Non-randomized Designs (TREND) guideline addresses non-randomized intervention studies. It includes specific recommendations for:
- Intervention descriptions
- Contextual factors influencing outcomes
- Ethical considerations
Trial Protocols: SPRINT
The Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guideline focuses on the reporting of trial protocols. It emphasizes transparency in:
- Study objectives
- Design and methodology
- Ethical approvals
Economic Evaluations: CHEERS
The Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) guideline applies to economic evaluations of health interventions and decision-analytical models, and helps ensure economic evaluations are easy to interpret and helpful for decision making. It includes recommendations for:
- Perspective and context of the analysis
- How the costs were measured
- Outcome measures and overall impact
Quality Improvement: SQUIRE
The Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE) guideline is used for reporting studies focused on healthcare quality improvement initiatives. SQUIRE emphasizes:
- Context of the improvement initiative
- Methods to measure outcomes
- The sustainability of the improvements
Lastly, The EQUATOR (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) Network is a global initiative that aims to improve the quality of research publications by promoting accurate and transparent reporting in all research. It maintains a comprehensive library of all reporting guidelines, including those discussed above. For more information, visit www.equator-network.org.