ukriz publishing articles in journals
DESCRIPTION
How to publish articles.. esp in an endodontic perspective..TRANSCRIPT
Publishing Articles in Journals
Why and How!!
Should I write a manuscript?“Scientists are rated by what
they finish, not by what they attempt”
Science must be communicated to exist◦Published articles are the medium◦Results do not become scientific
evidence without being published
Do I have a story to tell?Have you done something new
and interesting – original and innovative??
Is there anything challenging in your work??
Is the work directly related to a current hot topic??
Have you provided solutions to any difficult problems – based on sufficient, robust data??
Do I have an Audience?More original and innovative,
more people interestedLocal or international audience?
Choosing the Right JournalDoes it fit the AIMS & SCOPE of the
Journal?Is the Journal invitation only?Evaluate the quality of the journal
and probability of acceptanceReadershipCurrent hot topics (go through
recent abstracts)Submit to only one journal at a
time!!
Process of Publication
Submit a paper
Basic requirements met?
REJECT
Assign reviewers
Collect reviewers’ recommendations
Make a decision
Revise the paper
[Reject]
[Revision required]
[Accept]
[Yes]
[No]Review and give recommendation
START
ACCEPT
Author Editor Reviewer
Organisation of Manuscripts
Title Reflects content, entices reader
Author Ensures recognition of the researcher
Abstract Summarises research & conclusions
Keywords Ensures correct identification of the article in abstracting & indexing services
Body Text
Introduction Puts the work into context
Methods Explains how the data was collected
Results Describes what was discovered
Discussions & Conclusions
Explores implications of the findings
Acknowledgements Ensures who helped with the research are recognised
References Ensures previously published work is recognised
Supplementary Material Provides online additions, such as raw data, video & audio.
TitleDescribe the major emphasis of
the paperReflect articles content clearly &
preciselyAs short as possible – simple,
catchy & specificMain advertisement for the
articleOmit abbreviations, jargon and
unnecessary words
Unnecessary Title Phrases
A Study of… A Study to Determine Results
of…
An Innovative Method…
Contributions to (of)…
Investigations on (concerning, about)…
Observations on…
A Trial Comparing…
AuthorsIntellectual contribution to
researchTake responsibility for data &
conclusionsApproved the final version of
manuscript
Keyword ListList of important words that
reflect the researchUsed by abstracting and indexing
services
AbstractSummarise the study objective,
the method, the results, the conclusions
Describe the new contribution made by this study
250 word limitWritten last by many authors –
Use past tenseOmit references, figures or tables
IntroductionBrief – Provide context & backgroundState clearly the problem being
investigated, the background that puts the problem into context, the reason for conducting research
Introduces and defines terms and abbreviations
Explain any findings of others that you are challenging or extending
Lead the reader to your hypothesis, if relevant – briefly!
MethodMaterial & Methods \
Experimental MethodsProvides readers with enough
details that they can replicate your research
How you studied the problem, identify the procedures followed
MethodIf methods are new, explain them
in detailIf published before, name and
cite previous workIf modified, refer original work
and include your amendmentsIdentify equipment, describe
materials, specify source, if variation in quality of materials
MethodFrequency of observations, types
of data recordedPrecisely describe measurementsName statistical tests used to
validate numerical resultsUse past tense, avoid first person
MethodIf human participants involved,
include ethics statement – patient’s informed consent, permission to publish
Outline criteria used to select participants, the relevance of criteria
ResultsPresent findings objectivelySet them in logical sequence
based on tables and figures that best present the findings
Raw data is rarely includedData is analysed & presented in
form of tables, figures, graphs & description of observations
ResultsInclude legend for figuresDo not interpret results –
Discussion & conclusion
Discussion & ConclusionWhat results mean, specifically in
context of what was already known about the subject
Link back to introduction, refer to the question or hypothesis
Indicate how results relate to the expectation and the literature cited
Results contradict or support previous theories?
Discussion & ConclusionExplain how this research has
moved scientific body forwardConclusions should be directly
supported by results, avoid undue speculations
Suggest practical applications and outline next steps in your research
Make sure:Results directly support your
conclusionsUse specific descriptions and
quantitative expressionsUse already established termsBase all interpretations and
speculations in fact
AcknowledgementsInclude names of individuals who
helped you with research: contributors, suppliers
Disclose any financial or other conflict of interest
ReferencesAny information not from your
experiment, and not ‘common knowledge’ should be acknowledged
Any quoted text should be within quotations, and should include a reference
Supplementary MaterialAdditional content like raw data
or video footage, if useful for the reader may be included online
Raw data tables, audio or video footage, photographs, complex 3D models
Maybe included as Appendices
PresentationReport findings and conclusions
clearly and concisely as possibleEach journal has specific style:
write in it to increase chances of getting accepted
Keep it simple – avoid unnecessary words and phrases
Grammar tipsUse active voice when possiblePresent tense – for known facts
and hypothesesPast tense – for experiments and
results that you conducted
Language QualityCorrect grammar, spelling and
punctuation – smooth review process
Enables focus on academic merit
Cover LetterWhat and why you are submitting
to the journalName the corresponding author
and contact addressInformation to support your
submission – original data, relevance, etc
Relevant details of work with humans, animals or other biohazard method
Details of any conflict of interest
Peer ReviewAct as filter – ensure only good
research is publishedDetermine validity, significance
and originalityImprove quality of the research
submittedConsider your methodology and
ethical approachRecommend the editor to accept,
accept with revisions or reject
What gets accepted?Attention to detailsCheck and double check your workConsider the reviewsEnglish must be as good as possiblePresentation is importantTake your time with revisionAcknowledge those who have helped youNew, original and previously unpublishedCritically evaluate your own manuscriptEthical rules must be obeyed
Responding to reviewersComplete additional experiments if
neededAddress all comments in a point-by-
point fashion◦ Resist the temptation to prepare an
impassioned response to points with which you disagree
◦ Stand firm (diplomatically) if that is truly the right thing to do
Sincerely thank the editor and reviewers for helping you to improve your work◦ They have invested a lot of time, mostly on
a voluntary basisAsk a neutral colleague to review your
response
Ethical responsibilitiesIntellectual honestyAccurate assignment of creditFairness in peer reviewTransparency in conflicts of
interestProtection of human and animal
subjects
Redundant publicationDefinition
◦ Using text or data from another paper/prior publication (usually your own) in a new paper
◦ Also called auto- or self-plagiarism
How to avoid◦ Do not include
material from a previous study in a new one, even for statistical analysis
◦ Repeat control groups as needed
Human and animal welfare issuesDefinition
◦ Treatment of experimental subjects that does not conform with accepted standards and journal policy
How to avoid◦ Obtain
prospective IRB/IACUC approval for the study protocol
◦ Do not deviate from the protocol
◦ Obtain approval for amendments as needed before altering the protocol
Authorship disputes
Definition◦ Disputes arising
from the addition, deletion, or change in the order of authors
How to avoid◦ Agree on authors
and their order before starting the study
◦ Ensure all authors meet criteria for authorship
◦ Sign publishers’ authorship forms
Duplicate publication
Definition◦ Submission of or
publication of the same paper or substantial parts of a paper in more than one place
How to avoid◦ Do not submit a
paper to more than one journal at a time
◦ Wait until your paper is rejected before submitting elsewhere
◦ Withdraw a paper if you decide not to re-submit after being invited to do so
Data fabrication/falsification
Definition◦ Changing or
making up data in a manuscript
◦ Intended to “improve” the results
◦ Includes digital manipulation of images (blots, micrographs, etc.)
How to avoid◦ Present the exact
results obtained◦ Do not withhold data
that don’t fit your hypothesis
◦ Don’t try to beautify images with Photoshop - any manipulations must apply to the whole image
Unacceptable figure manipulation
Improper editingImproper groupingImproper adjustment
◦ Authors should not Move Remove Introduce Obscure Enhance
any specific feature within a image. Images should appear as captured in the lab
Plagiarism
Definition◦ Taking the work of
another◦ Copying a figure,
table, or even wording from a published or unpublished paper without attribution
How to avoid◦ Provide citation to
the work of others◦ Obtain copyright
permission if needed
◦ Do not copy exact wording from another source, even if referenced, unless in quotes
Conflicts of interest
Definition◦ Real or perceived
conflict due to employment, consulting, or investment in entities with an interest in the outcome of the research
How to avoid◦ Disclose all
potential conflicts to the Editor and within the manuscript
Advice to AuthorsRead the instructions and format your
paper exactly to standards.Don’t be careless Good English worksBrevity is beautiful Brevity usually
delivers the message more clearly, gives the journal more pages for other authors, impresses reviewers.
Prepare Your Manuscript Carefully Incorrect style irritates reviewers and
editors, and the wrong style suggests that another journal previously rejected the paper
Edit carefully◦ Eliminate spelling, punctuation, and grammar
errors◦ Good writing requires rewriting
Check accuracy of references with original sources◦ Incorrect citations inconvenience the publisher and
are a disservice to the readerDouble-check numerical data
◦ Numbers in abstract, text, tables, figures, legends, and text must be consistent and correct
“There is no way to get experience except through experience.”