1. INTRODUCTION & 4. DISCUSSION

Paul Glasziou

(with thanks to Richard Smith Former Editor, BMJ)

CONSORT checklist 2010 (25 items) TITLE & ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

Background

Objectives

METHODS

Trial design

Participants

Interventions

Outcomes

Sample size

RandomizationSequence generationAllocation concealmentImplementation

Blinding (Masking)

Statistical methods

RESULTS

Participant flow

Recruitment

Baseline data

Numbers analyzed

Outcomes and Estimation

Ancillary analyses

Harms

DISCUSSION

Limitations

Generalisability

Interpretation

OTHER INFORMATION

Registration

Protocol Funding

How we did the research

What we found

Main findingsStrengths, weaknessesFindings of othersFurther research

The problemThe story so far

leading to …Our question

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

The “wineglass” model

The basics of writing a paperIMRaD (Introduction) Why did we start? What has gone before - ? A systematic review Why was this study needed? Be sure that readers understand the importance of

the study - but don’t overdo it Don’t try to show readers that you have read

everything Short, short, short

Short!

The problem The story so far leading to Our question

The basics of writing a paper5. IMRaD (Discussion)

Statement of MAIN findings Discuss strengths and weaknesses (limitations) Relationship to other studies, discussing particularly

any differences in results Meaning of the study: possible mechanisms and

implications for clinicians or policymakers Unanswered questions and future research

TIP: Use these as temporary headings & delete later

CONSORT (11) – some elements

DISCUSSIONLimitations20 Trial limitations, addressing sources of potential bias,

imprecision, and, if relevant, multiplicity of analyses

Generalisability21 Generalisability (external validity, applicability) of the

trial findings

Interpretation22 Interpretation consistent with results, balancing benefits

and harms, and considering other relevant evidence

Main finding

Limitations

Mistakes to Avoid

1. Don’t put a literature review in the Introduction (save for the Discussion)

2. Don’t put any findings in the Discussion that are not in the Results

3. Don’t repeat all your findings in the Discussion4. Remember to address study limitations

Introduction and Discussion

Editors like Short Introduction Longer Discussion

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See alsowww.equator-network.org/library/guidance-on-scientific-writing/