Often, some of the most challenging aspects of preparing a professional publication center around writing formats, journal requirements, and study reporting guidelines. These essential tools often determine how the manuscript presents to an editor at first look.
Academic and professional writers continue to struggle with many of the same formatting issues that plague students and new writers. These are best addressed before the writing process begins.
The good news is that there are many accessible resources, writing tools, and guidelines. Most are free and easily accessible online. An example of these resources is best explained by discussing the 2 most used formats.
THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
When preparing a professional or scholarly publication, consider your audience and the requirements that guide your work. For students, the format is dictated by the university or professor. These requirements are usually not negotiable and could influence readability and grading. Commonly, the American Psychological Association (APA) governs many academic papers.1 Most recently, APA has teamed up with other promoters of publication guidelines-specifically Journal Article Reporting Standards, within the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR) network.2,3 Together, this resource offers formatting guidance and templates and checklist for almost every type of research, quality improvement, and project reporting. Educators and students can use APA Style Journal Article Reporting Standards as teaching and learning tools for conducting high-quality research and determining what information to report in scholarly papers. Often, APA is the best starting point to organize references during the writing process. The author's name within the text serves as a visual stabilizer, and the alphabetized reference list creates order.
THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
The American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style 11th Edition is a renowned and authoritative reference manual for scientific publication. It is a meticulously edited repository of linguistic and stylistic information steeped in authentic medical language and policy, and the information within its pages guides scientific publication and is a resource to authors and editors.4
The website for AMA Manual includes detailed information. In addition, there are links from the home page to the Twitter feed (@AMAManual) and blog, the AMA Style Insider (https://amastyleinsider.com/). Both quick links offer many free examples and resources.
The websites of both APA and AMA are user friendly and direct readers to extensive resources, many free of charge, such as style and grammar guides, educational products, blogs, and many other resources. In addition, users may subscribe to newsletters, blogs, or twitter feeds. Often, I find the best tip sheets, reminders, and updates come to me from my twitter alerts!
There is a cost for a hardcopy and full online access to both manuals. It is important to refer to and purchase the most updated copies, both updated in 2020. Most university libraries and organizations' health library should have the most current version. The online manuals are fully searchable. A significant amount of material is free and can be downloaded without a full purchase. Content is available to download to PDF, and figures and tables can also be downloaded as PowerPoint slides. Content can also be shared via email or social media. In addition, templates and sample papers provide users with examples and support for getting started.
Last semester, I sent a quick link to a graduate forum-simply sharing something that came across my alerts (https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/handouts-guides/#7th-edition). Graduate students, who also serve as working professionals, were grateful for this comprehensive guide. The link was a valuable resource for handouts and guides-and a suggestion to add this link to their reading list or bookmark section was an easy adaptation. I too have used the link many times in the past few weeks!
Finally, before you write, complete a few organizing steps: (1) clarify which format is required and make sure you have access to the most current version of the publication manuals, (2) download the information for authors from your selected journal, and (3) download reporting guidelines form the EQUAROR network and use these as you prepare your project and manuscript. These few steps will guide you through the writing process and help you prepare a manuscript that is professional and organized.
Quick Links:
https://apastyle.apa.org
https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/jars-equator-network
https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/handouts-guides/#7th-edition
https://twitter.com/AMAManual
https://amastyleinsider.com
Kathleen Ahem Gould, PhD, RN
Wolters Kluwer Health
Duxbury, Massachusetts
References