General Checklist for Writing a Manuscript

 INTRODUCTION

• What general problem will be discussed?
• What specific issue within the problem will be addressed?
• What have others done to address the specific issue?
• What needs to be done, or what is still unknown?
• What do you plan to do?

METHODS

• Overview statement
• Setting
• Subjects
• Intervention(s)
• Instrument(s)
• Procedure for collecting data
• Data analysis

RESULTS (Tied to methods)

• Begin by describing the sample
• Present your findings in the same order given in the aims & methods
• Don’t leave things out
• Don’t add things in

DISCUSSION

• What is (are) the main finding(s) of your study?
• Compare your findings to previous studies
• What might limit acceptance of your findings? - list the key limitations
• Why are these findings important? - to clinicians, teachers, or researchers?
• Overall conclusion – based on results.

Specific Checklists for Various Types of Research Articles - These checklists have been developed to improve the reporting of medical research.

CONSORT - For randomized controlled Trials.  Download Checklist here

CONSORT - Extension for abstracts.  Download Checklist here

CONSORT - Extension for non-pharmacologic treatments.  Download Checklist here

CONSORT - Extension for Harms.  Download Checklist here

CONSORT - Extension for Non-inferiority or Equivalance trials.  Download Checklist here

CONSORT - Extension for Herbal Interventions.  Download Checklist here

CONSORT - Extension for Cluster Trials.  Download Checklist here

STROBE - For cohort studies. Download Checklist here

STROBE - For cross-sectional studies. Download Checklist here

STROBE - For case-control studies. Download Checklist here

MOOSE - For Meta-analysis of Observational studies. Download Checklist here

QUOROM - For Meta-analysis of Randomized Controled Trials. Download Checklist here

PRISMA - For Meta-analyses and Systematic Reviews. Download Checklist here

STARD - For studies of Diagnostic Accuracy. Download Checklist here

SQUIRE - For studies of Quality Improvement: Download Checklist here