Article Text
Research Article
Reviewing scientific papers.
Abstract
Guidelines for the preparation of structured reports for laboratory studies, clinical studies, epidemiological studies, and observations could be useful. A structured report should prompt reviewers to acknowledge familiarity or otherwise with method, background papers, and so on. New reviewers could draw up their own system. Reports should be helpful and courteous so that whether or not the paper is accepted for publication the authors have a chance to improve it.