writing a research manuscript that has impact · writing a research manuscript that has impact...

Andrew Jackson Ayli Chong

Author Success Workshop:

Writing a Research Manuscript that Has Impact

Tohoku University Institute for Materials Research

11 November 2016

S

Be an effective communicator

Your goal is not only to be published, but also to be widely read and cited

Prepare well and develop advanced writing skills

Logically communicate your ideas in your manuscript

Communicate confidently with journal editors

Increase the impact of your research

Section 1

Planning 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

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


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


Declare in your cover letter…

Not submitted to other journals

Funding, donations

All authors agree and truly

contributed

Original and unpublished

State potential conflicts of interest

Research ethics, “good laboratory

practice”

What editors want (2)

Always follow ethics guidelines

Consequences of unethical behavior

• Unable to publish • Loss of employment


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


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!


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


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

Effective writing

Coverage and Staffing Plan

Effective writing

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


Effective writing

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



Effective writing

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)



Effective writing

Delete extra words!

“A number of studies have shown that the charged group...”

“...as described in our previous study.”

“...at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min.”

“As a matter of fact, such a low-temperature reaction…”

“That is another reason why, we believe…”

“It is well known that most of the intense diffraction peaks...” “It is well known that Most of the intense diffraction peaks...”

“As a matter of fact, such a This low-temperature reaction…”

“A number of studies have shown that The charged group...”

“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.”



Effective writing

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



Effective writing

Estimate Estimation

Decide Decision

Assess Assessment

We made a/an… We conducted a/an… Extra verb

We decided… Clear, short, and direct

Don’t hide verbs inside nouns!



Effective writing

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.



Effective writing

Readers expect…

verbs to closely follow their subjects heavy ends (not starts) of clauses

Subject

The device leakage current of transistors fabricated on SiO2 with different self-assembled monolayers decreased by two orders of magnitude after annealing.

The transistors were fabricated on SiO2 with different self-assembled monolayers. The device leakage current decreased by two orders of magnitude after annealing.

Verb

Source: Oinaala et al. Organic Agriculture 2015; 5: 153–159.



Effective writing

Be accurate, concise, and parallel

After considering all of the data runs after all of the computer sim tests, around 10% of all the virtual molecule designs were finally id’d, categorized and they were publicly archived.

After analyzing the results from the computer simulations, we identified, categorized, and publicly archived 12% of the virtually designed molecules.



Effective writing

Write logical sentences!

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


Effective writing

Compared with is for saying how things are different

The performance of our algorithm was high compared

to the previous algorithm.

The performance of our algorithm was high compared with that of the previous algorithm.

The performance of our algorithm was higher than that of the previous one.

Avoid mistakes 2


Effective writing

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.

Stress position

Academic English writing style 1


Effective writing

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).



Effective writing

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



Effective writing

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




Effective writing

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


Information in the topic position can introduce the topic of the next sentence

(useful for definitions, descriptions, and narratives).



Effective writing

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


Information in the stress position can introduce the topic of the next few sentences

(useful for lists and describing whole/parts).



Effective writing 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


Section 3

Overview of manuscript structure

Manuscript structure

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

Manuscript structure 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)

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!

Manuscript structure The ‘write’ order

Manuscript sections

• Title • Abstract • Introduction • Methods • Results • Discussion

Writing order Draft title/abstract

Manuscript structure Introduction

Why is your study needed?

Current state of the field

Background information

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

Specific aim/approach/contents Check journal if Results can be previewed

Manuscript structure 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


For lithium manganese spinel electrodes, obtaining substituted spinels of a general formula Li[LiqMn2-q]O4 and decreasing the size of particles by pyrolysis lead to better cycling ability….However, particles exhibit fast aggregation upon thermal treatment with citric acid pyrolysis in air.


Your aims must directly address the problem

Study sample

Variables Outcome

Lithium manganese spinel electrodes

Excess lithium ions Particle size/aggregation

Pyrolysis conditions

Improved physical and electrochemical

properties Modified from: Potapenko et al. Mater Renew Sustain Energy. 2015; 4: 40.

Writing the Introduction


Your aims must directly address the problem

We describe the properties of Li[Li0.033Mn1.967]O4 after pyrolysis in an inert atmosphere. Its particle size is smaller, the degree of aggregation is lower, and high-rate properties are better that for its analogue pyrolyzed in air.

Study aims

Modified from: Potapenko et al. Mater Renew Sustain Energy. 2015; 4: 40.

Writing the Introduction

For lithium manganese spinel electrodes, obtaining substituted spinels of a general formula Li[LiqMn2-q]O4 and decreasing the size of particles by pyrolysis lead to better cycling ability….However, particles exhibit fast aggregation upon thermal treatment with citric acid pyrolysis in air.



Describe all aspects of the design

Methods

What was done

• Variables measured • Processes, treatments, measurements • General to specific

• Quantification; models/equations • Statistical tests (& P level) • Consult a statistician

What was studied

• Tests, controls • Number of samples/sets of tests • Materials/equipment (+ maker)

Data analysis

Manuscript structure 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 to start sections

New techniques

Caution notices for dangerous substances/processes …No incidents occurred; researchers have to be qualified and trained, and use

suitable protocols, precautions, and facilities

Manuscript structure Sentence logic

Means–Purpose

A B

Infinitive to

So that

Prepositional clause + verb-ing

We used/did B with a view to/for the purpose of/with the goal of achieving A.

We used/did B so that we could achieve A.

To do A, we did/used B. We did/used B to do A. We aimed to do/did X to avoid Y/doing Y.

For B was done for the measurement of A.

Manuscript structure Results

Present results logically and factually

• Synthesis, characteristics • Group, subgroups • Algorithm, trial, improvement

• Each subsection relates to one figure and method

• What you found, not what it means

• Use Supplementary Information

• Data accessibility

Logical presentation

Subsections

Factual description


Combined Methods– Results–Discussion

Method & Results Interpretation

Figure 1


Figure 2


Figure 3


Figure 4

Initial observation

Logical presentation

Characterization

Application


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%.


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%).

Manuscript structure 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?


Chiswick Chap, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toulmin_Argumentation_Example.gif, CC-BY-SA-3.0

Making claims

Toulmin model of argumentation

Qualifier


The public’s perspective of environmental 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 environmental 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


How safe is mist netting? evaluating the risk of injury and mortality to birds

Our analysis points to some important associations, but is also limited….While on one hand, our narrow geographical focus controls for household socio-economic and geographical factors that may differ across regions of India, a larger-n study exploring similar research questions that would be generalizable to larger geographical regions may yield a higher impact on future household air pollution reduction interventions. Despite these limitations, our analysis yields important lessons for the next generation of cookstove programs.

Identify limitations

Discussing limitations

Address limitations

End positively: give the bad news first

“Social, Economic, and Resource Predictors of Variability in Household Air Pollution from Cookstove Emissions”

Modified from: Yadama et al. PLOS ONE October 3, 2012, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046381.


How safe is mist netting? evaluating the risk of injury and mortality to birds

Our analysis points to some important associations, but is also limited….While on one hand, our narrow geographical focus controls for household socio-economic and geographical factors that may differ across regions of India, a larger-n study exploring similar research questions that would be generalizable to larger geographical regions may yield a higher impact on future household air pollution reduction interventions. Despite these limitations, our analysis yields important lessons for the next generation of cookstove programs.

Identify limitations

Discussing limitations

Modified from: Yadama et al. PLOS ONE October 3, 2012, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046381.

Address limitations

“Social, Economic, and Resource Predictors of Variability in Household Air Pollution from Cookstove Emissions”

End positively: Good news last & in long, main clause!

Manuscript structure Discussion – End

Why is your study important?

May be a separate section

May be a “Future work” section

In conclusion, polymeric nanoparticles could be used as a generic carrier of hydrophobic drugs for efficient delivery. Compared with drug administration alone, these nanoparticles mediated a higher and more rapid uptake of the encapsulated drug by nanoparticle-cell contact-mediated transfer. A contact-mediated mechanism of delivery into the cytosol could enable effective delivery of anticancer drugs directly to the intracellular molecular targets. Further understanding of this contact-based transfer mechanism will be important to exploit this novel delivery system for the administration of hydrophobic chemotherapeutic drugs to improve cancer therapy.

Conclusion

Key result

Implications

Importance & Future

directions

Modified from: Snipstad et al. Cancer Nanotech. 2014; 5: 8.


Story line and consistency

General background

Aims

Methodology

Results and figures

Summary of findings

Final solution & Implications

Evaluation of findings


Current state of the field Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

Evidence for a

Solution

Situation/Problem

Evaluation/Comment

Title & Abstract

End matter References, Acknowledgments, Funding, Conflicts of interest, Previous publication/presentation, Ethics/Data sharing

Manuscript structure Title and abstract

First impression of paper

Importance of your results

Validity of your conclusions

Relevance of your aims

Your title & abstract should attract readers

It sells your work: Readers judge your style & credibility

Often first or only part that is read by readers/reviewers


Title

Important points

Only main idea/s Accurate, simple Include keywords Fewer than 20 words Include method/

study type

Avoid

Unneeded words (“A study of”) Sensationalism, journalistic style Complex word order Abbreviations, jargon “New” or “novel”


Interrogative Want to scale in centralized systems? Think peer-to-peer

Indicative/ Descriptive

Network performance of multiple virtual machine live migration in cloud federations

… + Approach (subtitle)

Teaching cloud computing: A software engineering perspective

Assertive/ Declarative

Health literacy does not narrow the education-based e-health gap / Education-based e-health gap not narrowed by health literacy

Title

Modified from: J Internet Serv Appl; J Med Internet Res; J Syst Software

Activity 3


writing a research manuscript that has impact · writing a research manuscript that has impact...

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