From Research
to Publication
Getting Your Manuscript
Published in the
Journal of the Academy
of Nutrition and Dietetics
OVERVIEW
From Research to Publication
Getting Your Manuscript Published in the
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Carol Boushey, PhD, MPH, RD
Carol Koprowski, PhD, RDN
Linda Van Horn, PhD, RD
Lois Ahrens, RDN, LD
Ryan Baechler
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
OVERVIEW
• Introduction
o Mission and Readership
o Layout
o Submission
• Manuscript Development
o Research Question and Hypothesis
o Objective
o Study Design
• Writing Tips
o Audience and Story Elements
o Purpose, Voice, and Word Choice
o Tables, Quiz, and Practice Applications
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
INTRODUCTION
Mission
The Journal advances professional knowledge across a vast
range of nutrition research and dietetic practice issues
Including:
• Nutrition Science
• Medical Nutrition Therapy
• Genetics
• Public Health Nutrition
• Food Science and Biotechnology
• Foodservice Systems
• Leadership and Management
• Dietetics Education
• Nutrition Policy
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
INTRODUCTION
Readership
• 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
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
INTRODUCTION
Readership
Recent reader enhancements include:
• Journal app for iOS and Android
• Articles in Press
• Topic Collections
• Podcasts
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
ORIENTATION
Journal Layout
The Journal has three sections:
• Practice Applications
o
Most read article type: Topics of Professional Interest
(80% of readers read at least sometimes)
• Research
o
Most read article type: Original Research
(79% of readers read at least sometimes)
• From the Academy
o
Most read article type: Position Papers
(85% of readers read at least sometimes)
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
ORIENTATION
Practice Applications
The Practice Applications section includes:
• President’s Page
• The MyPlate Message Chronicles
• Topics of Professional Interest
• Letters to the Editor
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
ORIENTATION
From 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
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
ORIENTATION
Research
The Research section includes:
• Research Editorial
• Commentary
• Review (includes Systematic, Narrative, and
Evidence Analysis Library reviews)
• Original Research
• Original Research: Brief
• Case Study
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
ORIENTATION
Research
• Section name
• Article type
• Informational icons (ie,
CPE, podcast, online-only
content, open access)
• Article information (ie,
history, keywords,
supplementary materials)
• CPE instructions
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
SUBMISSION
Elsevier Editorial System
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
SUBMISSION
Author Guidelines
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
SUBMISSION
Path to Publication
Send back for
review/OE &
EIC review
Returned to
author with
major/minor
revisions
Returned to
author with
major/minor
revisions
Resubmission
Reject
Reject
Accepted!
Reviewed by
OE & EIC
Reject
Reject
Resubmission
Electronic
submission
Double blind
peer review
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Research Question
Features of a good research question and hypothesis:
ELEMENT
Research question:
Leads to the objective
of the study
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
• Feasible
• Interesting
• Novel or innovative
• Ethical
• Relevant or worth doing
Adapted from: Boushey C, Harris J et al. J Am Diet Assoc 2006
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Hypothesis/Objective
Features of a good research question and hypothesis:
ELEMENT
Hypothesis, Objective
or Aim: Based on
research question and
basis for testing
statistical significance
of findings
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
• Measurable
• Specifies population being studies
• Identifies time frame
• Indicates type of relationship being examined
• Includes variable(s) being studies
• Defines level of statistical significance
Adapted from: Boushey C, Harris J et al. J Am Diet Assoc 2006
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Hypothesis/Objective
Place hypothesis or objective in two locations:
• Abstract
o Describe the question or problem
addressed and the testable hypotheses
(or objective or aim) involved
• Within the manuscript
o At the end of the introduction, after a
brief review of the literature
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
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.
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Objective: Abstract
• Specifies population being studied
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Objective: Abstract
• Specifies population being studied
• Identifies time frame
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Objective: Abstract
• Specifies population being studied
• Identifies time frame
• Measurable
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Objective: Abstract
•
•
•
•
Specifies population being studied
Identifies time frame
Measurable
Indicates type of relationship examined
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Objective: Abstract
•
•
•
•
•
Specifies population being studied
Identifies time frame
Measurable
Indicates type of relationship examined
Includes variables being studied
o
o
Exposure: Intervention
Outcome: Changes in daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, fruits
and vegetables combined, whole grains, legumes, and dairy intake
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Objective: Manuscript
Include the objective in
the manuscript, at the
end of the introduction
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Research Objective
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): 18591862)
•
•
•
•
•
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
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Study Design
Cross-sectional (ie, survey)
What would be the better choice to
describe results?
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.
One point in time
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Study 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)
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Study Design
Cross-sectional or survey
What would be the better choice to
describe results?
Prospective or longitudinal
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.
One point in time
Over time
Another point in time
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Study Design
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)
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Study Design
Cross-sectional or survey
What would be the better choice to
describe results?
Randomized trial
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.
One point in time
Over time
Another point in time
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Study Design
Case-control study
Administration of
questionnaire to
assess dietary
exposures
Reference time:
eg, one year prior
Cases:
eg, renal
cancer
Controls:
eg, cancerfree
Recall exposure
Case and control
ascertainment
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Results
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 (Ptrend = 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
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
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: 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
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Results
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
o
o
Strengths of the design used
Hypothesis/research objective/aim
Exposures and influences or outcomes assessed
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Results
Results reflect data,
discussion reflects results
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
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)
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Results
72 RCTs with statistically nonsignificant
results for all primary outcomes
identified an included in analysis
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.
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
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.
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
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.
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
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):20582064)
• In other words, the advice that, “Results reflect data,
discussion reflects results” was not followed.
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
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 limitations
o
Deflect the reviewers’ opportunity to do so first!
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
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 Editorin-Chief’s office staff.
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
WRITING TIPS
Audience
When you are writing anything, you are writing for
the reader.
• Reviewers are readers.
• Reviewers are not editors.
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
WRITING TIPS
Story
Your manuscript should tell a story.
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
WRITING TIPS
Story Elements
Stories have certain key elements.
Characters
&
Action
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
WRITING TIPS
Story 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.
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
WRITING TIPS
Purpose
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.
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
WRITING TIPS
Avoid 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
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
WRITING TIPS
Word 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
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
WRITING TIPS
Word 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 selfregulate.
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
WRITING TIPS
Voice
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.
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
WRITING TIPS
Tables
What story does this table tell?
Table 1. Demographic and study characteristics
Mean (SD)
Age
60.7 (9.4)
•
Race/ethnicity/study site
•
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
n (%)
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)
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
WRITING TIPS
Tables
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 24month follow-up (n=490 women)
Mean (SD)a
Age
60.7 (9.4)
•
Race/ethnicity/study site
•
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
n (%)
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
a
2.4 (2.3-2.5)
SD=standard deviation; b CI=confidence interval; c geometric mean
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
WRITING TIPS
Quiz
What is the subject of this sentence?
• It was necessary to remove 27 participants from the analysis
due to implausible dietary data.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Data
It
Participants
Good question
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
WRITING TIPS
Quiz
Does this revised sentence correct the problem?
• A total of 27 participants were removed from the analysis due
to implausible dietary data.
A. Yes
B. No
Corrected sentence:
• We excluded 27 participants with implausible dietary
data from the analysis
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
WRITING TIPS
Practice 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!
From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics