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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 3

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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

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