title: Practical guide to efficient analysis and diagramming articles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In a busy practice, time is a commodity in rare supply, and keeping abreast of the relevant medical literature is a daunting task. Even after reading an article carefully, important information may be lost because of undue attention to the methodological minutia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fundamental to reducing a complex article into a well-organized and consistent format is the technique of quantitatively diagramming the principal components in the design and findings of the study. This approach allows a coherent brief summary statement of the article, and a platform for a focused scientific discussion and analysis of the clinical applicability of the findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The technique of diagramming an article is a tool that the senior author has used for years and has found it valuable in capturing the scientific fundamentals of a manuscript. Once prepared, the diagram has proven to be useful in clarifying presentations during journal club, preparing the background and significance sections of grant applications, reviewing articles as a journal editor and as a journal reviewer, and easily retrieving documents to support evidence-based practice efforts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA. jgneely@aol.com
authors.forename: J Gail
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Neely
authors.forename: Ron J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Karni
authors.forename: Eric W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jason T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Rich
authors.forename: Randal C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Paniello
authors.forename: Courtney C J
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Voelker
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nussenbaum
mesh_terms: D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D014956:Writing