Download - 160206 Edanz Ryuku
University of the Ryukyus
6 February 2016
Kate Harris Julian Tang
Author Success Workshop:
Advanced Tips for Writing Research Manuscripts 1
Seminar Series
6 March 2016
Advanced Tips for Writing Research Manuscripts 2
Manuscript structure
Effective writing
Discussions
Introductions
Promoting your research
6 February 2016
Advanced Tips for Writing Research Manuscripts 1
Planning & Effective writing
Manuscript structure
Titles & Abstracts
Cover letters
Peer review
Promoting your research
S
Be an effective communicator
Your goal is not only to be published, but also to be widely read and cited
Developing advanced writing skills
Logically communicating your ideas in your manuscript
Making the best first impression
Promoting your research findings to different
audiences
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 What editors want
Increase impact
High quality research
Impact factor (for past 2 years) = No. of cites / No. of articles
Logical, engaging, useful message
Original and novel research
Well-designed, well-reported,
transparent study News value, importance, timeliness
High scientific & technical quality, sound
research/publication ethics
High readability & interest; clear, real-world
relevance
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well Good publication ethics
State conflicts of interest
No plagiarism or redundancy
Clear author contributions
No fabrication or falsification
Always follow ethics guidelines
Committee on Publication Ethics, COPE
Safety/hazard warnings
Environmental /Human safety
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
Choose your journal early!
Author guidelines • Manuscript structure • Word limits, References • Procedures, Copyright
Aims and scope • Topics • Readership • Be sure to emphasize
Check • Writing style • Relevant references • Originality, importance & usefulness!
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well Journal Selector
www.edanzediting.co.jp/journal_selector
Insert your proposed abstract/title or keywords
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, IF, and publication frequency
• Author guidelines • Journal website
Similar abstracts
Journal Selector www.edanzediting.co.jp/journal_selector
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well Publication models
Subscription-based
• Mostly free for the author • Reader has to pay
Open access • Free for the reader • Author usually has to pay
Hybrid • Subscription-based journal • Has open access options
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well Predatory journals
Some Open Access journals are not good
Easy way to get money from authors
• Promise quick and easy publication • Often ask for a “submission/handling” fee • May copy name of real journal; false IF • May not exist, or may be of low quality • Beware of spam e-mails!
If you are ever unsure, please check Beall’s List of Predatory Publishers
http://scholarlyoa.com/2015/01/02/bealls-list-of-predatory-publishers-2015/
Coverage and Staffing Plan Prepare well
THINK Trusted and appropriate?
SUBMIT Only if OK
thinkchecksubmit.org
CHECK Do you know the journal?
Trustworthy journals
Section 2
Effective writing
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills Improve readability
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.”
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills Improve readability
Keep it simple!
Use short sentences 15–20 words; one idea per sentence
Use active voice Simpler, more direct, and easier to read
The tests were performed by us -> We performed the tests
Most writing style guides and journals prefer it… “Nature journals prefer authors to write in the active voice”
(http://www.nature.com/authors/author_resources/how_write.html)
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills Simple language
Prefer Enough Clear Determine Begin Try Very Size Keep Enough End Use
Avoid Adequate Apparent Ascertain Commence Endeavor Exceedingly Magnitude* Retain Sufficient Terminate* Utilization *OK in certain fields (magnitude of earthquakes, to terminate gene expression)
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
“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.”
Simple language
Delete extra words!
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
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
Prefer At 2 g/L At 37C To First Four Green After Before Plans; history
Simple language
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Write logical sentences!
Which of these are correct?
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
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Estimate Estimation
Decide Decision
Assess Assessment
We made a/an… We conducted a/an… Extra verb
We decided… Clear, short, and direct
Avoid mistakes 2
Don’t hide verbs inside nouns!
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Readers expect…
old/given/familiar information to appear first new information to appear last
An increasing number of people are relying on medical information on the Internet. Hence, governments could conduct public campaigns to promote healthy lifestyles via online media.
The Internet is being used as a source of medical information by an increasing number of people. Hence, online media campaigns could be used by governments to promote healthy lifestyles among the public. / [Active…] Hence, the public could benefit greatly from government online campaigns that promote healthy lifestyles.
Avoid mistakes 3
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Readers expect…
verbs to closely follow their subjects heavy ends (not heavy starts) of clauses
Subject
The device leakage current on 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
Avoid mistakes 4
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Be accurate and concise!
Avoid mistakes 5
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.
After we analyzed the results from the computer simulations, 12% of the virtually designed molecules were identified. / After analyzing the results from the computer simulations, we identified 12% of the virtually designed molecules.
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
Compared with is for saying how things are different
The accuracy of the new program was reduced
compared to the previous program.
The accuracy of the new program was reduced compared with that of the previous program.
The accuracy of the new program was lower than that of the previous program.
Avoid mistakes 6
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
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.
Scientific writing style
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
The topic position introduces the idea of the current sentence
Readers focus at the end of the sentence to determine what is important. The stress position also introduces
the topic of the next sentence (useful for explanations and processes).
Scientific writing style: coherence
Coverage and Staffing Plan Writing skills
One method of producing carbon fibre precursors, with the potential of commercial applicability, is electrospinning. It has previously been demonstrated that electrospinning can successfully produce precursor fibres that can be converted into high quality carbon fibres with controlled fibre diameters and morphologies. The majority of electrospun carbon fibre precursors reported in the literature are PAN-based. The high cost of PAN, depleting petroleum resources and the toxicity of its solvent, dimethylformamide, has motivated research to look into alternative electrospinnable materials to produce cheaper and more environmentally friendly carbon fibres. Because petroleum-based carbon resources exhibit negative environmental impacts and are of limited availability further motivates research towards green carbon fibres.
Recently, a wide range of renewable resource-based materials have been investigated for the fabrication of carbon materials. Among them, lignin has been looked at as a very promising candidate…
Schreiber et al. J Mater Sci. 2014; 49: 7949–7958.
Topic sentence
Stress sentence Topic sentence
Supporting sentences
Scientific writing style: coherence
Activity 1
Please see Activity 1 in your workbook
Section 3
Overview of manuscript structure
Manuscripts with impact
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?
Start with your illustrations
Manuscripts with impact 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 (=Introduction, Methods, Results,
and Discussion)
No need for sentences or correct English yet
Medical/Life Sciences: use reporting guidelines from EQUATOR network, equator-network.org
Then, draft the title/abstract and use the Edanz Journal Selector
List information from your reading in the appropriate section: Paraphrase with citations!
Manuscripts with impact The ‘write’ order
How does your study contribute to your field?
What did you find?
What did you do?
Why did you do the study?
Title/Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Manuscripts with impact
Title/Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Title/Abstract
Methods
Results
Discussion
Introduction
Abstract /Title
write
The ‘write’ order
Manuscripts with impact Get feedback
Write your manuscript section-by-section – Less stressful – Get feedback after each section; set deadlines – Easier for your colleagues to review
Revise for content, overall logic, and journal style (see guidelines/past papers)
Edit for consistency, conciseness, clarity & accuracy
Get feedback from pre-submission peer review
Get language assistance
Manuscripts with impact
Aim
Introduction
Current state of the field
Background information
Specific aim/approach/contents
Problem in the field
Previous studies
Current study
General
Specific Importance/hypothesis
Worldwide relevance? Broad/specialized?
Recent, International Not too many self-cites
Check: Results? Literature review afterwards?
Why is your study needed?
Manuscripts with impact Example introduction
Scaffold-based tissue engineering involves the combination of cells, bioactive factors and structural scaffolding materials to promote repair and regeneration of tissues.1-3 Researchers have recently developed many scaffold materials for specific injury sites. These scaffolds effectively support cell attachment and growth…. Integrating electrospun scaffolds with cells remains challenging. It is often difficult for cells that are cultured on electrospun fibers to penetrate into pores…. Optimizing both porous and mechanical features of scaffolds for tissue engineering would be a crucial step in simulating the extracellular matrix…. This study aimed to design and fabricate poly(glycolic acid) scaffolds using electrospinning to consistently allow cellular infiltration into the scaffolds…. We report on the fabrication of five scaffolds and their effects on tissue development.
Background
Current state
Problem
Importance
Aim/approach
Contents
Manuscripts with impact 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
Manuscripts with impact Writing the Introduction
The aims should directly address the problem
Modified from: Lee at al. Korean Phys Soc. 2014;64:L945–L948.
Two-dimensional layered semiconducting chalcogenides (such as MoS2) have attracted attention owing to their intrinsically high carrier mobility, mechanical flexibility, and finite bandgap. However, improvements for MoS2 transistors have been hampered by the presence of a Schottky barrier…
Problems of a current solution
Current problem
In this research, we investigated the high-temperature electrical behavior of a MoS2 transistor with a high Schottky barrier…
Aim
Manuscripts with impact
What was done
• Variables measured • Processes, treatments, measurements • General to specific
• Quantification; models/equations • Appropriate statistical tests (& P level) • Consult a statistician
Who/what was studied
• Tests, controls • Number of samples/sets of tests • Materials/equipment (+ maker)
Data analysis
What did you do?
Methods/Experimental
Manuscripts with impact Methods/Experimental
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
Physical Sciences: Caution notices for dangerous substances/processes …No incidents occurred; researchers have to be qualified and trained, and use
suitable protocols, precautions, and facilities
Manuscripts with impact Methods
“We used NMR spectroscopy to determine the structure of the polymers.”
We name of
technique investigate
name of property.
study
measure
confirm
determine
used to
Method------------------------------Purpose
Method – Purpose
Manuscripts with impact
“To determine the structure of the polymers, we used NMR spectroscopy.”
we name of
technique.
used
Purpose-----------------------------Method
Purpose – Method
investigate
name of property,
study
measure
confirm
determine
To
Methods
Manuscripts with impact Results
• 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
What did you find?
Manuscripts with impact
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
Manuscripts with impact
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%).
Describe relationships among your results
“showed a greater reduction”
Manuscripts with impact 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?
Manuscripts with impact 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?
This study demonstrates
for the first time that…
Manuscripts with impact
Combined Results–Discussion
Results Interpretation
Figure 1
Results Interpretation
Figure 2
Results Interpretation
Figure 3
Results Interpretation
Figure 4
Initial observation
Logical presentation
Characterization
Application
Manuscripts with impact
Combined Methods– Results–Discussion
Methods & Results Interpretation
Figure 1
Methods & Results Interpretation
Figure 2
Methods & Results Interpretation
Figure 3
Methods & Results Interpretation
Figure 4
Initial observation
Logical presentation
Characterization
Application
Manuscripts with impact
0
10
20
30
40
50
1 2 3 4 5
Check your opinions
Over 5 days of reverse bias
reliability testing the current of
the devices increased from 32 ±
10 μA to 43 ± 17 μA (Figure 2).
This rise in current may be
explained by…
Do you agree with this interpretation?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
1 2 3 4 5Time (days)
Cu
rren
t (μ
A)
What happens after 5 days? Is this real?
Manuscripts with impact
Main vs. subordinate clause
Although the study design is not perfect, you deserve funding.
Subordinate Main
Linking word
• Although • Even though • While • Whereas
Subordinate clauses say 2 things:
• Idea may not be important • There is a contrasting idea coming
Discussing limitations
Manuscripts with impact Discussing limitations
Although this study was limited by its small sample size, our results demonstrate that people using customizable news aggregation pages give high user experience scores.
Although our results demonstrate that page customization is useful, the study was limited by its small sample size.
Bad news = Subordinate clause at the start
Bad news = Main clause in stress position
Bad news = Subordinate clause at start Good news = LONG main clause in stress position
Manuscripts with impact Conclusion section
What do you want people to remember?
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 finding
Implications
Future directions
Modified from: Snipstad et al. Cancer Nanotech. 2014; 5: 8.
Manuscripts with impact Link your ideas
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
Activity 2
Please see Activity 2 in your workbook
Section 4
Titles and abstracts
Customer Service Marketing your work Title and abstract
First impression of paper: clear/concise/convincing
Importance of your results
Validity of your conclusions
Relevance of your aims
It sells your work: Readers judge your style & credibility
Often first/only part that is read by
readers & reviewers
Your title & abstract summarize your study
Customer Service Marketing your work Title and abstract
Title
Important points
Only the main idea Accurate, simple Population/model Include keywords Fewer than 20 words Hanging title:
method/study type
Avoid
Unneeded words (A/The, A study of) Complex or sensational words Complex word order Abbreviations, jargon “New” or “novel”
Customer Service Marketing your work
Interrogative Does a hot drink provide faster
absorption of paracetamol than a tablet?
Indicative/ Descriptive
Bulk and surface properties of liquid Al-Li and Li-Zn alloys
… + Method in subtitle
Xxxxxxx: a randomised longitudinal fMRI study
Assertive/ Declarative
β-Adrenoceptor blockade modulates fusiform gyrus activity to black versus
white faces / Retardation of plastic instability via damage-enabled
microstrain delocalization
Pharm Res; Psychopharmacol; J Mater Sci; Metall Mater Trans A
Title and abstract
Title
Customer Service Marketing your work Title and abstract
Context Background, problem, aim
Results Outcomes, effects,
statistics & key data
Conclusion Relevance, implications Learning points, future
Methods Patients/materials/animals Treatments, measurements
No references, unusual abbreviations, figures/tables Clinical: funding & trial registration number after abstract
Abstract
Customer Service Marketing your work
Biomedical abstracts (structured)
Purpose Influenza CD8+ T-cell epitopes are conserved amongst influenza strains and can be recognized by influenza-specific cytotoxic T-cells (CTLs). An influenza peptide vaccine eliciting these CTLs would therefore be an alternative to current influenza vaccines, which are not cross-reactive. However, peptide antigens are poorly immunogenic due to poor delivery to antigen presenting cells. In this study, we investigated the potential of virosomes as a delivery system for influenza T-cell peptides. Methods The conserved human HLA-A2.1 influenza T-cell epitope M158–66 was formulated with virosomes. We assessed the immunogenicity and protective effect of the peptide-loaded virosomes in HLA-A2 transgenic mice. Delivery properties of the virosomes were studied in mice and in vitro dendritic cell cultures. Results Immunization of HLA-A2.1 transgenic C57BL/6 mice with peptide-loaded virosomes in the presence of the adjuvant CpG-ODN 1826 increased the number of peptide-specific CTLs. Vaccination with adjuvanted peptide-loaded virosomes reduced weight loss in mice after heterologous influenza infection. Association with fusion-active virosomes was found to be crucial for antigen uptake by dendritic cells, and subsequent induction of CTLs in mice. Conclusions These results show that influenza virosomes loaded with conserved influenza epitopes could be the basis of a novel cross-protective influenza vaccine.
Modified from: Soema et al. Pharm Res. 2015; 32: 1505–1515.
Customer Service Marketing your work
Biomedical abstracts (structured)
Purpose Influenza CD8+ T-cell epitopes are conserved amongst influenza strains and can be recognized by influenza-specific cytotoxic T-cells (CTLs). An influenza peptide vaccine eliciting these CTLs would therefore be an alternative to current influenza vaccines, which are not cross-reactive. However, peptide antigens are poorly immunogenic due to poor delivery to antigen presenting cells. In this study, we investigated the potential of virosomes as a delivery system for influenza T-cell peptides. Methods The conserved human HLA-A2.1 influenza T-cell epitope M158–66 was formulated with virosomes. We assessed the immunogenicity and protective effect of the peptide-loaded virosomes in HLA-A2 transgenic mice. Delivery properties of the virosomes were studied in mice and in vitro dendritic cell cultures. Results Immunization of HLA-A2.1 transgenic C57BL/6 mice with peptide-loaded virosomes in the presence of the adjuvant CpG-ODN 1826 increased the number of peptide-specific CTLs. Vaccination with adjuvanted peptide-loaded virosomes reduced weight loss in mice after heterologous influenza infection. Association with fusion-active virosomes was found to be crucial for antigen uptake by dendritic cells, and subsequent induction of CTLs in mice. Conclusions These results show that influenza virosomes loaded with conserved influenza epitopes could be the basis of a novel cross-protective influenza vaccine.
Modified from: Soema et al. Pharm Res. 2015; 32: 1505–1515.
Why study is needed
What you did
What you found
How you advance the field
Customer Service Marketing your work
Physical science abstracts (unstructured)
Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is widely used as an important model system for investigating inorganic precipitation reaction or crystallization. However, recent results show that the yield of vaterite CaCO3 microspheres is poor—up to 16 mM—in ethanol/water in the presence of polyelectrolyte poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfate) (PSS). We now report an approach to synthesize pure vaterite CaCO3 microspheres through improving the concentration of polymer PSS, improving the yield up to 80 mM. Our time-resolved experimental results revealed that the vaterite microspheres evolved gradually from an initial amorphous precursor, to poorly crystallized nanoparticles, to sphere-like aggregates, to vaterite microspheres embedded within the calcite rhombohedra, and finally to the vaterite microspheres with smooth surface. Our findings provide valuable insight into the formation of vaterite CaCO3 microspheres and demonstrate the possibility for large-scale synthesis of CaCO3 materials with controllable morphology and crystallographic structure in aqueous solution at room temperature.
Modified from: Zhang et al. J Mater Science. 2015; 50: 5540–5548.
Customer Service Marketing your work
Physical science abstracts (unstructured)
Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is widely used as an important model system for investigating inorganic precipitation reaction or crystallization. However, recent results show that the yield of vaterite CaCO3 microspheres is poor—up to 16 mM—in ethanol/water in the presence of polyelectrolyte poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfate) (PSS). We now report an approach to synthesize pure vaterite CaCO3 microspheres through improving the concentration of polymer PSS, improving the yield up to 80 mM. Our time-resolved experimental results revealed that the vaterite microspheres evolved gradually from an initial amorphous precursor, to poorly crystallized nanoparticles, to sphere-like aggregates, to vaterite microspheres embedded within the calcite rhombohedra, and finally to the vaterite microspheres with smooth surface. Our findings provide valuable insight into the formation of vaterite CaCO3 microspheres and demonstrate the possibility for large-scale synthesis of CaCO3 materials with controllable morphology and crystallographic structure in aqueous solution at room temperature.
Modified from: Zhang et al. J Mater Science. 2015; 50: 5540–5548.
Why study is needed
What you did
What you found
How you advance the field
Customer Service Marketing your work Using keywords
Search Engine Optimization
Identify 7–8 keywords (try to use standard terms*)
Use 2 in your title, 5–6 in the keyword list
Use 3 keywords 3–4 times in your abstract
Use keywords in headings when appropriate
Be consistent throughout your paper, but include synonyms
Cite your previous publications when relevant
*From PsycINFO, BIOSIS, ChemWeb, ERIC Thesaurus, GeoRef, MeSH, etc
Section 5
Cover letters
Customer Service Marketing your work
Dear Dr Struman,
Please find enclosed our manuscript entitled “Evaluation of ICT in Glasgow prognostic scoring in patients undergoing curative
resection for liver metastases,” which we would like to submit for publication as an Original Article in the International Medical
ICT Journal.
The Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) is of value for a variety of tumours. Several studies have investigated the prognostic value of the GPS in patients with metastatic breast cancer, but few studies have performed such an investigation for patients undergoing liver resection for liver metastases. Furthermore, there are currently no studies that have examined the prognostic value of the modified GPS (mGPS) using an ICT platform in these patients. The present study evaluated the mGPS using ICT in terms of its prognostic value for postoperative death in patients undergoing liver resection for breast cancer liver metastases.
A total of 318 patients with breast cancer liver metastases who underwent hepatectomy over a 15-year period were included in this study. The mGPS was calculated using ICT based on the levels of C-reactive protein and albumin, and the disease-free survival and cancer-specific survival rates were evaluated in relation to the mGPS. Prognostic significance was retrospectively analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Overall, the results showed a significant association between cancer-specific survival and the mGPS and carcinoembryonic antigen level, and a higher mGPS was associated with increased aggressiveness of liver recurrence and poorer survival in these patients. This study is the first to demonstrate that the preoperative mGPS via a simple ICT tool is a useful prognostic factor for postoperative survival in cancer patients undergoing curative resection. This information is immediately clinically applicable for surgeons as well as hospital information and patient record systems and health care protocol developers. As a premier journal covering ICT in health care, we believe that the International Medical ICT Journal is the perfect platform from which to share our results with all those concerned with ICT use in cancer management.
Give the background to the research
What was done and what was found
Interest to journal’s readers
Cover letter to the editor
Editor’s name Manuscript title
Article type
Declarations on publication ethics Suggested reviewers Contact information
Customer Service Marketing your work Cover letter to the editor
This study is the first to demonstrate that the preoperative mGPS via a simple ICT tool is a useful prognostic factor for postoperative survival in cancer patients undergoing curative resection. This information is immediately clinically applicable for surgeons as well as hospital information and patient record systems and health care protocol developers. As a premier journal covering ICT in health care, we believe that the International Medical ICT Journal is the perfect platform from which to share our results with all those concerned with ICT use in cancer management.
Why interesting to the journal’s readership (para 4)
Target your journal – keywords from the Aims and Scope
Conclusion & importance
Relevance
Customer Service Marketing your work Cover letter to the editor
Highlight recent issues in the media
“Given the considerable attention climate change has received worldwide, it will be important to…”
Highlight recent policy changes
“Recently, the Japanese government has implemented new incentives to promote entrepreneurship …”
Highlight recently published articles in
their journal
“It has recently been reported in your journal that wind turbines produce the cleanest form of energy. However, their efficiency still remains a problem…”
Highlight current controversies
“Currently, there is disagreement on the effect of substrate rigidity on stem cell survival. Our study aims to address this controversy…”
Customer Service Marketing your work Cover letter to the editor
Important information:
Recommended reviewers Author’s contact information
We would like to recommend the following reviewers to evaluate our manuscript: 1. Reviewer 1 and contact information 2. Reviewer 2 and contact information 3. Reviewer 3 and contact information 4. Reviewer 4 and contact information Please address all correspondence to:
Reviewers
Contact information
Can also exclude reviewers
Customer Service Marketing your work
Recommending reviewers
Where to find them?
From your reading/references, networking at conferences
How senior? Aim for mid-level researchers
Who to avoid? Collaborators (past 5 years),
researchers from your university
International list: 1 or 2 from Asia, 1 or 2 from Europe, and 1 or 2 from North America
Choose reviewers who have published in your target journal
Customer Service Marketing your work Cover letter to the editor
We confirm that this manuscript has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration by another journal. All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with submission to the Journal of Economic Research & Practice. This study was funded by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Last paragraph:
Declarations related to publication ethics Source of funding Conflicts of interest
Customer Service Marketing your work Cover letter to the editor
We confirm that this manuscript has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration by another journal. All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with submission to the Journal of Economic Research & Practice. This study was funded by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Last paragraph:
Declarations related to publication ethics Source of funding Conflicts of interest
Ethics
Funding
Conflicts of interest
Customer Service Marketing your work Special cover letters
Reason for Fast Track
Timeliness, broad importance for society, urgency Interest to broad community Novelty, originality, high quality Major contribution to field/literature, new insights/ideas Separate letter, form, or statement in cover letter? Statement within article (25–250 words)? Include statement in Abstract? Can sometimes be followed by “full paper”
Fast track…e.g., peer review in 2–5 weeks, but limitations on word count/figures
Customer Service Marketing your work Special cover letters
Combined declaration + rapid review request
We confirm that this manuscript is original, has not been published elsewhere, and is not under consideration by another journal other than International Medical ICT Journal. Our ICT-linked algorithm is the first one to be used prognostically in oncology. No other studies have been published on ICT as a prognostic factor for postoperative survival in cancer patients undergoing curative resection. [Details of specific features, then]…Our article would therefore make an immediately useful contribution to the literature and to clinical practice. Hence, we request the Fast Track option for peer review by the International Medical ICT Journal.
Declarations related to publication ethics Reason for rapid review
Customer Service Marketing your work Special cover letters
Combined declaration + rapid review request
We confirm that this manuscript is original, has not been published elsewhere, and is not under consideration by another journal other than International Medical ICT Journal. Our ICT-linked algorithm is the first one to be used prognostically in oncology. No other studies have been published on ICT as a prognostic factor for postoperative survival in cancer patients undergoing curative resection. [Details of specific features, then]…Our article would therefore make an immediately useful contribution to the literature and to clinical practice. Hence, we request the Fast Track option for peer review by the International Medical ICT Journal.
Ethics
General features
Specific features & call to action
Declarations related to publication ethics Reason for rapid review
Section 6
Peer review
Peer review
The submission process
Accepted—publication!
Editor Author
Peer review
Reject
Results novel? Topic relevant? Clear English? Properly formatted?
Revision • New experiments • Improve readability • Add information • Revise figures
Peer review What reviewers are looking for
The science
The manuscript
Relevant hypothesis Good study design & appropriate
methodology Good data analysis Valid conclusions
Logical flow of information Manuscript structure and formatting Appropriate references High readability
Peer review is a positive process!
Coverage and Staffing Plan Peer review Decision letter
“Slush pile” desk review: Rejection (not novel, no focus or rationale, wrong scope or format) / Resubmit after editing
Peer review: Accept / Accept with minor revisions / Revise & resubmit / “Reject” • Hard rejection
o Flaw in design or methods, ethics o Major misinterpretation, lack of evidence
• Soft rejection o Incomplete reporting or overgeneralization o Additional analyses needed o Presentation problem
Interpret the decision letter carefully (& after a break)
Coverage and Staffing Plan Peer review Decision letter
25 November 2014
Dear Dr. Costa,
Manuscript ID Nano-014-2211-9: “Optimizing electron transport layers in multilayer OLEDs devices ”
Your manuscript has been reviewed, and we regret to inform you that based on our Expert reviewers’ comments, it is not possible to further consider your manuscript in its current form for publication in Nanoletters.
Although the reviews are not entirely negative, it is evident from the extensive comments that the manuscript, in its current form, does not meet the criteria for publication in Nanoletters. The results are too preliminary and incomplete for publication at the present time.
The reviewer comments are included at the bottom of this letter. I hope the information provided by the reviewers will be helpful in future.
Decision
Reason
Comments
Coverage and Staffing Plan Peer review Editor is interested
in your work
The Reviewer comments are not entirely negative.
It is not possible to consider your manuscript in its current form.
I hope the information provided will be helpful when you revise your manuscript.
I regret that the outcome has not been favorable at this time.
Coverage and Staffing Plan Peer review Editor is not
interested in your work
We cannot publish your manuscript
Your study does not contain novel results that merit publication in our journal.
We appreciate your interest in our journal. However, we will not further consider your manuscript for publication.
We wish you luck in publishing your results elsewhere.
Coverage and Staffing Plan Peer review Revise for resubmission
…You will be unable to make your revisions on the originally submitted version of the manuscript. Instead, revise your manuscript using a word processing program and save it on your computer. Please also highlight the changes to your manuscript within the document by using bold or colored text. Once the revised manuscript is prepared, you can upload it and submit it through your Author Center.
When submitting your revised manuscript, you will be able to respond to the comments made by the reviewer(s) in the space provided. You can use this space to document any changes you make to the original manuscript. In order to expedite the processing of the revised manuscript, please be as specific as possible in your response to the reviewer(s).
IMPORTANT: Your original files are available to you when you upload your revised manuscript. Please delete any redundant files before completing the submission.
Because we are trying to facilitate timely publication of manuscripts submitted to Nanoletters, your revised manuscript should be uploaded by 20 December. If it is not possible for you to submit your revision in a reasonable amount of time, we may have to consider your paper as a new submission.
Once again, thank you for submitting your manuscript to Plant and Soil and I look forward to receiving your revised manuscript.
How to respond
Due date for resubmission
Coverage and Staffing Plan Peer review Reviewer response letter
Respond to every reviewer comment
Easy for editor & reviewers to
see changes
• Revise and keep to the deadline; be polite • Restate reviewer’s comment • Refer to line and page numbers
Use a different color font
Highlight the text
Strikethrough font for deletions
Coverage and Staffing Plan Peer review Reviewer response letter
Reviewer Comment: In your analysis of the data you have chosen to use a somewhat obscure fitting function (regression). In my opinion, a simple Gaussian function would have sufficed. Moreover, the results would be more instructive and easier to compare to previous results.
Response: We agree with the Reviewer’s assessment of the analysis. Our tailored function, in its current form, makes it difficult to tell that this measurement constitutes a significant improvement over previously reported values. We describe our new analysis using a Gaussian fitting function in our revised Results section (Page 6, Lines 12–18).
Agreement
Revisions Location
Why agree
Coverage and Staffing Plan Peer review
Reviewer Comment: In your analysis of the data you have chosen to use a somewhat obscure fitting function (regression). In my opinion, a simple Gaussian function would have sufficed. Moreover, the results would be more instructive and easier to compare with previous results.
Response: It’s very clear that you’re not familiar with the current analytical methods in the field. I recommend that you identify a more suitable reviewer for my manuscript now!!!
Reviewer response letter
Coverage and Staffing Plan Peer review
Reviewer Comment: In your analysis of the data you have chosen to use a somewhat obscure fitting function (regression). In my opinion, a simple Gaussian function would have sufficed. Moreover, the results would be more instructive and easier to compare with previous results.
Response: Although a simple Gaussian fit would facilitate comparison with the results of other studies, our tailored function allows for the analysis of the data in terms of the “Pack model” [Pack et al., 2015]. Hence, we have explained the use of this function and the Pack model in our revised Discussion section (Page 12, Lines 2–6).
Evidence
Revisions
Location
Reviewer response letter
Agree or disagree with evidence
Please see Activity 3 in your Workbook
Activity 3: Peer review
Promoting your research after publication
Section 7
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Publicize your work
Presenting after you publish
Advantages
Actively promote your article
Advice on future directions
Networking with researchers/media
Networking with journal editors
Conferences, Seminars, Press Conferences, Media Enquiries, Media Interviews,
Social Media, Open Days, Public Education
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Publicize your work Publicizing your article
Increase the impact of your research after publication
• Conference • Web, email • Social media • Press release • Newsletter • Report
Respect news embargo
Report clearly and accurately
Respect access/archive policies
Respect copyright/CC licenses
Respect journal publication policy
Check conference guidelines
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Publicize your work Your multiple audiences
Everyone evaluates your study…and you
Pre- and post-publication impact
• Journal editors & reviewers • Readers, opinion/policy makers • Students, researchers, industry • Employers, schools, interest groups • (Science) Media, public, politicians • Conference/journal panels • Review boards, funders, donors
Quality, Impact & Relevance
Why your work is important!
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
Newsworthiness: why care? PITCH
• Proximity
• Impact
• Timeliness
• Conflict
• Human interest (e.g., unexpectedness)
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 (institution)
Conclusion first (lede/top line) • Name the source (researchers & journal) • Implications or importance in a quote
Results before Methods; use bullets Background last
• Try to end with a quote
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Publicize your work Match your audience
Writing for the public
Hard news
6WHs
• Who? What? Where? Why? When? How? Keep the lede short (15-20 words) Be concise!
• Short paragraphs • 300-400 words
Stress what is new Avoid jargon and technical language Background info and Contact in “Notes” at end
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Publicize your work Match your audience
Who to target
Hard news
International media (traditional, online) International news agencies National media Local media (for local community) Specialist news agency/hub (e.g., EurekAlert) Specialist media (practitioners) Consumer media (popular magazines) Institution / academic society Interest groups (social media / blogs)
Coverage and Staffing Plan
Publicize your work Match your audience
Writing for the different audiences
Hard news
Show what you’ve done
Show how you’ve spent (public) funds
Apply for more funding
Share knowledge, educate public
Affect policy/practice
Raise reputation
S
Be an effective communicator
Your goal is not only to be published, but also to be widely read and cited
Developing advanced writing skills
Logically communicating your ideas in your manuscript
Making the best first impression
Promoting your research findings to different
audiences
Thank you!
Any questions?
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Kate Harris: [email protected] Julian Tang: [email protected]