Manuscript Template for Clinical Research

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Templatefor the Preparation of a Clinical Research Manuscript for Publication

How to Use the Template: Fill in the blank areas beneath each section and delete the template, leaving the bold-faced headings.

This template is to serve as a guideline only and should be modified as needed based on the specific journal’s instructions for authors.

For more information about writing in a clear and concise style, contact

Washington University

Office of Faculty Affairs

Karen Dodson

314-362-4181

Washington University School of Medicine contributors to developing this template:

Ingrid Borecki, PhD

Jay Piccirillo, MD

Karen Dodson, MBA

Title

Author 1

Author 2

…

Last Author

For authorship guidelines, see your journal or

From: (Institutional affiliations)

Correspondence: (Name and contact information for corresponding author)

Acknowledge Funding Source

Running Title:

Key Words:

______

Abstract (Structured or unstructured? Word limit? Check journal guidelines)

  • Start with 1-2 sentences of background
  • State objective in one sentence
  • Start describing the results, briefly mentioning the methodological approach
  • Link findings to one another using a logical thread
  • One-line conclusion

______

Introduction

  • Provides the (public health) significance of the study
  • Explains how your study “fits”with the existing literature and extends it
  • Broad theoretical background moving to clear statement of present study aim
  • Be sure to explain what you expected and why
  • Conclude with statement of “The goal of this study was to ...... ”

______

Methods

Example (modify based on actual research and journal requirements):

Study Design

Study Population

StudyVariables

Independent

Dependent

Statistical Analysis

Sample Size, Power

IRB Approval

______

Results

Description of the data at hand (means, variance of phenotypes, Ns, etc.)

Based on the main findings of the paper:

  • Develop a series of tables / figures that highlight the main findings in a logical order
  • Accompany with a narrative that highlights the notable results, those that build your story (which is interpreted in the discussion)
  • Divide results section only if there are distinct aspects of the results

______

Discussion

  • Paragraph 1 –Summarize in broad strokes what you found relating to the last sentence of the Introduction “The goal of this study was to.....”; draw conclusions
  • Paragraph 2 –“This result adds to our understanding of XXX”
  • Paragraph 3 –Put your results into the context of the current literature, explaining what is novel, how your work advances the field and compare and contrast to published studies as needed.
  • Paragraph 4 –Limitations – point them out, but also argue why they are not “fatal flaws”
  • Paragraph 5 –Conclusion and future work to be done

______

Conclusions

Conflict of Interest Statement

Acknowledgments

References

1