Bibliographic review: writing guidelines for participants

Training in Research in Reproductive Health/Sexual Health

Regina Kulier

Title page: title, authors

for example:

Barriers to contraceptive uptake in rural Southern Africa

John Smith¹*, Mary Johnson ^1,2*, Peter MS Stone^3§

¹Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Geneva, Switzerland
²Department of Clinical Research, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
³Institute of Family Planning, Maputo Medical Center, Maputo , Mozambique

*These authors contributed equally to this work
^3§Corresponding author

Email addresses:

JS: john @johnsmith.ch
MJ: mary@maryjohnson.za
PMSS: peter @petermsstone.mz

Abstract

Structured: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion (about 200-250 words)

Introduction, background

This should give information about the importance of the problem, a brief outline what is already known on the topic, the aim of the review and its justification.

Methods

This should describe the design, settings, types of participants/ materials involved; it should clearly state type(s) of intervention(s) and outcome measurements and the type of analysis used.

Results

This should give a description of the findings, incl. results of statistical analyses if appropriate; reference to tables if available.

Discussion

This section should discuss the findings compared to previous research, its applicability and generate new hypotheses if possible. It should also include possible shortcomings of the research. It should NOT be a repetition of the 'Results ' section!

Conclusion

Should clearly summarise the main findings of the research.

Competing interests

All authors need to state if they have competing interests, meaning, if the research may be influenced by a relationship of the authors with other persons/companies. These relationships may be financial or personal and need to be mentioned.

Acknowledgements

Authors contributions

References

for example: (from PubMed - provide link to abstract or to full text document)

Giha HA, Elghazali G, A-Elgadir TM, A-Elbasit IE, Eltahir EM, Baraka OZ, Khier MM, Adam I, Troye-Blomberg M, Theander TG, Elbashir MI. Clinical pattern of severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Sudan in an area characterized by seasonal and unstable malaria transmission. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2005 Apr;99(4):243-251. [PubMed Abstract]

Gulmezoglu AM, Say L, Betran AP, Villar J, Piaggio G. WHO systematic review of maternal mortality and morbidity: methodological issues and challenges. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2004 Jul 05;4(1):16. [PubMed Abstract] [Full Text]

Pattinson RC, Vandecruys HI, Macdonald AP, Mantel GD: Why do women die during childbirth. [http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2001/august/mothers.htm] 2001.

In general:

use short sentences and easy to understand vocabulary
write the words you will abbreviate in full for the first time
use a spell check
references should be numbered consecutively in order of appearance in the text