Writing and publishing a research article

1. Writing and publishing a research article Thomas H. Adair, Ph.D. Professor of Physiology & BIophysics Center of Excellence in Cardiovascular-Renal Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center August, 2006

2. Resources Day, RA. “How to write and publish a scientific paper,” 5th edition, Oryx Press, 1998. Fischer BA, Zigmond MJ. “Components of a research article.” survival@pitt.edu Marshal GS. “Writing a peer reviewed article.” http://dor.umc.edu/ARCHIVES/GMarshallPublishingarticle.ppt Hall, JE. “Writing research papers (and getting them published)” http://dor.umc.edu/ARCHIVES/GMarshallPublishingarticle.ppt Benos, D., Reich, M. “Peer review and publication in APS journals.” http://www.the-aps.org/careers/careers1/EBSymposia/Benos2003.ppt

3. “There is no way to get experience except through experience.”

4. Why write and publish research papers? Ideally – to share research findings and discoveries with the hope of improving healthcare. Practically – to get funding to get promoted to get a job to keep your job!

5. “Scientists are rated by what they finish, not by what they attempt”

7. Cost of publication is high, $360/page for APS

8. Rejection rates vary

9. AJP = 50%

10. JBC = 65%

14. Publish or perish

15. Publish and perish “The Seven Deadly Sins” Data manipulation, falsification Duplicate manuscripts Redundant publication Plagiarism Author conflicts of interest Animal use concerns Humans use concerns

16. What constitutes redundant publication? Data in conference abstract? Same data, different journal? Data on website? Data included in review article? Expansion of published data set? No Yes Maybe OK if later Yes

18. Good writing

20. What constitutes a good journal? Impact factor – average number of times published papers are cited up to two years after publication. Immediacy Index – average number of times published papers are cited during year of publication.

21. Journal Citation Report, 2003 Journal Impact Factor Immediacy Index Nature 30.979 06.679 Science 29.162 05.589 Hypertens 05.630 00.838 AJ P Heart 03.658 00.675 Physiol Rev 36.831 03.727 Am J Math 00.962 00.122 Ann Math 01.505 00.564 AM J MATH 0002-9327 002353 00.962 00.122 AM J MATH 0002-9327 002353 00.962 00.122 5907 journals

22. Things to consider before writing 1. Time to write the paper? - has a significant advancement been made? - is the hypothesis straightforward? - did the experiments test the hypothesis? - are the controls appropriate and sufficient? - can you describe the study in 1 or 2 minutes? - can the key message be written in 1 or 2 sentences? “Those who have the most to say usually say it with the fewest words”

23. Things to consider before writing 1. Time to write the paper? - has a significant advancement been made? - is the hypothesis straightforward? - did the experiments test the hypothesis? - are the controls appropriate and sufficient? - can you describe the study in 1 or 2 minutes? - can the key message be written in 1 or 2 sentences? 2. Tables and figures - must be clear and concise - should be self-explanatory 3. Read references - will help in choosing journal - better insight into possible reviewers

24. Things to consider before writing 4. Choose journal - study “instructions to authors” - think about possible reviewers - quality of journal “impact factor” 5. Tentative title and summary 6. Choose authors

25. Authorship Guidelines on authorshop, International committee of Medical Journal Editors, Reprinted by kind permission of the Editor of the British Medical Journal of Sept 14, 1985. J Clin Pathol 39: 110, 1986

26. Writing the manuscript The hardest part is getting started.

27. Parts of a manuscript Title Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Acknowledgements References

28. Write in what order? Title Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Acknowledgements References

31. Include animal/human use approval information.

32. Use descriptive subheadings

33. Animals

34. Surgical procedures

38. Provide brief background

39. State hypothesis / central question

41. Relate your conclusion to existing knowledge

42. Discuss weaknesses and discrepancies

43. Explain what is new without exaggerating

44. Do not repeat results

46. Be highly selective

47. Read the references

48. Do not misquote

50. State main objective

51. Summarize most important results

52. State major conclusions and significance

53. Avoid acronyms

55. Avoid long title (see journal rules)

56. Avoid abbreviations

57. Title format: “The effects of heat on ice” “Heat melts ice” “The role of heat in melting ice”

58. Words and expressions to avoid Jargon Preferred use a considerable amount of much on account of because a number of several Referred to as called In a number of cases some Has the capacity to can It is clear that clearly It is apparent that apparently Employ use Fabricate make Day, RA. “How to write and publish a scientific paper,” 5th edition, Oryx Press, 1998.

60. Review order of data presentation

61. Polish the writing style

62. Double check references

63. Look for typos

65. Submission Read instructions carefully Fill out all necessary forms Copyright transfer Conflict of interest Write cover letter (suggest reviewers) Confirm receipt after 6 weeks

66. Process of Research Completion of research Preparation of manuscript Submission of manuscript Assignment and review Decision Rejection Revision Resubmission Re-review Acceptance Rejection Publication

67. Responding to reviewers Carefully prepare your responses Each comment should be addressed Each change should be stated Be enthusiastic Reviewer may be wrong Be tactful – thank the reviewers Do not respond to reviewers while upset Never call the editor Get help from other authors

69. “There is no way to get experience except through experience.”