1 How to write for publication: basic steps Presentation prepared by: Prof JM Frantz
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How to write for publication: basic steps
Presentation prepared by: Prof JM Frantz
Different types of publications
q Short report (1500 words) q Really good stuff (500 words) q Full Paper (3000 words) q Innovative report (1500 words)
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Steps in planning to write • Identify the correct journal • Get the authors guidelines • Choose an accurate title • Be clear about the aim of the article • Decide on the section headings • Take Action • Expand the section headings
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Typical Structure and guide of an article Title 8- 15 words
Abstract 200 – 250 words
Keywords 5-10 words
Introduction and Literature Review - May included the background, conceptual framework and identifying the gap that the article is addressing
500 – 1500 words
Methods/Methodology - Research Design - Sampling (Target population , research context and sampling method) - Data collection - Measures - ethics
500 – 1000 words
Results 1000 words
Discussion 1000-1500 words
Conclusion /Implications for practice 250 words
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The title page • A title should be well written as it
alerts the reader as to the topic • It should describe the research in an
accurate, precise manner • Should not be too long
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Authorship • Should be based on
contributions to: – conception, design,
collecting of data or analysing data
– Drafting the article or revising the article critically
– Contribution to the final version before submission
• Participation only in data collection does not justify authorship
• Authors must have sufficient input to the writing of the report to be able to defend it
• Acknowledge those who contributed intellectually to the article e.g. stats
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Abstract • A structured abstract has the
following components: – Introduction – Aim, objective, purpose – Methods – Results – Discussion – Conclusion
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Abstract: 250 words • Introduction • Aim • Methods • Results • Discussion • Conclusion
• 1-2sentences introducing the study
• 1 sentence for the aim • Describe the methods
and main results in 2-3 sentences. Just state the main results
• Sum up the findings in 1 sentence
• then make a conclusion in 1 -2 more sentences
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Feedback on abstracts • Too long • Repetition • Do not include references • Try an avoid lots of abbreviations • Keep it brief and to the point • Ensure conclusion and implications are
linked to the aim • Make sure the abstract reflects the
content of the article 9
Introduction • Lays the foundation of the article • The introduction consists of 2-3
paragraphs and ends with the rational for the study
• Four important things to include: – What is the problem – Why is it important – Highlight the gap – Your research aim 10
Steps in the introduction • Establish common ground by
contextualising the field or problem and making a general statement
• Summarize previous studies • Prepare the reader for the current
study by highlighting the gaps • Now present the purpose of the
present research
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Common reviewer feedback on introduction • Literature outdated • Aim not clear or not stated • Unsubstantiated statements • Gap that the study is addressing not
clearly highlighted • Link between literature and aim of
study not clear
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TASK 1 • Write the introduction under the headings
indicated • Give to your supervisor and writing coach
to provide critical feedback
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Methodology • The methods section should describe in detail how the
study was performed. • Ideally when reading your methods study the reader
should be able to reproduce the study. • It should also contain enough detail to enable the reader
to evaluate appropriateness of your methods and reliability of your findings
• Headings (Give enough detail for each section) – Research design – Population and sampling – Data collection methods – Reliability and Validity – Ethical considerations – Data analysis 14
Methods: 1 • Research design
• Population
• A cross-sectional, descriptive survey was used to determine....
• The population for this study included all physiotherapy academics employed at the UWC between 2002 and 2009
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Methods: 2 • Data collection
methods • Validity and
reliability
• As no validated, reliable questionnaire could be found, a self-developed questionnaire was used which was based on questionnaires used in similar studies and the authors personal experience.
• The study used a self administered questionnaire consisting of 2 scales that had been validated by Frantz (2009)
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Methods: 3 • Process for
ensuring rigour in qualitative research
• Ethical considerations
• Permission/ethical approval
• Consent • Confidentiality • Anonymity
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Methods 4: • Data Analysis
– Describe the statistical package used
– What statistical tests were done
– What p-value was deemed significant
• Data was analysed using SPSS version 16. descriptive statistics was used to summarise the data using frequency tables. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05
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Common reviewer feedback on methods (quantitative)
• Research design not clear • Validity and reliability of instruments
not clear • Methods used not clearly explained • Translation of instruments • Justification of sampling or type of
sampling
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Common reviewer feedback on methods (qualitative)
• Type of sampling • Explain interview guide • Composition of focus groups • Who did interviews • Rigour
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TASK 3 • Research design • Population • Data collection methods • Validity and reliability • Process for ensuring rigour in qualitative
research • Ethical considerations • Data Analysis
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TASK 4 • Once you have written your
methodology and worked on the introduction revisions, give it to your critical reader
• You will receive a revised introduction and methodology from another author and it is your responsibility to read it and provide the author with feedback
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Results • When presenting the findings
present the “forest” first and then the “trees” i.e present the central findings first and then the more peripheral ones
• Ensure that the reader is able to grasp your major findings easily thus label tables and figures appropriately
• Relate findings to aims of the study
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Comments from reviewers • Not clear what the findings are • Findings are not linked to aim and
objectives • Tables and figures not very clear • Findings are not new • Do not repeat information in a table
in the narrative
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TASK 5
• Write your results section and submit to a critical reader
• You will receive a results section with an intro and methods section to read and give feedback
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DISCUSSION • Discuss the findings to the research
questions • Discuss the limitations and strengths
of the study • Do no overstate findings but
contextualise your results within the broader literature
• Mention the implications of the findings 26
Comments • Author tends to generalise • Key findings not discussed • Biased arguments • Limitations of study not mentioned
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TASK 6 • Write your discussion section and
submit to a critical reader • You will receive a full draft article to
read and give feedback
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CONCLUSION • Brief summary of what the study has
shown • Highlight main implications of
findings • Future research
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General comments • Do not use long sentences • Do not use flowery language. Be
concise and to the point • Short words and sentences are best • Check grammar and spelling • Avoid repetitive words • Stick to the recommended word limit
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THANK YOU
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