Descriptive of study design and objectives

Short and engaging

Avoid abbreviations or acronyms

No brand names

Avoid subtitles

State the hypothesis

Present key methods

Summarise the data—include absolute risks as well as relative risks

Appropriate conclusions

The abstract probably is all the editor (and most readers) will read before deciding to read further. Be sure it is complete and correct

Ensure conclusions are justified by the data—do not extrapolate too far

Identify the clinical or scientific question

Describe the background and rationale for the study clearly and concisely

State a hypothesis and specific aims

Make sure this is the appropriate journal for publication your paper

Review journal objectives

Look to see if papers like yours have been published in this journal

Include a flow chart for inclusion of subjects

Present sample size calculations

Describe methods in enough detail for validation and replication by others

Use statistical approaches appropriate for the data

Show that the study design can provide an answer to the research question

Cite any previous related papers

Explain any potential overlap with previous publications on this patient group or dataset

Results text should exactly match methods section, both content and order

Primarily present data in tables and figures

Keep it simple

Ensure there is no overlap among text, tables and figures

Ensure there are no missing data elements

Use standard tables for baseline demographics and results

Put information in a logical order

Use categories and subcategories effectively to highlight patterns in the data

Keep table titles, labels and footnotes brief.

Tables provide a concise format for detailed data

Define what numbers are being show in each row/column

Use online supplementary tables if needed

See online videos for additional tips on optimal tables

Use graphical displays of quantitative data whenever possible

Choose your graph type carefully for best visual clarity and avoid chart ‘art’

Use boxplots or other graphical displays to show the data distribution, as well as mean values

On life-table graphs, include the number of subjects at risk in each group at several time points along the x-axis

More complex data will require more a complex graphical display

Avoid bar graphs; never use ‘3D’ bar graphs

Use solid grey scale or colour fills rather than patterned fills

Use colour-blind compatible colours (see colorbrewer2.org)

Keep axis titles and labels brief. Use clear labels for units of measure on each axis

Aim to fill the frame to avoid large areas of white space

Start with the key findings and state whether these prove your hypothesis or not

Put your data into the context of previous research—explain any differences

List and discuss limitations of your study

Limit conclusions to those justified by the data

Point out what further research is needed

Use precise wording

A common mistake is to use words that imply causation when only an association has been demonstrated

Provide a balanced and nuanced discussion. You are not writing your own editorial

Clinical trials should be registered prospectively before participant enrolment

Reporting guidelines (research checklists) should be used during study design and manuscript preparation

Major trial registries: http://www.who.int/ictrp/en/

Research checklists and reporting guidelines: http://www.equator-network.org

Many journals require submission of the checklist with the paper

Include Ethics Committee approval and informed consent in the Methods section

Ensure wording of your paper is original

Avoid overlap, even with your own previous publications

Most journals now use platforms that compare the wording of your submission to any previous publication

Additional information at Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) https://publicationethics.org/)

Disclose all associations with commercial entities that might be perceived as a conflict of interest

Some non-financial associations also may be relevant