8 Epidemiology Module - Academic Writing

Alison Grant 30/8/18

8.0.1 I - Intro

Why does this topic matter? What is the gap of current knowledge?

How will my study help fill this knowledge gap? What is my research question?

8.0.2 M - Methods

  • Study design
  • Setting
  • Population

  • How were they selected?

  • Outcome measures?

  • Study Procedures? (how were patients followed up)

  • Lab Procedures (with enough detail so that someone can reproduce what you did - if a lab paper, not so much if a clinical method)

  • Statistical Methods (describe sample size was calculated, what power was aimed for, data analysis)

  • Ethical Issues (what review board reviewed protocol, how did you gain consent?)

8.0.3 R - Results

  • Who was offered enrolment/enrolled successfully/remained in study?
  • Description of study population - Often Table 1
  • Main Outcome / Other Outcomes
  • Simple analysis (univariable), how frequent was the outcome in different groups (by age/sex/etc) - Often Table 2
  • More complex (multivariable) analysis - Often Table 3 and beyond

You would follow the CONSORT guidelines, with a CONSORT diagram also.

8.0.4 D - Discussion

  • Implications of main results (not repeating them)
  • How does this compare to what other people have found? (If different, why are they different?)
  • Strengths and weaknesses of the study, alternative explanations for results
  • Conclusions and Recommendations

8.1 Structure for an essay or report

The fundamental structure should be similar to writing a primary paper.

Set the scene

Compare and contrast the relavent literature. Construct a coherent argument based on the literature.

You still want to start with an introduction. Then follow this with a methods section (how did you find literature if a lit review). Even if not a real lit review, reflect on how you got stuff

Results is presentation of the relevant information. Organise it to form a coherent argument, use subheadings to show this. Tables and data support your argument.

Use data in statements, don’t use generic statements, quantify what you’re talking about, don’t be vague, present the actial values.

If a paper has flaws, say what they are and how they affect the result of/the generalisibility/relevance of the conclusion.

What is the main message, are there any important limitations? What are the main conclusions?

Use the word count thoughtfully, have a short relevant introduction. Make sure you’re writing an answer to the question given!

8.2 Avoiding plagiarism

You can avoid this by rewriting it in your own words, or by making clear it is a direct quote, through using quotation marks.

You can have a look at the LSHTM Academic Writing Handbook.

When do you cite though? You don’t need a reference for every single sentence. You don’t need a reference for common knowledge. You do need a reference to cite statistics, or another paper. You can put the reference at the first time you cite information from it.

Cite authoritative sources. e.g. use a WHO global report rather than the WHO fact sheet.

If you are making general introductory statements, or there is broad literature, it is ok to cite a review article. But any specific study statements, cite the paper rather than the review article.