Writing A Research Article/ Report for Publication 1 Prof. H.C
Rawat Principal, UCON, BFUHS, Faridkot Editor In Chief, BFUNJ,
Journal of NRSI,
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Conducting Research in Medical and Nursing Sciences is not
means to an end. Disseminating the Research evidences is very
important aspect in research for improving quality client care
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Disseminating evidence Disseminating is getting the message
about research and their outcomes to users who need to know about
it When disseminating research you need to think about: Methods -
ways that you will get the message out Audience to whom you need to
reach
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Methods for disseminating research Common or standard ways are:
Writing reports Writing a summary of the larger report Publishing
in professional journals, magazines or on Internet websites
Publishing in professional association newsletters, magazines or on
Internet websites Writing a chapter in a book or writing a whole
book Conferences or seminar papers and workshops Presenting a
poster at a conference or seminar a short summary of the research
and its outcomes on a large poster
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Methods for disseminating research Other Different ways
include: Writing a leaflet or short brochure (2-4 pages) Creating a
poster that gives a summary of the project using words and pictures
Holding workshops and inviting specific groups who may be
interested in the research. Talking on radio this may include
inviting people to call in and discuss the outcomes with you
Appearing on TV
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Why write and publish research papers? Ideally to share
research findings and discoveries with the hope of improving
quality healthcare/cost effective quality client care. Practically
to get a degree to get funding to get promoted to get a job to keep
your job!
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Why do you need to write Papers
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Scientists are rated by what they finish, not by what they
attempt
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Writing the manuscript The hardest part is getting
started.
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What makes a good research paper? Good science Good writing
Publication in good journals
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What constitutes good science? Novel new and not resembling
something formerly known or used (can be novel but not important)
Mechanistic/Experiment testing a hypothesis - determining the
fundamental processes involved in or responsible for an action,
reaction, or other natural phenomenon Descriptive describes how are
things, but does not test how things work hypotheses are not
tested.
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Characteristics of Good Research Report Conciseness, clarity,
honesty, completeness, and accuracy. Contain objective description
of the whole research project in step by step manner. Information
to be authentic, accurate and reliable. contain information which
is unbiased Avoid jargons
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Characteristics of Good Research Report Conciseness, clarity,
honesty, completeness, and accuracy. Contain objective description
of the whole research project in step by step manner. Information
to be authentic, accurate and reliable. contain information which
is unbiased Avoid jargons
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Correct information presented Complete information Concise
descriptions Clear explanations no misunderstandings Convincing
conclusions
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GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR WRITING THE RESEARCH REPORT: Language:
Simple, clear, concise Gender: Avoid sexiest language Racial &
Ethnic Identity Disabilities: Do not equate people with their
disability Age: Acceptable terms are young man, older person
Editorial style
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Things to consider before writing Time to write the paper? -
has a significant advancement been made? - is the hypothesis
straightforward? - did the experiments test the hypothesis? - are
the controls appropriate and sufficient? - can you describe the
study in 3 to 5 minutes? - can the key message be written in 5 to
10 sentences? Tables and figures - must be clear and concise -
should be self-explanatory Read references - will help in choosing
journal - better insight into possible reviewers
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Things to consider before writing Choose journal study
instructions to authors think about possible reviewers quality of
journal impact factor
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Match your manuscript with the most appropriate journal Assess
what is the impact on the quality status of the journal Assess what
is the impact factor
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Things to consider before writing Tentative title and summary
Authorship Criteria All persons designated as authors should
qualify for authorship Each author should have participated
sufficiently in the work to take public responsibility for
appropriate portions of the content. One or more authors should
take responsibility for the integrity of the work as a whole, from
inception to published article.
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Sections of A Report Broad DivisionsIndividual Sections
Preliminary material Title of Report Table of Contents Abstract
Body of report Introduction Literature Review Methodology Results
Discussion Conclusion/Recommendations Supplementary material
References/ Bibliography Appendices 21
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Introduction Methodology Results Discussions Report
format-IMRAD model
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Parts of a manuscript/Paper Title Abstract Introduction and
Background of study Material and Methods Results
Discussion/Conclusions Acknowledgements References
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Title Will determine whether paper gets read Avoid long title
(see journal rules) Avoid abbreviations Title format: Analgesic
effect of Breastfeeding vs skin to skin contact on pain related to
heel prick in neonates The role of heat in melting ice
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Abstract Critical part of paper State main objectives Summarize
most important results State major conclusions and significance
Avoid acronyms Write and rewrite until flawless
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Introduction and Background of study Build case for why study
is important/necessary Provide brief background of research study
State hypothesis / central question Give a one sentence summary of
findings Limitations Definition of Terms
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Methods and materials Best to begin writing when experiments
still in progress. Should be detailed enough so results can be
repeated by others. Reference published methods where appropriate.
Include animal/human use approval information. Use descriptive
subheadings Animals/human Surgical procedures/interventions
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Results Briefly repeating protocols can be effective Tables and
figures must be straight forward and concise Present main findings
referring to tables/figures. Do not speculate or over discuss
results.
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Discussion/Conclusion First answer question posed in
introduction Relate your conclusion to existing knowledge Discuss
weaknesses and discrepancies Explain what is new without
exaggerating Do not repeat results Conclusion/summary,
perspectives
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References Relevant and recent Be highly selective Read the
references Do not misquote Use correct style for journal
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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REFERENCE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY Bibliography is a
list of all materials that have consulted while conducting a
research study or writing an academic article, paper or book based
on research. References, on the other hand are those that have been
directly referred to and referenced in research report, article or
book.
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Words and expressions to avoid JargonPreferred use a
considerable amount ofmuch on account of because a number ofseveral
Referred to ascalled In a number of casessome Has the capacity
tocan It is clear thatclearly It is apparent thatapparently
Employuse Fabricatemake
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Develop a good writing style Read well written articles Try to
get good writers to review Learn from editing changes
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Revise, revise and revise All authors should participate Review
order of data presentation Polish the writing style Double check
references Look for typos Double check spelling
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Submission 1. Read instructions of journals carefully 2. Fill
out all necessary forms Copyright transfer Conflict of interest 3.
Write cover letter (suggest reviewers) 4. Confirm receipt after 6
weeks or according to norms of respective journal
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The Seven Deadly Sins 1. Data manipulation, falsification 2.
Duplicate manuscripts 3. Redundant publication 4. Plagiarism 5.
Author conflicts of interest 6. Animal use concerns 7. Humans use
concerns
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Tips 1. Know the journal, its editors, and why you submitted
the paper there 2. Pay close attention to spelling, grammar, and
punctuation 3. Make sure references are comprehensive and accurate
4. Avoid careless mistakes 5. Read and conform to Instructions for
Authors by a particular journal
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Getting a paper published Competition for space in journals is
intense Cost of publication is high. Rejection rates vary
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Major reasons for rejection Confirmatory (not novel) Poor
experimental design - Poor controls - Hypothesis not adequately
tested Inappropriate for journal Poorly written
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Format For Writing Research Reports (A)Preliminary material or
front matter of the research report Title of Report Table of
Contents Abstract 40
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41 B) Main Body of the research report Introduction and
Background of study Literature review Need of the study Research
problem Objectives Hypothesis/assumptions Operational definitions
Conceptual framework Methodology
Discussion/Conclusions/Recommendations
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C) Supplementary material Bibliography /References Tables
Figures Appendices 42
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What is written without effort is in general read without
pleasure. ~Samuel Johnson