Quantification of Authors' Contributions and Eligibility for Authorship: Randomized Trial in a General Medical Journal

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Ivanis ◽  
Darko Hren ◽  
Dario Sambunjak ◽  
Matko Marusic ◽  
Ana Marusic
Keyword(s):  
Medical Journal ◽  
Randomized Trial ◽  
General Medical Journal

scholarly journals Consistency of causal claims in observational studies: a review of papers published in a general medical journal

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e043339
Author(s):  
Camila Olarte Parra ◽  
Lorenzo Bertizzolo ◽  
Sara Schroter ◽  
Agnès Dechartres ◽  
Els Goetghebeur
Keyword(s):  
Medical Journal ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
The Other ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
General Medical Journal ◽  
Outcome Relationship ◽  
Causal Statement ◽  
Data Source ◽  
Published Research ◽  
Causal Language

ObjectiveTo evaluate the consistency of causal statements in observational studies published in The BMJ.DesignReview of observational studies published in a general medical journal.Data sourceCohort and other longitudinal studies describing an exposure-outcome relationship published in The BMJ in 2018. We also had access to the submitted papers and reviewer reports.Main outcome measuresProportion of published research papers with ‘inconsistent’ use of causal language. Papers where language was consistently causal or non-causal were classified as ‘consistently causal’ or ‘consistently not causal’, respectively. For the ‘inconsistent’ papers, we then compared the published and submitted version.ResultsOf 151 published research papers, 60 described eligible studies. Of these 60, we classified the causal language used as ‘consistently causal’ (48%), ‘inconsistent’ (20%) and ‘consistently not causal’(32%). Eleven out of 12 (92%) of the ‘inconsistent’ papers were already inconsistent on submission. The inconsistencies found in both submitted and published versions were mainly due to mismatches between objectives and conclusions. One section might be carefully phrased in terms of association while the other presented causal language. When identifying only an association, some authors jumped to recommending acting on the findings as if motivated by the evidence presented.ConclusionFurther guidance is necessary for authors on what constitutes a causal statement and how to justify or discuss assumptions involved. Based on screening these papers, we provide a list of expressions beyond the obvious ‘cause’ word which may inspire a useful more comprehensive compendium on causal language.

Indexing the British Medical Journal

1994 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-18
Author(s):  
Richard Jones
Keyword(s):  
Medical Journal ◽  
British Medical Journal ◽  
Subject Matter ◽  
Information Need ◽  
General Medical Journal ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Annual Index ◽  
Index Index ◽  
Types Of Information ◽  
Number Of Authors

As a general medical journal, The BMJ contains a wide range of subject matter, and many types of information need to be incorporated in its semi-annual index. Index Medicus vocabulary can be used for clinical articles, but non-clinical matter presents problems of ‘soft’ language. A weekly publication, the BMJ runs to about 1600 pages a volume, so succinct indexing is important, as is keeping to schedule. The number of authors and the vagueness of journal users present particular problems that can be ameliorated by the design of the index. Medline is a useful adjunct for subject access. Both the journal and the index have changed during a decade in which social and political aspects of medicine have assumed greater importance.

Purpose of the General Medical Journal

1972 ◽  
Vol 287 (20) ◽  
pp. 1043-1044
Author(s):  
F. J. Ingelfinger
Keyword(s):  
Medical Journal ◽  
General Medical Journal
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