Pharmacy

Preparation

• Thoroughly review the literature pertinent to the topic area in advance
• Check for correlations in other health professions and other general fields
• Become familiar with Pharmacy Journals - a review of Table of Contents provides the focus of the journal
• Learn about reporting guidelines (https://www.equator-network.org/)

Have a Focus & Vision

• Establish clear idea of manuscript's relevance and contribution to the literature
• Be able to summarize two or three key points the current knowledge on the topic, any relevant background, and how the manuscript adds to the existing knowledge on the topic
• Indicate in the introduction how the article adds to the scientific literature
• Write with clarity - writing an outline of points before writing the article is helpful
• The organization of the manuscript should not detract for the readability of the manuscript

Title

• Clear, precise, and understandable
• Reflects content of the article

Authors

• Provide contact information
• The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) provides criteria for authorship: 
  • Visit  ICMJE Defining the Role of Authors and Contributors

Abstract

• Briefly describe: Who, What, Where, Why and How
• Include Issue, Methods, Findings, and Implications

Introduction

• Helps to position or provide context for the research
• Explains why the study was needed
• Answers the research objectives
• States motivation for study
• Thoroughly reviews previous literature
• State limitations of previous research in concise manner
• Start general - gradually focus
• Include IRB statement

Objectives

• Based on literature review
• Reflective of study outcomes
• Watch for disconnects between objectives and content

Methods Content

• Be thorough
• Details help future researchers continue the process
• Include information about the study design, inclusion/exclusion criteria, sample size, number of characteristics, data analysis, statistical tests, software used, and variables (dependent and independent)

Statistics

• Ensure sufficient sample sizes
• Consult an expert if needed
• Check appropriateness of test and of level of error
• Comparison of non-respondents/respondents for Survey based statistics
  Data        Example
  What...     Survey, diagnosis
  Where...   Practice settings, practice type, geographic location
  When...    Timeframe of study (months, years, etc.), prospective vs. retrospective
  How...       Self-reported, trained interview/intervention, study investigator (faculty, students, paid investigation)

Results

• Most important data should be presented first
• Mention all figures and tables in main body of manuscript
• Avoid redundancy
• Provide appropriate statistical analysis results

Discussion

• Answer your research questions and objectives
• Compare results with published data, as objectively as possible
• Provide clinical significance vs. statistical significance
• Required - Discuss limitations
• Highlight main findings
• Support conclusions with data
• What are the take home messages?

Acknowledgements/References

• Acknowledgements
  • People who contribute substantially but cannot be regarded as co-authors
  • Sources of funding
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Copyright permissions
• References
  • Cite appropriately (according to the journal guidelines)
  • Should be representative of the literature

The information on this page was provided by the following group of Pharmacy Journal Editors during the 2015 AACP & AFPC Annual Meeting presentation, "Considerations in Publishing: Guidance and Panel Discussion with Pharmacy Journals" on July 13, 2015. 

Thank you to the following editors:

• Gayle A Brazeau, Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief, American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education
• Daniel J. Bobaugh, Pharm.D., DABAT, FAACT, Editor-in-Chief; American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy
• Milap Nahata, M.S., Pharm, D, FCCP, FAPhA, FASHP, Editor-in-Chief;  Annals of Pharmacotherapy
• Robin Zavod, Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief; Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning
• Andy Stergachis, B.Pharm, M.S., Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief; Journal of the American Pharmacists Association
• Jeanine P. Abrons, Pharm.D., M.S., Associate Editor; Journal of the American Pharmacists Association