guidebook on scientific publishing in health services and policy research

7/28/2019 Guidebook on Scientific Publishing in Health Services and Policy Research

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The Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research (CAHSPR)Student Working Group (SWG)

The Health System Performance Research Network (HSPRN)


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*XLGHERRNGHVLJQHGE\Rochelle Hayward- Graphic [email protected]

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Matthew MenearPhD candidate, Public HealthUniversity of Montreal

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0LFKHOOH$PULMasters candidate, PublicAdministrationQueens University

6DQHOD*DMLFMasters candidate, Applied Health

Services ResearchDalhousie University

/LQGVD\+HGGHQPhD candidate, Population andPublic HealthUniversity of British Columbia

6HLMD.URPPPhD candidate, Health ServicesResearch

University of Toronto

5XWK/DYHUJQHPhD candidate, Population andPublic HealthUniversity of British Columbia

$QQH0DKDOLNMasters candidate, Applied HealthServices ResearchDalhousie University

$GDP70LOOVPhD candidate

Johnson Shoyoma GraduateSchool of Public PolicyUniversity of Regina

/HDK6PLWKPhD candidate, EpidemiologyMcGill University

(OHQL:HQHUMA candidate, Disability StudiesUniversity of Manitoba

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5RE)UDVHUMasters of NursingUniversity of Toronto


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There are many published resources available to help graduate students learn about the process ofOTAKHRGHMFRBHDMSHBO@ODQRHMODDQQDUHDVDCINTQM@KR'NVDUDQHMNTQDWODQHDMBDLTBGNESGDADRS@CUHBDwe receive during our studies is passed on to us from our peers and mentors who teach us the unwrittenSQHBJRNESGDSQ@CDVGDMHSBNLDRSNOTAKHRGHMFHMNTQDKC

Given this reality, this guidebook aims to provide students and young researchers involved in healthservices and policy research (HSPR) with helpful, practical information on the various stages of the publishingprocess. Much of this information has come directly from students and several of the top researchers in the'2/1DKC.TQGNODHRSG@SSGHRFTHCDCDLXRSHDRSGDOTAKHRGHMFOQNBDRR@MCGDKORSNL@JDXNTQOTAKHRGHMFDWODQHDMBDLNQDONRHSHUD@MCRTBBDRRETK

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The authors are grateful to Shivoan Balakumar, Agnes Grudniewicz and Saskia Sivananthan of the CAHSPRSWG and Natasha Lane, Ashlinder Gill and Kristen Pitzul from the HSPRN for their helpful ideas, comments andDCHSRNMSGDFTHCDANNJ6D@KRNSG@MJ"'2/1ENQSGDHQRSQNMFRTOONQSNESGD26&@MCENQ'2/1-RM@MBH@Ksupport for the creation and dissemination of this guidebook.

The authors thank researchers and students who enhanced the guidebooks relevance by sharing their@CUHBD@MCDWODQHDMBDRVHSGTRHMBKTCHMF1NADQS!NQSTKTRRH#@KGNTRHD4MHUDQRHSX&HKKH@M'@MKDX4MHUDQRHSXNE!QHSHRG"NKTLAH@"K@HQD*[email protected]@V@2@Q@*HQJ#@KGNTRHD4MHUDQRHSX,@QHKXM,@B#NM@KC(Dalhousie University), Kim McGrail (University of British Columbia), Peter Norton (University of Calgary), JoanSargeant (Dalhousie University), Sharon Straus (University of Toronto), Wendy Sword (McMaster University),and Jennifer Zelmer (Editor-in-Chief, Healthcare Policy). %HM@KKXSGD@TSGNQRDWSDMCRODBH@KSG@MJRSN1NA%Q@RDQHMUHSDC@TSGNQNE"G@OSDQ1NAHRENTMCDQNE1NAD. Fraser & Associates consulting services and the site Nursing Ideas, and is author of an award-winning booktitled The Nurses Social Media Advantage.


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Chapter 3 - Commonly encountered authorship issues .........................................................

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Chapter 5 - Commonly encountered writing issues ................................................................23

Chapter 6 - An overview of the peer review process ..............................................................28

Chapter 7 - Interacting with editors and reviewers, and dealing with criticism ...............

Chapter 8 - Publishing qualitative research ..............................................................................35

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"G@OSDQ#HFHS@KSNNKR@MCRBHDMSHBBNLLTMHB@SHNM.......................................................44

Conclusion .........................................................................................................................................

References .......................................................................................................................................


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Thou shalt always be on the lookout for publishing opportunities

2. Thou shalt identify a mentor who can guide you and provide support, resources

and opportunities for publishing

3. Thou shalt turn hard work into publications

4. 3GNTRG@KSBGNNRDXNTQS@QFDSINTQM@KD@QKX@MCVHRDKXDLOG@RHYHMFS

over impact factor

5. Thou shalt write to think, not think to write

6. Thou shalt be inspired by great writing style, while also developing your own voice

7. 3GNTRG@KSMNSRTALHS@O@ODQVHSGNTSQD@CHMF@MC@CGDQHMFSNSGDRODBHB

RTALHRRHNMFTHCDKHMDRNESGDINTQM@KXNTQDRTALHSSHMFSN

8. Thou shalt receive criticism with an open mind and an open heart, and not let

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9. 3GNTRG@KSKDSRBHDMSHBHMSDFQHSX@MCSGDROHQHSNECHRBNUDQXFTHCDXNT

not career ambition

Thou shalt embrace digital tools throughout the research and publishing process


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and curiosity often leads to trouuuubbllle oof! Well, after this I should think nothing of falling downstairs(Alice, as she falls down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland)

If youre reading this guide, then chances are your curiosity has caused you to tumble down the rabbitGNKD@MCDMSDQSGDVNMCDQETKKXODBTKH@Q@MCRSHLTK@SHMFDKCNEQDRD@QBGSG@SHR'D@KSG2DQUHBDR@MC/NKHBXResearch, or HSPR for short. If you didnt plan on ending up here, youre certainly not alone! HSPR isBNLOQHRDCNELDLADQRVHSG@CHYYXHMF@QQ@XNEA@BJFQNTMCR(EVDFQ@UHS@SDSNSGHRDKCHSRADB@TRDVD

fundamentally share one belief: that we can improve peoples health and well-being through changes toour health care system and health policies. %NQSGNRDVGN@QDMDVSNSGDDKCCDMHMFSGDANTMC@QHDRNE'2/1B@MADBG@KKDMFHMF!NWOQNUHCDRSVNCDMHSHNMRNE'2/13GDQRSBNLDREQNLSGD"@M@CH@MRRNBH@SHNMENQ'D@KSG2DQUHBDRand Policy Research (CAHSPR) and the latter from AcademyHealth, which is the main HSPR associationin the United States.

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SGDLTKSHCHRBHOKHM@QXDKCNERBHDMSHBHMUDRSHF@SHNMSG@SRSTCHDRGNVRNBH@KE@BSNQRM@MBHMFRXRSDLRNQF@MHYHMFRSQTBSTQDR@MCOQNBDRRDRGD@KSGSDBGMNKNFHDR@MCODQRNM@KADG@UHNQR@DBS@BBDRRSNGD@KSGcare, the quality and cost of health care, and ultimately our health and well-being. Its research domains areindividuals, families, organizations, institutions, communities, and populations.2

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health services research can be done by those who dont really consider themselves health servicesresearchers. The topic (e.g., quality) and the goal of the study (e.g., better quality) determine whethersomeone is doing health services research. Those of us who consider ourselves health servicesQDRD@QBGDQRLTRSQDBNFMHYDSG@SNTQBGNRDMDKCHRMNS@BKNRDCRGNOVGDQDNMDMDDCR@TMHNMB@QCbefore they can work.

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What are these implications? Well, as mentioned, much of the research conducted in HSPR is highlycollaborative in nature. Youll routinely work and publish within teams composed of people that mayG@UDUDQXCHDQDMSHCD@ROQNEDRRHNM@KSQ@HMHMFDWODQHDMBDRRJHKKR@MCDWODBS@SHNMRVHSGQDRODBSSNOTAKHRGHMF4MCDQRS@MCHMF@MCBNLLTMHB@SHMFSGDQTKDRENQDDBSHUDSD@LVNQJHMSGHRBNMSDWSHRHLONQS@MSENQRTBBDRRETKOTAKHRGHMFDNQSR(SR@KRNBNLLNMSG@SXNTQQDRD@QBGBNKK@ANQ@SHNMRDWONRDXNTSNL@MXCHDQDMSQDRD@QBGSNOHBR@MCSXODRNEQDRD@QBGSG@SDWSDMCRSN@VHCDQ@MFHMF@TCHDMBD

Accordingly, knowing your particular audiences and the best vehicles to reach them is another importantskill that HSPR researchers must develop.

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R@SQ@HMDDXNTL@XMCXNTQRDKEOTQRTHMFRSTCHDRHM@RDSSHMFVGDQDKHSSKDDLOG@RHRHROK@BDCNMOTAKHRGHMFHMODDQQDUHDVDCINTQM@KR3GHRLHFGSG@OODMADB@TRDNESGDJHMCNEQDRD@QBGSG@SRADHMFcarried out in your team or because of the philosophies or personalities of your supervisor or colleagues.In such situations, its important to consider the following arguments in favour of adopting a morepro-publishing approach throughout your studies:

6GDMVDOTAKHRGVDFQNVSGDDWHRSHMFJMNVKDCFDA@RDHMNTQDKC(M@M@OOKHDC@MCOQNAKDLNQHDMSDCDKCRTBG@R'2/1SGDONSDMSH@KHLO@BSRNEOTAKHRGHMF@QDMSSQHUH@K@RNTQVNQJL@XG@UDQDKDU@MBD

to people facing similar problems across the country and even around the world. Publishing yourQDRD@QBG@KKNVRNSGDQRSNADMDSEQNLXNTQG@QCVNQJ@MCQDCTBDRSGDKHJDKHGNNCSG@SSGDXVHKKB@QQXNTSQDCTMC@MSOQNIDBSR@MCV@RSDU@KT@AKDQDRNTQBDR

Publications are a critical component of how academic scientists are evaluated. As a trainee, yourpublication record will be evaluated when you apply for studentships or and other awards. Indeed,SGDVDHFGS@BBNQCDCSNXNTQOTAKHB@SHNMGHRSNQXHMBQD@RDR@RXNTOQNFQDRRHMXNTQRSTCHDRENQDW@LOKD@RNMDLNUDREQNL@L@RSDQRRSTCDMSSN@CNBSNQ@KRSTCDMSSN@ONRSCNBSNQ@KEDKKNV%NQITMHNQ@MCsenior investigators, your ability to obtain a faculty position, grants, promotions, tenure, and so on iscommonly and largely contingent on your publication track record. In other words, your publicationrecord is an indicator of your competence, commitment, and potential as a researcher.

Much of the research we do is funded by agencies and organizations that receive their funding fromOTAKHBRNTQBDR&HUDMSGDQNKDSG@SS@WO@XDQLNMDXOK@XRHMRTOONQSHMFNTQCHRBNUDQHDRRNLD@QFTDSG@SVDG@UD@MNAKHF@SHNMSNOTAKHRG@MCRG@QDNTQMCHMFRVHSGSGDOTAKHB

/TAKHRGHMF@KRNGDKORTRFQNV@RQDRD@QBGDQR$UDQXOTAKHRGHMFNOONQSTMHSXHR@KD@QMHMFDWODQHDMBD@MCprovides us with an opportunity to receive an outside opinion on the relevance, rigour, and impact ofNTQVNQJ$UDMSGDNBB@RHNM@KQDIDBSHNMB@MTKSHL@SDKXKD@CTRSNCNHMFADSSDQQDRD@QBG

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$UDMSGNTFGSGDQD@QDL@MXFNNCQD@RNMRSNOTAKHRGHSCNDRMSRDDLSNRSNOODNOKDEQNLMCHMFITRS@RL@MXDWBTRDRMNSSNOTAKHRG"NLLNMDWBTRDRHMBKTCDADHMFSNNATRXG@UHMFONNQVQHSHMFRJHKKRMNShaving any ideas or results worth sharing, preferring to place greater emphasis on building relationshipsVHSGQDRD@QBGO@QSMDQRNQOTQRTHMFNSGDQENQLRNERBHDMSHBBNLLTMHB@SHNMDSB6GHKD@MXNESGDRD

QD@RNMRL@XADU@KHCENQONRSONMHMFOTAKHB@SHNMDNQSRHSRQHRJXENQQDRD@QBGDQRSNG@UD@OTAKHB@SHNMCQNTFGSENQ@MDWSDMCDCODQHNCNESHLD#NHMFRNL@XKD@CSNINAHMRDBTQHSXK@BJNEETMCHMFSNOTQRTDNQBNLOKDSDOQNIDBSRNQ@MHM@AHKHSXSNO@XR@K@QHDRENQSD@LLDLADQRCNVMSGDQN@C(MNTQUHDVSQ@HMDDR@MCQDRD@QBGDQRE@BHMFA@QQHDQRLTRS@SRNLDONHMSMCV@XRSNNUDQBNLDSGDHQBG@KKDMFDR@MC@CDPT@SDKXcommunicate the results of their work.


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Since publishing factors into your evaluation as a researcher, its helpful to have a sense of whatsDWODBSDCNEXNTHMSDQLRNEOTAKHRGHMF@SCHDQDMSRS@FDRNEXNTQRSTCHDR@MCQDRD@QBGB@QDDQR/KD@RDnote, however, that publishing standards in research are rarely easy to pin down and that career paths inHSPR vary widely. The researchers we spoke to in writing this guidebook sometimes had divergent viewson what the standards should be. That being said, heres an attempt to present some general guidanceENQRSTCDMSR@SCHDQDMSRS@FDRNESGDHQSQ@HMHMF!NW

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2STCDMSRDMSDQHMF@M'2/1QDK@SDCL@RSDQROQNFQ@LSXOHB@KKXG@UDKHSSKDOTAKHRGHMFDWODQHDMBD(Eyou do, youre ahead of the curve but if you dont theres no reason for concern at this point! YourNSGDQQDRD@QBGDWODQHDMBDRFQ@CDRRJHKKR@MCSQ@HMHMFDMUHQNMLDMS@QDLNQDHLONQS@MSHMXNTQHMHSH@Kevaluation. As you pursue your degree, however, you hopefully will be in a position to contribute to oneNQRDUDQ@KO@ODQR@R@M@TSGNQ/TAKHRGHMF@O@ODQ@R@QRS@TSGNQNMSGDSNOHBNEXNTQL@RSDQROQNIDBSHRBNMRHCDQDC@L@INQOKTRHMDU@KT@SHNMR@RHSRTFFDRSRSG@SXNTQD@AKDSNMHRGVG@SXNTRS@QSDC

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2HLHK@QSNL@RSDQRRSTCDMSRSQ@HMDDR@OOKXHMFENQ@/G#@QDMNSDWODBSDCSNG@UDDWSDMRHUDOTAKHB@SHNMQDBNQCR'NVDUDQRNLDDWODQHDMBDVHSGVQHSHMF@MCOTAKHRGHMFHRCDRHQ@AKD(EXNTUDFNS@QRS@TSGNQOTAKHB@SHNMHM@CDBDMSINTQM@KSGDMXNTL@XADHMFNNCRG@ODVGDMHSBNLDRSNseeking a doctoral award of some kind. ,@MX/G#OQNFQ@LRNDQRSTCDMSRSGDNOSHNMNEVQHSHMF@SQ@CHSHNM@KSGDRHRNQ@M@QSHBKDA@RDCSGDRHRIf youre interested in an academic career, you should consider the latter as the work involved has greaterresemblance to what youll be asked to do later as an independent researcher. Youll also potentiallyBNLOKDSDXNTQ/G#VHSG@SKD@RSSVNNQSGQDDO@ODQR@R@QRS@TSGNQVGHBGVHKKGNODETKKXRDSXNTTOENQRTBBDRR@SSGDONRSCNBSNQ@KNQITMHNQQDRD@QBGDQKDUDKROQNCTBSHUD/G#RSTCDMSL@XMHRGGHRGDQCDFQDDVHSGSNOTAKHB@SHNMRVHSGSGDL@INQHSX@RQRS@TSGNQ

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For young researchers seeking a career in academia, evaluators look for a certain level of productivitythats maintained over time. Productive researchers might publish several articles per year, withLNRSOTAKHRGDC@RQRS@TSGNQ@MC@SKD@RSRNLDHMGHFGDQHLO@BSINTQM@KRSSGHRKDUDKRGNVHMFXNTB@MDRS@AKHRGMDVBNKK@ANQ@SHNMR@MCOTAKHRGHMFVHSGCHDQDMSQDRD@QBGFQNTORNQO@QSMDQR@QDUHDVDCin a positive light.

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.UDQSGDO@RSCDB@CDRSGD'2/1DKCG@RFQNVMHMKD@OR@MCANTMCR@MCMNVNBBTOHDR@MHLONQS@MSOK@BDHMSGD"@M@CH@MQDRD@QBGK@MCRB@ODRSGDDKCL@STQDRRS@MC@QCRENQQDRD@QBGPT@KHSX@MCperformance understandably rise as well. Many trainees we have interviewed for this guidebook say

that they often feel as though there is enormous pressure on them to publish, be productive, alwaysperform at a high level, etc. However, students shouldnt be preoccupied with chasing the trendy topicor trying to publish work they dont care about to pad their CV. The value in publishing comes fromRG@QHMFXNTQCHRBNUDQHDR@MCSGDQDRD@QBGMCHMFRSG@SXNTEDDKVHKKBNMSQHATSDSNSGDDKC@MCL@JD@CHDQDMBDHMRNLDV@X'NODETKKXSGDQDRSNESGHRFTHCDANNJVHKKOQNUHCDGDKOETKHMENQL@SHNMSG@SCDLXRSHDRSGDOTAKHB@SHNMOQNBDRR@MC@KKNVRXNTSNRG@QDSGDEQTHSRNEXNTQK@ANTQVHSGSGDQDRSof us in the HSPR community.


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As a young researcher, youre bound to encounter obstacles and uncertainties as you go through thepublication process. In order to ensure that you have the support you need to advance your work in atimely and pain-free manner, its critical that you build strong relationships with your supervisors andother individuals who can guide you.

A supervisors role is to guide and support your development, help you build your independence,@MCL@WHLHYDXNTQONSDMSH@KHM@BBNQC@MBDVHSGXNTQDCTB@SHNM@K@MCKHEDFN@KR(MLNRSB@RDRXNTQRTODQUHRNQG@R@BPTHQDCDWSDMRHUDDWODQHDMBDVHSGQDRODBSSNOTAKHRGHMFNESDMSGDXKKAD@AKDSNOQNUHCDXNTHMU@KT@AKDHMENQL@SHNM@MC@CUHBD@ANTSSGDHMR@MCNTSRNERBHDMSHBVQHSHMF@MCOTAKHRGHMF'NVDUDQRNLDRTODQUHRNQR@QDTM@AKDSNCDUNSDRTBHDMSSHLDSNVNQJHMFVHSGSGDHQRSTCDMSRSNGDKOthem develop these key skills.

Whether your supervisor makes this form of mentorship a priority or not, its useful to broaden yourperspective about who can act as a mentor regarding publishing issues. Potential mentors can be yourpeers, especially other graduate students who are more advanced in their studies, as well as otherresearchers in your program or institution who have strong publication track records. Mentors might@KRNADODNOKDSG@SXNTLDDS@SRBHDMSHBBNMEDQDMBDRNQSQ@HMHMFDUDMSRSG@SRDDLDRODBH@KKXNODMSNproviding occasional advice and constructive criticism. Establishing a diverse personal network of formaland informal mentors can help safeguard against a lack of support that might hinder the progress of yourQDRD@QBGNQOTAKHRGHMFDNQSR

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,DMSNQRSXOHB@KKXRG@QDSVNSXODRNEDWODQSHRDDWOKHBHSSDBGMHB@KDWODQSHRD@MCLNQDS@BHSDWODQSHRD$WOKHBHSSDBGMHB@KDWODQSHRDQDK@SDRSNSGHMFRRTBG@RXNTQLDMSNQRJMNVKDCFD@ANTSKHSDQ@STQDNM@particular topic or about methodological techniques that they have acquired through their studiesand careers (e.g. knowing that a particular report was written on a topic relevant to your study). TacitDWODQSHRDQDEDQRSNSGDLNQDODQRNM@KKDRRNMRHMRHFGSR@MCOQ@BSHBDRSG@SLDMSNQRG@UD@BPTHQDCSGQNTFGSGDHQDWODQHDMBDRHM@B@CDLH@DFJMNVHMFGNVSNEQ@LD@QFTLDMSRHM@O@ODQRNSG@SHS@OOD@KRSN@RODBHBINTQM@K2ODMCHMFPT@KHSXSHLDVHSGXNTQLDMSNQR@MCS@OOHMFHMSNANSGSXODRNELDMSNQDWODQSHRDB@MADBQHSHB@KSNXNTQNVMCDUDKNOLDMS@MCRTBBDRR

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performance as they do.

7HDFKLQJ\RXWKHFRQYHQWLRQVMentors have learned how the research process works and theyreable to teach you about how to go about the usual business of doing research and publishing yourQDRTKSR%NQDW@LOKDXNTQLDMSNQRB@MGDKOSD@BGXNTVG@SSNDWODBSCTQHMFSGDOTAKHRGHMFOQNBDRRor how to interact respectfully with other co-authors.

3URYLGLQJPRUDOVXSSRUW.BB@RHNM@KKXLDMSNQRB@MADSGDQDSNOQNUHCDLNQ@KRTOONQSVGDMXNTDMBNTMSDQCHBTKSHDRNQBQHSHBHRLHMXNTQQDRD@QBG'DKOHMFXNTCD@KVHSGE@HKDC@SSDLOSR@SRDBTQHMFETMCHMFNQSGDQDIDBSHNMNEO@ODQRHR@JDXQNKDSG@S@KKLDMSNQRRGNTKCOK@XIndeed, the trainee-mentor relationship is like any other relationship, and good mentors will beopen to discussions about the challenges you face and to devising strategies to motivate you.

3URYLGLQJHPSOR\PHQWRSSRUWXQLWLHVDQGQDQFLDOVXSSRUW3GQNTFGSGDHQQDRD@QBGOQNIDBSRNQfunds, mentors can provide you with opportunities to get involved in research or in thepreparation of manuscripts.

+HOSLQJ\RXPDQDJHWLPHDQGSULRULWLHV Time management and learning to prioritize your activitiesare two skills that are essential to research and to publishing. Many supervisors argue that these arekey areas where students often initially struggle. Mentors are typically very sensitive to howvaluable time is and can work with students to develop their skills, focus their activities, andlimit hours lost to less important tasks.


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6GHKDXNTQLDMSNQRVHKKKHJDKXOK@X@MHMTDMSH@KQNKDHMXNTQ@B@CDLHBB@QDDQXNTQDTKSHL@SDKXQDRONMRHAKDENQFDSSHMFSGDLNRSNTSNEXNTQDCTB@SHNM@KDWODQHDMBD6HSGSGHRHMLHMCHSRHLONQS@MSSNconsider the following advice:

6HOHFW\RXUPHQWRUVZLVHO\ You should consider many factors before selecting your mentorsDRODBH@KKXXNTQRTODQUHRNQR%NQDW@LOKDXNTRGNTKCHMPTHQD@ANTSXNTQLDMSNQRSQ@BJQDBNQCSGDHQavailability, their relationships with past mentees, their alignment with your skills and interests, andtheir ability to help you develop collaborations with other mentors outside of your relationship.

When possible, its helpful to ask others what they think of your mentorship options and discussSGD@ANUDHRRTDRCHQDBSKXVHSGONSDMSH@KLDMSNQRADENQDL@JHMF@M@KCDBHRHNM#NMSAD@EQ@HCto ask blunt questions or describe your needs honestly when youre interviewing potentialsupervisors. Such meetings are not a time to hold back or misrepresent yourself for the purposesof making a good impression.

7DNHDQDFWLYHUROH As a trainee, its crucial that you assume ownership over your studies and allowyour supervisors and mentors to help you consider the options rather than choose a direction foryou. Its up to them to suggest a path but up to you to blaze your own trail!

+DQGOH\RXUEXVLQHVVODSODDUDNEL@MXRTODQUHRNQRHRVGDMRSTCDMSRMCV@XRSNG@UDNSGDQRCNtheir work for them. Whether its doing the necessary reading, collecting the data and crunchingthe numbers, or drafting a paper section, you need to be resourceful and work at becoming as

independent as possible.

6HHNFODULFDWLRQZKHUHQHHGHGAs resourceful as you may be, they are still likely to be times whenyou get stuck or are uncertain about what your mentors may be asking of you. Its importantSNADOQN@BSHUD@MCRDDJBK@QHB@SHNMRVGDMXNTMDDCSGDL1D@BGHMFNTS@MCG@UHMF@BKD@Qunderstanding of what needs to be done is important to avoid unnecessary delays and frustrations.

8WLOL]HSHHUPHQWRUVZKHUHSRVVLEOHPeer mentors can be a valuable resource for any trainee. Yourelikely to spend a lot of time with your peers (e.g. over lunch, in the lab) and often theyre in a goodONRHSHNMSNOQNUHCDXNTVHSGGNMDRSEDDCA@BJ@ANTSXNTQQDRD@QBGNQNDQGD@QSEDKSDMBNTQ@FDLDMSInterestingly, one study4 found that trainees who worked with other students in a group writingRDSSHMFADMDSDCEQNL@RDMRDNEQDRONMRHAHKHSXBNLENQS@MCDMBNTQ@FDLDMS@MCL@MXVDQD@AKDto use healthy and productive peer competition to their advantage.

3D\LWIRUZDUGRXNTOQNFQDRRSGQNTFGXNTQB@QDDQHSR@FQD@SDWODQHDMBDSNS@JDNMLDMSNQRGHOQNKDRENQODDQRNQLNQDITMHNQRSTCDMSR3GHRGDKORXNTITRS@RLTBG@RHSGDKORNSGDQR@MCOTSRXNTNMSGDpath of learning to become a good mentor in your own right!


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We put this question to two senior health services researchers, Dr. Kim McGrail from the University of!QHSHRG"NKTLAH@@MC#Q2G@QNM2SQ@TREQNLSGD4MHUDQRHSXNE3NQNMSN!NWOQDRDMSRSGDHQ@CUHBD

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For students, they should learn about the policies around publication in their research team early onand understand who can be what type of author in what circumstances.

For mentors, its important to provide students with opportunities but not become so involved inmanuscripts to the point that the students own voice is lost. Mentors need to know themselves andF@HM@RDMRDNESGDHQNVMRSXKDRNSGDXB@MO@QSMDQDDBSHUDKXVHSGRSTCDMSR

6KDURQVDLG

%NQRSTCDMSRHSR@ANTSKD@QMHMFSNRDSNAIDBSHUDR@MCRSHBJHMFSNSGDL+D@QMHMFSNL@M@FDSHLD@MCBNLODSHMFOQHNQHSHDRDDBSHUDKX@QDDRRDMSH@KRJHKKRSG@SRTODQUHRNQRL@XMDDCSN@RRHRStheir students with.

%NQLDMSNQRHSR@ANTSQD@KHYHMFSG@SCHDQDMSODNOKDG@UDCHDQDMSMDDCR@MCSGTRL@XQDPTHQDCHDQDMSSXODRNE@RRHRS@MBD,DMSNQRLTRSCDSDQLHMDVG@S@O@QSHBTK@QRSTCDMSMDDCRRNSGDXB@Mhelp them access the appropriate guidance or support. When it comes to publishing, mentors shouldprovide lots of feedback and constructive criticism because writing and publishing is oftena challenge for young researchers.

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&NNCLDMSNQRGHOHR@RRNBH@SDCVHSG@U@QHDSXNEONRHSHUDADMDSR5, and its important that you make

RDQHNTRDNQSRSNHMSDQ@BSVHSGXNTQLDMSNQR@MCATHKCSGNRDQDK@SHNMRGHOR'NVDUDQDUDMSGDADRSmentors cant reasonably provide you with all the guidance you need on every front. So seek out multiple

LDMSNQR@MCQNKDLNCDKRSG@SB@MGDKOXNTM@UHF@SDCHDQDMSOQNAKDLR(EXNTQDMNSFDSSHMFVG@Syou need from the mentors in your surroundings, then its your duty to bring that to your supervisorsattention and see how they can help. No one should be shy to meet with their supervisor and discussmentorship issues, and your supervisor will likely appreciate being more aware of your needs. However,its also important to not rely too much on your mentors for everything. Indeed, its up to you to steer theship, and allow your mentors to be the wind in your sails.


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Authorship issues are important because it is through authorship that we assign responsibility andgive credit for intellectual work6. Authorship issues have implications for personal and professionalreputations, career advancement and research funding, and even the reputations of institutions.!DHMF@M@TSGNQNM@MDVKXOTAKHRGDCO@ODQNESDMOQNUHCDR@R@SHREXHMFDUDMDWBHSHMFEDDKHMF'NVDUDQENQRNLDODNOKDSGDOTAKHB@SHNMDWODQHDMBDHRTMENQSTM@SDKXAHSSDQRVDDSNQEQTRSQ@SHMFADB@TRDSGDXODQBDHUDSG@SSGDHQDNQSRHMSGDQDRD@QBGNQNMSGDO@ODQG@UDMNSADDM@CDPT@SDKX@BJMNVKDCFDC

The collaborative nature of HSPR means that were often writing and publishing papers as a team.(ESGDQD@QDLHRBNLLTMHB@SHNMR@MCCHR@FQDDLDMSR@QNTMC@TSGNQRGHOHSB@MMDF@SHUDKXHMTDMBDthe relationships between and reputations of those involved. As such, its very important to openlydiscuss authorship issues early on in the research process so that everyone involved is on the sameO@FD@MCMDF@SHUDDWODQHDMBDR@QD@UNHCDC!DKNVVDCDRBQHADVGNRGNTKCADBNMRHCDQDC@M@TSGNQNM@O@ODQ@MCVDDWOKNQDRDUDQ@K@TSGNQRGHOHRRTDRSG@SXNTQDKHJDKXSNDMBNTMSDQ@R@trainee and young researcher.

:KRVKRXOGEHFRQVLGHUHGIRUDXWKRUVKLSRQDVFLHQWLFPDQXVFULSW"

(STRDCSNADSG@SCHDQDMSQDRD@QBGFQNTORVNTKCG@UDUDQXCHDQDMSONKHBHDRVHSGQDRODBSSNVGNcould be considered an author on a paper. Talk to some of the more senior researchers around you andwere sure that they could share a few horror stories of unfair practices!

Increasingly though, theres a growing consensus regarding what elements are necessary to constitute@TSGNQRGHONM@[email protected]@RNMRENQSGHRG@RSNCNVHSGSGDVNQJAXBDQS@HMFQNTORSNDRS@AKHRGBQHSDQH@ENQ@TSGNQRGHOHMAHNLDCHB@KINTQM@KRFNNCDW@LOKDHRSGD5@MBNTUDQRXRSDLCDUDKNODCAXthe International Committee of Medical Journal Editors7. The Vancouver rules for authorship, as theyreBNLLNMKXJMNVMG@UDADDM@CNOSDCAXNUDQINTQM@KR@MCSGDXRS@SDSG@S TSGNQRGHOBQDCHSRGNTKCADA@RDCNMRTARS@MSH@KBNMSQHATSHNMRSNBNMBDOSHNM@MCCDRHFM@BPTHRHSHNMNEC@S@NQ@M@KXRHR@MCHMSDQOQDS@SHNMNEC@S@CQ@ESHMFSGD@QSHBKDNQQDUHRHMFHSBQHSHB@KKXENQHLONQS@MSHMSDKKDBST@KBNMSDMS@MCM@K@OOQNU@KNESGDUDQRHNMSNADOTAKHRGDCTSGNQRRGNTKCLDDSBNMCHSHNMR@MC 7

3GDQTKDRETQSGDQRS@SDSG@SO@QSHBHO@SHNMRNKDKXHMC@S@BNKKDBSHNMNQ@M@KXRHRCNDRMSITRSHEX@TSGNQRGHOMNQCNDRRHLOKXOQNUHCHMFFDMDQ@KRTODQUHRHNMNUDQSGDOTAKHB@SHNMOQNBDRR6GHKDMNS@KK'2/1INTQM@KRsubscribe to these criteria, they can serve as the foundation for an authorship policy within individualQDRD@QBGSD@LRKRN@MHMBQD@RHMFMTLADQNEINTQM@KRQDPTHQDSG@S@TSGNQRADUDQXBKD@Q@ANTSSGDcontributions of each author on the paper, in some cases publishing this information.

Even with clear criteria, it can sometimes still be a challenge to know whether to include some people@R@TSGNQRHMBDQS@HMBHQBTLRS@MBDRRDD!NWENQRNLDSQHBJX@TSGNQRGHORHST@SHNMR%TQSGDQLNQDNMDlimit of the Vancouver and other authorship criteria is that they dont often cover the occasionally trickyHRRTDNE@TSGNQRGHONQCDQ3GDHMR@MCNTSRNESGHRHRRTD@QDCHRBTRRDCMDWS

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6FHQDULR6GDM1NW@MMDV@RCNHMFGDQL@RSDQRCDFQDDRGDOQNONRDCSNGDQRTODQUHRNQSNVQHSD@M@QSHBKD@QNTMCRNLDC@S@GDQRTODQUHRNQG@C@BPTHQDCATSCHCMNSOK@MSNDWOKNHS1NW@MMDL@CD@OK@Mfor the paper, did the analyses and began drafting the manuscript. Unfortunately, she could not completeSGDO@ODQADENQDFQ@CT@SHMF@MCMCHMFDLOKNXLDMSNTSRHCDNESGDGD@KSGDKC3VNXD@QRK@SDQ!HKKX

a new PhD student, became aware of the data and began the same process adopting a similar angle.1NW@MMDRO@ODQSGNTFGHMBNLOKDSDHMROHQDC!HKKX@MCL@CDVQHSHMFGHRNVMO@ODQLTBGD@RHDQ6GDM!HKKXBNLOKDSDCSGDL@MTRBQHOSGDVNMCDQDCVGDSGDQGDRGNTKCHMBKTCD1NW@MMD@R@BN@TSGNQ'DSQHDCSNBNMS@BS1NW@MMDATSV@RTM@AKDSNQD@BGGDQ6G@SRGNTKCGDCN


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6FHQDULR,@QUHMHR@XNTMFQDRD@QBGDQVGNG@RADDMKD@CHMF@QDRD@QBGOQNIDBSVHSGSVNNSGDQcollaborators. Wendy is one of these collaborators and is also a good friend of Marvin. Wendy is also aXNTMFQDRD@QBGDQATSGDQHLOKHB@SHNMHMSGDOQNIDBSG@RADDMKHLHSDCADB@TRDRGDRADDMNUDQVGDKLDCVHSGSD@BGHMFQDRONMRHAHKHSHDR2GDHMHSH@KKXE@BHKHS@SDCSGDQDBQTHSLDMSNERTAIDBSRENQSGDOQNIDBSATSG@RADDMK@QFDKXTM@U@HK@AKDRHMBDSG@SSHLD,@QUHMG@R@CU@MBDCSGDOQNIDBSDMNTFGSNVQHSD@QRSO@ODQon results hes particularly interested in. He decides to send Wendy the paper for her comments, evenSGNTFGRGDG@RKHSSKDDWODQSHRDHMSGD@QD@ENBTRDCNMHMSGDO@ODQ6DMCXQDSTQMRSGDO@ODQVHSGLHMNQBNQQDBSHNMRSNRODKKHMF'NVDUDQ6DMCX@RJR,@QUHMHERGDBNTKCADHCDMSHDC@RK@RS@TSGNQNMSGDO@ODQADB@TRDCNHMFRNVNTKCKHJDKXGDKOGDQADOQNLNSDCHMGDQMDWSSDMTQDDU@KT@SHNM6DMCXR@BSHNMRwouldnt ordinarily merit authorship but she is a good friend and future collaborator. What should he do?

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8NTADSHSCNDRMCENQL@MXQD@RNMR(SRBNLLNMKX@RRTLDCSG@SSGDQRS@TSGNQNM@M@QSHBKDHRthe person who has made the greatest intellectual contribution, including taking on most or all of theVQHSHMF@MCBNMSQHATSHMFRHFMHB@[email protected]@R@MC@QFTLDMSRED@STQDCHM@O@QSHBTK@QO@ODQ@QDBQDCHSDCK@QFDKXSNSGDQRS@TSGNQ@G@AHSQDHMENQBDCAXSGDE@BSSG@SSGHR@TSGNQRM@LDNESDM@OOD@QRHMSGDSDWSNENSGDQ@QSHBKDRVGDMDUDQSGDO@ODQHRBHSDCRRHFMHMFBQDCHSSNSGDQRS@TSGNQG@RHLOKHB@SHNMRENQ@B@CDLHBDU@KT@SHNM@MCXNTMFQDRD@QBGDQRL@XG@UDL@INQCHBTKSHDR@BPTHQHMFINARNQQDRD@QBGETMCHMFHESGDXG@UDMNQRS@TSGNQOTAKHB@SHNMRSNSGDHQM@LDKRNEQNL@OQ@BSHB@KRS@MCONHMSADHMFSGDQRS@TSGNQ@KRNLD@MRS@JHMFSGDKD@CNM@U@QHDSXNEOTAKHB@SHNMS@RJR

SG@SSGDNSGDQ@TSGNQRVNMSADQDRONMRHAKDENQRDDSGDMDWSRDBSHNMAnother common convention is to see a more senior researcher occupy the last spot in the authorship

order. This spot can be coveted since this person may be considered the driving force intellectually@MCM@MBH@KKXENQSGDQDRD@QBG8. In some universities and funding agencies, the number of last-authorpublications is considered an important metric in evaluations as it provides evidence of mentorship andleadership. Such publications are not only important for more established researchers but also younginvestigators who are in the process of building their career and research team. RHCDEQNLSGDQRSNQK@RS@TSGNQCNDRHSL@JD@CHDQDMBDVGDQDXNTQM@LDL@X@OOD@QHMSGDKHRSof authors? Given that many researchers associate authorship order with degree of contribution, it mayADADSSDQSGNTFGSGDS@MFHAKDADMDSRNE@TSGNQRGHO@QDUHQST@KKXSGDR@LDENQ@TSGNQRQ@MJDC@MXVGDQDNSGDQSG@MQRSNQK@RS3GDSVNDWBDOSHNMR@QDVGDMLTKSHOKD@TSGNQR@QDHCDMSHDC@RSGDKD@C@TSGNQRon a paper or when authors publish as a group (e.g. the CAHSPR Student Working Group), but theseRHST@SHNMRCNMSG@OODMSNNNESDM@MCRNLDINTQM@KRCNMSODQLHSSGDL

:KDWUHVSRQVLELOLWLHVDQGFRQVHTXHQFHVFRPHZLWKEHLQJWKHUVWDXWKRUDQGFRUUHVSRQGLQJDXWKRU"

(EXNTV@MSSGDFKNQXSG@SBNLDRVHSGADHMF@QRS@TSGNQB@TSHNMKKSG@SFKHSSDQRL@XMNSADFNKC(M@CCHSHNMSNETKKKHMFSGD@TSGNQRGHOBQHSDQH@GDRGDHRFDMDQ@KKXDWODBSDCSNS@JDNM@MTLADQNE@CCHSHNM@KQDRONMRHAHKHSHDR(LONQS@MSKXSGDQRS@TSGNQHRDWODBSDCSN@BS@R@KD@CDQVHSGHMthe authorship team when it comes to issues like obtaining ethics approval, assigning authorship,DRS@AKHRGHMFVQHSHMFCD@CKHMDRBNLOHKHMFQDUHRHNMREQNLBN@TSGNQRDSB!@RHB@KKXSGDQRS@TSGNQRGNTKCADSGDNMDCNHMFSGDLNRSVNQJ(SR@KRNHLONQS@MSSNQDBNFMHYDSG@SVGHKDSGDQRS@TSGNQHRTRT@KKXSGDQRSSNQDBDHUDBQDCHSEQNLE@MRSGDXQD@KRNSGDQRSSNQDBDHUDBQHSHBHRLNQAK@LD-N@TSGNQV@[email protected]+23-,$DS@KVDQDSNS@KKXVQNMFHMSGDHQ@M@KXRHRNE3GHRDW@LOKDL@XRDDL@AHSG@QRGATSHSROQNUHCDCSNGHFGKHFGSSGDE@BSSG@S@RQRS@TSGNQXNTQD@KKXCN@RRTLDLNQDQDRONMRHAHKHSXENQSGDM@KOQNCTBSSG@MNSGDQ@TSGNQR%TQSGDQLNQDXNTQDQDRONMRHAKDENQprotecting the reputations of your co-authors, so taking the time to ensure that your product meetsGHFGRBHDMSHBRS@MC@QCRHRSHLDVDKKRODMS


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KSGNTFGSGDRODBHBDWODBS@SHNMRU@QXAXINTQM@KHMFDMDQ@KSGDBNQQDRONMCHMF@TSGNQHRSGDindividual who assumes responsibility for receiving and responding to inquiries about the article before@MC@ESDQHSROTAKHRGDC'DRGDLTRSRTALHSSGD@QSHBKDQDBDHUDSGDQDRONMRDREQNLSGDDCHSNQH@KAN@QCfacilitate communication among the co-authors about the feedback, submit any revisions, and work withSGDDCHSNQH@KNBD@ESDQSGDO@ODQG@RADDM@BBDOSDCSN@OOQNUDOQNNER@MCM@KHYDSGDL@MTRBQHOSAll done? Not necessarily. Inquiries about the paper may come from readers (in the form of onlinecommentaries or emails) or even from the media. Again, its the responsibility of the correspondingauthor to inform the co-authors about any inquiries and ensure theyre addressed promptly. 6GNSGDMRGNTKCADM@LDC@RBNQQDRONMCHMF@TSGNQ(ML@MXB@RDRSGDQRS@TSGNQS@JDRNMSGDQDRONMRHAHKHSXNEADHMFSGDBNQQDRONMCHMF@TSGNQ3GHRHR@M@STQ@KQNKDENQSGDQRS@TSGNQRHMBDGD

she presumably already has an intimate relationship with the article (and is therefore in the bestposition to address questions) and has already facilitated communication among the authors duringthe preparation of the manuscript. It isnt unusual, however, for the senior author to take on the role ofBNQQDRONMCHMF@TSGNQDRODBH@KKXVGDMSGDQRS@TSGNQHR@ITMHNQRSTCDMSDF,@RSDQRKDUDK3GHRHRADB@TRDRDMHNQ@TSGNQRL@XADLNQDBNLENQS@AKDBNLLTMHB@SHMFDDBSHUDKXVHSGSGDINTQM@K@MCBN@TSGNQR@MCVNTKCKHJDKXADLNQDDWODQHDMBDCHMCD@[email protected]@MCLNQDRDMHNQRSTCDMSRDF/G#KDUDKBNTKCF@HMU@KT@AKDDWODQHDMBDEQNLS@JHMFNMSGHRQNKD2HMBDKD@QMHMFGNVSNDDBSHUDKXBNLLTMHB@SDVHSG@Q@MFDNEHMCHUHCT@KR@TSGNQRQD@CDQRLDCH@HR@critical skill for any upcoming researcher, this may be a perfect opportunity to develop such importantabilities while support from mentors is readily available.

:KDWDUHWKHDGYDQWDJHVGLVDGYDQWDJHVLVVXHVRIVRORDXWKRUVKLSYVJURXSDXWKRUVKLS"

4OTMSHKSGDRRNKD@TSGNQRGHOV@RSGDMNQLENQRBHDMSHBVQHSHMF2HMBDSGDMSGDQDG@RADDMRTBG@QHRDHMLTKSH@TSGNQDCO@ODQRSG@SRNKD@TSGNQRGHOG@RADBNLDSGDDWBDOSHNMQ@SGDQSG@MSGDQTKDThis trend is partly attributed to increased pressure on researchers to accumulate as many publications@RONRRHAKDSGHROQDRRTQDHREDKSDUDM@SSGDD@QKHDRSRS@FDRNENMDRSQ@HMHMF6HSGNTS@CNTASLTKSHauthorship enables us all to be involved in more publications. However, there are also a number of@CCHSHNM@KADMDSR%NQDW@LOKDADHMF@BNMSQHATSHMFLDLADQNE@LTKSH@TSGNQDCO@ODQB@MAD@sign to a future employer or collaborator that you work well as part of a team. Also, having your nameOTAKHRGDC@KNMFRHCDDRS@AKHRGDCQDRD@QBGDQRL@XFQ@MSXNT@[email protected]@TSGNQRGHOSNNSGDQQDRD@QBGDQRL@X@KRNKD@CSGDLSNDWSDMCSGDR@LDNDQSNXNTHMthe future. The concept of multi-authorship can be advantageous within a research group as it can helpENRSDQBNNODQ@SHNMQ@SGDQSG@MBNLODSHSHNM@LNMFHSRLDLADQRVGDM@OHDBDNEVNQJHROTAKHRGDCeverybody wins! /DQG@ORSGDLNRSHLONQS@MSADMDSNEADHMFO@QSNE@LTKSH@TSGNQDCO@ODQENQRSTCDMSRHRSG@SHSallows them to contribute to larger scale research early in their careers. Today, sole authored paperstend to be published only by well-established researchers, usually in commentary or editorial form.Students typically dont have the resources (e.g. data) to produce an original research manuscriptNQDUDMDWDBTSD@GHFGPT@KHSXQDUHDVO@ODQBNLOKDSDKXNMSGDHQNVM%TQSGDQLNQDHSRFDMDQ@KKXTMCDQRSNNCSG@SSQ@HMDDRADMDSEQNLSGDDWODQSHRDNE@SKD@RSNMDRDMHNQBNKK@ANQ@SNQ

Having said that, solo authored papers are not completely out of reach to students, one must simplySGHMJ@KHSSKDNTSRHCDSGDANW%NQHMRS@MBDRSTCDMSRQD@C@KNSDRODBH@KKXHMSGDHQ@QD@NEDWODQSHRDand may feel compelled to respond to one of these articles in the form of a commentary or debatearticle. A well-argued, insightful debate article or commentary may not only demonstrate initiative andO@RRHNMATSL@X@KRNGDKOOQNUDSG@SXNTQHCD@R@MCDWODQSHRDDWHRSHMCDODMCDMSKXNEXNTQLDMSNQR%NQNSGDQHCD@RENQONSDMSH@KOTAKHRGHMFNOONQSTMHSHDRRDD"G@OSDQ


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&HUDMSG@SLTKSH@TSGNQO@ODQRG@UDADBNLDSGDMNQLHSRMNSRTQOQHRHMFSG@SBNMHBSR@QNTMCauthorship have become more frequent. Here are some of the more common problems that can arise9:

'LVSXWHVRYHUUVWDXWKRUVKLSDQGDXWKRUVKLSRUGHU Probably the most common disputes occurADB@TRDNECHR@FQDDLDMSRNUDQVGNRGNTKCADSGDQRS@TSGNQNM@L@MTRBQHOSNQSGDNQCDQHM@KHRSNE@TSGNQR(SL@XG@OODMENQHMRS@MBDSG@S@LNQDRDMHNQQDRD@QBGDQHMRHRSRNMADHMF@QRS@TSGNQDUDMSGNTFG@SQ@HMDDNQLNQDITMHNQQDRD@QBGDQG@RL@CD@FQD@SDQHMSDKKDBST@Kcontribution to the work.

/DFNRIUHFRJQLWLRQThis occurs when someones name does not appear in the list of authors despiteGHLGDQG@UHMFL@CD@MHLONQS@MSBNMSQHATSHNMSN@RSTCXBNLLNMDW@LOKDHRVGDMQDRD@QBGassistants (RAs) do much of the grunt work around data collection or analysis but are then notconsulted during the paper writing process. If youre an RA, you should clarify your position withyour employer and ensure that if you want to be an author of a paper, that you can be placed in aposition to meet all the agreed-upon requirements.

,QDSSURSULDWHFRDXWKRUVKLSThis can occur in a variety of situations. More senior researchers mayassume that all publications originating within their research team should have their names onthem, regardless of their involvement in the research or manuscript. Authors may decide togrant authorship strategically to people who dont truly merit it as a gift to show respect or as

a means of making the paper seem more legitimate (thinking that the big name will helpget the paper accepted).

*KRVWZULWLQJ In this case, someone is hired to contribute substantially to the writing of a paper and is(deliberately or not) left out of the author list for that paper. While its normal to have someone helpwith the editing of a manuscript, ghostwriting becomes unethical when writers are paid toVQHSDSGDUDQXRTARS@MBDNE@O@ODQ@MCSGDMO@RRHSN@RRNLDNMDDKRDRVNQJVHSGNTSADHMFadequately acknowledged. The practice is particularly scandalous if the ghostwriter is aprofessional that is sponsored by an organization that stands to gain from the publication(a pharmaceutical company for instance).

3GDQD@QD@LXQH@CNENSGDQE@BSNQRSG@SL@XKD@CSN@TSGNQRGHOCHROTSDRHMBKTCHMFBNMHBSHMFpersonalities, power struggles or inequalities, hidden agendas, and so on. When working with a group of

@TSGNQRENQSGDQRSSHLDADHMFDWOKHBHS@SSGDUDQXADFHMMHMFNESGDOQNIDBS@ANTSSGDOK@MENQ@TSGNQRGHOis essential. Everyone should be candid about his or her interests in getting involved and the role theywould like to play in the process. The more open and honest people are right from the start, the morelikely it is that everyone will avoid uncomfortable situations later on down the road. In the event that anTMBNLENQS@AKXRHST@SHNMMCRXNT@MCXNTQDRSTBJHSRTRT@KKXADRSSNSQXSNVNQJNTSOQNAKDLRHMGNTRDbefore reaching out for help from other mentors or leaders in your graduate program.

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From a student perspective, we understand that it can sometimes be uncomfortable to discussauthorship issues with your supervisor or with other senior researchers. However, if ever the authorshippolicies in your research team or group are unclear, its important to put your shyness aside and spark aBNMUDQR@SHNMNMSGDSNOHBADENQDSGDQDRD@QBG@CU@MBDRSNNE@QNQXNTHMUDRS@RHFMHB@MS@[email protected],@JDMN@RRTLOSHNMR@ANTSSGD@TSGNQRGHOONKHBHDRHMDDBS@MC@RJ@ANTSSGDLCHQDBSKX,NQDNESDMSG@MMNSXNTKKMCSG@SODNOKD@QDG@OOXSNCHRBTRRCHDQDMSscenarios are very open to having students contribute to publications. If ever the policies are not whatXNTDWODBSDC@SKD@RSXNTKKJMNVHM@CU@MBD@MCVHKKAD@AKDSN@CITRSXNTQHMUNKUDLDMS@BBNQCHMFKX


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RLDMSHNMDCHM"G@OSDQSGD'2/1DKCHRLTKSHCHRBHOKHM@QXHMM@STQD@MC@RRTBGSGDQDHRNESDM@K@QFDMTLADQNEINTQM@KRSNBGNNRDEQNLVGDMRDDJHMFOTAKHB@SHNM(CDMSHEXHMFINTQM@KRSG@SLHFGSADmost suitable for your research is an important step and best done early on in the publication process.3GDQD@QDL@MXQD@RNMRENQSGHROQ@BSHB@KQD@RNMHRSG@SL@MTRBQHOSFTHCDKHMDRU@QX@BQNRRINTQM@KR3GDQDENQDRDKDBSHMF@ONSDMSH@KINTQM@KD@QKXGDKORSNRDSSGDRSQTBSTQDNEXNTQO@ODQDFSXODNEO@ODQ@MCKDMFSGMTLADQNES@AKDRNQFTQDR@KKNVDCDSB(SR@KRNHLONQS@MSSNRDKDBS@ONSDMSH@KINTQM@KD@QKHDQSG@MK@SDQADB@TRDHSENQBDRXNTSNSGHMJ@ANTSVG@SXNTQBNMSQHATSHNMQDOQDRDMSR@MCVGNyour target audience should be, and 2) there are important consequences for you and others tied to yourBGNHBDNEINTQM@K6DDWO@MCNMSGDRDONHMSRADKNV

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(MSGDLHCR@QDRD@QBGSD@LEQNL0TDADBHMHSH@SDC@OQNIDBSRSTCXHMFGD@KSGOQNAKDLR@LNMFGNLDKDRRXNTSGHM,NMSQD@K3GDHQRSTCXHMSDMCDCSNDW@LHMDQ@SDRNE'(5HMEDBSHNMATS@ESDQRDUDQ@Kparticipants in their cohort died during the study, the research team decided to add mortality rates tothe list of collected variables. After a few years of data collection, a masters student who was part ofthe research team analyzed the mortality data and shared it with her supervisor, who replied You knowVG@S6G@SVDITRSENTMCHRVNQSGXNEOTAKHB@SHNMHM),3GDL@RSDQRRSTCDMSVQNSDTOSGDMCHMFR

submitted it to JAMA and it was accepted! The paperV@R@L@INQBNTOENQSGDQDRD@QBGSD@L@MCDRODBH@KKXHSRQRS@TSGNQSGDL@RSDQRRSTCDMS 'NVCHCSGDRSTCDMSRRTODQUHRNQJMNVSG@SSGDMCHMFRVDQDNERTBGHLONQS@MBD%NQHMDWODQHDMBDCQDRD@QBGDQRHSB@MRNLDSHLDRADCHBTKSSNJMNVVG@SXNTQRBHDMSHBBNMSQHATSHNMQDOQDRDMSR@MCVG@SQDKDU@MBDXNTQVNQJG@RENQXNTQDKC(SL@XADSG@SXNTUDADDMVNQJHMFNMRNLDSGHMFENQ@KNMFSHLDand you become overcritical of your work or you simply underestimate (or overestimate) the importanceNE@MCHMFEQNLXNTQRSTCHDR

Here are four questions you can ask yourself to help you assess your works importance:

L(@RJHMF@GHFGKXNQHFHM@[email protected]@RLXQDRD@QBGPTDRSHNMADDM@CCQDRRDCHMOQDUHNTRRSTCHDRODQG@ORHMCHDQDMSRDSSHMFRNQVHSGCHDQDMSONOTK@SHNMR

QDLXLDSGNCRHMMNU@[email protected]@QDSGDQDHLONQS@MSLDSGNCNKNFHB@Klimitations in my study? #NLXLDSGNCR@KKNVLDSNADBNMCDMSSG@S(G@UD@BST@KKX@[email protected]@QD

my methods misaligned with my research questions in some way?

6HKKLXQDRD@QBGKD@CSN@RHFMHB@MS@CU@MBDSNNTQTMCDQRS@MCHMFNESGDQDRD@QBGOQNAKDLNQHLO@BSODNOKDHM@MHLONQS@[email protected]@QDSGDHLO@BSRNELXQDRD@QBGLNQDLNCDRS

Working out the answers to these questions can help you assess the importance of your work and giveXNT@MHMHSH@KRDMRD@ANTSSGDONSDMSH@KINTQM@KRXNTRGNTKCADS@QFDSHMFENQOTAKHB@SHNM%HMCHMFSGDQHFGSINTQM@KSENQXNTQO@ODQR@UDRSHLDHMSGDOTAKHB@SHNMOQNBDRR@MCNOSHLHYDRSGDADMDSRNEXNTQVNQJfor yourself and others.


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:KDWVDQ,PSDFW)DFWRUDQGKRZLPSRUWDQWLVLW"

Like nuclear energy, the impact factor is a mixed blessing

3GDSDQLHLO@BSE@BSNQHRNMDSG@SLNRSQDRD@QBGDQR@QDTRT@KKXDWONRDCSNE@HQKXD@QKXHMSGDHQB@QDDQRINTQM@KRHLO@BSE@BSNQ(%HR@LD@RTQDNESGDEQDPTDMBXVHSGVGHBGSGD@UDQ@FD@QSHBKDHMSGDINTQM@KG@RADDMBHSDCHM@O@QSHBTK@QXD@QNQODQHNC. The higher the number, the higher the perceivedHLO@BSNESGDINTQM@K!NWOQNUHCDRSGDENQLTK@SG@S3GNLRNM1DTSDQRTRDRSNB@KBTK@SD@INTQM@KR(%for its annual Journal Citation Reports publication.

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!SGDMTLADQNERTARS@MSHUD@QSHBKDRNQRNTQBDHSDLROTAKHRGDCAX",)HMHMSGHRB@RDsubstantive articles would include things like original research or review articles but not editorials, newsreports, Letters-to-the-Editor, etc.)

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3GDHLO@BSE@BSNQV@RHMSDMCDC@R@LD@MRSNQ@MJ@MCDU@KT@SDSGDHLONQS@MBDNEINTQM@KRENQSGDQDRD@QBGBNLLTMHSXVGHKDDKHLHM@SHMFAH@RDRCTDSNBDQS@HMINTQM@KBG@Q@BSDQHRSHBRENQDW@LOKDSGDamount of content they put out, their frequency of publication, their age). Journals with high IFs aregenerally viewed as more prestigious and so not surprisingly the IF has become a widely used measure inacademic evaluation, including for the assessment of trainees and young researchers.

However, the IF and its use in evaluating researchers are not devoid of controversy, particularly in the

GD@KSGRDQUHBDR@MCONKHBXDKC"NMRHCDQSVNONRSCNBSNQ@KEDKKNVRHM'2/1!NA@MC+HY!NAOTAKHRGDC@O@ODQNMSGDDOHCDLHNKNFXNE@MCRDQUHBDMDDCRENQ@Q@QDENQLNEB@MBDQHMSGDINTQM@K"@MBDQ1DRD@QBG(%[email protected]@R+HYOTAKHRGDCSGDQDRTKSRNEO@QSHBHO@SNQX@BSHNMQDRD@QBGOQNIDBSVHSGONKHBXL@JDQRHMSGDINTQM@K'D@KSG/NKHBX@MC/K@MMHMF(%Q@MJDCSGHMSGDDKCNE'D@KSG/NKHBX6GDMVDDU@KT@SDSGD@BGHDUDLDMSRNESGDRDSVNONRSCNBRVDB@MADOQDSSXsure that Bobs research and paper will be more impactful than Lizs, right? -NSRNE@RSQRSONHMSSNQDLDLADQHRSG@SINTQM@K(%RU@QXAXDKCNEQDRD@QBG%NQDW@LOKDINTQM@KRENBTRHMFNMB@MBDQQDRD@QBGSDMCSNG@UDLTBGGHFGDQ(%RSG@MINTQM@KROTAKHRGHMFGD@KSGONKHBXQDRD@QBG2DBNMCKX@INTQM@KR(%HRMNS@OQDCHBSHNMNEGNVL@MXSHLDR@RODBHB@TSGNQR@QSHBKDVHKKADBHSDCRN+HYR@QSHBKDBNTKCVDKKADBHSDCSHLDRODQXD@QENKKNVHMFHSROTAKHB@SHNMVGHKD!NARBHSDCNMKXtwice per year.

In a similar vein, one should be cautious about making assumptions about the quality of researchA@RDCNMOTAKHB@SHNMVHSGHM@O@QSHBTK@QINTQM@K3GDO@QSHBHO@SNQX@BSHNMQDRD@QBGOQNIDBSKDCAX+HYL@XG@UDADDMB@QQHDCNTSVHSGDWBDOSHNM@KQHFNTQ@MCL@XUDQXVDKKAD@RNQLNQDHLOQDRRHUDSG@M!NARDOHCDLHNKNFHB@K@M@KXRHR%HM@KKXSGDBNMBDOSNEHLO@BSB@OSTQDCAXSGDINTQM@K(%HRBKD@QKXUDQXM@QQNVHMSG@SHSRQDK@SDCRNKDKXSNINTQM@KOTAKHB@SHNMR'NVDUDQXNTQQDRD@QBGB@MG@UDL@MXNSGDQtypes of impact, such as on clinical practice, patient behaviours or outcomes, policymaking, etc.Given the applied nature of HSPR, it seems prudent to keep this bigger picture in mind whenDU@KT@SHMFCHDQDMSINTQM@KR@MCO@ODQR


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Despite its drawbacks, its clear that the IF is here to stay for at least the foreseeable future. Why?

!DB@TRDHSRD@RHKX@BBDRRHAKDENQ@VHCDQ@MFDNEINTQM@KR

Because researchers are familiar with it and many consider it the best metric currently available formeasuring impact.

!DB@TRDVGDMTRDCOQNODQKXHSOQNUHCDRTRVHSG@PTHBJ@MCFDMDQ@KRDMRDNEANSGSGDINTQM@KROQDRSHFD@MCGNVCHBTKSHSL@XADFDS@M@QSHBKDOTAKHRGDCTMCDQHSRSHSKD

Aside from the IF, what other metrics of impact are out there? Two other citation-based metrics areSGD$HFDME@BSNQ@MCSGDGHMCDW3GD$HFDME@BSNQCHRSHMFTHRGDRHSRDKEEQNLSGD(%AXMNSNMKXBNMRHCDQHMFSGDMTLADQNESHLDR@QSHBKDR@QDBHSDCAXQDEDQDMBDCINTQM@KRATS@KRNSGDHMTDMBDNESGDINTQM@KRdoing the citing3GDGHMCDWHRMNS@OOKHDCSNINTQM@KRATSQ@SGDQ@RRDRRDRSGDPT@MSHSX@MCPT@KHSXNE@QDRD@QBGDQRRBHDMSHBNTSOTS3GDLDSQHBS@JDRHMSN@BBNTMSSVNL@HMOHDBDRNEHMENQL@SHNMSGDnumber of articles that the person has published, and (2) the number of times each article has been cited.%NQDW@LOKDHE!NAG@ROTAKHRGDCQDRD@QBGO@ODQR@LNMFVGHBGG@UDADDMBHSDCSHLDRNQLNQDSGDM!NARGHMCDWHRDPT@KSN (SR@KRNVNQSGLDMSHNMHMFSG@S@RLNQD@MCLNQDINTQM@KROQNUHCDNMKHMDOK@SENQLR@MHMBQD@RHMFnumber of web-based metrics are being developed, including the number of online article views andeven twitter tweets or tweetations! All of the alternative measures named above have their strengthsbut also important weaknesses. Therefore, its worth gaining some familiarity with these metrics soSG@SXNTB@MADSSDQ@RRDRRGNVXNTQINTQM@KBGNHBDVHKKHLO@BSNSGDQRODQBDOSHNMNEXNTQQDRD@QBG@MC

publishing record.

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When we asked several well-known HSPR researchers this question, the overwhelming response wasS@QFDS@TCHDMBD(MNSGDQVNQCRVGNMDDCRSNJMNV@ANTSXNTQQDRD@QBGMCHMFR3NVGNL@QDXNTQD@KKXROD@JHMFHMXNTQO@ODQ(SRVNMCDQETKSNSGHMJSG@SXNTQMCHMFRG@UDQDKDU@MBDENQCNBSNQRnurses, administrators, policymakers, researchers, patients, the general public, and so on and this mayQD@KKXADSGDB@RD2NLDINTQM@KRCNG@UDAQN@CDQQD@CDQRGHORSG@MNSGDQR@MCRNHSL@XADONRRHAKDSNDWONRDXNTQVNQJSNLTKSHOKDRS@JDGNKCDQR@SSGDR@LDSHLD'NVDUDQLNRSNESGDSHLDXNTKKOQNA@AKXG@UDSNENBTRNM@O@QSHBTK@QRS@JDGNKCDQFQNTONQSVN@MCS@HKNQXNTQLDRR@FDSNSG@SRODBHB@TCHDMBDTo paraphrase Kim McGrail from the University of British Columbia, if you want your paper to actually be

read by physicians in Canada, youd better publish in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, becauseSG@SRK@QFDKXVG@SSGDXQD@C4RT@KKX@INTQM@KRVDARHSDOQNUHCDRHMENQL@SHNM@ANTSHSRQD@CDQRGHOReadership can also usually be discovered by asking your supervisors, colleagues and mentors. (CDMSHEXHMFXNTQS@QFDS@TCHDMBDHR@KRNBQHSHB@K@RHSVHKKKHJDKXHMTDMBDGNVXNTVQHSDSGDO@ODQHSRDKEHMBKTCHMFGNVXNTHMSQNCTBDXNTQSNOHBSGDSXODRNE@QFTLDMSRXNTBGNNRD@MCMCHMFRNQHCD@RXNTDLOG@RHYDDSB3GHRHR@MNSGDQQD@RNMVGXHSRHCD@KSNS@QFDSXNTQINTQM@KD@QKXHMSGDOTAKHB@SHNMprocess before too much writing gets done. !TSVG@SCNXNTCNHEXNTQDKNNJHMF@SSVNINTQM@KRSG@SG@UDRHLHK@Q(%R@MCRHLHK@QS@QFDS@TCHDMBDR6G@SNSGDQE@BSNQRL@XXNTKNNJ@SSNGDKOXNTOHBJSGDQHFGSINTQM@K'DQD@QD@EDVHCD@R

/RFDORULQWHUQDWLRQDO Lets say your research has implications for the clinical practice of generalpractitioners (GPs). Is it important that Canadian GPs be aware of your research or is your workQDKDU@MSSN@AQN@CDQFQNTONE&/RHML@MXNSGDQBNTMSQHDR(EXNTV@MSXNTQLDRR@FDSNRODBHB@KKXQD@BG"@M@CH@M&/RXNTRGNTKCS@QFDS@"@M@CH@MINTQM@KRTBG@R"@M@CH@M%@LHKX/GXRHBH@M@R

NOONRDCSN@M@OOQNOQH@SDRNTMCHMFATSONNQKXS@QFDSDCINTQM@KKHJDSGD)NTQM@KNE/QHL@QX'D@KSG"@QDVGHBGRODBHB@KKXS@QFDSR&/RHM-DV9D@K@MC


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7XUQDURXQGWLPH3GDQD@QDRHFMHB@MSADSVDDMINTQM@KCHDQDMBDRHMSGDSHLDHSS@JDREQNLSGDmoment a paper is submitted until the paper is reviewed and sent back to the authors. ThisHMENQL@SHNMB@MADENTMCDHSGDQNMSGDINTQM@KRVDARHSDNQSGQNTFGBNMS@BSHMFSGDDCHSNQR'NVDUDQyou should avoid contacting editors for information that can be found on their website. Turnaroundtime may be a very important factor to consider if its important that you have a paper reviewed or

@BBDOSDCADENQD@O@QSHBTK@QCD@CKHMDDF@RSTCDMSRGHOFQ@MSNQINA@OOKHB@SHNM

$FFHSWDQFHUDWH3@HKNQHMF@L@MTRBQHOSSN@RODBHBINTQM@KQDPTHQDRSHLD@MCDNQSSGDQDENQDHSRADRSto minimize the number of times required to do this for any particular manuscript. If a paper hasADDMQDIDBSDCRDUDQ@KSHLDRXNTL@XADFHMSNBNMRHCDQINTQM@KRVHSG@GHFGDQ@BBDOS@MBDQ@SDRNSG@Sthe paper has a better chance of getting published. Its not usually a good idea to give up too soonNM@PT@KHSXO@ODQATSM@MBH@KNQSHLDOQDRRTQDRL@XL@JDSGHRLDSQHB@MHLONQS@MSNMDSNBNMRHCDQ

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%HM@KKXVDSGHMJHSRDWSQDLDKXHLONQS@MSSNBNMRHCDQVGDSGDQSGDINTQM@KRBNMSDMSHREQDDKX@BBDRRHAKDSNall readers, accessible only to its subscribers, or something in between. The reasons for this are outlinedHMSGDMDWSRDBSHNM

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1@HRDXNTQG@MCHESGHRG@RG@OODMDCSNXNTXNTQDCNHMF@KHSDQ@STQDQDUHDVENQ@O@ODQNQOQNIDBS@MCyou happen to fall upon the reference for a recent article that is clearly related to your topic of interest.'NVDUDQVGDMXNTSQXSN@BBDRRSGDETKKSDWSNESGD@QSHBKDSGDINTQM@KQDRSQHBSRXNTQ@BBDRRSNSGDO@ODQunless of course youre willing to fork over a handsome fee for access! %QTRSQ@SHMF6GXB@MSVDITRSEQDDKX@BBDRR@KKINTQM@KRBNMSDMS@S@MXSHLD6DKKSGDRHLOKDQD@RNMHRSG@SINTQM@KR@QDMNSDRS@AKHRGDCVHSGSGDHMSDMSHNMNEADHMFQDUDMTDMDTSQ@K3NL@JD@MDSOQNSINTQM@KR@CNOSU@QHNTRATRHMDRRLNCDKRRNLDNEVGHBGHMUNKUDQDRSQHBSHMF@BBDRRSNINTQM@KBNMSDMSR(M

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(M.ODMBBDRRNQ@TSGNQO@XRINTQM@KRXNTQDS@HMBNOXQHFGSRNUDQXNTQVNQJINTQM@KBNMSDMSHRusually immediately made freely available online to anyone in the world after paper acceptance, and youare unrestricted in your ability to disseminate or transform (e.g. translate into another language) yourwork. The ease of access means that your paper may ultimately have a broader visibility and impact thanHEHSG@CADDMOTAKHRGDCHM@SQ@CHSHNM@KINTQM@K'NVDUDQSGD.ODMBBDRRINTQM@KVHKK@RJSG@SXNTO@Xa publication fee prior to publication that can be upwards of several hundreds (or even thousands) ofdollars. While this open access fee may seem like a disincentive to students especially, some universitiesG@UD@KQD@CXQD@BGDC@FQDDLDMSRVHSGOTAKHRGDQRSN@KKNV@KH@SDCRSTCDMSR@MCQDRD@QBGDQRSNOTAKHRG@SQDCTBDCNQMNBNRS(MRNLDB@RDRINTQM@KRL@XDUDMV@HUDSGHREDDENQRSTCDMSRCDODMCHMFNMSGDHQM@MBH@KBHQBTLRS@MBDR 6HSGGXAQHCINTQM@KRXNTL@XNQL@XMNSFDSSGDADRSNEANSGVNQKCRHSTKSHL@SDKXCDODMCRNMSGDINTQM@K8NTQ@QSHBKDB@MADOTAKHRGDCENKKNVHMFSGDSQ@CHSHNM@KQNTSDNQENQ@MTOEQNMSEDDADL@CDavailable freely on the web with some or little restrictions on post-publication use. All students should

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As students, its important to learn how to craft a clear message when sharing your ideas and researchMCHMFR2DKDBSHMF@INTQM@KSNOTAKHRGHMHR@BST@KKX@JDXO@QSNESG@SOQNBDRR)NTQM@KR@QDNMDUDGHBKDAXVGHBGXNTQLDRR@FDFDSRSNXNTQS@QFDS@TCHDMBD%NQ@MXFHUDMO@ODQSGDQDL@XLTKSHOKDINTQM@KREQNLVGHBGSNBGNNRD@MC@QQHUHMF@S@M@KBGNHBDHRMS@KV@XRD@RX6HSGDWODQHDMBDXNTKKKD@QMSNMCSGDQHFGSSENQXNTQO@ODQR@MCBTSCNVMNMSGDSHLDHSS@JDRENQSGDLSNMC@GNLD@MCleave their mark.


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23

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This chapter addresses some of these other challenges that can make the actual writing phase sodaunting, especially for students who are new to the process.

:KDWLVSURSHUHWLTXHWWHZKHQZULWLQJSDSHUVFROODERUDWLYHO\"Your supervisor and colleagues are likely pretty busy people. Usually, theyre not only involved in their

research but also in teaching, supervising, requesting funding, doing committee work, etc. When workingVHSGSGDLNM@O@ODQ@MCDRODBH@KKXVGDMXNTDWODBSSNADQRS@TSGNQNMSGDO@ODQHSRHLONQS@MSSNfollow a certain etiquette that demonstrates respect for them and promotes a fair, collaborative writingOQNBDRR!NWOQDRDMSRRNLDQTKDRNEDSHPTDSSDVHSGQDRODBSSNVQHSHMF@O@ODQHM@SD@LBNMSDWS

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L@INQBG@KKDMFDE@BDCAXL@MXXNTMFQDRD@QBGDQRHRDDBSHUDKXL@M@FHMFSGDBNLODSHMFCDL@MCRNMSGDHQSHLD@MCMCHMFSGDSHLDSNOTSVNQCRSNO@ODQ'DQD@QDUDGDKOETKRSQ@SDFHDRSG@SRSTCDMSR@MCsenior researchers have used to help them meet this challenge and boost their productivity:

:ULWLQJHYHU\GD\ Some people make writing an everyday activity, even if it means only writing foran hour or two per day. By writing every day, progress can be made slowly but surely and aconsistent rhythm can be achieved. Another advantage is that it can prevent you from fallinginto the trap of waiting for the perfect moment to write, a moment that, for all sorts of reasons,usually never comes.

&RQVROLGDWLQJDFWLYLWLHVLQRXUVFKHGXOH For people who have teaching, clinical, or other duties tocarry out on top of their research work, it may be possible to reorganize your activities to free up afew hours a week to devote to writing. This may require approval of supervisors or employers andpossibly give rise to one or more intense workdays each week, but for some students its a step thatsneeded to create protected time to focus on writing.

"NLLTMHB@SDXNTQQNKD@RQRS@TSGNQSN@KKBN@TSGNQRHMUNKUDCHMSGDO@ODQ@MCKD@C@MD@QKXdiscussion around authorship. This discussion can occur during a meeting and an agreementshould be reached early.

2. Provide the other authors with a timeline so that they know when youll be sending themanuscript to them for feedback and when you plan to submit for publication.

3. When seeking their feedback, provide a deadline. You need to give them enough time to read thepaper and provide feedback, but also give yourself enough time to incorporate their feedback(minimum 2-3 weeks). If necessary, dont be shy to send out a friendly reminder as deadlinesapproach. If your deadline passes and you still havent heard from some authors, try to speakto them directly in person or by phone to discuss whether you submit without their feedback.

4. Do your best to gather and incorporate feedback from each co-author. If you disagree withOQNONRDCBG@MFDRADRTQDSNCDEDMCXNTQONRHSHNMNODMKX@MCQDRODBSETKKX.MBDXNTUDHMBNQONQ@SDCSGDHQEDDCA@BJRDMC@M@KUDQRHNMNESGDO@ODQXNTV@MSSNRTALHSSN@KKBN

@TSGNQR@SKD@RSSVNVDDJRADENQDXNTQDWODBSDCC@SDNERTALHRRHNM

5. 6GDMXNTFDS@CDBHRHNMEQNLSGDINTQM@KL@JDRTQDXNTRG@QDSGDMDVRVHSGXNTQBN@TSGNQRand keep them engaged as you prepare your response. As with the initial submission, youMDDCSNFHUDSGDLRTBHDMSSHLDSNRDMCEDDCA@BJHESGDXG@UDRNLDADENQDQDRTALHSSHMFSNSGDINTQM@K


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%ORFNLQJRXWWLPHIRUZULWLQJ When possible, it can be helpful to reserve a series of consecutive daysCDUNSDCBNLOKDSDKXSNVQHSHMF6DJMNVNERNLDRDMHNQQDRD@QBGDQRS@JHMFDMSHQDLNMSGRNSGDHQwork every year in order to concentrate on writing papers. A similar, smaller-scale approach is todevote a full week or two to paper writing every couple months or so. These retreats can even takeplace outside of your work settings (e.g. at a summer cottage). The advantage of such approaches isthat you can focus deeply on your work and avoid distractions from colleagues or others.

*LYLQJ\RXUVHOIVHOILPSRVHGGHDGOLQHV Many people (the procrastinators!) are better at making timeto do things when there is a clear deadline for achieving them. In the case of studentships or grant@OOKHB@SHNMRSGDCD@CKHMDR@QDTRT@KKXDWSDQM@KKXHLONRDC@MCBKD@Q'NVDUDQVGDMVQHSHMF@O@ODQ

HSRUDQXD@RXSNOTSNVQHSHMF@MCEDDKSG@SSGDQD@QDMNBNMRDPTDMBDRSNSGHRADSSDQ@OOQN@BGHRto self-impose deadlines for your papers and commit to sending manuscript drafts to your supervisoror colleagues by certain dates. The pressure of keeping your commitments is a great motivator toputting time into your manuscripts and keeping the process moving along.

6KXWXSDQGZULWH This is not rude advice but an actual technique! The technique involves invitinga group of writers to a location (e.g. a cafe or library), spending a few minutes chit chatting overBNDD@MCSGDMCDBHCHMFSNRGTSTO@MCVQHSDENQ@OQDCDSDQLHMDCODQHNCNESHLDTRT@KKXSNLHMTSDRESDQSG@SODNOKDS@JD@AQD@J@MCSGDMDHSGDQRSNONQQDOD@SSGDOQNBDRR3GDFQNTOdynamic can help facilitate the writing process and provide participants with a support system asRNNM@RD@BGVQHSHMFODQHNCDWOHQDR

Not every approach listed here will be ideal for everyone. The trick is to discover approaches that

VNQJENQXNT@MC@KKNVXNTSNMCSG@SRODBH@KFQNNUDSG@SGDKORXNTSNRDD@O@ODQSGQNTFGEQNLbeginning to end.

+RZFDQ\RXJRDERXWFUDIWLQJDFOHDUPHVVDJH"

$UDQX@QSHBKDRGNTKCSDKK@RSNQX%NQHMDWODQHDMBDC@TSGNQRCDBHCHMFVG@SSG@SRSNQXHRB@MAD@BG@KKDMFD'NVSGDMCNVDCDSDQLHMDVG@SL@HMLDRR@FDRSNRG@QDQRSRSDOHRSNL@JDRTQDSG@Syou know the literature well and that youre familiar with some of the main narratives being circulatedAXNSGDQ@TSGNQR-DWSXNTB@MKNNJ@SXNTQNAIDBSHUDR@MCDRODBH@KKXXNTQL@HMQDRTKSR@MC@RJXNTQRDKETo whom is my paper really going to be speaking ? Knowing this helps you tailor your language and keyLDRR@FDRSN@O@QSHBTK@[email protected]@TCHDMBDHRM@HKDCCNVMXNTL@XSQXSNMCSGDkiller graph (or in qualitative research, the killer quotes) that helps build your story andNTSKHMDRSGDQDRSNESGDO@ODQ6GDMXNTUDCDBHCDCVG@SL@HMMCHMFRSNENBTRNMXNTB@MRJDSBG out an outline of the article in point-form, always keeping in mind the one or two main messages youthink are most important.

A common dilemma arises when you have lots of data to present and you have to decide whether toKTLO@KKXNTQMCHMFRHMSNNMDO@[email protected]@MC@M@QSHBKDSG@SOQDRDMSRRDUDQ@KHLONQS@MS@MCQDK@SDCMCHMFRL@XADLNQDKHJDKXSNMC@GNLDHMSNOSHDQINTQM@KR@MCADBNMRHCDQDC@L@INQBNMSQHATSHNMSNSGDDKC2TBGO@ODQRB@MADBG@KKDMFHMFSNVQHSDGNVDUDQ@MCHSL@XADCHBTKSSNENBTRSGDO@ODQ@QNTMCNMDNQSVNBKD@[email protected], breaking down the paper into smaller pieces (also referred to as Least Publishable Units) canpotentially lead to several publications that, while more focused, may be less impactful.6GHKDSGHR@OOQN@BGG@RHSRADMDSRRTBG@RADHMF@AKDSNFNHMSNLNQDCDS@HKRNMRODBHBSNOHBRNQOQNUHCD@CCHSHNM@KBNMSDWST@KHMENQL@SHNMHS@KRNNODMRXNTTOSNBQHSHBHRLRENQDLOG@RHYHMFquantity over quality.

So, to lump or not to lump? The answer to the question depends on your circumstances and those ofSGDQDRD@QBGOQNIDBS%NQRSTCDMSRD@QKXHMSGDHQFQ@CT@SDRSTCHDR@RHMFKDOTAKHB@SHNMHM@QDRODBSDC

INTQM@KB@MADBNMRHCDQDC@L@INQ@BBNLOKHRGLDMS@MCU@KTDC@RLTBG@RNQLNQDSG@MLTKSHOKDKNVimpact publications. Drafting these types of articles forces you to determine the essential key messagesin your research and be concise, all critical skills in your development as a good writer. As you progressand become a post-doctoral fellow or young investigator, it may begin to be appropriate to consider aLHWNE@OOQN@BGDRVGDQDXNTOTQRTDL@INQOTAKHB@SHNMRATS@KRNRL@KKDQNMDRSG@S@QD@KHSSKDD@RHDQSNOQNCTBD@MCVGHBGJDDOXNTVQHSHMF@MCQDFTK@QKXBNMSQHATSHMFSNXNTQDKC2TBG@GXAQHC@OOQN@BGL@Xallow you to live up to the noble ideals of academia, while also recognizing its pressures and realities.


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:KDWDUHWKHTXDOLWLHVRIDJRRGDEVWUDFW"

Some people treat their papers abstract as an afterthought. This is a mistake as abstracts areHLONQS@MS@MCVQHSHMF@FNNCNMDHRNMDNESGDLNRSCHBTKSSGHMFRENQ@MXQDRD@QBGDQSNCNARSQ@BSRLTRSADBKD@Q@MCBNMBHRD@MCBNMUDXXNTQDMSHQDO@ODQHMITRS@EDVVNQCR3GD@ARSQ@BSHRVG@S@SSQ@BSRQD@CDQRSNXNTQO@ODQ@MCGDKORSGDLCDBHCDHESGDXRGNTKCQD@CSGDETKKSDWS3GDX@KRNNTSKHMDXNTQL@HMLDRR@FDR@MCGDKOQD@CDQRQDLDLADQXNTQJDXMCHMFR(M@CCHSHNMSNADHMFBKD@Q@MCAQHDESGDADRSabstracts are able to capture readers interest and keep their attention. Your abstract is yourQRS@MCL@XADNMKXNOONQSTMHSXSNODQRT@CDINTQM@KDCHSNQRSG@SXNTQO@ODQCDRDQUDRSNADconsidered for publication.

*RRGDEVWUDFWVDUH19

$FFXUDWH The content and purpose of your paper should come across clearly, and only information thatactually appears in your paper should be described.

&RQFLVH Each sentence of your abstract should be carefully crafted to present the full merits of yourpaper. Being concise involves:

1DOGQ@RHMFHCD@REQNLSGD@QSHBKDSNBNMCDMRDSGDLD@MHMF

2. Giving information only once (not repeating yourself)

3. Avoiding sentences that contain no real information (if a sentence doesnt move the

reader toward your purpose, leave it out).4. Writing in clear and dynamic prose.

6HOIFRQWDLQHG$WBDOSENQRS@MC@QC@AAQDUH@SHNMRENQDW@LOKDURENQUDQRTR@KK@AAQDUH@SHNMR@MC

@BQNMXLRRGNTKCADCDMDC(ETME@LHKH@QNQSDBGMHB@KVNQCR@QDMDBDRR@QXCDMDSGDLSNN

1RQHYDOXDWLYHAn abstract is not the place for personal opinions about the value of your work.

(DV\WRUHDGARSQ@BSRRGNTKCADTMCDQRS@MC@AKDSNODNOKDVGN@QDMSDWODQSRHMXNTQDKC3NL@JDyour abstract more readable, you can:

UNHCI@QFNM@MCTRDBNLOKDSDRGNQSRDMSDMBDR(EONRRHAKDCNMSNLHS@QSHBKDRNQNSGDQRL@KK

words in order to save space

2. Vary your sentence structure to avoid choppiness

3. Use the past tense when describing what was done, but where appropriate use active rather

than passive verbs

"GDBJSGDSQ@MRHSHNMRADSVDDMRDMSDMBDRSNDMRTQDSGDNVHRFNNC.

Dont forget about your abstract! Allow enough time to produce a good one. Write a rough draft, edit itfor weakness in organization, delete unnecessary information and wordiness, add important informationthat is missing, strengthen your transitions, read your abstract out loud, and check and double check theFQ@LL@QRODKKHMF@MCOTMBST@SHNMKRNG@UDXNTQRTODQUHRNQLDMSNQRNQ@MNMDWODQSQD@CHS@SKD@RSonce. Your abstract shouldnt be seen as a tedious chore in the publication process, but rather as anintegral part of the paper youve written.


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:KHQLVDPDQXVFULSWUHDG\WRVXEPLW"

The sooner the better! Its so easy to let an article languish while you tinker with details (or take care oNSGDQOQHNQHSHDRSG@SG@UDQLDQCD@CKHMDR4MENQSTM@SDKXL@MTRBQHOSRCNMNS@FDVDKK 2NXNTUDMHRGDCXNTQ@M@KXRHR@MC@CGDQDCSNXNTQRDKEHLONRDCVQHSHMFCD@CKHMDR8NTUD@KRNFHUDMRNLDSGNTFGSSNVGHBGINTQM@KXNTCKHJDSNS@QFDS(SRSHLDSNSHDTOKNNRDDMCRRDD!NWENQ@BGDBJKHRS@MCRDMCHSN .EBNTQRDSGDQD@QD@KV@XRRNLDVD@JMDRRDRHMSGDRSTCXXNTVHRGXNTBNTKC@CCQDRRATSXNTB@MScover everything in a single manuscript. If you have good reasons why you couldnt address limitations inyour analysis, describe them clearly, but dont let worrying about them keep you from clicking submit.

They might even give you ideas for another paper!

%R[*HWWLQJ\RXUPDQXVFULSWUHDG\WRVXEPLW

*DWKHUWKHLQIRUPDWLRQ\RXQHHG

"GDBJINTQM@KQDPTHQDLDMSRENQENQL@SKDMFSG@MC@BBNLO@MXHMFL@SDQH@KR Familiarize yourself with the submission process (usually online but in some cases via email).

)LQDOL]HWKHPDQXVFULSW

Have at least one person who hasnt been working on the manuscript read it through for clarity and

typos. It really helps to have fresh eyes! 3QHOKDBGDBJ@KKS@AKDRFTQDRNQPTNS@SHNMR,@JDRTQDSG@SMTLADQRSG@SRGNTKC@CCTOCN ,@JDRTQD@AAQDUH@SHNMRNQ@BQNMXLR@QDDWOK@HMDC@SQRSNBBTQQDMBDNQDKHLHM@SDCHEONRRHAKD "GDBJSG@SO@FDMTLADQHMFL@QFHMRKHMDRO@BHMFENMSGD@CDQRENNSDQR@MCSGDHMBKTRHNMNE

HCDMSHEXHMFHMENQL@SHNM@QDBNMRHRSDMSVHSGINTQM@KQDPTHQDLDMSR $MRTQD@MXS@AKDR@MCFTQDR@QDHMSGDBNQQDBSKDENQL@SR@MC@QDDHSGDQHMBKTCDCVHSGHMSGD

L@MTRBQHOSNQ@R@BBNLO@MXHMFKDR@RQDPTHQDC"GDBJSG@SSGDBNMSDMSHRBKD@QKXDWOK@HMDCHMcaptions, legends, and notes.

Check the format of all references. Reference management software is a huge help, but there will beerrors that can only be caught by hand.

&ROOHFWPDWHULDOVIRUVXEPLVVLRQ

Prepare your cover letter (see Chapter 7). (CDMSHEXQDKDU@MSJDXVNQCR(SL@XADGDKOETKSNKNNJ@S,DCKHMD,$2'RTAIDBSGD@CHMFRRDDSGD42National Library of Medicine website) or key words used in the literature you cite.

Identify potential reviewers (if required). Your supervisors or co-authors may have suggestions, or theauthors of papers you cite may be good candidates.

2NLDINTQM@KR@RJENQ@RDBSHNMCDRBQHAHMFJDXLDRR@FDRNQVG@SXNTQRSTCX@CCR3@JD@CDDOAQD@SG@MCRDMCHSN

RSGDHKKTRSQHNTR#Q1NADQS$U@MRNMBDR@HC#HRRDQS@SHNMO@ODQR@QDMDUDQMHRGDCNMKX@A@MCNMDC8NTRGNTKCMSAD@MWHNTR@ANTSKDSSHMFFNNE@O@ODQDUDMHEXNTEDDKHSRMNSODQEDBS(MCDDC@SRNLDONHMSSGDQD@QDCHLHMHRGHMFQDSTQMRSN@CCHSHNM@KHMUDRSLDMSRNEDNQSHMXNTQL@MTRBQHOSR+D@QMSNKDSFN@MCKDSODDQQDUHDVDQRCNSGDHQINA@MCOQNUHCDEDDCA@BJENQETQSGDQHLOQNUDLDMSMCVGDMXNT

M@KKXCNRTALHSBDKDAQ@SD@KHSSKD@MCDMINXSGDE@BSSG@SSGHRHRNXNTQOK@SD@SKD@RSTMSHKSGDFKNVHMFreviews come back!


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Here are several other useful tidbits passed on to us from HSPR students and researchers:

#.QD@CBKNRDKXRNLDNESGDADRS@QSHBKDRHMXNTQSNOHB@QD@!QD@JHMFCNVM@BK@RRHBO@ODQ@MCRSTCXHMFVG@SL@JDRHSFQD@SHR@RHLOKDATSDDBSHUDV@XSNHLOQNUDXNTQNVMVQHSHMF

#.L@JDHS@G@AHSNEINSSHMFCNVMXNTQHCD@R@RRNNM@RSGDXBNLD@MCSGDMVNQJHMF@SCDUDKNOHMFSGDLfurther as much as you can. Good ideas can come at any time so be ready!

#.-3VNQQX@ANTSVG@SNQCDQXNTVQHSDSGDO@ODQHM2NLDDWODQSR@QFTDSG@SHSRADRSSNVQHSDNTSRDBSHNMRHM@BDQS@HMNQCDQDFNAIDBSHUDRQDRTKSRLDSGNCRHMSQNCTBSHNMCHRBTRRHNM@ARSQ@BS@MCSHSKDHowever, writing is a highly personal process and few among those we interviewed adhered to a singleapproach. Theres no right or wrong way to do it.

#.O@XRHFMHB@MS@SSDMSHNMSNGNVXNTQO@ODQHRVQHSSDM@MCOQDRDMSDC$UDM@QSHBKDRNMDWBDKKDMSQDRD@QBGQTMGHFGQHRJNEQDIDBSHNMHESGDX@QDONNQKXVQHSSDMNQMNSODQRT@RHUDDMNTFG

#.-3RTALHS@O@ODQVHSGNTSG@UHMFQD@CUDQXB@QDETKKXSGDHMRSQTBSHNMRENQ@TSGNQR6DB@MSSDKKXNTGNVLTBGDCHSNQRG@SDHSVGDMODNOKDHFMNQDINTQM@KFTHCDKHMDRRN@UNHCSGHRLHRS@JD

#.ADBNLD@QDUHDVDQXNTQRDKECTQHMFXNTQFQ@CT@SDRSTCHDR3GHRNOSHNMHRO@QSHBTK@QKX@OOQNOQH@SDENQLNQDRDMHNQSQ@HMDDRVGN@QDBNMCDMSHMSGDHQDWODQSHRD@MCV@MSSNKD@QMLNQDAXBQHSHPTHMFNSGDQR

)LQDOZRUGV

-NSDUDQXRSTCDMSHR@FHESDCVQHSDQNQB@MD@RHKXDWOQDRRSGDLRDKUDRHMVNQCR3QNTAKDNQF@MHYHMFXNTQHCD@RNQBNMUDXHMF@BKD@QLDRR@[email protected], an inability to put a paper together in a timely way will relate less to your skill as a writer andLNQDSNXNTQNVMTMBDQS@HMSHDRNQHMDWODQHDMBDCD@KHMFVHSGRNLDNESGDHRRTDRCHRBTRRDCHMSGHRBG@OSDQ(SRHLONQS@MSSNSQD@SD@BGVQHSHMFOQNIDBS@R@KD@QMHMFDWODQHDMBDSG@SGDKORATHKCXNTQBNLODSDMBDand knowledge around publishing. Learning some of the tricks of the trade can make the process lessRSQDRRETK@MCGNODETKKXLNQDDBHDMSETM@MCRTBBDRRETK


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#TQHMFXNTQFQ@CT@SDRBGNNKDWODQHDMBD@MCETSTQDB@QDDQ@B@CDLHBNQMNSXNTKKG@UDSGDNOONQSTMHSXSNRTALHSL@MTRBQHOSRSNINTQM@KR@MCQDRD@QBGOQNONR@KRSNFQ@MSHMF@FDMBHDR(MD@BGB@RDSGDODDQQDUHDVOQNBDRRVHKKADTRDCSNITCFD@MCQ@SDXNTQOQNONRDCOQNIDBSNQBNLOKDSDCQDRD@QBG3GHRBG@OSDQENBTRDRNMSGDODDQQDUHDVOQNBDRRTRDCAXINTQM@KRSNRDKDBS@QSHBKDRENQOTAKHB@SHNMATSRNLDNEHSVHKKapply to the peer review process for grant proposals as well.

Keep reading for some insight into why the peer review process is used, the main steps involved,VGXHSB@MS@JDKNMFDQSG@MXNTDWODBSGNVXNTB@MRODDCTOSGDQDUHDVOQNBDRR@MCVG@SQDUHDVDQR are looking for.

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Have you ever wondered why your research, and that of well-established academics, has to undergoscrutiny by a number of your peers? The quick answer is that its the primary way to ensure qualityso that the research we reference and use as foundation for our own research is original, valid, and ofhigh quality3GDODDQQDUHDVOQNBDRRG@RADDMSGDRS@MC@QCENQLNQDSG@MXD@QR6HSGNTSHSVDBNTKCMSAD@RBNMCDMSHMSGDPT@KHSX@MCQDKDU@MBDNEO@ODQROTAKHRGDCAX@INTQM@K

As much as we may dread having our research and writing critiqued, without peer review wed miss outNMQDBDHUHMFU@KT@AKDEDDCA@BJSG@STKSHL@SDKXHLOQNUDRNTQVNQJ6HSGODDQQDUHDVXNTQM@K@BBDOSDCL@MTRBQHOSL@XADBNMRHCDQ@AKXCHDQDMSEQNLSGDHMHSH@KNMDXNTRTALHSSDCENQQDUHDV3GHRHRNJ@XScrutiny by your peers often increases the relevance and reliability of your research, and hence your

BNMCDMBDHMSGDMHRGDCOQNCTBS

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Just because its been around for centuries doesnt mean that the peer review process is speedy orfamiliar to us. The process can be broken down into three main stages. Lets look at each stage as aL@MTRBQHOSFNDREQNLHMHSH@KRTALHRRHNMSNM@KOTAKHB@SHNM

6WDJHVXEPLVVLRQ This stage begins once youve submitted your manuscript. Assuming youveENKKNVDC@KKRTALHRRHNMFTHCDKHMDRENQSGDINTQM@KXNTQL@MTRBQHOSVHKKAD@RRHFMDCSN@MDCHSNQ3GDDCHSNQL@XCDBHCDSNQDIDBSHSHLLDCH@SDKXNQSNRDMCHSENQETKKQDUHDV2NLDINTQM@KRQDPTHQD@FQDDLDMSEQNLLNQDSG@MNMDDCHSNQSNQDIDBS@L@MTRBQHOS@SSGHRRS@FD (EXNTQL@MTRBQHOSHRMNSQDIDBSDCHLLDCH@SDKXSGDDCHSNQLTRSMCSVNSNENTQODDQQDUHDVDQRSN

critique your paper. This stage usually takes from a week to a month, depending on the manuscriptstopic, the availability of reviewers, and whether you have suggested potential reviewers in your coverKDSSDQ$CHSNQRTRT@KKXRSQHUDSNMC@SKD@RSSVNQDRD@QBGDQROQDEDQ@AKXLNQDSNQDUHDVSGDL@MTRBQHOSATSB@M@KRN@OOQN@BGNSGDQDWODQSRNQONKHBXL@JDQR(SRHLONQS@MSSNJDDOHMLHMCSG@SONSDMSH@KQDUHDVDQR@QDCNHMFSGHRNM@UNKTMSDDQA@RHR3GDXQDNESDMATRXODNOKD@MCCDODMCHMFNMSGDINTQM@Ktopic, or methodologies used, there may not be a large pool of reviewers to approach.

6WDJHSHHUUHYLHZ .MBDQDUHDVDQRG@UDADDMBGNRDMXNTQL@MTRBQHOSLNUDRSN2S@FDVGHBGADFHMRNMBDSGDL@MTRBQHOSHRRDMSSNODDQQDUHDVDQRSGDINTQM@KL@XRDMCXNT@MNSHB@SHNMVGDMXNTQL@MTRBQHOSDMSDQRSGHRRS@FD,NRSINTQM@KRFHUDQDUHDVDQR@CD@CKHMD@MC@RJENQ@BNMQL@SHNMSG@Sthe reviewer can complete the process within that timeframe. If not, the editors will approach anotherreviewer. Even so, reviewers may take longer to send in their comments. .MBD@KKQDUHDVR@QDBNLOKDSD@MCQDBDHUDCSGDDCHSNQRLDDSSNFNNUDQSGDHMCHUHCT@KQDUHDVR@MCcome to a decision. Editors consider not only how good the paper is now, but also how good it mightbecome after revision23. The possible decisions are accept (a rare outcome at Stage 2), accept with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to get an idea of its turnaround time.


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6WDJHUHYLVLRQWRSXEOLFDWLRQ 3GHRM@KRS@FDADFHMRNMBDXNTQDMNSHDCNESGDQDUHDVDQRCDBHRHNM(ESGDL@MTRBQHOSHRQDIDBSDCXNTB@MBGNNRDSNRTALHSHSSN@CHDQDMSINTQM@K(EQDUHRHNMR@QDnecessary, youll have to make the appropriate changes, write a letter to the editor that responds to allthe reviewer comments and points of change, and send the revised manuscript back to the editor (seeChapter 7 for more about interacting with the editor during this time). The editor will review the revisedL@MTRBQHOS@MC@BBNLO@MXHMFKDSSDQ(ESGDQDUHRHNMR@QDMNS@BBDOS@AKDSGDL@MTRBQHOSB@MADQDIDBSDC(but this shouldnt happen if you have addressed the reviews adequately). If the revisions are complete,the manuscript will be accepted, sent for copy-editing, and then published at some future time. 2S@FDB@MS@JDSGQDDLNMSGRNQKNMFDQCDODMCHMFNMSGDDWSDMSNEQDUHRHNMRMDDCDCSHLDSNmake revisions, and the time to publication. If the review of your paper is taking an unusually long

time (compared to the length of time they said it would take), contact the editors, inquire about theRS@STRNEXNTQO@ODQ@MCDWOK@HMVGXHSVNTKCADHLONQS@MSENQXNTSNGD@QA@BJEQNLSGDLRNNMDQ rather than later.

Adding up the time required for each stage reveals that it can sometimes take more than 9 months fromSGDSHLDXNTRTALHSXNTQL@MTRBQHOSTMSHKXNTRDDHSHMOQHMSKNMFDQHEXNTG@UDSNL@JDL@INQQDUHRHNMRNQG@UDRTALHSSDCSN@INTQM@KVHSGO@QSHBTK@QKXKNMFSHLDKHMDR %NQ@NVBG@QSNESGDODDQQDUHDVOQNBDRRBGDBJNTSSGD",)VDARHSDVVVBL@IB@RHSD@TSGNQRDC>OQNBDRRWGSLK3GDBG@QSHRRODBHBSNSGD",)ATSFHUDRXNT@FDMDQ@KRDMRDNESGDOQNBDRRXNTQmanuscript will go through.

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Authors can take several practical steps to help accelerate the review process:7DUJHWWKHULJKWMRXUQDOIRUWKHULJKWUHDVRQV You can decide whether your manuscript is appropriate

ENQ@INTQM@KAXQD@CHMF@ANTSSGDINTQM@KRRBNODNQBNMRTKSHMFHSRLHRRHNMRS@SDLDMS"GNNRHMFSGDQHFGSINTQM@KENQXNTQL@MTRBQHOSVHKKGDKOXNT@UNHC@LHRL@SBG@MCRODDCTOSGDOQNBDRRNEFDSSHMFyour work published (see Chapter 4). KRNRNLDQDRD@QBGDQRG@UDRTALHSSDCL@MTRBQHOSR@S@MD@QKXRS@FDITRSENQSGDQDUHDV@MCEDDCA@BJBNLOKDSDKX@V@QDSG@SSGDHQO@ODQRVHKKADQDIDBSDC24. Dont do this. You shouldntwaste editors and reviewers time in this way and delay the publication of other completed,quality research.

)ROORZVXEPLVVLRQJXLGHOLQHV Theyre called guidelines for a reason and are available on the websiteNE@MXINTQM@K%NKKNVSGDLDW@BSKXSGHRB@MSADDLOG@RHYDCDMNTFG$CHSNQR@QD@L@YDC@SGNVmany manuscripts are submitted that do not meet the submission guidelines. These manuscripts areNESDMHLLDCH@SDKXQDIDBSDCRHLOKXADB@TRDSGDXCNMNSENKKNVINTQM@KQDPTHQDLDMSR@QNTMCVNQClimits, formatting, citation style, and other submission guidelines.

%HWKRURXJK$CHSNQR@MCQDUHDVDQRMNSHBD@VRRNCNMSADRKNOOX,@JDRTQDSG@SG@UDBKD@MDCTO@MXK@MFT@FDDQQNQRNQENQL@SSHMFBG@MFDR@OOD@QHMFHMXNTQO@ODQ"GDBJXNTQS@AKDR@MCFTQDRL@JDRTQDSGDXL@SBGXNTQSDWS@MCUHBDUDQR@3GDRDL@XRDDLKHJDRL@KKCDS@HKRATSVGDMSGDQD@QDDMNTFGNESGDLHSB@MSNKD@CSNQDIDBSHNM

3UHSDUHDJRRGFRYHUOHWWHU A key element to your submission is your cover letter. You can indicateXNTQQ@SHNM@KDENQBGNNRHMFSGDINTQM@KXNTQDRTALHSSHMFSNHSL@XMNSADHLLDCH@SDKX@OO@QDMSENQRNLDQDRD@QBGSNOHBRMDVLDSGNCNKNFXHM@MDWHRSHMFDKCBQNRRCHRBHOKHMDQDRD@QBGDSB8NTQBNUDQKDSSDQB@MDUDMRTFFDRSONSDMSH@KQDUHDVDQRSNBGNNRDNQMNSBGNNRDVGHBGB@MGDKORODDCTOthe review process (see Chapter 7).

0DNHUHYLVLRQVDSULRULW\ Some delays in the review process are out of your control, but responding toDCHSNQRNQQDUHDVDQRBNLLDMSRHRMS@LNMFSGDRD(EXNTQO@ODQHRMSQDIDBSDCNMDNESGDADRSV@XRto accelerate the review process is to make your revisions a priority and get the revised paper backto the editors as quickly as possible. Establish timelines for your co-authors and stay on them so thatyou can incorporate their feedback and resubmit quickly.

*HWH[DPSOHVRIVXFFHVVIXOVXEPLVVLRQV Journal editors suggest that students and new researchersMCDW@LOKDRNE@RTALHSSDCL@MTRBQHOSSGDDCHSNQH@KQDRONMRDSGD@TSGNQRKDSSDQHMQDRONMRDSNSGDDCHSNQ@MCSGDM@KL@MTRBQHOSVHSGQDUHRHNMR&NNCDW@LOKDRNESGDRDRSDORHMSGDODDQQDUHDVOQNBDRR@QDOQHBDKDRR(SRUDQXGDKOETKSNRDDGNVDWODQHDMBDC@TSGNQRQDRONMCSNDCHSNQRVDKKorganized and well-written response letter can help revised manuscripts get accepted more quickly.RJXNTQRTODQUHRNQLDMSNQR@MCODDQRVHSGOTAKHB@SHNMRENQSGDRDDW@LOKDR


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You can also speed up the review process (and make reviewers happy) by knowing what reviewersVHKKAD@RRDRRHMF2NLDA@RHBDKDLDMSRSG@SQDUHDVDQRKNNJENQ@QDNQHFHM@KHSXQDKDU@MBDRHFMHB@MBDgeneralizability, clarity, and contribution to the target topic25. A summary of questions considered byQDUHDVDQR@QDOQNUHCDCHM!NW 26.

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Is the title informative? (Use a simple, yet descriptive, title)

Does the introduction frame the area of the research accurately and adequately by discussing

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Is the data high quality?

Are the appropriate statistical analyses used?

Is the interpretation of the data appropriate? Does the discussion of the data provide valuable insights?

Are the arguments sound, and the conclusions appropriate and valid?

Does the manuscript stay within the word limits?

Is the writing clear and concise?

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Are there any ethical issues not addressed?

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This quick overview of the peer review process hopefully sheds light into why its done, how its done,and what you can do to succeed in it. Use this chapter as a guide, but dont hesitate to talk to otherQDRD@QBGDQRENQLNQD@CUHBD3QXSNADBNLD@QDUHDVDQDUDQXINTQM@KG@RCHDQDMSV@XRNEQDBQTHSHMFpotential reviewers) and learn how to do it. If you can constructively critique the work of others you willADADSSDQ@AKDSNRDDSGDF@OR@MC@VRHMXNTQNVMQDRD@QBG@MCVQHSHMF


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3GQNTFGNTSXNTQSHLD@R@RSTCDMS@MCCTQHMFXNTQB@QDDQXNTVHKKG@UDRHFMHB@MSHMSDQ@BSHNMVHSGDCHSNQR@MCQDUHDVDQRNE@B@CDLHBINTQM@KR3GDRDHMSDQ@BSHNMRB@MTMENQSTM@SDKXAD@LHMDDKCSGHRchapter outlines how to successfully navigate it. It will present the important points of how and how notto interact with both reviewers and editors, what to do when you disagree with a reviewers assessment,@MCGNVSNG@MCKDSGDQDIDBSHNMNE@L@MTRBQHOS

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Cover letters are usually between a half page to a full page in length. To know what to include in yourKDSSDQRS@QSAXBGDBJHMFSGDINTQM@KRQDPTHQDLDMSR@RLNRSINTQM@KRVHKKADDWOKHBHS@ANTSVG@SRMDDCDCGenerally, your letter will need to include the following elements:

Name, address, and contact details for the corresponding author. A description of your study. (MENQL@SHNM@ANTSSGDHLONQS@MBDNEXNTQRSTCX@MCVG@SHS@CCRSNSGDDWHRSHMFKHSDQ@STQD RTLL@QXNEXNTQNAIDBSHUDRLDSGNCR@MCXNTQLNRSHLONQS@MSQDRTKSR AQHDERS@SDLDMS@ANTSVGXXNTQRSTCXHRHLONQS@MSSNSGDINTQM@KRRODBHB@TCHDMBD "NMQL@SHNMSG@S@KKRSTCXBN@TSGNQRQD@C@MC@OOQNUDCSGDM@KUDQRHNMNESGD@QSHBKD

8NTL@XAD@RJDCSNHMBKTCD@BNMHBSNEHMSDQDRSCDBK@Q@SHNMRHFMDCAXSGDBNQQDRONMCHMF@TSGNQNMKXNQAX@KKRSTCX@TSGNQR2NLDINTQM@KR@KRN@RJSG@SXNTRTALHS@KHRSNEONSDMSH@KQDUHDVDQRVHSGXNTQ

BNUDQKDSSDQ!DRSQ@SDFHB@ANTSVGNXNTRTFFDRS3GDXRGNTKCADJMNVKDCFD@AKD@ANTSSGDRODBHB@QD@XNTQVNQJE@KKRVHSGHM'NVDUDQHEXNTBGNNRD@MDWODQSHMSGDDKCHSRONRRHAKDGDRGDVHKKO@RRSGDreview on to a student, and students are more likely to be overzealous in their criticisms! (EXNTQDRTALHSSHMF@O@ODQSG@SG@RADDMOQDUHNTRKXQDIDBSDCDKRDVGDQDXNTB@MBNMRHCDQHMBKTCHMFOQDUHNTRQDUHDVRHMXNTQBNUDQKDSSDQADB@TRDSGDXB@MADGDKOETKSNSGDMDWSRDSNEQDUHDVDQRQDCTBDduplication of comments, and demonstrate how you have improved the manuscript since your lastsubmission. If not formally requested, its a good idea to check with the editor about whether you shouldinclude them or not. If you choose not to include previous reviews, it can be valuable to comment upfrontNMVD@JMDRRDRHCDMSHDCEQNL@OQDUHNTRQDUHDVDQVHSGSGDFN@KNEOQDDLOSHMFONSDMSH@KBQHSHBHRLAXSGDMDVQDUHDVDQR%NQDW@LOKDODQG@OR@QDUHDVDQONHMSDCNTSSG@SXNTTRDC@LD@RTQDLDMSSNNKSG@SGDRGDCNDRMSKHJD@MCRTFFDRSDCSG@SXNTTRD@CHDQDMSSNNKHMRSD@C(MXNTQMDWSRTALHRRHNMHMBKTCD@paragraph about why you selected your tool and not the initial reviewers preferred measure.

Lastly, although it can be tempting to do so, avoid duplicating your abstract in your cover letter. Journal

DCHSNQRVHKKQD@CXNTQO@ODQNQ@SKD@RSXNTQ@ARSQ@BSADENQDRDMCHMFHENSNODDQQDUHDV@MCSGDduplication will be both obvious and irritating.

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Peer review can be slow, often lasting several months (see Chapter 6). It will likely take much longerthan you hope it will. If youre unsure about average turnaround times and this information is not@U@HK@AKDNMSGDVDARHSDXNTB@MDL@HKSGDINTQM@[email protected]@KL@XRDMCXNT@BNMQL@SHNMMNSHBDHMCHB@SHMFSG@SXNTQ@QSHBKDG@RADDMO@RRDCNMSNODDQQDUHDVDQRXNTB@MTRDSGHRNOONQSTMHSXSNHMPTHQD@ANTSSGDINTQM@KR@UDQ@FDSTQM@QNTMCSHLDR +@RSKXSGDQDRMNSGHMFVQNMFVHSGBNMS@BSHMF@INTQM@KDCHSNQSNONKHSDKXHMPTHQD@ANTSVGDQDXNTQO@ODQHRHMSGDODDQQDUHDVOQNBDRR@MCVGDMXNTL@XDWODBS@QDRONMRD%NQINTQM@KRVHSG@MNMKHMDsubmission process, this information is usually easily available once you log in to the system.


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$FFHSW(SRDWBDOSHNM@KKXQ@QDENQ@INTQM@KSN@BBDOS@M@QSHBKD@RHRNMHSRQRSRTALHRRHNM$UDMwhen an article is commissioned, revisions are typically requested. Thus, you shouldnt go into aRTALHRRHNMOQNBDRRDWODBSHMF@MXINTQM@KSN@BBDOSXNTQHMHSH@KRTALHRRHNM

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If this happens, you should focus on those revisions as soon as possible because your chance

guidebook on scientific publishing in health services and policy research

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