Publishing your research topicPublishing your research topicBianca Weinstock-Guttman, MDBianca Weinstock-Guttman, MDAssociate Professor of NeurologyAssociate Professor of Neurology

Director Baird MS CenterDirector Baird MS CenterSUNY University at BuffaloSUNY University at Buffalo

Why should you publish ?Why should you publish ?

Publishing your research results is important Publishing your research results is important A crucial step in the scientific process. A crucial step in the scientific process. The growth of knowledge can only happen if The growth of knowledge can only happen if people communicate what they've found out to people communicate what they've found out to one another. one another. Giving talks and going to conferences helps, but Giving talks and going to conferences helps, but the published paper gives people a chance to the published paper gives people a chance to really take in what you have to report. really take in what you have to report.

As Bob Jaeger (long-time editor of Herpetologica) As Bob Jaeger (long-time editor of Herpetologica) remarked, "if you don't report the results of your research, remarked, "if you don't report the results of your research, you're essentially a hobbyist". you're essentially a hobbyist".

Present and Publish Your Research

Your career success in academic field and beyond will be enhanced Will help you build networks with other researchers who share your interests, and Increase the career options available

Why should you publish?Why should you publish?

Finally, getting your research Finally, getting your research published is extremely satisfying. published is extremely satisfying.

Completing any sort of research Completing any sort of research project is a major accomplishment, project is a major accomplishment, and when you finally see your paper and when you finally see your paper in a journal one day you will feel very in a journal one day you will feel very good.good.

Publishing your workPublishing your work

The process of moving from a clinical The process of moving from a clinical or scientific idea to a published or scientific idea to a published manuscript can be overwhelming or manuscript can be overwhelming or discouraging. discouraging.

Certain steps that should be takenCertain steps that should be taken– Adapted from Adapted from TWENTY STEPS TO WRITING A RESEARCH ARTICLE TWENTY STEPS TO WRITING A RESEARCH ARTICLE

Beth A. Fischer and Michael J. Zigmond; Survival Skills and Ethics Beth A. Fischer and Michael J. Zigmond; Survival Skills and Ethics Program; University of PittsburghProgram; University of Pittsburgh

IntegrityIntegrity

Integrity is the cornerstone of Integrity is the cornerstone of scientific research. scientific research.

Without it, the complex interweave Without it, the complex interweave of the delicate fabric that is scientific of the delicate fabric that is scientific research begins to fall apart in often research begins to fall apart in often unanticipated and undesirable ways. unanticipated and undesirable ways.

1. Determine the authors1. Determine the authors

It should be viewed as a tentative It should be viewed as a tentative list, as the final version should reflect list, as the final version should reflect actual contributions to the work. actual contributions to the work.

It may change later onIt may change later on

2. Start writing before the 2. Start writing before the experiment is completedexperiment is completed

Starting writing while you are still Starting writing while you are still doing the experiments. doing the experiments.

Writing often evokes new ideas: you Writing often evokes new ideas: you may realize that there are additional may realize that there are additional experiments to run or additional experiments to run or additional controls that you need to add. controls that you need to add.

3. Decide it is time to publish3. Decide it is time to publish

It is time to publish when your It is time to publish when your findings represent a complete storyfindings represent a complete story– one that will make a significant one that will make a significant

contribution to the scientific literature. contribution to the scientific literature.

Simply collecting a given amount of Simply collecting a given amount of data is not adequate data is not adequate

4. Draft a title & abstract4. Draft a title & abstract

Drafting a working title and an Drafting a working title and an abstract helps abstract helps – define the contents of the paper, define the contents of the paper, – identify which experiments you will identify which experiments you will

publish in this paper, and publish in this paper, and – which studies you will save for inclusion which studies you will save for inclusion

in another paper. in another paper.

5. Determine the basic format5. Determine the basic format

There are three basic formats for peer-reviewed research There are three basic formats for peer-reviewed research articles:articles:

Full-length research articlesFull-length research articles: These articles contain a : These articles contain a comprehensive investigation of the subject matter and are viewed comprehensive investigation of the subject matter and are viewed as the standard format. It uses the “IMRAD” format – Introduction, as the standard format. It uses the “IMRAD” format – Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. Methods, Results, and Discussion.

Short (or brief) communicationsShort (or brief) communications: While not as : While not as comprehensive in scope as full-length research articles, these comprehensive in scope as full-length research articles, these papers also make a significant contribution to the literature. Their papers also make a significant contribution to the literature. Their length will be set by the journal but is usually 3500 words or less length will be set by the journal but is usually 3500 words or less and will contain up to 1-2 tables and figures. Unlike full papers, and will contain up to 1-2 tables and figures. Unlike full papers, methods, results, and discussions may be combined into a single methods, results, and discussions may be combined into a single section.section.

Rapid communications:Rapid communications: These articles quickly These articles quickly disseminate particularly “hot” findings, usually in a brief disseminate particularly “hot” findings, usually in a brief communication format. Articles that have immediate implications communication format. Articles that have immediate implications for public health would be appropriate for such a format, as might for public health would be appropriate for such a format, as might findings in a highly competitive and quickly moving field.findings in a highly competitive and quickly moving field.

6. 6. Outline the paperOutline the paper

An outline is like a road map. An An outline is like a road map. An outline details how you will get from outline details how you will get from here to there, and helps ensure that here to there, and helps ensure that you take the most direct and logical you take the most direct and logical route. route. Do not start writing without itDo not start writing without it! If you ! If you have co-authors, you may wish to get have co-authors, you may wish to get feedback from them before you feedback from them before you proceed to the actual writing phase. proceed to the actual writing phase.

Important things to rememberImportant things to rememberIf you have a great idea, but present it If you have a great idea, but present it poorly, your paper probably won't be poorly, your paper probably won't be accepted. accepted. Be sure you know what the point of the Be sure you know what the point of the paper is, and state it clearly and paper is, and state it clearly and repeatedly. repeatedly. The same goes for the key technical ideas.The same goes for the key technical ideas.– Don't make the reader work to figure out Don't make the reader work to figure out

what's important -- tell them explicitly. what's important -- tell them explicitly. Write for the audience that you expect to Write for the audience that you expect to read the paper, just as you would plan a read the paper, just as you would plan a talk. talk.

7. Write the first draft7. Write the first draft

Write the first draft of the entire manuscript. At Write the first draft of the entire manuscript. At this point, do not worry about it being intelligible. this point, do not worry about it being intelligible. That comes laterThat comes later– Some people recommend that you begin your writing Some people recommend that you begin your writing

with the Introduction and continue through in order each with the Introduction and continue through in order each section of the paper. This can help ensure flow. section of the paper. This can help ensure flow.

– However, others suggest that you start wherever you However, others suggest that you start wherever you wish – anything to get rid of that blank screen or piece of wish – anything to get rid of that blank screen or piece of paper. What ever your approach, heed the advice of paper. What ever your approach, heed the advice of Charles Sides (1991): “If you try to write and edit at the Charles Sides (1991): “If you try to write and edit at the same time, you will do neither well.” same time, you will do neither well.”

– If you are writing with coauthors, you may wish to assign If you are writing with coauthors, you may wish to assign different aspects of the manuscript to different authors. different aspects of the manuscript to different authors. This can save time, allow more individuals feels that are This can save time, allow more individuals feels that are making substantive contributions to the writing process, making substantive contributions to the writing process, and ensure the best use of expertise. and ensure the best use of expertise.

8. Revise the manuscript8. Revise the manuscript

This step involves three major tasks, each to be This step involves three major tasks, each to be carried out in the order given:carried out in the order given:(1) Make major alterations(1) Make major alterations: Fill in gaps, : Fill in gaps, correct flaws in logic, restructure the document to correct flaws in logic, restructure the document to present the material in the most logical order. present the material in the most logical order. (2) Polish the style(2) Polish the style: Refine the text, then : Refine the text, then correct grammar and spelling.correct grammar and spelling.(3) Format the document:(3) Format the document: Make your Make your manuscript attractive and easy to readmanuscript attractive and easy to read

9. Check the references9. Check the references

Ensure that the citations are correct Ensure that the citations are correct and complete. and complete.

Do one last literature search to make Do one last literature search to make certain that you are up to date. certain that you are up to date.

10. Get feedback on your 10. Get feedback on your manuscriptmanuscript

Getting feedback is one of the most Getting feedback is one of the most important things that you can do to important things that you can do to improve your article. improve your article. – First, be sure your co-authors have had a First, be sure your co-authors have had a

chance to read and comment on the draft. chance to read and comment on the draft. – Then, when it is ready, give the manuscript to Then, when it is ready, give the manuscript to

some colleagues.some colleagues.

Do not submit your manuscript until you Do not submit your manuscript until you feel it is ready for publication. feel it is ready for publication.

11. Acknowledgments 11. Acknowledgments

If, in your experiment, you received any significant help in If, in your experiment, you received any significant help in thinking up, designing, or carrying out the work, or received thinking up, designing, or carrying out the work, or received materials from someone who did you a favor by supplying materials from someone who did you a favor by supplying them, you must acknowledge their assistance and the them, you must acknowledge their assistance and the service or material provided. service or material provided. Authors Authors alwaysalways acknowledge acknowledge outside reviewersoutside reviewers of their of their draftsdraftsAcknowledgments are always brief and never flowery.Acknowledgments are always brief and never flowery.

Place the Place the Acknowledgments Acknowledgments between the Discussion and between the Discussion and the Literature Cited.the Literature Cited.

12. Select the journal12. Select the journal

It is unlikely that one journal will have all It is unlikely that one journal will have all of the features you are looking for, so you of the features you are looking for, so you may have to compromise. may have to compromise.

However, there is one essential feature However, there is one essential feature that you should not compromise on – that you should not compromise on – manuscripts must be peer reviewed for manuscripts must be peer reviewed for publication if they are to be considered publication if they are to be considered research articlesresearch articles..

How to choose the JournalHow to choose the JournalFocus:Focus: What type of research does the journal publish? Is What type of research does the journal publish? Is its focus broad or narrow? Which disciplines are its focus broad or narrow? Which disciplines are represented? What is the journal’s orientation – for represented? What is the journal’s orientation – for example, is it clinical or basic, theoretical or applied?example, is it clinical or basic, theoretical or applied?Indexing:Indexing: Is the journal indexed in the major electronic Is the journal indexed in the major electronic databases such as Medline, Biological Abstracts, Chemical databases such as Medline, Biological Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts, or Current Contents? Abstracts, or Current Contents? Availability:Availability: Is the journal broadly available? Is there an Is the journal broadly available? Is there an online version of the journal? Are papers provided in pdf online version of the journal? Are papers provided in pdf format?format?Reputation:Reputation: Although it can be rather subjective, there are Although it can be rather subjective, there are several ways to gauge the reputation of a journal. Ask several ways to gauge the reputation of a journal. Ask colleagues which journals they respect. Look at recent colleagues which journals they respect. Look at recent articles and judge their importance. articles and judge their importance. – Determine the journal’s Determine the journal’s impact factorimpact factor

Impact FactorImpact FactorImpact factorImpact factor is an annual measure of the extent is an annual measure of the extent to which articles in a given journal are cited. How to which articles in a given journal are cited. How selective is the journal in accepting papers for selective is the journal in accepting papers for publication? publication? – Note however, these ratings can be artificially inflated in Note however, these ratings can be artificially inflated in

journals that publish review articles, which tend to be journals that publish review articles, which tend to be cited more than research articles. See www.isinet.com) cited more than research articles. See www.isinet.com)

The The JCRJCR provides quantitative tools for ranking, provides quantitative tools for ranking, evaluating, categorizing, and comparing journals. evaluating, categorizing, and comparing journals. – The impact factor is one of these; it is a measure of the The impact factor is one of these; it is a measure of the

frequency with which the "average article" in a journal frequency with which the "average article" in a journal has been cited in a particular year or period. has been cited in a particular year or period.

Impact Factor FeverImpact Factor FeverScientist under pressureScientist under pressure– ““Publish or Perish” philosophyPublish or Perish” philosophy

Scientific quality can suffer when focusing Scientific quality can suffer when focusing primarily on publication records primarily on publication records This may increase in plagiarism, research This may increase in plagiarism, research misconductmisconductExaggerated reverence for the computer Exaggerated reverence for the computer generated “impact factor”generated “impact factor”– ““Not everything that can be counted counts, Not everything that can be counted counts,

and not everything that counts can be and not everything that counts can be counted” (Albert Einstein) counted” (Albert Einstein)

How to choose a JournalHow to choose a JournalTime to Print:Time to Print: Using the “date submitted” and a Using the “date submitted” and a “date accepted” that are published on the article, “date accepted” that are published on the article, along with the date of the issue, you can estimate along with the date of the issue, you can estimate the length of the review process as well as the the length of the review process as well as the time from acceptance to publication in print.time from acceptance to publication in print.Charges:Charges: Some journals bill the author for Some journals bill the author for page page chargescharges, a cost per final printed page. , a cost per final printed page. – Most journals have a separate Most journals have a separate charge forcharge for color platescolor plates..

This may be as much as $1000 per color plate. This may be as much as $1000 per color plate. – Many journals will waive page charges if this presents a Many journals will waive page charges if this presents a

financial hardship for the author; color plate charges are financial hardship for the author; color plate charges are less readily waived and would at least require evidence less readily waived and would at least require evidence that the color is essential to the presentation of the data that the color is essential to the presentation of the data (e.g., to show a double-labeled cell). (e.g., to show a double-labeled cell).

13. Publishing your work13. Publishing your workOnce you decide on a journal, obtain and Once you decide on a journal, obtain and read that journal’s read that journal’s Instructions to Authors.Instructions to Authors.

This document describes the format for This document describes the format for your article and provides information on your article and provides information on how to submit your manuscript. how to submit your manuscript.

You can usually obtain a copy of the You can usually obtain a copy of the journals’ Instructions to Authors on their journals’ Instructions to Authors on their website or in the first issue of a new website or in the first issue of a new volume.volume.

14. Submit the manuscript to the 14. Submit the manuscript to the editoreditor

Follow the Instructions to Authors to determine Follow the Instructions to Authors to determine what items you need to submit, how to submit what items you need to submit, how to submit them, and to whom you should send them. them, and to whom you should send them. – Note that some journals permit (or even require) a “pre-Note that some journals permit (or even require) a “pre-

review,” i.e., a letter indicating the content of the article review,” i.e., a letter indicating the content of the article so that the editor can determine whether they will so that the editor can determine whether they will accept the manuscript for a full review. accept the manuscript for a full review.

– At this point you may wish to list possible reviewers (or At this point you may wish to list possible reviewers (or individuals to be avoided). individuals to be avoided).

If necessary, contact the editor to be sure that If necessary, contact the editor to be sure that the manuscript was received. the manuscript was received. And if after a month you have not received a And if after a month you have not received a response concerning the acceptability of your response concerning the acceptability of your manuscript for publication you may wish to manuscript for publication you may wish to contact the editor about this, too.contact the editor about this, too.

15. Deal with reviewers' 15. Deal with reviewers' commentscomments

Most manuscripts are not accepted on the first submission.Most manuscripts are not accepted on the first submission.– However, you may well be invited to resubmit a revised manuscript. However, you may well be invited to resubmit a revised manuscript. – If you chose to do so, you will need to respond to the reviewer If you chose to do so, you will need to respond to the reviewer

comments. comments. Do this with tact. Do this with tact. – Answer every concern of the reviewers, and indicate where the Answer every concern of the reviewers, and indicate where the

corresponding changes were made in the manuscript if they were, corresponding changes were made in the manuscript if they were, indeed, made. indeed, made.

– You do not need to make all of the changes that the reviewer You do not need to make all of the changes that the reviewer recommended, but you do need to provide a convincing rationale for recommended, but you do need to provide a convincing rationale for any changes that you did not make. any changes that you did not make.

– When you resubmit the manuscript, indicate in your cover letter that When you resubmit the manuscript, indicate in your cover letter that this is a revised version.this is a revised version.

An alternative is to submit the manuscript to another journal. An alternative is to submit the manuscript to another journal. However, if you do so, it may still be best to take the reviewer However, if you do so, it may still be best to take the reviewer comments into consideration.comments into consideration.– You may You may notnot submit your manuscript to more than one journal submit your manuscript to more than one journal

at a time!at a time!

Rejected paperRejected paperIf your paper is rejected, keep trying! If your paper is rejected, keep trying! – Take the reviews to heart and try to rewrite the paper, Take the reviews to heart and try to rewrite the paper,

addressing the reviewer's comments. addressing the reviewer's comments. – After reading the review the first time, put it aside. Come After reading the review the first time, put it aside. Come

back to it later, reading the paper closely to decide back to it later, reading the paper closely to decide whether the criticisms were valid and how you can whether the criticisms were valid and how you can address them. address them.

– You will often find that reviewers make criticisms that are You will often find that reviewers make criticisms that are off-target because they misinterpreted some aspect of off-target because they misinterpreted some aspect of your paper. your paper. If so, don't let it get to you -- just rewrite If so, don't let it get to you -- just rewrite that part of your paper more clearly so that the that part of your paper more clearly so that the same misunderstanding won't happen again.same misunderstanding won't happen again.

– It's frustrating to have a paper rejected because of a It's frustrating to have a paper rejected because of a misunderstanding, but at least it's something you can fix. misunderstanding, but at least it's something you can fix.

– On the other hand, criticisms of the content of the On the other hand, criticisms of the content of the paper may require more substantial revisions -- paper may require more substantial revisions -- rethinking your ideas, running more tests, or rethinking your ideas, running more tests, or redoing an analysis.redoing an analysis.

What the reviewers look forWhat the reviewers look forAre there important findings to warrant publication of this Are there important findings to warrant publication of this manuscript? manuscript? – Original? Supporting/extending previous information?Original? Supporting/extending previous information?Are the experimental methods or design appropriate to Are the experimental methods or design appropriate to address the questions or hypothesis or to provide the address the questions or hypothesis or to provide the requisite data?requisite data?Does the title reflect the contents of the paper?Does the title reflect the contents of the paper?Does the introduction provide adequate background and/or Does the introduction provide adequate background and/or appropriate questions or hypotheses to be tested?appropriate questions or hypotheses to be tested?Are the statistical methods appropriate?Are the statistical methods appropriate?Are the conclusions consistent with the experimental Are the conclusions consistent with the experimental findings or results?findings or results?Do the tables and/or figures accurately represent the data?Do the tables and/or figures accurately represent the data?Are they too many or too few figures or tables? Do these Are they too many or too few figures or tables? Do these figures need to be corrected?figures need to be corrected?How readable is the paper? Is it too dense or too light?How readable is the paper? Is it too dense or too light?Are the references appropriate?Are the references appropriate?

16. Check the proofs16. Check the proofs

Once the manuscript is accepted and prepared for print, the Once the manuscript is accepted and prepared for print, the publisher will send the corresponding author page proofs of publisher will send the corresponding author page proofs of the article. the article. This may be accompanied by a list of queries, such as This may be accompanied by a list of queries, such as missing information regarding a reference. missing information regarding a reference. – The proofs may be sent via email or as hard copy. If there is a The proofs may be sent via email or as hard copy. If there is a

chance that you will be away when the proofs arrive, have a chance that you will be away when the proofs arrive, have a plan for making certain that they are received and you are plan for making certain that they are received and you are notified. You may only have 24-48 hr to return the proofs.notified. You may only have 24-48 hr to return the proofs.

Carefully correct any typos and factual errors. And read the Carefully correct any typos and factual errors. And read the manuscript for clarity – this is your last chance!! manuscript for clarity – this is your last chance!! – However, try to limit changes to editorial queries plus minor However, try to limit changes to editorial queries plus minor

modifications. modifications. – If you think anything more major is required, you must first get If you think anything more major is required, you must first get

permission from the journal editor and be prepared for permission from the journal editor and be prepared for additional costs and publication delays. additional costs and publication delays.

17. Celebrate!17. Celebrate!

As Robert Day says in As Robert Day says in How to Write and How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper Publish a Scientific Paper (1998), “The (1998), “The goal of scientific research is goal of scientific research is publication….A scientific experiment, no publication….A scientific experiment, no matter how spectacular the results, is not matter how spectacular the results, is not complete until the results are published.” complete until the results are published.” Your experiment – at least one phase of it Your experiment – at least one phase of it – is now complete. Enjoy the moment!– is now complete. Enjoy the moment!

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BA Fischer & MJ Zigmond.www.survival.pitt.edu BA Fischer & MJ Zigmond.www.survival.pitt.edu survival@pitt.edu ; version: July 7, 2004survival@pitt.edu ; version: July 7, 2004