PHC 6934: Scientific Writing and Oral Presentations in Epidemiology &
Biostatistics
3 Credits
GENERAL INFORMATION
Course prerequisites: PHC 6000, 6013, 6064, and 6065 or consent of the instructor
DESCRIPTION
This course covers the process of planning and preparing epidemiological/biostatistical papers
and oral presentations via class discussion, critical evaluation of published articles, and
preparation of a manuscript. Students will gain practical experience crafting an abstract,
manuscript, and presentation and will learn how to review articles, use proper referencing, and
hone their scientific writing skills.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course, the students will be able to:
1. Identify key sources of data for epidemiologic research
2. Explain the structure of scientific manuscripts
3. Develop effective scientific writing skills through:
a) Describing the process of manuscript preparation and submission
b) Constructing a well-developed literature review, including describing the
problem in terms of magnitude, person, time and place
c) Accurately identifying and generating hypotheses
d) Understanding and applying study design (e.g., use of epidemiological terms and
measures)
e) Reporting study data, communicating data to both lay and professional
audiences, and drawing appropriate inferences from data
f) Evaluating strengths and limitations of data
g) Using and correctly citing references
4. Explain ethical and legal principles related to the collection, maintenance, use and
dissemination of epidemiologic data in addition to ethical issues related to manuscript
preparation and publication
5. Develop effective oral presentation skills
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PHC 6934 – Scientific Writing and Oral Presentations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Changes or Modifications: The Instructor reserves the right to change, alter, add, or delete from the
content of this course as deemed appropriate by the Instructor based upon students’ needs.
M
MPH CORE / CONCENTRATION-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
This course will assist students in developing the following MPH core competencies:
COMPETENCY
COURSE OBJECTIVE
Use epidemiologic measures to describe public
3b
health conditions in a population in terms of
magnitude, person, place, and time.
Use information technology to interpret and
3b,3e, 3g, 5
communicate public health data to lay and
professional audiences.
Identify key sources of data for use in epidemiologic 1, 3b
studies.
Critically evaluate reports of epidemiologic studies. 2, 3b, 3f, 4
Appraise the direction and magnitude of bias on
measures of association and interpret them
appropriately.
Calculate and interpret measures of association.
3b, 3d, 3e, 3f
3e
Competencies that are reinforced in this course:
COMPETENCY
COURSE OBJECTIVE
Evaluate a surveillance system observing ethical
3f, 4
and legal principles pertaining to the collection, use
and dissemination of data.
Examine data for confounding and effect
3f
modification and interpret appropriately.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
1. Day RA & Gastel B. How to write and publish a scientific paper. Sixth Edition.
Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006. ISBN: 0-313-33040-9
2. Matthews JR, Bowen JM, Matthew RW. Successful Scientific Writing: A Step-by-Step
Guide for Biomedical Scientists. Cambridge University Press, 2000.
Additional references
1. Byrne DW. Publishing your medical research paper. What they don’t teach in medical
school. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1998. ISBN: 0-683-30074-1
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PHC 6934 – Scientific Writing and Oral Presentations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Changes or Modifications: The Instructor reserves the right to change, alter, add, or delete from the
content of this course as deemed appropriate by the Instructor based upon students’ needs.
2. Iverson C, et al. American Medical Association Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and
Editors. 9th Ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins. 1997.
3. Helpful website: FIU Online Writing Lab: http://w3.fiu.edu/enc/Writing%20Lab.htm
Additional required reading:
1. Ahmed NU, Ahmed NS, Semenya KA, Elzey JD, Larson C, Bennett CR, Hinds JE.
Prevalence and correlates of initiation of smoking behavior among preteen black and
white children. J Natl Med Asoc 2004;96(2):200-208.
2. Alexander GR. A guide to reviewing manuscripts. Maternal Child Health J 2005;9(1):
113-117.
3. Booth V. Before you lecture or talk to us, please read this. Communicating in Science:
Writing a scientific paper and speaking at scientific meetings. 2nd Edition. pp 28-40.
Available on reserve.
4. Hacker D. Tips for Evaluating Sources. Available at:
http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/tips.html.
5. Lowe HF, Barnett GO. Understanding and using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
vocabulary to perform literature searches. JAMA 1994;271:1103-8. Available on reserve.
6. Northridge ME, Susser M. Annotation: Seven fatal flaws in submitted manuscripts. Am J
Public Health 1994;84:718-719.
7. OWL at Purdue University. Avoiding Plagiarism.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/research/PDFs/r_plagiar.pdf
OWL at Purdue University. Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/research/PDFs/r_quotprsum.pdf
CLASS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The class will meet once per week for 2 hours 40 minutes. Students are responsible for reading
all assignments prior to class and for being prepared for class. This course is web-assisted. The
syllabus, assignments, reading materials and all course communication are available through
Blackboard (www.online.fiu.edu). Students are responsible for accessing Blackboard often to
obtain all course content, communication and/or changes, and to upload all class assignments.
Participation
Class participation will be evaluated based on class attendance and participation in class
exercises. This includes, but is not limited to, demonstrated understanding of reading
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PHC 6934 – Scientific Writing and Oral Presentations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Changes or Modifications: The Instructor reserves the right to change, alter, add, or delete from the
content of this course as deemed appropriate by the Instructor based upon students’ needs.
assignments. One absence is granted for each student. For each additional absence, the
participation grade will decrease by 5 points (e.g. 1 additional absence will decrease a
participation grade of 100 to 95, 2 from 100 to 90, etc.).
Submission of draft manuscript sections
Each portion of the manuscript is to be turned in separately as specified by the due dates
outlined in the syllabus. This is to help pace the student’s writing and make sure that the
student focuses clearly on the requirements for each section. These sections will be compiled
into the initial manuscript. Please submit via Blackboard before 5 p.m. on due date and bring a
hard copy to class.
Manuscript Reviews
Students will be assigned to a 2 person review group. Each group will review 2 student
manuscripts. Group members will submit an individual review of each manuscript AND a group
review of each manuscript. The group review exercise will be done in class.
Manuscript
The manuscript is to be written for a professional audience, using the exact submission
guidelines from the American Journal of Public Health (available on-line). The manuscript must
be 12-15 double-spaced pages in length, not including title page, abstract, acknowledgments,
references, tables or figures. This manuscript is considered a Research and Practice submission.
Manuscript referencing:
Reference at least 25 JOURNAL articles APA style + include the page number in the
specific citation. The addition of the page number in the citation is contrary to the journal
submission requirements, but is an instructor requirement.
You may use this link to help you understand what is expected of APA style referencing:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
o
o
Example of citation in text:
County median income was shown to be strongly related to mortality (Wilkinson &
Pickett, 2008, p. 701.)
Example of reference:
Wilkinson, R.G., & Picket, K.E. (2008). Income inequality and socioeconomic gradients
in mortality. American Journal of Public Health, 98, 699-704.
Further help is available from the FIU Reading/Writing Lab:
University Park Campus, PC 247
(305) 348-2180
There are two due dates for the manuscript:
1. The version for peer review is due on . Please bring 3 copies of your manuscript. Your
name should be on only one copy. These copies are to include a cover letter to the
journal editor and the full manuscript in AJPH submission form.
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PHC 6934 – Scientific Writing and Oral Presentations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Changes or Modifications: The Instructor reserves the right to change, alter, add, or delete from the
content of this course as deemed appropriate by the Instructor based upon students’ needs.
2. The final manuscript (after corrections have been made based on the reviews received)
is due to the instructor on as a hard copy and via Blackboard and to
TURNITIN.COM for plagiarism review.
The final submission must include the following, in order:
 Cover letter to journal editor
 Response to peer reviews
 Manuscript in AJPH submission form
 Copies of manuscript reviews from your peers
The grading criteria for the final manuscript are:
70% of the grade is based on content, quality of writing, referencing (including correct
citation), compliance with journal instructions, and cover letter
30% of the grade is based on how well the student responded to the reviewers comments.
Students must turn in the actual peer reviews with the final manuscript in order to
determine whether they have responded to the reviewer comments. If the reviews
are not received, students will lose 30% of the final manuscript grade.
Oral presentation
Students will deliver a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation on their topic which will cover the
same information from the manuscript submission. MPH in Epidemiology students have
additional required information to cover as shown on the last page of syllabus. The
presentation will be followed by a 10-minute question and answer session. The presentation
should include tables and figures created by the student depicting the data, and should be
aimed at a lay audience. Specific instructions are found on the Course Content page of
Blackboard. The presentation is to be uploaded to Blackboard.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED
Note the deadlines for uploading all assignments to Blackboard. The system will NOT allow
you to upload any assignment once the deadline has passed. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST
MINUTE TO UPLOAD YOUR ASSIGNMENTS. Glitches in your home computer are not a valid
excuse for late assignments. The system allows for monitoring: We are able to see the dates
and times you log on to the system, which pages you go to, how long you spend online (i.e.,
we can see when you log in at 4:50 p.m. with a 4:55 p.m. deadline.) Your home clock may
differ from the system clock; we use the system clock.
Student conduct
Any successful learning experience requires mutual respect on behalf of the student and the
instructor. The instructor, as well as the fellow students, should not be subjected to any
student's behavior that is in any way disruptive, rude, or challenging to the instructor's authority
in the classroom. A student should not feel intimidated or demeaned by his/her instructor and
students must remember that the instructor has primary responsibility for control over
classroom behavior and maintenance of academic integrity.
NO FOOD OR DRINK IS ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM.
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PHC 6934 – Scientific Writing and Oral Presentations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Changes or Modifications: The Instructor reserves the right to change, alter, add, or delete from the
content of this course as deemed appropriate by the Instructor based upon students’ needs.
ALL CELL PHONES ARE TO BE TURNED OFF IN CLASS.
INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO USE PLAGIARISM PREVENTION SOFTWARE.
This syllabus is subject to change by the instructor.
EVALUATION AND GRADING
Students will be evaluated on the following basis:
Classroom Participation and in-class exercises
Submission of draft manuscript sections
Manuscript review
Final Manuscript
Oral Presentation
Total
10%
25%
10%
30%
25%
100%
*Competency Assessment: Final draft of scientific manuscript and the oral presentation will be
used to assess the two core competencies and three concentration-specific competencies.
Grading rubric is attached to the syllabus.
Grading Scale
A
AB+
B
BC+
92.6 – 100
89.6 – 92.5
86.6 – 89.5
82.6 – 86.5
79.6 – 82.5
76.6 – 79.6
C
CD+
D
DF
72.6 – 76.5
69.6 – 72.5
66.6 – 69.5
62.6 – 66.5
59.6 – 62.5
< 59.5
FIU HONOR CODE
Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting
knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of
ideas and community service. All students should respect the right of others to have an
equitable opportunity to learn and honestly to demonstrate the quality of their learning.
Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which
demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of the
University. All students are deemed by the University to understand that if they are found
responsible for academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct
procedures and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Handbook.
Misconduct includes:
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PHC 6934 – Scientific Writing and Oral Presentations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Changes or Modifications: The Instructor reserves the right to change, alter, add, or delete from the
content of this course as deemed appropriate by the Instructor based upon students’ needs.
Cheating – The unauthorized use of books, notes, aids, electronic sources; or assistance from
another person with respect to examinations, course assignments, field service reports, class
recitations; or the unauthorized possession of examination papers or course materials, whether
originally authorized or not.
Plagiarism – The use and appropriation of another’s work without any indication of the source
and the representation of such work as the student’s own. Any student who fails to give credit
for ideas, expressions or materials taken from another source, including internet sources, is
responsible for plagiarism.
Students are responsible for knowing and complying with all Florida International University
Policies and Regulations which are listed in the Student Handbook. Students should pay
particular attention to the Code of Academic Integrity.
DATE
TOPIC
Read Before
Class
Objectives
COURSE SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS


Session 1
Introduction
Session 2
Manuscript structure
and article review
Session 3
Guest Lecturer:
Alia Spencer
Session 4
Literature review
Session 5
Methods
Day Chapters
1-6
Matthews Ch.
1&3
OWL readings
Lowe &
Barnett article
Hacker article
Matthews
Chapter 2
Day Chapter
10
Northridge
article
Day Chapter
11







Day Ch. 12,
16-18
Matthews
Chapter 4
Identify key sources of data for epidemiologic research
How to search scientific literature
Using and correctly citing references/ Explanation of
plagiarism
Use of RefWorks

Construct a well-developed literature review, including
describing problem in terms of magnitude, person, time,
place

Understand and apply concepts of study design, including
use of epidemiological terms and measures
Address ethical principles of data collection and
dissemination
Report study data
Calculate basic epidemiological measures

Session 6
Results
Course expectations and competency assessment form
Describe the process of manuscript preparation and
submission
Explain the structure of scientific manuscripts
Accurately identify and generate hypotheses
Identify problem statement


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PHC 6934 – Scientific Writing and Oral Presentations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Changes or Modifications: The Instructor reserves the right to change, alter, add, or delete from the
content of this course as deemed appropriate by the Instructor based upon students’ needs.
Session 7
Discussion and
limitations
Session 8
Manuscript submission,
abstract, title, cover
letters
Session 9
Peer review process
Writing Center
presentation on
proofreading, revision
Session 10
Group Review
Session 11
Oral presentations
Session 12
Student oral
presentations
Session 13
Student oral
presentations
Session 14
Student oral
presentations
Day Chapter
13


Draw appropriate inferences from data
Evaluate strengths and limitations of data
Day Ch. 7-9,
19-20

Communicate epidemiologic information to a professional
audience
Day Chapters
21 & 40
Alexander
article



Identify the steps in peer review process
Understand the process in publishing scientific papers
Discuss best ways to avoid plagiarism and why this is
important
Matthews Ch.
5–8
Booth article

Group review of manuscripts




Develop effective oral presentation skills
Explain scientific, ethical, economic and political implications
Prepare and deliver an effective presentation to a broad audience
Critically review a presentation

Prepare and deliver an effective presentation to a broad
audience
Critically review a presentation
Prepare and deliver an effective presentation to a broad audience
Critically review a presentation



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PHC 6934 – Scientific Writing and Oral Presentations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Changes or Modifications: The Instructor reserves the right to change, alter, add, or delete from the
content of this course as deemed appropriate by the Instructor based upon students’ needs.
FIU’s MPH CORE COMPETENCIES
Biostatistics
Use epidemiologic measures to describe public health conditions in a
population in terms of magnitude, person, place, and time.
Use information technology to interpret and communicate public health
data to lay and professional audiences.
Use biostatistical measures of distribution shape, central tendency, and
variability, and apply statistical analysis software to describe population
health and demographic data.
Access and evaluate public health data, using information technology.
Health Promotion and
Disease Prevention
Identify and assess the underlying social, cultural, and behavioral determinants
of health and how they impact the health status of the population.
Health Promotion and
Disease Prevention
Propose public health policies and programs that are collaborative, culturally
appropriate, and address the causes of health problems.
Environmental and
Occupational Health
Identify environmental and occupational determinants of health and illness in a
population.
Environmental and
Occupational Health
Differentiate applications of environmental health science tools in public
health core functions.
Health Policy and
Management
Apply principles of public health budgeting.
Health Policy and
Management
Use policy information (health, fiscal, administrative, legal, ethical, social, and
political) to inform public health decisions.
Epidemiology
Epidemiology
Biostatistics
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PHC 6934 – Scientific Writing and Oral Presentations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Changes or Modifications: The Instructor reserves the right to change, alter, add, or delete from the
content of this course as deemed appropriate by the Instructor based upon students’ needs.
PHC 6934 - Scientific Writing and Oral Presentation in Epidemiology & Biostatistics
COMPETENCY MEASURE FOR MPH IN EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDENTS
Grading Matrix for Final Presentation
Student Name: _______________________________________________
Overall Score: ___________
Title of Presentation: ______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
Slide
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
––
––
––
Competency Score*: _________
Semester/Year:
*Student competency demonstrated by a combined score of 10 or higher on the 5 items that specifically address MPH competencies
INTRODUCTION
Identify key data sources for epidemiology (in general and also for your specific topic).
Competency: Identify key sources of data for use in epidemiologic studies.
Describe and apply principles and limitations of public health screening (for your study problem).
Describe study problem in terms of magnitude, person, time, & place (for your specific study).
Competency: Use epidemiologic measures to describe public health conditions in a population in terms of magnitude, person, place, and time.
Identify knowledge gap in the literature and link it to study purpose (for your specific study).
Competency: Critically evaluate reports of epidemiologic studies.
METHODS
Describe study design and statistical methods and why they are appropriate (for your specific study).
Demonstrate comprehension of ethical and legal principles of epidemiological data use and dissemination (IRB, minimum sample size for reporting).
RESULTS
Present results while appropriately applying basic epidemiologic terminology, including bias, confounding, and chance (for your specific study).
DISCUSSION
Draw appropriate inferences from epidemiologic data and relate your study findings to past research
Explain the public health program and policy implications of findings (from your specific study)
Evaluate strengths and limitations of data (for your specific study)
Competency: Appraise the direction and magnitude of bias on measures of association and interpret them appropriately.
References
Competency: Use information technology to interpret and communicate public health data to lay and professional audiences. (Evaluated from
presentation and paper.)
Demonstrate that you adequately rehearsed and prepared for your presentation, stay within time limit, & use time effectively.
Demonstrate poise and professional demeanor and wear appropriate attire.
Scale: 0 = Does not meet expectations; 1 = Partially meets expectations; 2 = Meets expectations; 3 = Exceeds expectations
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PHC 6934 – Scientific Writing and Oral Presentations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Changes or Modifications: The Instructor reserves the right to change, alter, add, or delete from the content of this course as deemed appropriate by the
Instructor based upon students’ needs.
Score