Completeness of Literature Review

Sample Paper Excerpt

An epidemiologist has reviewed incidence rates for sexually transmitted disease (STDs) among U.S. citizens. Her source for national level statistics was the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The epidemiologist, intending to compare incidence rates of STDs between youths in urban and rural areas, becomes alarmed when noting a rapid increase of a specific sexually transmitted infection (STI) among inner city youth, especially among Hispanics. This increase seems to correlate with a recently introduced 'novel' sexual practice. The epidemiologist coins a new term for the practice, 'risky novel sexual activity'. The author also includes an accompanying acronym (RNSA). The acronym initially appears in the abstract:

"...The increase in sexually transmitted infection is related to an increase of RNSA among inner city youth."

The full spelled-out term is not included in the abstract, but it does appear in the Introduction section of the manuscript. The epidemiologist intends to submit the article to a journal recognized for publishing to a general scientific audience rather than to readers familiar with epidemiology.

How should the epidemiologist have proceeded?

Should not have coined a new term in an article targeting a general scientific audience.
Should first spell out the new term, followed by the acronym in parentheses.
Should present the acronym first followed by spelling out the term.
Should not have used an acronym at all.

Proceed to the

Finished?

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