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Transcript of 160306 Edanz Ryuku
University of the Ryukyus
6 March 2016
Trevor Lane, PhD Julian Tang, PhD
Author Success Workshop:
Advanced Tips for Writing Research Manuscripts 2
S
Be an effective communicator
Your goal is not only to be published, but also to be widely read and cited
Planning well and developing advanced writing skills
Logically communicating your ideas in your manuscript
Checking your work carefully
Promoting your research findings to different
audiences
Section 1
Planning manuscripts with impact
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
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 & title/abstract according to
logical Findings; Draft & revise manuscript
Edit manuscript & finalize abstract/title
Select your journal early!
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well Evaluating impact
How new are your findings? How strong is the evidence?
Incremental or large advance? Low or high impact-factor journal
Novelty
How relevant are your findings? International or regional journal
General or specialized journal
Relevance/Application
Assess your findings honestly and objectively
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
Know your impact and study design
Systematic
reviews of RCTs
Randomized controlled
trials (RCTs)
Other controlled trials
Observational studies (cohort, case-control,
surveys/audits/interviews, diagnostics)
Hypothesis
testing
{ Descriptive/
Qualitative/
Hypothesis
generating
Methodological {
{
Secondary
research
Primary
research
{ } Experimental (exposure assigned)*
}
} Non-
experimental
*
Register clinical trials in advance!
Case studies, case series, technical notes,
computer models (in silico), animals (in vivo), in vitro
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
Factors to consider when choosing a journal
Aims & scope, Readership
Publication speed/frequency
Online/Print, Open access
Indexing, Rank, Impact factor
Acceptance rate/criteria
Article type / evidence level
“Luxury” / Traditional / Megajournal
Online first, Supplemental materials, Cost, Copyright
Cascading review, Fast track
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well Use reporting guidelines
PRISMA Systematic reviews & Meta-analyses
STROBE Observational studies
CARE Case reports
CONSORT Randomized controlled trials
ARRIVE Animal studies
http://www.equator-network.org/
QOREC Qualitative studies
clinicaltrials.gov; who.int/ictrp/network/en; controlled-trials.com; umin.ac.jp/ctr
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
Submissions
Plagiarism
Data manipulation
Authorship
Submit to only one journal at a time; do not republish the same paper; no salami
Paraphrase and cite all sources
Do not fabricate or falsify data Do not manipulate parts of images
Study design or data acquisition/analysis; Writing/revising; Approval; Accountability
Publication ethics
Conflicts of interest
Disclose funding and any financial/personal relationships that could bias the work
Safety Ethics approval; for humans: signed consent, data privacy; animal & environmental safety
Committee on Publication Ethics, COPE
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well Publication ethics
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
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
Filter/sort by: • Field of study • Impact factor • Indexed in SCI • Open access • Publishing frequency
Journal’s aims & scope, impact factor,
publication frequency, open access/
subscription/hybrid
• Author guidelines • Journal website
Similar abstracts
Journal Selector www.edanzediting.co.jp/journal_selector
Insert your proposed abstract/title or keywords into text box
Activity 1
Please see Activity 1 in your workbook
Section 2
Effective writing: improving your writing skills
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills Avoid mistakes 1
Use “respectively” for parallel lists
The two values were 143 and 21, respectively.
The values for groups A and B were 143 and 21, respectively.
The two values were 143 and 21.
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Use parallel terms
Avoid mistakes 2
The values were higher in group 1 than for group 2.
The values were higher in group 1 than in group 2. The values were higher for group 1 than for group 2.
Writing involves many skills: planning, preparing, drafting, and you need to check carefully.
Writing involves many skills: planning, preparing, drafting, and careful checking.
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Describe contrasts and similarities clearly
Avoid mistakes 3
The values were higher in group 1 (87%) than in group 2 (54%; p=0.01).
The values were higher in group 1 than in group 2 (87% versus 54%; p=0.01).
The values in group 1 were not significantly different from group 2 (58% versus 54%; p=0.15).
The values in group 1 were not significantly different from those in group 2 (58% and 54%, respectively; p=0.15).
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills Avoid mistakes 4
Use “due to” correctly
Due to the heavy rain, the patients did not return.
Owing to the heavy rain,… Because it rained heavily,…
The patients’ failure to return was due to the heavy rain.
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills Avoid mistakes 5
Fix run-ons (comma splices) and fragments
Inefficiency is related to energy flow, however not all losses are because of energy flow.
Inefficiency is related to energy flow; however, not all losses are because of energy flow. (Or…However,)
Our modified assay rapidly screened many cDNA libraries. Which is why it should be a useful high throughput method.
Our modified assay rapidly screened many cDNA libraries. Hence, it should be a useful high-throughput method. (Or…Because our modified assay rapidly screened many cDNA libraries, it should be…)
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills Avoid mistakes 6
Don’t misuse time words
While many people read e-books, some still prefer real books.
Although/Whereas many people read e-books, some still prefer real books.
The patient had no appetite since he had eaten breakfast.
The patient had no appetite because he had eaten breakfast.
The plants were harvested as they flowered.
The plants were harvested because/once they had flowered.
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills Avoid mistakes 7
Check the logic of lists
The variables included family size, personal and household incomes.
The variables included family size and personal and household incomes.
The recorded times were 1 hour, 20 minutes and 360 seconds.
The recorded times were 60 minutes, 20 minutes and 6 minutes.
The cities comprised Tokyo, Japan, London, UK, and Chicago, USA.
The cities comprised Tokyo, Japan; London, UK; and Chicago, USA.
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills Avoid mistakes 8
Check your use of commas
The GFP tags appeared green and blue, yellow and green and yellow and blue.
The GFP tags appeared green and blue, yellow and green, and yellow
and blue.
The patient said he admired his parents, Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
The patient said he admired his parents, Prince Charles, and Lady Diana.
We therefore conducted a large scale, retrospective, cohort study.
We therefore conducted a large-scale retrospective cohort study.
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Scientific writing style: clarity and brevity
To make a determination of the efficaciousness of the program, we conducted an interrogation of all the
participating program students and found that their responses showed it was effective at improving manuscript writing.
To determine the success of the program, we interviewed all the participants. Their responses showed that the program
was effective at improving manuscript writing.
Avoid complexity; split sentences; clarify pronouns
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
The study design is not perfect, but you deserve the
funding. The grant will be awarded in two stages.
Stress position
Topic position
Use the topic position to introduce the sentence & prefer bad news before good news
The stress position can introduce the topic of the next sentence (useful for explanations and processes)
Scientific writing style: coherence 1
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
The local government has been striving to introduce Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) in education. In medical
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 all medical 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
Scientific writing style: coherence 1
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Almost all participants indicated a high level of satisfaction with the content, sequence and relevance of the ICT professional development program they attended. Only a few lecturers reported that the duration of the professional development program was too short. However, the majority of the lecturers reported that they developed an understanding of what TPACK is, and the way technology can enhance teaching and learning of difficult medical 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
Scientific writing style: coherence 1
Adapted from: Kafyulilo et al. Educ Inf Technol. 5 May 2015; DOI 10.1007/s10639-015-9398-0
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Lecturers were positive about the effectiveness of technology in teaching. They reported the effectiveness of technology on students’ learning, and on simplifying their teaching process. Most of the lecturers reported to be comfortable and satisfied with the outcomes of the technology-integrated lessons they had developed and taught during the professional development program. One of the lecturers from College A said,…
idea idea idea idea
Topic link
Adapted from: Kafyulilo et al. Educ Inf Technol. 5 May 2015; DOI 10.1007/s10639-015-9398-0
Information in the topic position can introduce the topic of the next few sentences
(useful for definitions, descriptions, and narratives).
Scientific writing style: coherence 2
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Findings in this study are presented in four sections. The first section presents the continuation of technology use in teaching. The second section presents the factors affecting the continuation of use of technology in teaching among lecturers who participated in the study. The third section presents the college management view on the impact of the professional development program and the institutional challenges on using technology in teaching. Finally, the enabling and hindering factors affecting the continuation of technology are summarized.
idea idea idea idea
Topic link
Adapted from: Kafyulilo et al. Educ Inf Technol. 5 May 2015; DOI 10.1007/s10639-015-9398-0
Information in the stress position can introduce the topic of the next few sentences
(useful for lists and describing whole/parts).
Scientific writing style: coherence 3
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Scientific writing style: coherence 4
Logical connectors
Sequential
Causal
Adversative Although, Even though, Whereas, However, In contrast, Despite (+noun or 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), Except, Provided that, Until, Without, Otherwise,…
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Title/Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Title/Abstract
Methods
Results
Discussion
Introduction
Abstract /Title
write
The ‘write’ order
Revise content/logic, then edit language
• Why did you do your study?
• What did you do and find?
• What does your study mean?
Activity 2
Please see Activity 2 in your workbook
Section 3
Introductions & Discussions 1
Introductions & Discussions
Story line and consistency
General background
Aims
Methodology
Results and figures
Summary of findings
Implications for the field
Relevance of findings
Problem in the field
Current state of the field Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Solution
Situation/Problem
Evaluation/Comment
Title & Abstract
End matter References, Acknowledgments, Funding, Conflicts of interest, Previous publication/presentation, Ethics/Data sharing
Introductions & Discussions
Story line and consistency
Urban landscapes have extensive habitat fragmentation, …compacted soil, …and elevated pollution levels.
However, research on urban ecology has focused on vertebrates; arthropods have received less attention.
These findings identify urban soil compaction as a possible cause of cicada diversity loss, because it impedes the passage of nymphs to underground nests.
Background
Conclusion
Discussion
Introduction
Modified from: Moriyama & Numata. Zoological Letters. 2015; 1: 19.
In the present study, we investigated the influence of the environment on cicada communities in Osaka Prefecture, focusing on urban soil compaction.
Aim
Urban soil compaction reduces cicada diversity
Problem
Introductions & Discussions
Aim
Introduction
Current state of the field
Background information
Specific aim/approach
Problem in the field
Previous studies
Current study
General
Specific Importance/hypothesis
Worldwide relevance? Broad/specialized?
Recent, International Not too many self-cites
Check: Preview results? Preview contents of paper? Literature review afterwards?
Why is your study needed?
Introductions & Discussions
“Health workforce shortages may be felt most keenly by developing nations, but are a concern for all. Developed nations are particularly worried about the number of general practitioners (GPs) available to service their ageing populations…”
BMC Family Practice: Worldwide relevance
Dwan et al. BMC Fam Prac. 2014; 15: 154.
International journal – Writing the Introduction
Effect of ageing populations on healthcare workforce
Introductions & Discussions
“All citizens in Japan are covered by a national health insurance system in which there are no official “gatekeepers”. Patients can freely choose between attending a local physician’s office (clinic) or a hospital and Japanese physicians can freely practice internal medicine. But recently, Japan has faced the problems of a rapidly aging population…”
Asia-Pacific Family Medicine: Regional focus
Tsukamoto et al. Asia Pac Fam Med. 2014; 13: 9.
Regional journal – Writing the Introduction
Effect of ageing populations on healthcare workforce
Introductions & Discussions
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world, and atherosclerosis is the central underlying pathology. Atherogenesis is a life-long process involving a range of mechanisms including lipid peroxidation and inflammation affecting the vascular wall. The clinically most relevant results of this pathology are myocardial infarction and stroke. Evidence for acute cardiovascular effects of air pollution has substantially increased in recent years…
PLOS ONE: ‘atherosclerosis and pollution’
Künzli et al. PLoS ONE 2010; 5: e9096.
Broad-focused journal – Writing the Introduction
Broad background information Important for context
Introductions & Discussions
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease that accounts for nearly 50% of deaths in western societies. Initiation of atherosclerotic plaque formation is a complex process. It involves secretion of chemokines such as the Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein–1 (MCP-1) and expression of adhesion molecules on the surface of monocytes and endothelial cells. Circulating monocytes are recruited to sites of injured endothelial cells, adhere to them, and migrate into the subendothelial space. Monocytes in the arterial wall differentiate into activated macrophages…
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders: ‘atherosclerosis and pollution’
Adar et al. BMC Cardiovas Disord. 2013; 10: e1001430..
Specialized journal – Writing the Introduction
Broad background information not necessary
Introductions & Discussions Writing the Introduction
Currently, the standard procedure used to evaluate hepatic steatosis is the histopathological examination of cross-liver sections… …this is an invasive practice that presents inherent risks... Therefore, it is essential to establish new non-invasive approaches to accurately determine hepatic fat concentration…
Aims
The purpose of our prospective study…was to evaluate the potential of multi-echo MRI to quantitate the hepatic triglyceride concentration.
Problem & possible solution
Jiménez-Agüero et al. BMC Med. 2014; 12:137.
The aims should directly address the problem
Introductions & Discussions 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?
Introductions & Discussions
GPER is an E2 binding, G-protein coupled membrane receptor that was reported to be overexpressed in breast, endometrial, ovarian and thyroid cancers. However, it is currently unclear if different types of lung cancers including adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinomas express higher GPER than normal lung tissue. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that GPER is overexpressed in lung tumors and lung adenocarcinoma cell lines relative to normal lung and immortalized normal lung cell lines, although the expression of GPER transcript in HPL1D cells is higher than HBECs.
Re-introduction
Major finding as main conclusion
Modified from: Rao Jala et al. BMC Cancer 2012; 12: 624.
State the major finding of the study
Restate problem
Discussion – Beginning
Introductions & Discussions
Important limitations of our study include an inadequate sample size and duration to detect differences in the incidence of diabetes complications, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, or death. The protocol specifies further follow-up at 5 years for all patients, which should allow additional assessment of even longer-term efficacy and safety. Despite these limitations, we conclude that bariatric surgery represents a potentially useful strategy for the management of type 2 diabetes, allowing many patients to reach and maintain therapeutic targets of glycemic control that otherwise would not be achievable with intensive medical therapy alone.
Identify limitations
Include limitations
Modified from: Schauer et al. New Engl J Med. 2014; 370: 2002–2013.
Address limitations
End positively
Introductions & Discussions
Important limitations of our study include an inadequate sample size and duration to detect differences in the incidence of diabetes complications, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, or death. The protocol specifies further follow-up at 5 years for all patients, which should allow additional assessment of even longer-term efficacy and safety. Despite these limitations, we conclude that bariatric surgery represents a potentially useful strategy for the management of type 2 diabetes, allowing many patients to reach and maintain therapeutic targets of glycemic control that otherwise would not be achievable with intensive medical therapy alone.
Identify limitations
Modified from: Schauer et al. New Engl J Med. 2014; 370: 2002–2013.
Address limitations
End positively: Good news last & in long, main clause!
Include limitations
Introductions & Discussions
Chiswick Chap, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toulmin_Argumentation_Example.gif, CC-BY-SA-3.0
Making claims
Toulmin model of argumentation
Qualifier
Introductions & Discussions
Patients’ perspective of safety incidents showed both overlaps and additional aspects from outpatient care professionals’ opinions….Patients’ statements brought insight on…
Most of the included studies have been conducted in US-American outpatient care settings; thus, the transferability of results to other health care settings is limited…. Integrating patients’ perspective broadens the existing understanding of adverse events in outpatient care and should therefore be considered as a complimentary measuring tool….
Start of Discussion: summary of findings
Conclusions: main conclusion & implication
Modified from: Lang et al. BMC Family Practice 2016; 17: 6.
Match extent, confidence, precision
Limitations
Making claims
Introductions & Discussions
Patients’ perspective of safety incidents showed both overlaps and additional aspects from outpatient care professionals’ opinions….Patients’ statements brought insight on…
Most of the included studies have been conducted in US-American outpatient care settings; thus, the transferability of results to other health care settings is limited…. Integrating patients’ perspective broadens the existing understanding of adverse events in outpatient care and should therefore be considered as a complimentary measuring tool….
Start of Discussion: summary of findings
Conclusions: main conclusion & implication
Modified from: Lang et al. BMC Family Practice 2016; 17: 6.
Match extent, confidence, precision
Limitations
Making claims
Data
Claims
Qualifier
Rebuttal
Warrant
Introductions & Discussions Discussion – End
In conclusion, we found an independent, graded association between lower levels of the estimated GFR and the risks of death, cardiovascular events, and hospitalization. These risks were evident at an estimated GFR of less than 60 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 and substantially increased with an estimated GFR of less than 45 ml per minute per 1.73 m2. Our findings support the validity of the National Kidney Foundation staging system for chronic kidney disease but suggest that the system could be further refined, since all persons with stage 3 chronic kidney disease (GFR, 30 to 59 ml per minute per 1.73 m2) may not be at equal risk for each outcome. Our findings highlight the clinical and public health importance of chronic kidney disease that does not necessitate dialysis.
Conclusion
Key finding
Implications
Future directions
Importance
Go et al. N Engl J Med. 2004; 351: 1296–1305.
Why is your study important?
Activity 3
Please see Activity 3 in your workbook
Section 4
Introductions & Discussions 2
Introductions & Discussions Correct verb tense
Present simple
Present perfect
Past simple
Stating an accepted fact or current implications
Referring to past studies that are still relevant
Reporting an account of what you did/showed
Introduction Discussion
Introduction Discussion
Methods Results
“Graphene is a promising material for...” “Our findings have implications for…”
“Group therapy has been shown to increase...” “In this study, we have shown that…”
“We used NMR to investigate the structure of…” “Sorafenib prevented tumor growth in HCC patients...”
Introductions & Discussions
[New paragraph] “We previously took the Raman profiles of…”
Referring to previous studies in the Introduction
“We have previously studied/reported the Raman profiles of…”
[Next sentence] “A red shift in the G and 2D peak positions is observed…”
“A red shift in the G and 2D peak positions was observed…”
“We observed a red shift in the G and 2D peak positions …”
Correct verb tense – Case study
Introductions & Discussions
“This result suggested that these peaks are from…”
Referring to your implications in the Discussion
“This result suggests that these peaks originate from…” “This result suggests that these peaks originated from…”
“These Raman spectroscopy results confirmed that…”
“These Raman spectroscopy results confirm that…”
Signal words for implications of results: confirm, demonstrate, show, reveal, support, indicate, suggest, imply
Correct verb tense – Case study
Introductions & Discussions
“Many researchers proved that certain grasses were not affected by the fungus…”
Referring to others in the Introduction or Discussion
[New paragraph; general news] …have concluded/suggested that certain grasses are not affected…
[Not new paragraph; past specific finding] …reported/found/showed that certain grasses were not affected…
[Not new paragraph; past implication/generalization] …concluded/suggested that certain grasses are not affected…
Correct verb tense – Case study
Human report verbs: report, state, find, conclude, demonstrate, show, advise, recommend, suggest, comment, argue, claim, contend
Introductions & Discussions
Common mistakes in the Introduction
Ideas are not logically organized
Important topics in the Introduction are not mentioned again in the Results/Discussion
Important topics in the Results/Discussion are not mentioned in the Introduction
Cited studies are not up-to-date
Cited studies are geographically biased
Why study needs to be done?
Keep focused
Write last
<5 years
International
Introductions & Discussions
Common mistakes in the Discussion
Do not restate your results or introduce new data
We showed that tumor volumes in Groups A, B, and C were 34.6, 74.2, and 53.9 mm3, respectively, after a 4-month drug treatment, reflecting only a 8.6% decrease. However, after a 12-month drug treatment, the tumor volumes in Groups A, B, and C were 16.3, 18.7, and 16.9 mm3, respectively, which reflects a 45.2% decrease (p<0.05). The results demonstrate that 12 months of treatment is necessary for Drug X to effectively reduce tumor size among the three groups.
The results presented in this study demonstrate that Drug X more effectively reduces tumor size after 12 months of treatment (45.2% reduction) than it does after 4 months (8.6% reduction).
Introductions & Discussions
Common mistakes in the Discussion
Do not overgeneralize your findings
In this study, we demonstrated that Drug A effectively reduced tumor growth. Therefore, this drug should have therapeutic applications in breast cancer treatment.
In this study, we demonstrated that Drug A effectively reduced the growth of various breast cancer cell lines. Our findings suggest that this drug may have therapeutic applications in breast cancer treatment.
Result: Drug A reduced breast cancer cell growth in vitro
Introductions & Discussions
Makes readers think others’ words or ideas are your own
Copying published text (even with a citation)
Stating ideas of someone else without citing the source
Plagiarism
Introductions & Discussions
Copying text that you have written and published before into your manuscript
Self-plagiarism
May violate copyright
Makes readers think you are presenting something new
Introductions & Discussions
Expressing published ideas using different words
Paraphrasing
Tips on paraphrasing:
• Write the text first into another language, and then later translate back into English
• Verbally explain ideas to a colleague • Name a published method and cite it • Consider text location
– Introduction vs. Discussion
Introductions & Discussions Good paraphrasing
24. Li et al. PLoS ONE. 2013; 8: e68372.
“The magnitude of the change in carbon storage depends on how physical, chemical, or biological processes are altered over time under different land uses.”
The size of the carbon storage change depends on how physical, chemical, or biological processes are changed over time under different land uses.24
How differing land uses gradually affect biological, chemical, or physical processes changes how much carbon can be stored.24
• Nouns verbs • Prepositional phrases Adverbs • Passive Active voice
• Synonyms, word order
Introductions & Discussions Paraphrasing tips
Vary sentence structure to avoid patchwriting or listing
Change voice, rhythm, style
Separate/join sentences
Discourse markers Coincidentally; Also in agreement; Indeed
Join 2 sentences (semicolon, colon for a reason/list, or by subordination); alternate short/long sentences
Active to passive, or passive to active; negative to positive, or positive to negative;
invert word or sentence order
Sentence logic Either/or; neither/nor; not only, but also
Introductory phrase According to X’s method,…; In X’s study,…; X
showed/reported…; When X…
Change word class An altered direction -> A directional change
Activity 4
Please see Activity 4 in your workbook
Section 5
Checking your written work
Editing and proofreading
Don’t use numbers to start a sentence
50 participants were recruited.
We recruited 50 participants. / In this study, 50 participants were recruited.
Fifty participants were recruited.
Avoid mistakes 9
Editing and proofreading
Don’t use new words; use “that” for defining terms
Some of the data from the last 2 years, which we
inputted into the analysis, impacted on the overall calculation.
Some of the data from the past 2 years that we entered into the analysis affected the overall
calculation.
Avoid mistakes 10
Editing and proofreading
Avoid biased or offensive language
The doctor must treat his patient with care.
The doctor must treat the patient with care. The doctor must treat his or her patient with care.
Doctors must treat their patients with care. Doctors must treat patients with care.
Police officer, firefighter, person with epilepsy, person with diabetes, person with asthma
Avoid mistakes 11
Policeman, fireman, epileptic, diabetic, asthmatic
Editing and proofreading
Patient parameters …improved significantly; it is significant that… X was correlated with Y The risk* of developing X in this case-control study…
Patient variables …improved considerably/markedly; it is important that… X was associated with/related to/linked to Y The odds of developing X in this case-control study…
Don’t misuse statistical words
* OK in a retrospective study if disease is rare and causality is assumed; risk=x/total, odds=x/(total–x)
Avoid mistakes 12
Editing and proofreading
2 categorical endpoints
Paired (within sample)
Unpaired (between sample)
McNemar’s test
Fisher’s exact test 2 treatment groups
*for sample sizes > 60
Chi-square test* >2 treatment groups
du Prel et al. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2010; 107: 343–8.
Common complaints – Statistics
Editing and proofreading
Continuous endpoints
Parametric Nonparametric
Paired Unpaired Paired Unpaired
2 groups: Paired t test
>2 groups: Repeated-
measures ANOVA
2 groups: Unpaired t test
>2 groups: ANOVA (F test)
2 groups: Wilcoxon signed-
rank test
>2 groups: Friedman
one-way ANOVA
2 groups: Mann–Whitney U test (Wilcoxon
rank-sum test )
>2 groups: Kruskal–Wallis
test
Lang and Secic 1997; 71.
Common complaints – Statistics
Editing and proofreading Qualitative studies
Rich data: sufficient, systematically collected,
high-quality Quantity (breadth/depth) depends on existing knowledge, size of knowledge gap, agree/disagree with current theory
Research question: appropriate and focused
Keep a “how” research question in mind when coding and when reporting how you contribute to theory
Grounding: relevant or closest literature
Introduction: show that there are knowledge gaps and a need for theory development; may include Literature Review section; check validity/reliability
Transparency: explain methods and show
systematic work
Give references of accepted methods; how did you identify/refine themes and identify outliers? Table of quotes (n>1) or in-depth theme boxes (n=1)
Reay. Fam Bus Rev. 2014;1–8, DOI: 10.1177/0894486514529209
Editing and proofreading Qualitative studies
Tell an intriguing empirical (not
theoretical) story Engaging and interesting, surprising and new; short version in Introduction and long version in Results; “tell” & “show”
Tell a convincing theoretical story
Discussion: clearly explain how your study connects to literature; refer to references from Introduction
Show clear contribution to target journal
Clearly explain how your analysis/model advances or changes theory, or where current theory doesn’t hold; keep to target journal aim/scope
Ethically conducted and reported/published
Informed consent, confidentiality, avoiding harm, research integrity (www.ethicsguidebook.ac.uk)
Reay. Fam Bus Rev. 2014;1–8, DOI: 10.1177/0894486514529209
Editing and proofreading
Check target journal about:
(1) format/style, (2) word counts, (3) referencing, (4) documents to be submitted, such as title page and declarations, (5) cover letter
Check relevant international guidelines in Equator Network
Check use of passive, or I/We or This author, This study, These results
Check logic and consistency
Check all data and display items; check reference to figures
Find a colleague for presubmission peer review advice
Check idiomatic language and parallel constructions; remove repetition
Clarify referents of pronouns such as It and This
Check subjects are close to verbs; check verb tense and agreement
Check spelling and grammar; ask a native English speaker to help
Before submission
Activity 5
Please see Activity 5 in your workbook
Section 6
Promoting your research after publication
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Publicize your work Three missions
Education/
Training
Research
Knowledge Exchange
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Publicize your work Match your audience
Pre- and post-publication impact
IMRaD research article
(journals,
posters, slides)
Hard news
(conclusion as “lede”)
(press
releases)
Hard news, delayed
lede
(implication at start)
Soft news/
Feature story
(news-letters)
Hard news, delayed lede + kicker
(implication at start &
end)
Only after journal publication!
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Publicize your work Match your audience
Writing for the public
Hard news
Heading
• Can say “new”; can use subheading • Name the source/people
Conclusion first (lede/top line) • Name the source/people; 6WHs give key
facts • Implications or importance as a quote
Results before Methods; use bullets Background last; end with a quote
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Publicize your work Match your audience
Tips
Hard news
Give only important details Include definitions, and synonyms, in
introductory or incidental phrases/clauses Check all data, details, and names Grab attention Write for the layperson; use analogies Avoid jargon and technical language Be concise! Short paragraphs Be interesting! What is different/new? End with Call to action, or a quotation
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Publicize your work Match your audience
Elements of a press release
Hard news
Use letterhead FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (or Embargo date) Short title; dateline, city name Quotations on insights from named experts;
no repetition! Include keywords Include full citation; name journal / evidence
level in the text End with END or ENDS or ### or -30- Contact info, institution info, explanations,
photo available, in “Notes to Editors”
S
Abstract Simulating the impact on health of internalising the cost of carbon in food prices combined with a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages Rising greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) have implications for health and up to 30% of emissions globally are thought to arise from agriculture.…In order to address this,…we model the effect on UK non-communicable disease mortality and GHGEs of internalising the social cost of carbon into the price of food alongside a 20% tax on sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs)….
Example: Publicizing your work
Press release A combined carbon and sugar tax could have environmental and health benefits A combination of a carbon tax on food and a tax on sugary drinks in the UK could lead to health benefits, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and raise up to GB£3.6 billion revenue, according to research published in the open access journal BMC Public Health. Lead researcher, Adam Briggs from the University of Oxford, said: “Agriculture is responsible for up to 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions”…
Based on: http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/press-centre/science-press-releases/3-feb-2016;
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-016-2723-8;
Please see Activity 6 in your Workbook
Activity 6
S
Be an effective communicator
Your goal is not only to be published, but also to be widely read and cited
Planning well and developing advanced writing skills
Logically communicating your ideas in your manuscript
Checking your work carefully
Promoting your research findings to different
audiences
Thank you!
Any questions?
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Trevor Lane: [email protected] Julian Tang: [email protected]