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Writing and Publishing Scientific Articles
6. Start the title with a word or term that represents the most important aspect of the study. Good: Rabies Eradicated in Southern Belgium with Recombinant Vaccinia–Rabies Vaccine Good: Indanocine Selectively Induces Apoptosis in Multidrug-Resistant Cancer Cells Ask yourself: What is the most important aspect of my study? 7. Avoid uninformative phrases such as “A Study of,” “A Report of,” “The Treatment of,” “The Role of,” or “The Effects of” in the title and in the subtitle. The first 2 provide no additional information beyond what the rest of the title says; the latter 3 leave the reader wondering what treatment, role, or effects you will be reporting. Poor: A Study of Genetic Susceptibility in Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Better: Genetic Susceptibility in Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Poor: Effects of Concomitant Cisplatin and Radiotherapy on Inoperable Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Better: Concomitant Cisplatin with Radiotherapy for Inoperable Non– Small-Cell Lung Cancer Improves Rates of Survival and Control of Local Disease 8. Use subtitles sparingly. Do not make the subtitle a continuation of the main title or a substitute for a concise and specific main title; in other words, write the main title so that it can stand alone. Poor: An Unusual Type of Pemphigus: Combining Features of Lupus Erythematosus Better: Pemphigus with Features of Lupus Erythematosus A subtitle is appropriate for identifying a collaborative group responsible for a study: Good: Lowering Dietary Intake of Fat and Cholesterol in Children with Elevated Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels: The Dietary Intervention Study in Children Good: Long-term Results of Treatments for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Pediatric Oncology Group Studies from 1986 to 1994 Note: Subtitles are common, but most could be incorporated into the main title for a stronger title overall.
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