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GETTING IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME Final Steps in Manuscript Submission and…Beyond NLN Writing Retreat * Baltimore, MD * December 2011

Getting it right the first time

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Page 1: Getting it right the first time

GETTING IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME

Final Steps in Manuscript Submission and…Beyond

NLN Writing Retreat * Baltimore, MD * December 2011

Page 2: Getting it right the first time

YOU’VE DONE YOUR DUE DILIGENCE

And written a draft. Then end is in sight…

NLN Writing Retreat * Baltimore, MD * December 2011

Page 3: Getting it right the first time

• Information for Authors is just that…information. Go back and double-check:– Length– Format: spacing, margins, font– References: format, number– Abstract: number of words, format

(structured or not)– Title page: format, information to

include– Tables: on separate page or

embedded, how many– Figures: format, legends, separate

page or file– Copyright transfer form– Permission(s) to use copyrighted

information

THE FINAL CHECKLIST

Page 4: Getting it right the first time

• Verify that all information is correct– Pubmed single citation

matcher is a quick way to do this

• Include issue numbers• Include DOI numbers if available• Make sure that they are

formatted according to the style of the journal

REFERENCES

Page 5: Getting it right the first time

• Needs to be signed by all authors• CIN Policy: manuscript not sent for review

until the CTS is on file• CIN: Okay to fax the form; can also scan

and save as a PDF• With this form, you are transferring

copyright of the article to the publisher– If you want to make copies for future

use, will need to obtain permission– May be able to have a copyright

exception for specific material, such as an illustration of a conceptual model that you have developed

• If you have written the paper on work time, may need to check regarding who should sign the form (generally more of an issue for nurses who work in hospitals, not academia)

COPYRIGHT TRANSFER FORM

Page 6: Getting it right the first time

• If you include previously copyrighted material, will need to obtain permission for its use– Figures, illustrations, tables, research

instruments• Write to the copyright holder for permission

—this will usually be the publisher• A fee may be charged for the permission

– Ask who will be responsible to pay; it is usually the author

– May range from $25 to $500 or more• Need to include the permission with your

submission• “Fair Use”: may quote up to 10% of a

document before you need to ask for permission– Always need permission for poetry and

song lyrics

PERMISSION

Page 7: Getting it right the first time

• Most (all?) journals have an online process• Give yourself time: a few hours

– It may not take that long but it is better not to be rushed and stressed

• Review the requirements first to determine what you need to submit and in what format– For CIN: required: separate title page,

manuscript file, and copyright transfer form

– Optional: cover letter, figures, tables• Authors must register at the site to submit• For Editorial Manager journals: user

database is not shared so must complete registration process for different journals.

THE SUBMISSION PROCESS

Page 8: Getting it right the first time

• CIN Process (and I suspect this is pretty universal)– Technical check to make sure all

required elements have been submitted and manuscript is in correct format• Manuscript may be returned

for revision (or worse, rejected) if it does not meet journal standards

– Sent for peer review to two or three reviewers• This process may take 6 to 8

weeks– When peer review process is

complete, editor makes decision

WHEN A MANUSCRIPT IS RECEIVED

Page 9: Getting it right the first time

• Most journals: three reviewers; may be up to six

• Selected for expertise in content, research, statistics, methods

• Blinded process– Double blind– Author(s) blinded to reviewers– Not blinded at all

• Reviewers are asked to comment on content and not act as copy editors

• Reviewer comments are sent to author(s) as written

PEER REVIEW

Page 10: Getting it right the first time

• Reject– Not suitable for the journal– “Bad” science– CIN: invitation to resubmit

after a complete re-write• Accept

– Go celebrate!• Revise

– Most common

EDITORIAL DECISION

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• Revise and re-submit for re-review by peer reviewers

• Revise and re-submit for review by the editor

• Tentatively accept pending revisions and approval by the editor

REVISIONS

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• Sort out the comments from reviewers– Which are the same?– Which are different?– Are there any that contradict each

other?• Attend to each comment

– Make the revision or, if not, why not?• Write a document in which you enumerate

the comments and respond to each one – Do not include identifying information

on this as it may go back to the peer reviewers

– It’s fine to say, “Thank you for this helpful comment” once or twice but not a dozen times!

• Follow journal guidelines for how to indicate you have made revisions: track changes, comments, or a separate letter

MAKING REVISIONS

Page 13: Getting it right the first time

• Don’t get discouraged—making changes is easier than writing the first draft!

• Don’t take the comments personally—they are intended to help you improve your manuscript, not make you feel like a bad person

• Don’t withdraw your manuscript and submit it somewhere else!

• Meet requested deadlines. If that’s not possible, ask for an extension.

DURING THE REVISION PROCESS

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• Manuscript will go into production—may be several months away– Keep the editorial office informed of any

address changes• You will receive “page proofs” (usually a

PDF) and be asked to make corrections– AQ—author query: things you need to

respond to– Last chance to update information

(essential only)– No re-writing at this point– Will have a short turnaround: 48 to 72

hours• For the future

– Save your acceptance letter for your tenure file (editorial office may not be able to provide this to you)

– Start thinking about your next article!

AFTER ACCEPTANCE

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• The famously formatted revision• The “Love, Mary” letter• The drunk author who screamed

at Leslie after rejection• The irate author who accused

Leslie of “thwarting science” (moral: don’t argue with a rejection letter)

• Withdrawal of a manuscript at the eleventh hour

• “Because you didn’t respond to my query letter, I didn’t receive a grant.”

LESLIE’S FAVORITE WACKY STORIES

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• “I’ve got the first draft of my manuscript almost written. I think I’m going to send it to Nursing Research.”

• “I was at a conference last month. Someone told me aim high and suggested I send it to JAMA.”

• “I used phenomenology as a method which is really rare in nursing. Not many people are doing that.”

• “I’ve heard if you do a post-doc with ‘Dr. Famous Person,’ she insists on being first author on all manuscripts.”

• “In my dossier to the tenure committee, I said I’ll have four manuscripts published by next spring.”

HEARD JUST THE OTHER DAY (IN MY OFFICE)

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TIME FOR YOUR QUESTIONS