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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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