title: [An article for the Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde (Dutch Journal of Medicine)?].
abstract: Original articles are the backbone of this journal, as with any scientific journal. The Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde stimulates submissions in this category of articles by offering an annual prize for young authors. On the other hand 30-40% of original articles has to be turned away by the editors, because of vital short-comings. The subject matter can be unsuitable, such as details about organisation of health care or a highly specialised topic. More often the methods are at fault. Common problems are: lack of a proper research question, result of medical or surgical treatment without a control group, use of a questionnaire, poor validity because of bias in selection of patients, circular reasoning in the assessment of a diagnostic test, or an inappropriate measure of outcome. We urge prospective authors to seek advice from a clinical epidemiologist or at least from a colleague with experience in clinical research before embarking on a clinical study. If such help is difficult to obtain the editors are prepared to act as intermediary between authors and methodological experts.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Gijn
mesh_terms: D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D018156:Journalism, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D009426:Netherlands; D010380:Peer Review / Q000592:standards; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D011643:Publishing / Q000592:standards*; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*
vernacular_title: 'Een stukje voor het NTvG?'