From Research to Publication Getting Your Manuscript Published

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, Ph. D, MPH, RD Carol Koprowski, Ph. D, RDN Linda Van Horn, Ph. D, 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 You. Tube 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 i. OS 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 • USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion Corner • 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: 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 Resubmission Reject Accepted! Reviewed by OE & EIC 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 Exposure: Intervention o Outcome: Changes in daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, fruits and vegetables combined, whole grains, legumes, and dairy intake o 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 Low dietary fiber intake: dietary fiber A. decreased BMI more than men and women with the lowest dietary fiber intake. High B. had lower BMI than the men and dietary 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: Strengths of the design used o Hypothesis/research objective/aim o Exposures and influences or outcomes assessed o From Research to Publication: Getting Your Manuscript Published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT 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 Understanding Demonstrate Demonstration 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 • Race/ethnicity/study site 60. 7 (9. 4) n (%) • 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 Mean (95% CI) • Estradol, pg/m. L 14. 4 (13. 5 -15. 4) • Leptin, ng/m. L 20. 2 (18. 9 -21. 5) • C-peptide, ng/m. L 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 24 month 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/m. Lc (n=483) 14. 4 (13. 5 -15. 4) • Leptin, ng/m. Lc (n=488) 20. 2 (18. 9 -21. 5) • C-peptide, ng/m. L 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