160222 edanz okayma life-earth
TRANSCRIPT
Trevor Lane, PhD Ruth Tunn, PhD
Author Success Workshop:
Advanced Tips for Writing Research Manuscripts
Okayama University
22 February 2016
S
Be an effective communicator
Your goal is not only to be published, but also to be widely read and cited
Preparing well and developing advanced writing skills
Logically communicating your ideas in your manuscript
Making the best first impression
Confidently navigating the peer review process
Increasing the impact of your research
Section 1
Preparing well for academic publishing
Skills needed on the path to publication success
Preparation
Journal Selection
Writing
Submission
Peer Review
Publication Success
• Training in reading papers, ethics, writing, presenting
• Expert Scientific Review
• Expert Scientific Review
• Journal Selection & submission strategy
• Training in ethics, writing, presenting
• Revising • Editing • Reformatting
• Training in ethics, writing
• Editing • Abstract
Development • Cover Letter
Development • Reviewer
Recommendation
• Training in navigating peer review
• Review Editing • Point-by-point
checking • Response
Letter Development
• Reformatting
• Press release, news writing
• Media & presentation training
• Training for early career researchers
• Training in writing grant proposals
• Grant proposal editing
Patenting Engagement
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
Why English?
International language of research, science & academia (& business, policy, diplomacy…)
International reputation
Career advancement
Overseas collaborations
Why publish in English?
Maximum exposure/use
Work abroad; conferences
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well Writing a manuscript
S
My manuscript is a written record of my findings
My findings speak for themselves, even if the manuscript is written poorly
Good English means only grammar and spelling
Using complex words makes my writing more impressive
Your manuscript is to communicate your findings
You need a well-written manuscript to effectively communicate your findings
Keep things simple – Using complex words makes your writing more difficult to understand
Good English means clear, concise arguments; logical organization; and high readability
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
Logically organize your ideas; adhere to journal
& international guidelines
Communicate well in English
Factors to consider when writing a manuscript
Importance of planning
Draft outline & draft abstract/title;
Draft & revise manuscript
Edit manuscript & finalize
abstract/title
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
Research Article (Original Article)
Short Communication (Research Note)
Case Study Technical Note Review Article Letter to the Editor
Brief report about a specific finding
Most common; full-length paper
Brief report about a specific situation
Brief report about a new methodology
Summary of recent advances in a field
Brief discussion about a published article; may contain research findings (Research Letter)
Types of articles
Select your journal early!
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
Choose your journal early!
Author guidelines • Manuscript structure • Word limits, References • Procedures, Copyright
Aims and scope • Topics • Readership • Be sure to emphasize
• Learn writing style • Check relevant references • Check originality, importance & usefulness!
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
Evaluating significance: Relevance
How relevant/important is your work?
Large or incremental advance? Species specific? Relevant to human
condition? How common is the disease? Biology
Large or incremental advance? Geographically restricted? Relevant to
business or government policy?
Agriculture/Earth
International or regional journal?
Broad- or narrow- focused journal?
High or low impact journal?
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
Factors to consider when choosing a journal
Aims & scope, Readership
Publication speed/frequency
Online/Print, Open access
Indexing, Rank, Impact factor
Acceptance rate/criteria
Article type / evidence level
“Luxury” / Traditional / Megajournal
Online first, Supplemental materials, Cost, Copyright
Cascading review, Fast track
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well Use reporting guidelines
CARE Human case reports
ARRIVE Animal studies
http://www.equator-network.org/
Greenhouse studies
http://plantmethods.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13007-015-0083-5
Plant microarrays
http://plantmethods.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1746-4811-2-1
Life sciences http://www.nature.com/authors/policies/rep
orting.pdf
Earth sciences
http://www.nature.com/authors/policies/availability.html
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
Submissions
Plagiarism
Data manipulation
Authorship
Submit to only one journal at a time; do not republish the same paper; no salami
Paraphrase and cite all sources
Do not fabricate or falsify data; do not manipulate parts of images
Study design or data acquisition/analysis; Writing/revising; Approval; Accountable
Publication ethics
Funding & COIs Disclose any funding and financial/personal
relationships
Safety Humans: Approval, signed consent, privacy;
animal and environmental safety
Committee on Publication Ethics, COPE
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
Increase impact
High quality research
Logical, engaging, useful message
Original and novel research
Well-designed, well-reported,
transparent study News value, importance, timeliness
What editors want
High scientific & technical quality, appropriate & clear methods,
sound research & publication ethics
High readability & interest; clear, real-
world relevance
Impact factor (past 2 years) = No. of citations / No. of articles
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well Journal Selector
www.edanzediting.co.jp/journal_selector
Insert your proposed abstract/title or keywords
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
Filter/sort by: • Field of study • Impact factor • Indexed in SCI • Open access • Publishing frequency
Journal Selector www.edanzediting.co.jp/journal_selector
Journal’s aims & scope, IF, and publication frequency
• Author guidelines • Journal website
Similar abstracts
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
THINK Trusted and appropriate?
SUBMIT Only if OK
thinkchecksubmit.org
CHECK Do you know the journal?
Trustworthy journals
Activity 1
Please see Activity 1 in your workbook
Section 2
Developing advanced writing skills
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Nature’s guide to authors:
Nature is an international journal covering all the sciences. Contributions should therefore be written clearly and simply so that they are accessible to readers in other disciplines and to readers for whom English is not their first language.
www.nature.com/nature/authors/gta/index.html#a4
“I should use complex words to make my writing more impressive.”
Improving readability
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Keep it simple!
Use short sentences 15–20 words; one idea per sentence
Prefer simpler/shorter words
Use active voice Simpler, more direct, and easier to read
Most writing style guides and journals prefer it… “Nature journals prefer authors to write in the active voice”
www.nature.com/authors/author_resources/how_write.html
Improving readability
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Write logical sentences! Which of these are correct?
A is 4 times larger than B A is 4-fold larger than B A is 4 times as large as B
B is 4 times smaller than A
B is 75% smaller than A B is 25% the size of A
A B
Avoid mistakes 1
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills Avoid mistakes 2
Prefer Enough Clear Determine Begin Attempt, Try Size Keep After Enough End Use
Avoid Adequate Apparent Ascertain Commence Endeavor Magnitude* Retain Subsequent to Sufficient Terminate* Utilization *OK in certain fields (magnitude of earthquakes, to terminate gene expression)
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
“A number of studies have shown that the new regimen...”
“...as described in our previous study.”
“...at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min.”
“As a matter of fact, such an adverse drug reaction…”
“That is another reason why, we believe…”
“It is well known that most of the trial participants...”
Avoid mistakes 3
Delete extra words!
“It is well known that Most of the trial participants...”
“As a matter of fact, such a This adverse drug reaction…”
“A number of studies have shown that The new regimen...”
“That is thus another reason why Therefore, we believe…”
“...as described previously in our previous study.”
“...at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min.”
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Avoid At a concentration of 2 g/L At a temperature of 37C In order to In the first place Four in number Green color Subsequent to Prior to Future plans; past history Extremely unique At the present time
Prefer At 2 g/L At 37C To First Four Green After Before Plans; history Unique Now
Avoid mistakes 4
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Estimate Estimation
Decide Decision
Assess Assessment
We made a/an… We conducted a/an… Extra verb
We decided… Clear, short, and direct
Avoid mistakes 4
Don’t hide verbs inside nouns!
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Compared with is for saying how things are different
The performance of our land use regression model
was high compared to the previous model.
The performance of our land use regression model was high compared with that of the previous model.
The performance of our land use regression model was higher than that of the previous model.
Avoid mistakes 5
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Readers expect…
old/given/familiar information to appear first new information to appear last
An increasing number of people are relying on environmental health information that they find on the Internet. Hence, governments could conduct public campaigns to promote environmental health literacy via online media.
The Internet is being used as a source of environmental health information by an increasing number of people. Hence, online media campaigns could be used by governments to promote environmental health literacy. / [OR] Hence, the public could benefit greatly from government online campaigns aimed at promoting environmental health literacy.
Avoid mistakes 6
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Readers expect…
verbs to closely follow their subjects heavy ends (not starts) of clauses
Subject
All the honey samples from bees whose main floral source was willow herb or clover showed antibacterial activity against Clostridium perfringens.
The honey came from bees whose main floral source was willow herb or clover. All samples showed antibacterial activity against Clostridium perfringens.
Verb
Avoid mistakes 7
Source: Oinaala et al. Organic Agriculture 2015; 5: 153–159.
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Cell vitality was generally not affected much by pure EGCG…
“Cell viability was reduced by only 3.5% by pure EGCG…”
?
After considering all of the relevant parameters from all the lab tests, all the mice were put on painkillers, given water, and they fed.
Be accurate, concise, and parallel
After considering the results of the laboratory tests, we gave analgesic drugs, water, and food to all mice.
Avoid mistakes 8
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
1. You deserve the funding, but the study design is not perfect.
Which sentence suggests that you
will get funding?
2. The study design is not perfect, but you deserve the funding.
Academic English writing style 1
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
The study design is not perfect, but you deserve the
funding. The grant will be awarded in two stages.
Stress position
Topic position
Readers focus at the end of the sentence for what is important. Information in this stress position can also introduce
the topic of the next sentence (useful for explanations and processes).
Academic English writing style 1
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
The local government has been striving to introduce Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education. In college science education, technology was introduced through the ICT-Connect-TED project. The program aimed at improving the quality of lecturers through the use of ICT. ICT-Connect-TED recently provided computers and a networking infrastructure to selected tertiary colleges.
idea idea idea idea
Topic link
sentence
Adapted from: Kafyulilo et al. Educ Inf Technol. 5 May 2015; DOI 10.1007/s10639-015-9398-0
Academic English writing style 1
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Almost all participants indicated a high level of satisfaction with the content, sequence and relevance of the ICT professional development program they attended. Only a few lecturers reported that the duration of the professional development program was too short. However, the majority of the lecturers reported that they developed an understanding of what TPACK is, and the way technology can enhance teaching and learning of difficult scientific concepts through the collaborative design of technology-enhanced clinic sessions in teams. “I developed an understanding of how TPACK can be applied in the design and teaching of a technology-enhanced lesson” said one of the pre-service lecturers. A lecturer from College C said if it was not the professional development he attended, he would not know how to use technology in teaching.
The pre-service lecturers had the opportunity to further develop learning about technology integration in teaching after the professional development program had finished. They were invited to use their TPACK knowledge in workshops organized by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training…
Topic sentence
Stress sentence Topic sentence
Supporting sentences
Academic English writing style 1
Adapted from: Kafyulilo et al. Educ Inf Technol. 5 May 2015; DOI 10.1007/s10639-015-9398-0
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Lecturers were positive about the effectiveness of technology in teaching. They reported the effectiveness of technology on students’ learning, and on simplifying their teaching process. Most of the lecturers reported to be comfortable and satisfied with the outcomes of the technology-integrated lessons they had developed and taught during the professional development program. One of the lecturers from College A said,…
idea idea idea idea
Topic link
Adapted from: Kafyulilo et al. Educ Inf Technol. 5 May 2015; DOI 10.1007/s10639-015-9398-0
Information in the topic position can introduce the topic of the next sentence
(useful for definitions, descriptions, and narratives).
Academic English writing style 2
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Findings in this study are presented in four sections. The first section presents the continuation of technology use in teaching. The second section presents the factors affecting the continuation of use of technology in teaching among lecturers who participated in the study. The third section presents the college management view on the impact of the professional development program and the institutional challenges on using technology in teaching. Finally, the enabling and hindering factors affecting the continuation of technology are summarized.
idea idea idea idea
Topic link
Adapted from: Kafyulilo et al. Educ Inf Technol. 5 May 2015; DOI 10.1007/s10639-015-9398-0
Information in the stress position can introduce the topic of the next few sentences
(useful for lists and describing whole/parts).
Academic English writing style 3
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Academic English writing style 4
Logical connectors
Sequential
Causal
Adversative Although, Even though, Whereas, However,
In contrast, Despite (+noun/verb -ing),…
Because (of), To (+verb), Owing to, So that, Therefore, Thus, Hence, Consequently,…
Until, After, Before, While, Since, When, Then, Next, First/Second/Third, Finally,…
Conditional If, Even if, Unless, Whether or not, Provided
that, Otherwise,…
Activity 2
Please see Activity 2 in your workbook
Section 3
Logically communicating your ideas in your manuscript
Manuscripts with impact
Where to start?
Your findings form the basis of your manuscript
First organize your findings
Logic, then English language
Figure 1
Figure 2
Table 1
Figure 3
Logical flow • Chronology • Most to least
important • General to
specific • Whole+parts
Is anything missing?
? Additional analyses?
Use your illustrations to structure your manuscript
Manuscripts with impact Prepare an outline
I. Introduction A. General background B. Related studies C. Problems in the field D. Aims
II. Methods A. Subjects/Samples/Materials B. General methods C. Specific methods D. Statistical analyses
III. Results A. Key points about Figure 1 B. Key points about Table 1 C. Key points about Figure 2 D. Key points about Figure 3 E. Key points about Figure 4
IV. Discussion A. Major conclusion B. Key findings that support conclusion C. Relevance to published studies D. Limitations E. Unexpected results F. Implications G. Future directions
Write down key ideas in bullet points, as IMRaD (=Intro, Methods, Results and Discussion)
Use reporting guidelines No need for full sentences or correct
English yet Draft title/abstract early; finalize later Draft the article by IMRaD sections; get
feedback & revise each section in turn Revise content/logic before language
When using information from other articles: Paraphrase with
citations!
Manuscripts with impact The ‘write’ order
How does your study contribute to your field?
What did you find?
What did you do?
Why did you do the study?
Title/Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Manuscripts with impact
Title/Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Title/Abstract
Methods
Results
Discussion
Introduction
Abstract /Title
write
The ‘write’ order
Manuscripts with impact Introduction
Why is your study needed?
Current state of the field
Background information
Specific aim/approach Aim
Problem in the field
Previous studies
Current study
General
Specific Importance/Hypothesis
Worldwide relevance? Broad/specialized?
Up-to-date, International Not too many self-cites
Manuscripts with impact Problem/knowledge gap
However, …an alternative approach… …a challenge …a need for clarification… …a problem/weakness with… …has not been dealt with… …remains unstudied …requires clarification …is not sufficiently (+ adjective) …is ineffective/inaccurate/inadequate/inconclusive/incorrect ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Few studies have… There is an urgent need to… There is growing concern that… Little evidence is available on… It is necessary to… Little work has been done on…
Key phrases
Manuscripts with impact Writing the Introduction
The aims should directly address the problem
The main objective of this research is to develop a general model for estimating the stresses, strain, and ground movement, which can then be used to describe the worse case conditions that may occur near the wellbore in longwall mining areas.
Problem in the field
Wang et al. J Petrol Explor Prod Technol. 2014; 4: 59–71.
Study aims
“Study of borewell stability of Marcellus shale wells in longwall mining areas”
Factors that need to be studied are those that are applied to the casing and the resulting stress and strains or displacements that could lead to an unstable wellbore.
Manuscripts with impact
How the study was done
• Processes, treatments, measurements, follow-up
• Variables (direct/proxy) • Outcome/endpoints (1o, 2o)
• Quantification/models • Statistical tests (& P level) • Consult a statistician
Who/what was studied
• Participants, controls • Enrollment, N & “power” • Materials, databases
Data analysis
Describe all aspects of the design
Methods
Manuscripts with impact Methods
Established techniques
• Cite previously published studies • Briefly state modifications • Use flow chart/table* if needed
• Explain purposes; justify choices • Give enough detail for reproducibility • Use Supplementary Information
Organization • Arrange in (titled) subsections • Keep parallel to the display items • Use topic sentences
New techniques
*Summary of study settings, flow of participants, text selection, variables, chronology of analyses…
Manuscripts with impact Results
• Efficacy/safety • Group/subgroups • Uni-/bi-/multivariable
• Each subsection corresponds to one figure and method
• What you found, not what it means
• Use Supplementary Information
• Data accessibility
Logical presentation
Subsections
Factual description
Present results logically and factually
Manuscripts with impact
Combined Results–Discussion
Results Interpretation
Figure 1
Results Interpretation
Figure 2
Results Interpretation
Figure 3
Results Interpretation
Figure 4
Initial observation
Logical presentation
Characterization
Application
Manuscripts with impact
Combined Methods– Results–Discussion
Method & Results Interpretation
Figure 1
Method & Results Interpretation
Figure 2
Method & Results Interpretation
Figure 3
Method & Results Interpretation
Figure 4
Initial observation
Logical presentation
Characterization
Application
Manuscripts with impact
Describe relationships among your results
Treatment A reduced soil lead levels by 32.7% and increased soil pH by 12.3%. Treatment B reduced soil lead levels by 22.3% and increased soil pH by 15.6%. Treatment C reduced soil lead levels by 38.1% and increased soil pH by 6.9%.
Manuscripts with impact
Describe relationships among your results
Treatment C reduced soil lead levels (38.1%) more effectively than treatments A (32.7%) and B (22.3%). However, treatment B increased soil pH levels (15.6%) more effectively than treatments A (12.3%) and C (6.9%).
Manuscripts with impact Discussion
Summary of findings
Relevance
Conclusion
Similarities/differences Unexpected/negative results Limitations (validity, reliability)
Implications
Previous studies
Current study
Future studies
Specific
General
How do you advance your field?
Manuscripts with impact
Modified from: Rao Jala et al. BMC Cancer 2012; 12: 624.
State the major conclusion of the study
Long Discussion – Beginning
Nitrogen pollution in household wastewater tends to lead to eutrophication in natural waters, which can diminish water quality and ecosystem services. However, the comparative cost and effectiveness of conventional and alternative wastewater treatment strategies to reduce nitrogen have not been clearly evaluated. In this study, we found that the most cost-effective alternatives for mitigating nitrogen are decentralized systems, paired with conventional septic systems as necessary. Sensitivity analysis shows that...
Re-introduction
Conclusion
Problem
Manuscripts with impact
Chiswick Chap, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toulmin_Argumentation_Example.gif, CC-BY-SA-3.0
Making claims
Toulmin model of argumentation
Manuscripts with impact
The public’s perspective of industrial safety incidents showed both overlaps and additional aspects from environmental professionals’ opinions….The public’s statements brought insight on…
Most of the included studies have been conducted in US-American public education settings; thus, the transferability of results to other settings is limited…. Integrating the public’s perspective broadens the existing understanding of industrial safety events and should therefore be considered as a complimentary measuring tool….
Start of Discussion: summary of findings
Conclusions: main conclusion & implication
Match extent, confidence, precision
Limitations
Making claims
Data
Claims
Qualifier
Rebuttal
Warrant
Manuscripts with impact
How safe is mist netting? evaluating the risk of injury and mortality to birds
Whether or not the behaviours such as lethargy and eye closing that are used to identify stress by banders are truly correlated directly with stress cannot be determined without further research using blood samples to link corticosterone to indicator behaviours. Despite this limitation, these behaviours still indicate the possibility of a capture-related mortality and thus provide an important cue to banders when it is necessary to respond quickly to prevent mortality.
Identify limitations
Discussing limitations
Modified from: Spotswood et al. Methods in Ecology and Evolution. 2012; 3: 29–38.
Address limitations
End positively: give the bad news first
“How safe is mist netting? Evaluating the risk of injury and mortality to birds”
Manuscripts with impact
Whether or not the behaviours such as lethargy and eye closing that are used to identify stress by banders are truly correlated directly with stress cannot be determined without further research using blood samples to link corticosterone to indicator behaviours. Despite this limitation, these behaviours still indicate the possibility of a capture-related mortality and thus provide an important cue to banders when it is necessary to respond quickly to prevent mortality.
Identify limitations
Discussing limitations
Address limitations
End positively: Good news last & in long, main clause!
“How safe is mist netting? Evaluating the risk of injury and mortality to birds”
Modified from: Spotswood et al. Methods in Ecology and Evolution. 2012; 3: 29–38.
Manuscripts with impact Discussion – End
Why is your study important?
The technology of underbalanced drilling has been long used and is still a good drilling technology. Using the air injection connector system developed in this study in underbalanced drilling gives the technology a higher edge. The modification of the underbalanced drilling technology helps to reduce the density of the drilling fluid. Compared with the method of ‘‘U-tube’’ well for air injection, the parasite system with air injection connector is more economically feasible. As long as these controlling methods and safety rules are followed, the on-site engineering can be executed successfully.
Topic
Conclusion
Implications
Application
Jiang et al. J Petrol Explor Prod Technol. 2014; 4: 275–280.
Manuscripts with impact Discussion – End
Why is your study important?
Nine-year-old mangrove plantations differed from natural mangroves according to biomass and abundance. Species diversity in plantations increased through the monitoring period but it was dominated by opportunistic eurybiotic gastropod species. This suggests that the ecosystem is still in a transitional state. Further study is needed to examine if the abundance of these species will plateau or even decrease as the whole system reaches equilibrium. This investigation is the first study of gastropod molluscs in mangroves of central Vietnam, and it is one of the first long-term monitoring studies in the newly planted mangroves. The findings of this study potentially can make a contribution to understanding of establishing of mangrove ecosystem and highlighted the parameters in evaluating the state of the mangrove ecosystem.
Conclusion
Key finding
Implications
Future directions
Importance
Modified from: Zvonareva et al. Zoological Studies. 2015; 54: 39.
Manuscripts with impact Story line and consistency
General background
Aims
Methodology
Results and figures
Summary of findings
Implications for the field
Relevance of findings
Problem in the field
Current state of the field Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Solution
Situation/Problem
Evaluation/Comment
Manuscripts with impact Story line and consistency
Urban landscapes have extensive habitat fragmentation, …compacted soil, …and elevated pollution levels.
Research on urban ecology has focused on vertebrates, and arthropods have received less attention.
These findings identify urban soil compaction as a possible cause of cicada diversity loss, as it impedes the passage of nymphs to underground nests.
Background
Problem
Conclusion
Discussion
Introduction
Modified from: Moriyama & Numata. Zoological Letters. 2015; 1: 19.
In the present study, we investigated the influence of the environment on cicada communities in Osaka Prefecture, focusing on urban soil compaction.
Aim
Activity 3
Please see Activity 3 in your workbook
Section 4
Making the best first impression 1
Customer Service Marketing your work Title and abstract
First impression of paper: clear/concise/convincing
Importance of your results
Validity of your conclusions
Relevance of your aims
It sells your work: Readers judge your style & credibility
Often first/only part that is read by
readers & reviewers
Your title & abstract summarize your study
Customer Service Marketing your work Title and abstract
Title
Important points
Only the main idea Accurate, simple Population/model Include keywords Fewer than 20 words Hanging title:
method/study type
Avoid
Unneeded words (A/The, A study of) Complex or sensational words Complex word order Abbreviations “New” or “novel”
Customer Service Marketing your work Title and abstract
Interrogative Carcinogenicity of consumption of
red and processed meat: What about environmental contaminants?
Indicative/ Descriptive*
Urban air quality comparison for bus, tram, subway and pedestrian
commutes in Barcelona
* + Method (subtitle)
Association between lung cancer incidence and ambient air pollution in China: A spatiotemporal analysis
Assertive/ Declarative*
Risk assessment׳s insensitive toxicity testing may cause it to fail / Presence of an epigenetic signature
of prenatal cigarette smoke exposure in childhood
Title
From: Environmental Research
Customer Service Marketing your work Title and abstract
Search Engine Optimization
Identify 7–8 keywords (try to use standard ones*)
Use 2 in your title, 5–6 in the keyword list
Use 3 keywords 3–4 times in your abstract
Use keywords in headings when appropriate
Be consistent throughout your paper; include synonyms
Cite your previous publications when relevant
*Or standard terms from PsycINFO, BIOSIS, ChemWeb, ERIC Thesaurus, GeoRef, MeSH, etc
Customer Service Marketing your work Title and abstract
Context Background, problem, aim
Results Outcomes, effects,
properties, statistics
Conclusion Relevance, implications Learning points, future
Methods Subjects/materials/animals Treatments, measurements
No references, unusual abbreviations, figures/tables Clinical: funding & trial registration number after abstract
Abstract
Customer Service Marketing your work Unstructured abstract
In the Tahe oilfield in China, heavy oil is commonly lifted using the light oil blending technology. However, due to the lack of light oil, the production of heavy oil has been seriously limited. Thus, a new compound technology of light oil blending and electric heating is discussed in this paper, which aims to reduce the usage of light oil and maintain heavy oil production. Based on the mass, momentum and energy conservation, a pressure and temperature coupling model is developed. The heat-transfer parameters are calculated by using Hasan–Kabir method and the pressure drop is calculated by using Hagedorn–Brown method. The model also considers the blend effect of light oil and heavy oil, and the heating effect of electric rod. Example calculation shows that only electric heating or light oil blending technology cannot meet the requirement. The amount of light oil used can be reduced by combining the electric heating technology.
Zhu et al. J Petrol Explor Prod Technol. 2014; DOI: 10.1007/s13202-014-0126-x.
Customer Service Marketing your work Unstructured abstract
In the Tahe oilfield in China, heavy oil is commonly lifted using the light oil blending technology. However, due to the lack of light oil, the production of heavy oil has been seriously limited. Thus, a new compound technology of light oil blending and electric heating is discussed in this paper, which aims to reduce the usage of light oil and maintain heavy oil production. Based on the mass, momentum and energy conservation, a pressure and temperature coupling model is developed. The heat-transfer parameters are calculated by using Hasan–Kabir method and the pressure drop is calculated by using Hagedorn–Brown method. The model also considers the blend effect of light oil and heavy oil, and the heating effect of electric rod. Example calculation shows that only electric heating or light oil blending technology cannot meet the requirement. The amount of light oil used can be reduced by combining the electric heating technology.
Why the study needed to be done
Your aims to solve the problem
What you did and what you found
Why your study is important for the field
Zhu et al. J Petrol Explor Prod Technol. 2014; DOI: 10.1007/s13202-014-0126-x.
Customer Service Marketing your work Unstructured abstract
Matsumoto et al. Applied Entomology and Zoology. 2011; 46: 435–442 .
The twisted-wing parasite Elenchus japonicus is a major parasitoid of rice planthoppers (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), including the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens, the white-backed planthopper Sogatella furcifera, and the small brown planthopper Laodelphax striatellus. Another Elenchus species, E. yasumatsui, which is considered to be synonymous with E. japonicus, has also been described in southern Asia. However, limited biological and molecular data on this important parasitoid of rice planthoppers are available. In this study, E. japonicas-stylopized planthoppers were obtained from various regions in Asia and Japan. Sequences of the nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA gene and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene of the strepsipterans were analyzed from 40 samples of E. japonicus: 14 from N. lugens, 6 from S. furcifera and 20 from L. striatellus. Sequence analysis of these samples revealed three genotypes of E. japonicus. Of the three types of E. japonicus, one was isolated only from L. striatellus from northern Japan. The other two types were found in all three rice planthopper species collected from a wide area in Asia. These results suggest that the three different genotypes of Elenchus can be associated with a particular geographical region and/or planthopper species. The relationship between two previously described Elenchus species and the present three genotypes needs to be elucidated.
How does your study contribute to your field?
What did you find?
What did you do?
Why did you do the study?
Section 5
Making the best first impression 2
Customer Service Marketing your work Cover letter to the editor
Dear Dr Robens-Garcia
Please find enclosed our manuscript entitled “Prediction of the largest peak nonlinear seismic response of asymmetric
structures under bi-directional excitation,” which we would like to submit for publication as an Original Article in the
Journal of Seismology Today.
Assessing the seismic performance of asymmetric structures is challenging because of their elevation irregularities. Various methods have been proposed that combine non-linear static (pushover) analysis of a multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) mathematical model with the response spectrum analysis of an equivalent single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model. Although these methods aim to estimate the peak response of asymmetric structures to seismic motion, they have been shown to be limited in their accuracy. In this study, we improve an earlier nonlinear analysis method by determining the properties of two independent SDOF models based on the results of a pushover analysis of an asymmetric structure. The largest peak response is then estimated by combining the analysis of the two modal responses. In contrast to previous methods, ours takes into account changes in the principal direction of the first modal response. This allows our model to more reliably estimate the response of asymmetric structures to ground motion acting at an arbitrary angle of incidence. The novel computational method presented here can more accurately evaluate the seismic performance of asymmetric structures. Accurately evaluating seismic performance is crucial given the high rate of building development worldwide. Therefore, because this model will have implications in building engineering, mining and exploration, and seismic hazards, we believe this study will be of considerable interest to the readers of the Journal of Seismology Today.
Why study needs to be done
What was done and what was
found
Interest to journal’s readers
We would also like to suggest the following reviewers for our manuscript…
Editor’s name Manuscript title
Article type
Recommend reviewers
Customer Service Marketing your work Cover letter to the editor
Other important information:
Recommended reviewers Author’s contact information
We would like to recommend the following reviewers to evaluate our manuscript: 1. Reviewer 1 and contact information 2. Reviewer 2 and contact information 3. Reviewer 3 and contact information 4. Reviewer 4 and contact information Please address all correspondence to:
Reviewers
Contact information
Can also exclude reviewers
Customer Service Marketing your work Cover letter to the editor
We confirm that this manuscript has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration by another journal. All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with submission to the Journal of Seismology Today. This study was funded by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Last paragraph:
Declarations related to publication ethics Source of funding Conflicts of interest
Ethics
Funding
Conflicts of interest
Customer Service Marketing your work Cover letter to the editor
The novel computational method presented here can more accurately evaluate the seismic performance of asymmetric structures. Accurately evaluating seismic performance is crucial given the high rate of building development worldwide. Therefore, because this model will have implications in building engineering, mining and exploration, and seismic hazards, we believe this study will be of considerable interest to the readers of the Journal of Seismology Today.
Why your study is interesting to the journal’s readership (para 4)
Target your journal – keywords from the Aims and Scope
Conclusion/importance
Relevance
Customer Service Marketing your work Cover letter to the editor
Highlight recent issues in the media
“Given the considerable attention Ebola has received worldwide, it will be important to…”
Highlight recent policy changes
“Recently, the local government has implemented new incentives to promote health tourism…”
Highlight recently published articles in
their journal
“The human effects of ingesting lithium in drinking water have recently been showcased in your journal. However, it still remains unclear…”
Highlight current controversies
“Currently, there is disagreement on the links of bisphenol A exposure to obesity. Our study aims to address this controversy…”
Customer Service Marketing your work
Recommending reviewers
Where to find them?
From your reading/references, networking at conferences
How senior? Aim for mid-level researchers
Who to avoid? Collaborators (past 5 years),
researchers from your university
International list: 1 or 2 from Asia, 1 or 2 from Europe, and 1 or 2 from North America
Choose reviewers who have published in your target journal
Customer Service Marketing your work
Be careful who you recommend!
Section 6
Confidently navigating the peer review process
Peer review Peer review
Blinded/ masked?
Other models
• Single-blind: Reviewers’ names not revealed to authors
• Double-/Triple-blind: Anonymous • Open: All names revealed • Transparent: Reviews published with paper • Fast Track: Expedited if public emergency
• Portable/Transferable/Cascading: Manuscript & reviews passed along
• Collaborative: Reviewers (& authors) engage with other
• Post-publication: Online public review • Pre-submission: Reviews passed to editor
Peer review What reviewers are looking for
The science
The manuscript
Relevant hypothesis Good experimental design Appropriate methodology Good data analysis Valid, useful conclusions
Logical flow of information Manuscript structure and formatting Appropriate references High readability
Innovation & Importance, Information, Interest, Influence = IMPACT
Peer review
2 categorical endpoints
Paired (within sample)
Unpaired (between sample)
McNemar’s test
Fisher’s exact test 2 treatment groups
*for sample sizes > 60
Chi-square test* >2 treatment groups
du Prel et al. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2010; 107: 343–8.
Common complaints – Statistics
Peer review
Continuous endpoints
Parametric Nonparametric
Paired Unpaired Paired Unpaired
2 groups: Paired t test
>2 groups: Repeated-
measures ANOVA
2 groups: Unpaired t test
>2 groups: ANOVA (F test)
2 groups: Wilcoxon signed-
rank test
>2 groups: Friedman
one-way ANOVA
2 groups: Mann–Whitney U test (Wilcoxon
rank-sum test )
>2 groups: Kruskal–Wallis
test
Lang and Secic 1997; 71.
Common complaints – Statistics
Peer review
Patient parameters …improved significantly; it is significant that… X was correlated with Y The risk* of developing X in this case-control study…
Patient variables …improved considerably/markedly; it is important that… X was associated with/related to/linked to Y The odds of developing X in this case-control study…
Don’t misuse statistical words!
Common complaints – Statistics
* OK in a retrospective study if disease is rare and causality is assumed; risk=x/total, odds=x/(total–x)
Peer review Decision letter
Ideas are not logically organized; Poor presentation Purpose and relevance are unclear Cited studies are not up-to-date Topics in the Results/Discussion are not in the Introduction Methods are unclear (variables, missing data); Ethics Wrong (statistical) tests; statistical vs clinical significance Unclear statistics: Power, Need exact P values, 95% CI,
Association ≠ Causation, Confounders, Fishing expeditions Not discussed: Negative results, limitations, implications Discussion has repeated results Conclusions too general, confident, precise; not supported
Common reviewer complaints
Peer review Decision letter
“Slush pile” desk review: Rejection (not novel, no focus or rationale, wrong scope or format) / Resubmit
Peer review: Accept / Accept with minor or language revisions / Revise & resubmit / “Reject”
Hard rejection (“decline the manuscript for publication”) Flaw in design or methods, ethics Major misinterpretation, lack of evidence
Soft rejection (“cannot consider it further at this point”) Incomplete reporting or overgeneralization Additional analyses needed Presentation problem
Interpret the decision letter carefully (& after a break)
Peer review Reviewer response letter
Respond to every reviewer comment
Easy for editor & reviewers to
see changes
• Keep to the deadline; be polite • Restate reviewer’s comment; refer to line and page numbers
Use a different color font
Highlight the text
Strikethrough font for deletions
Peer review Reviewer response letter
Fernando L. Cônsoli Editor-in-Chief Neotropical Entomology 2 September 2015 Dear Dr Cônsoli, Re: Resubmission of manuscript reference No. WJS-07-5739 Please find attached a revised version of our manuscript originally entitled “Population dynamics of Drosophilids in response to humidity and temperature,” which we would like to resubmit for consideration for publication in Neotropical Entomology. The reviewer’s comments were highly insightful and enabled us to greatly improve the quality of our manuscript. In the following pages are our point-by-point responses to each of the comments. Revisions in the manuscript are shown as highlighted text. In accordance with the first comment, the title has been revised and the entire manuscript has undergone substantial English editing. We hope that the revisions in the manuscript and our accompanying responses will be sufficient to make our manuscript suitable for publication in Neotropical Entomology.
Address editor personally
Manuscript ID number
Thank reviewers
Highlight major changes
Peer review Reviewer response letter
Reviewer Comment: In your analysis of the data you have chosen to use a somewhat obscure fitting function (regression). In my opinion, a simple Gaussian function would have sufficed. Moreover, the results would be more instructive and easier to compare to previous results.
Response: We agree with the Reviewer’s assessment of the analysis. Our tailored function, in its current form, makes it difficult to tell that this measurement constitutes a significant improvement over previously reported values. We describe our new analysis using a Gaussian fitting function in our revised Results section (Page 6, Lines 12–18).
Agreement
Revisions Location
Why agree
Peer review
Reviewer Comment: In your analysis of the data you have chosen to use a somewhat obscure fitting function (regression). In my opinion, a simple Gaussian function would have sufficed. Moreover, the results would be more instructive and easier to compare with previous results.
Response: It’s very clear that you’re not familiar with the current analytical methods in the field. I recommend that you identify a more suitable reviewer for my manuscript.
Reviewer response letter
Peer review
Reviewer Comment: In your analysis of the data you have chosen to use a somewhat obscure fitting function (regression). In my opinion, a simple Gaussian function would have sufficed. Moreover, the results would be more instructive and easier to compare with previous results.
Response: Although a simple Gaussian fit would facilitate comparison with the results of other studies, our tailored function allows for the analysis of the data in terms of the “Pack model” [Pack et al., 2015]. Hence, we have explained the use of this function and the Pack model in our revised Discussion section (Page 12, Lines 2–6).
Evidence
Revisions
Location
Reviewer response letter
Agree or disagree with evidence
Activity 4
Please see Activity 4 in your workbook
Section 7
Increasing the impact of your research
• Training in reading papers, ethics, writing, presenting
• Expert Scientific Review
• Expert Scientific Review
• Journal Selection & submission strategy
• Training in ethics, writing, presenting
• Revising • Editing • Reformatting
• Training in ethics, writing
• Editing • Abstract
Development • Cover Letter
Development • Reviewer
Recommendation
• Training in navigating peer review
• Review Editing • Point-by-point
checking • Response
Letter Development
• Reformatting
• Press release, news writing
• Media & presentation training
• Training for early career researchers
• Training in writing grant proposals
• Grant proposal editing
Engagement
Skills needed on the path to publication success
Preparation
Journal Selection
Writing
Submission
Peer Review
Publication Success
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Promoting your work Your multiple audiences
Everyone evaluates your study…and you
• Journal editors & reviewers • Readers, opinion/policy makers • Students, researchers, industry • Employers, schools, interest groups • (Science) Media, public, politicians • Conference/journal panels • Review boards, funders, donors
Quality, Impact & Relevance
Why your work is important!
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Promoting your work
Presenting after you publish
Advantages
Actively promote your article
Advice on future directions
Networking with researchers/media
Networking with journal editors
Conferences, Seminars, Press Conferences, Media Enquiries, Media Interviews,
Social Media, Open Days, Public Education
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Promoting your work Publicizing your article
Increase the impact of your research after publication
• Presentations • Web, email • Social media • Press releases • Newsletters • Reports
Respect news embargo
Report clearly and accurately
Respect access/archive policies
Respect copyright/CC licenses
Respect journal publication policy
Check conference guidelines
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Promoting your work Match your audience
Pre- and post-publication impact
IMRaD research article
(journals,
posters, slides)
Hard news
(conclusion as “lede”)
(press
releases)
Hard news, delayed
lede
(implication first)
Hard news + kicker
(implication
/call to action last)
Soft news/
Feature story
(news-letters)
Hard news, delayed lede +
kicker
(implications first & last)
Only after journal publication!
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Promoting your work Match your audience
Writing for the public
Hard news
Heading
• Can say “new”; can use subheading • Name the source/people
Conclusion first (lede/top line) • Name the source/people • Implications or importance as a quote
Results before Methods; use bullets Background last; end with a quote Contact/institution details in Notes section
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Promoting your work Match your audience
Writing for the public
Hard news
6WHs
• Who? • What? • Where? • Why? • When? • How?
Keep the lede short (15-20 words) 300-400 words; short paragraphs Background info in Notes
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Promoting your work Match your audience
Elements of a press release
Hard news
Use letterhead FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (or Embargo date) Dateline, city name Quotations on insights from named experts;
no repetition! Include keywords Include full citation; name journal / evidence
level in the text Contact info, institution info in Notes End with END or ENDS or ### or -30-
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Promoting your work Match your audience
Tips
Hard news
Give only important details Include definitions, and synonyms, in
introductory or incidental phrases/clauses Check all data, details, and names Grab attention Write for the layperson; use analogies Avoid jargon and technical language Be concise! Be interesting! What is different/new? End with Call to action, or a quotation
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Promoting your work Match your audience
Who to target
Hard news
International media (traditional, online) International news agencies National media Local media (for local community) Specialist news agency/hub (e.g., EurekAlert!) Specialist media (practitioners) Consumer media (popular magazines) Institution / academic society Interest groups (social media / blogs)
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Promoting your work Match your audience
Writing for the different audiences
Show what you’ve done
Show how you’ve spent (public) funds
Apply for more funding
Share knowledge, educate public
Affect policy/practice
Raise reputation
S
Be an effective communicator
Your goal is not only to be published, but also to be widely read and cited
Preparing well and developing advanced writing skills
Logically communicating your ideas in your manuscript
Making the best first impression
Confidently navigating the peer review process
Increasing the impact of your research
Thank you!
Any questions?
Follow us on Twitter
@EdanzEditing
Like us on Facebook
facebook.com/EdanzEditing
Download and further reading edanzediting.co.jp/okayama1602
Trevor Lane: [email protected] Ruth Tunn: [email protected]