Crafting a Relevant Basic Research Article for European Urology Readers
This guide outlines essential strategies for writing a basic research article that resonates with the readership of European Urology. It emphasizes the importance of making research findings relevant to urologists and clinicians, ensuring clarity in methods and results, and providing sufficient context. Key points include the necessity of a compelling rationale, clear methods, concise presentation of results, and careful discussion of findings within a clinical framework. This approach increases the likelihood of acceptance and engagement with a broader audience in the urology field.
Crafting a Relevant Basic Research Article for European Urology Readers
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Presentation Transcript
How to write a basic research article to be relevant for the readers of European Urology Jean-Nicolas CORNU Associate Editor European Urology
Context • Basic research • Leads to new knowledge • Providesscientific capital • Is the fundfromwhich the practical applications of knowledge must bedrawn National Science Foundation, 1953
Cancer Functional Kidney/stones Andrology/male Urogynecology Courtesy of the National Cancer Institute (NCI/NIH)
EuropeanUrologycontext High-impact Broad readership Mostlyfocused on clinical issues / patients care « Relative relevance » Clinical implications / applications Translationalwork Please tell us the whole story…
Reasons for rejection We DO WANT YOUR BEST WORK IN EUR UROL Please, understand the concept of primary rejection… • Tooweak (major issue for basic science) • Toofocused (one slice of salami) • Not relevant for all readers (model) • Resultsconsisting in purelytechnical aspects
How to optimize • TOPIC: isiturology or about urology • RESEARCH QUESTION: relevant for a urologist ? • RATIONALE: makeitobvious for a urologist – itrequires a clinicalcontext • METHODS: describeeverything – DO USE supplementary data / supplementarymethods • RESULTS: makeyourwork « talk » to a urologistoptimizeyour displays (spendenough t/e/m) – DO USE supplementary data / supplementarymethods • INTERPRETATION: beaccurate – and relevant
Good examples • Self explanatorytitle • Couldbe of interest for urologists
Rationale/objectives General context … Quick summary of knownpriciples … Rationale for studyingmechanisms … Clearstatement Quicklysaywhydoesitmakesense
Methods Enoughdetailed and referenced to bereproduced Use of appendix
Methods • Keep itsimple, organizedandstraightforward • Descriptionsshouldbecrispandaccurate (wordcount!) – usesuppldata • Statisticsneedtobeclearlydefined (it‘syourtool – aswellassubjects – will bereviewed !!) • Ethicalpermissionhastobegiven – referenceshavetobeadequate • Ifthemethodssectionisunclear, thems will fail!
Up to… whatyouwant • Supplementary content islike « alwaysnecessary » in a big basic research • Alwaysbetterthanpublishing • the ideas • thenmethods • Results in salami • Applications/extensions you have already in the box Tell a story !!
Presentingresultsrules Short but answeringthequestions Refertopicturesandtables - The textisyourspeech - Science is in thetablesandfigures Use sub-sectionshelptoenhancereadibility Beaccurate, credible(units!) Do not overinterpretatthisstage
Discussion • Not too long • Put youresults in perspective • Explian the potential relevance • Generate (reasonable) new hypothesis • Do not make pure statements • Do not sell the paperatthis time: Lessis more, data are everything
Conclusion • Study needstobe relevant forclinicians ++++ • Original / Novel • Ifthestudyis not ofinterestfor a broadreadership in EurUrol, itmaybemoreadequateforsubmissionto a specializedjournal (e.g. ifyoudescribe a newmethodor a specifictechnique): youwon‘t lose time • Critical importanceofmaterial & methods • Figuresandtablesarethmostimportantpartoftheworkandneedyourenergy • Discussion: put in perspective • Sufficientamountofdata / convincingtechniquestosupporttheconclusion : do not overinterpret