Section outline

  • Lecture:


    Good Beginnings: The Introduction Section of a Research Manuscript

    and

    Nuts and Bolts: The Methods Section of a Research Manuscript

    Faculty:  Alison Huang, MD, MAS

    This module focuses on the introduction and methods sections of original research manuscripts. How can you structure your introduction section so that it offers a compelling rationale for your research project and provides all necessary contextual information to frame your research goals?  How can you acknowledge past research on your topic, without turning your introduction in a tedious, rambling literature review? What are best practices for crafting a methods section that provides all critical information about the design and implementation of your study without using excess words? How can your methods section anticipate readers' questions about the conduct of a research project, while avoiding unnecessary detail?

    • Pre-Recorded Lectures (Access restricted to registered students):

    • Good Beginnings: The Introduction Section of a Research Manuscript Media Resource
      Not available unless: You belong to a group in Registered Students Only
    • Nuts and Bolts: The Methods Section of a Research Manuscript Media Resource
      Not available unless: You belong to a group in Registered Students Only

    • Lecture Slides:

    • Good Beginnings: The Introduction Section File
      Not available unless: You belong to Registered Students Only
    • Nuts and Bolts: The Methods Section File
      Not available unless: You belong to Registered Students Only

    • "Live" Session Recording (Access restricted to registered students):

    • Live debate about "Research Writing: The Finer Points of Style" on Tuesday, April 21, at 3:00 pm by Zoom
    • Instructions for optional "Live" session 2 File
      Not available unless: You belong to Registered Students Only
    • Live Session 2 Slides File
      Not available unless: Your ID number contains 02

    • Required Reading:

      Browner WS. Publishing and Presenting Clinical Research, 3rd Ed, Chapters 3 and 4

    • Optional Reading:

    • Lingard, L. Writing an Effective Literature Review: Mapping the Gap, from Perspectives in Medical Education File
      Not available unless: You belong to Registered Students Only
    • Lingard, L. Writing an Effective Literature Review: Citation Techniques, from Perspectives in Medical Education File
      Not available unless: You belong to Registered Students Only
    • Manuscript Preparation and Publication" by David Holmes, et al. in Careers in Circulation, 2009;120:906-913 File
      Not available unless: You belong to Registered Students Only

    • Assignment #2:

      Option 1: Submit a draft ~3-paragraph introduction for a manuscript based on a research project you are currently conducting or have just completed - due by noon on May 5.

      Option 2: Use "track changes" to edit and improve a draft introduction for a sample manuscript about a study of a smoking cessation intervention - due by noon on May 5.

    • Assignment 2, Option 1 instructions and template File
    • Assignment 2, Option 2 instructions and template File
    • Upload Assignment 2 here
    • Watch a video of one approach to editing the introduction for Option 2 Media Resource
      Not available unless: You belong to a group in Registered Students Only