Original Research

The title accurately reflects the content of the manuscript.

The structured abstract (using the headings Introduction, Methods, Results, and Conclusion) accurately reflects the content of the manuscript.

The manuscript adds substantially to what is already known about the topic.

The article is of interest to PCD readers.

The article fits the mission of the journal to address the interface between applied prevention research and public health practice in chronic disease prevention.

The manuscript is clearly and concisely written and is free of jargon.

Each section of the manuscript — Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion — includes the appropriate elements. The sections are clearly delineated.

The citations are up to date and relevant.

All statements requiring citations have citations.

The Acknowledgments identify funding for the study.

The article has no more than 3,000 words and 30 references.

The abstract accurately reflects the content of the manuscript.

The abstract has the following subheadings: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.

The text has no more than 250 words.

The context of the study is explained.

The importance of the study question is explained.

The precise objective of the study is stated.

If more than 1 objective is addressed, the main objective is identified and only the key secondary objectives are noted.

A hypothesis is stated.

A brief literature review is provided to identify gaps in knowledge on the study topic and show how the study will add substantially to what is already known.

The authors appear to know their subject.

A general reader would be able to understand the study question and its importance.

Definitions of terms specific to the context of the manuscript are provided.

The Introduction has no more than 300 words.

The type of study design used is stated and described.

An appropriate study design was used to achieve the study objectives.

The dates of the study are provided.

For a study that describes an intervention, the essential features of the intervention are described.

For a study that includes a survey, the survey questions are provided.

The setting from which the participants are drawn (eg, general community, school, hospital, worksite) is described, including key sociodemographic features.

For study participants, detailed inclusion and exclusion criteria are provided.

Participants are appropriate to the research question.

Recruitment of study participants and sampling procedures are described.

If the manuscript describes research involving human subjects, it includes a statement that the research was approved by an appropriate institutional review board.

The participation rate is provided and defined in terms of a numerator and denominator.

The participation rate is satisfactory.

If controls are used, they are adequately described.

The pre-study calculation of required sample size is reported.

The sample size is large enough to produce meaningful results.

A consistent cohort of study participants, for whom all data items are available, is used.

The primary study outcome measures are described as planned before the data collection began.

For survey studies, state whether the survey instrument has been shown to have validity.

A section on statistical methods is provided.

The statistical methods are appropriately selected.

The statistical methods are explained in plain English.

The statistical software is identified.

Enough information is provided to enable an informed reader to replicate the study.

The Methods section includes only a description of the methods; it does not include results.

Articles reporting results of randomized controlled trials conform to the standards of the CONSORT statement.

The results are specific and relevant to the research hypothesis.

All results reported have a corresponding section in the Methods section. (In other words, for each result reported, a reader would be able to ascertain how the result was obtained by referring to the Methods section.)

Characteristics of the study participants are presented (eg, number, age distribution, sex, racial/ethnic characteristics).

The main outcomes of the study are provided.

For surveys, the response rate is provided.

Measures of data distribution or precision (eg, standard deviation, 95% confidence intervals) are given.

Information on how study participants may compare to people not included in the study is provided.

Outcomes or measurements unfamiliar to a general public health readership are explained.

If validation measures are conducted as part of the study, they are described.

The conclusions drawn from the statistical analysis are justified.

Implications or weaknesses of the study and the rationale for the statistical procedures used are not discussed in this section.

The research question or hypothesis is addressed.

Strengths and weaknesses of the study are objectively evaluated.

Positive and negative findings of equal scientific merit are emphasized equally.

A lengthy reiteration of the Results section is avoided.

Study findings are compared and contrasted with findings of similar studies.

Unexpected findings are mentioned, with suggested explanations.

Limitations of the study are discussed.

The generalizability of the results is discussed.

Implications for public health are discussed.

Speculation and overgeneralization are avoided.

If appropriate, future potential studies are suggested.

The section ends with a clear, concise conclusion that is directly supported by the study findings.

The tables and figures are well constructed, easy to comprehend, and visually appealing.

Information in the tables or figures is not duplicated in the text or in other tables or figures.

Information in the tables or figures is consistent with information in the text.

Numbers add up correctly.

The tables and figures are able to stand independently; they do not require explanation from the text.