From Research to Publication Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

From Researchto Publication

Getting Your ManuscriptPublished in the

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and

Dietetics

From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

OVERVIEW

From Research to PublicationGetting Your Manuscript Published in the

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Carol Boushey, PhD, MPH, RDCarol Koprowski, PhD, RDN

Linda Van Horn, PhD, RDLois Ahrens, RDN, LD

Ryan Baechler


OVERVIEW

• Introductiono Mission and Readershipo Layouto Submission

• Manuscript Developmento Research Question and Hypothesiso Objectiveo Study Design

• Writing Tipso Audience and Story Elementso Purpose, Voice, and Word Choiceo Tables, Quiz, and Practice Applications

INTRODUCTION

The Journal advances professional knowledge across a vast range of nutrition research and dietetic practice issues

Mission

Including: • Nutrition Science • Medical Nutrition Therapy• Genetics• Public Health Nutrition• Food Science and Biotechnology• Foodservice Systems• Leadership and Management• Dietetics Education• Nutrition Policy


INTRODUCTIONReadership

• Circulation: Over 75,000 Academy members; more than 1,500 foreign, institutional, and individual non-member subscribers

• Practitioners, researchers, and educators in the science of food, nutrition, and dietetics

• Allied health professionals, including dentists, nurses, physicians, psychologists, and social workers

• Global outreach with numerous foreign authors• Over 70,000 global page views per month• Social media presence through both Elsevier and the

Academy includes Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube


INTRODUCTIONReadership

Recent reader enhancements include:

• Journal app for iOS and Android

• Articles in Press

• Topic Collections

• Podcasts


ORIENTATIONJournal Layout

The Journal has three sections:

• Practice Applicationso Most read article type: Topics of Professional Interest

(80% of readers read at least sometimes)

• Researcho Most read article type: Original Research


• From the Academyo Most read article type: Position Papers



ORIENTATIONPractice Applications

The Practice Applications section includes:• President’s Page

• The MyPlate Message Chronicles

• Topics of Professional Interest

• Business of Dietetics

• Case Study

• Emerging Science and Translational Applications

• Public Policy News

• Letters to the Editor


ORIENTATIONFrom the Academy

The From the Academy section includes:• Position Papers

• Standards of Practice and Professional Performance

• Ethics in Action & Ethics Opinion

• People & Events

• New in Review

• Question of the Month

• Honors & Awards

• Other articles and announcements from the Academy


ORIENTATIONResearch

The Research section includes:

• Research Editorial

• Commentary

• Review (includes Systematic, Narrative, and Evidence Analysis Library reviews)

• Original Research

• Original Research: Brief


ORIENTATIONResearch

• Section name

• Article type

• Informational icons (ie, CPE, podcast, online-only content, open access)

• Article information (ie, history, keywords, supplementary materials)

• CPE instructions


SUBMISSIONElsevier Editorial System


http://ees.elsevier.com/andjrnl/default.asp

SUBMISSIONAuthor Guidelines


http://www.andjrnl.org/content/authorinfo

SUBMISSIONPath to Publication

Reviewed by OE & EIC

ResubmissionReturned to author with

major/minor revisions

Send back for review/OE &

EIC review

Returned to author with

major/minor revisions

Resubmission

Accepted!

Double blind peer reviewElectronic

submission

Reject

Reject

Reject

Reject


MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENTResearch Question

ELEMENT ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICSResearch question: Leads to the objective of the study

•Feasible

•Interesting

•Novel or innovative

•Ethical

•Relevant or worth doing

Features of a good research question and hypothesis:


Adapted from: Boushey C, Harris J et al. J Am Diet Assoc 2006

Hypothesis/Objective

ELEMENT ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICSHypothesis, Objective or Aim: Based on research question and basis for testing statistical significance of findings

•Measurable

•Specifies population being studies

•Identifies time frame

•Indicates type of relationship being examined

•Includes variable(s) being studies

•Defines level of statistical significance

Features of a good research question and hypothesis:


MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT

Adapted from: Boushey C, Harris J et al. J Am Diet Assoc 2006

Place hypothesis or objective in two locations:

• Abstracto Describe the question or problem

addressed and the testable hypotheses (or objective or aim) involved

• Within the manuscripto At the end of the introduction, after a

brief review of the literature

Hypothesis/Objective



Structured Abstract



From: Cohen JFW et al. The CHANGE Study: A healthy-lifestyles intervention to improve rural children’s diet quality. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2014;114(1):48-53.

Objective: Abstract


• Specifies population being studied


Objective: Abstract


• Specifies population being studied• Identifies time frame


Objective: Abstract


• Specifies population being studied• Identifies time frame• Measurable


Objective: Abstract


• Specifies population being studied• Identifies time frame• Measurable• Indicates type of relationship examined


Objective: Abstract


• Specifies population being studied• Identifies time frame• Measurable• Indicates type of relationship examined• Includes variables being studied

o Exposure: Interventiono Outcome: Changes in daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, fruits

and vegetables combined, whole grains, legumes, and dairy intake


Objective: Manuscript


Include the objective in the manuscript, at the end of the introduction


Example of a research objective “… to examine data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the association of dietary fiber intake with body mass index (BMI) in men and women aged 20 to 55 years.” (Holcomb CA, et al. J Am Diet Assoc. 2004;104(12): 1859-1862)• Population being studied: men & women; 20-55 years• Time frame: survey is cross-sectional study design; one point in time• Type of relationship being examined: association between dietary fiber

and BMI• Variables: exposure: dietary fiber intake; influence: BMI• Statistical significance will be accepted at P<0.05

Research Objective



Men and women with the lowest dietary fiber intake had:

A. increased BMI compared to men and women with the highest dietary fiber intake.

B. higher BMI than the men and women with the highest dietary fiber intake.


Cross-sectional (ie, survey)

One point in time

What would be the better choice to describe results?

MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENTStudy Design

Example of a hypothesis: Prospective cohort“Men and women aged 20 to 55 years upon entry to the ABC Cohort with the highest quintile of dietary fiber intake will have a lower increase in body mass index (BMI) than their counterparts in the lowest quintile of dietary fiber intake after 5 years of follow-up.” (Adapted from Boushey C, Harris J, et al. J Am Diet Assoc. 2006;106(1): 89-96)

Study Design



Study Design


Cross-sectional or survey

One point in time

Prospective or longitudinal

Another point in timeOver time

Men and women with the lowest dietary fiber intake:

A. increased BMI less than men and women with the lowest dietary fiber intake.

B. had lower BMI than the men and women with the lowest dietary fiber intake.



Example of a hypothesis: Randomized trial“Overweight or obese men and women aged 20 to 55 years randomly assigned to a diet high in dietary fiber will have improvements in body mass index (BMI) compared to their counterparts receiving a diet low in dietary fiber after 12 week of follow-up.” (Adapted from Boushey C, Harris J, et al. J Am Diet Assoc. 2006;106(1): 89-96)

Study Design



Study Design


Cross-sectional or survey

One point in time

Randomized trial

Another point in timeOver time

Men and women assigned to the highest dietary fiber intake:

A. decreased BMI more than men and women with the lowest dietary fiber intake.

B. had lower BMI than the men and women with the lowest dietary fiber intake.


Low dietary

fiber

High dietary

fiber


Study Design


Case-control study

Case and control ascertainment

Cases:eg, renal cancer

Controls:eg, cancer-

free

Recall exposureReference time:eg, one year prior

Administration of questionnaire to

assess dietary exposures


Reference to change in risk is unique to prospective study design, case-control study design, or the randomized trial• Total dietary fiber intake was associated with a significant 15-20% lower

risk of obesity in the two highest quintiles compared with the lowest (P-trend = 0.05)

• Refined grain intake was positively associated with obesity risk in a comparison of quintile 5 with quintile 1 (Hazard ratio: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.39; P-trend = 0.04)

• Prospective or randomized trial: Hazard ratio & relative risk

• Case-control study: Odds ratio that translates to a relative risk

Results



You are the reviewer …Aim: The objective of this study was to use the data from 18-59-year-old American men and women in a nationally representative data sample to investigate the association between dietary fiber intake level and body weight status.

Results


Results: The risk for overweight/obesity decreased significantly by 21% from adults in the highest quartile of dietary fiber intake compared to those in the lowest quartile (OR = 0.79; P value = 0.031). There was a trend of decreasing risk for overweight/obesity with increasing dietary fiber among men and women less than 60 years old.

Study design? Do the results match what you think the study design might be?

Passage was adapted from results reported using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)—cross-sectional or survey


Study design red flags• Cross-sectional studies are often reported as if the study were

a longitudinal or prospective study

• Study results and conclusions are often described as if a randomized trial were carried out

• Reviewers want to read results and conclusions written to match the:o Strengths of the design usedo Hypothesis/research objective/aimo Exposures and influences or outcomes assessed

Results



Results reflect data, discussion reflects results

Results



What we tend to want to write when P > 0.05• Definition of “spin”

o In the context of a trial with statistically nonsignificant primary outcomes, spin defines the use of specific reporting strategies, from whatever motive, to highlight that the experimental treatment is beneficial, despite a statistically nonsignificant difference for the primary outcome, or to distract the reader from statistically nonsignificant results. (Boutron I, et al. JAMA. 2010; 303(20):2058-2064)

Results



Results


From: Boutron I, Dutton S, Ravaud P, Altman DG. Reporting and interpretation of randomized controlled trials with statistically nonsignificant results for primary outcomes. JAMA. 2010;303(20): 2058-2064.

72 RCTs with statistically nonsignificant results for all primary outcomes identified an included in analysis


Results




Results




Conclusion on “spin”• In this representative sample of RCTs published in 2006 with

statistically nonsignificant primary outcomes, the reporting and interpretation of findings was frequently inconsistent with the results. (Boutron I, et al. JAMA. 2010; 303(20):2058-2064)

• In other words, the advice that, “Results reflect data, discussion reflects results” was not followed.

Results



Be true to the study• Importance of taking control

• Okay to state that results weren’t expected. The unanticipated results:o Provide some commentary

o Show application to practice (generalizability)

o Make the bridge for readers

• State study limitationso Deflect the reviewers’ opportunity to do so first!

Results



Resources


The Research Methodology Collection includes eight articles on publishing nutrition research written by current and former members of the Journal’s Board of Editors and the Editor-in-Chief’s office staff.


http://www.andjrnl.org/content/researchDesign

WRITING TIPSAudience


When you are writing anything, you are writing for the reader.

• Reviewers are readers.

• Reviewers are not editors.

WRITING TIPSStory


Your manuscript should tell a story.

WRITING TIPSStory Elements


Stories have certain key elements.

Characters Action&

WRITING TIPSStory Elements


How a scientist might write this scene:

The porcine habitat had been constructed with Medicago sativa and had been nullified by a series of inhalations followed by exhalations that had been delivered at maximum expiratory force by a Canis lupis.

What is the purpose of this study?

• Poorly written example:o In this study we aimed to investigate an intervention to

determine whether utilizing text reminders was an effective means of enhancing fruit and vegetable intake in a population of schools.

• Better example:o We evaluated a school-based intervention that uses text

messages to increase fruit and vegetable intake.

WRITING TIPSPurpose


WRITING TIPSAvoid Overwriting


Substitute words for phrases

WORDY PHRASE SHORTER SUBSTITUE

In this study we assessed The study assessed

Conduct an investigation of Investigate

Undertake an examination of Study

The analysis presented in this paper The analysis showed

At the present time; at this point in time Now

From: Greene AE. Writing in Plain English. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press; 2013

WRITING TIPSWord Choice


Name your characters using subjects as opposed to abstract nouns.

VERB ABSTRACT NOUN

Understand Understanding

Demonstrate Demonstration

Develop Development

Manipulate Manipulation

Observe Observation

From: Greene AE. Writing in Plain English. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press; 2013

WRITING TIPSWord Choice


Example of using an abstract noun:

• The behavioral manifestations of stress eating have been shown to result in weight gain, increased sense of shame, and decreased ability to self-regulate.

Clearer example:

• Stress eating manifests as weight gain, increased sense of shame, and decreased ability to self-regulate.

WRITING TIPSVoice


Avoid passive voice:

• Study participants were counseled by trained dietitians.

Use active voice:

• Trained dietitians counseled the study participants.

Avoid possessives regarding participants:

• Trained dietitians counseled our study participants.

WRITING TIPSTables


What story does this table tell?Table 1. Demographic and study characteristics

Mean (SD)

Age 60.7 (9.4)

• Race/ethnicity/study site n (%)

• Non-Hispanic White, New Mexico 221 (45.1)

• Non-Hispanic White, western Washington 92 (18.8)

• Hispanic 53 (10.8)

• Black 124 (25.3)

Hormones/peptides Mean (95% CI)

• Estradol, pg/mL 14.4 (13.5-15.4)

• Leptin, ng/mL 20.2 (18.9-21.5)

• C-peptide, ng/mL 2.4 (2.3-2.5)

WRITING TIPSTables


What story does this table tell?Table 1. Demographic and lifestyle characteristics and serum hormone and peptide measures from the Health, Eating, Activity, and Lifestyle cohort study of breast cancer survivors at 24-month follow-up (n=490 women)

Mean (SD)a

Age 60.7 (9.4)

• Race/ethnicity/study site n (%)

• Non-Hispanic White, New Mexico 221 (45.1)

• Non-Hispanic White, western Washington 92 (18.8)

• Hispanic 53 (10.8)

• Black 124 (25.3)

Hormones/peptides Mean (95% CI)b

• Estradol, pg/mLc (n=483) 14.4 (13.5-15.4)

• Leptin, ng/mLc (n=488) 20.2 (18.9-21.5)

• C-peptide, ng/mL 2.4 (2.3-2.5)a SD=standard deviation; b CI=confidence interval; c geometric mean

WRITING TIPSQuiz


What is the subject of this sentence?• It was necessary to remove 27 participants from the analysis

due to implausible dietary data.

A. DataB. ItC. ParticipantsD. Good question

WRITING TIPSQuiz


Does this revised sentence correct the problem?• A total of 27 participants were removed from the analysis due

to implausible dietary data.

A. YesB. No

Corrected sentence:• We excluded 27 participants with implausible dietary

data from the analysis

WRITING TIPSPractice Applications


• Excellent resources are available to guide you in your scientific writing—use them.

• Tell the story—think characters and action.

• Always think about the reader!

Documents

From Research to Publication Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics