Getting Your Manuscript Published Practical Tips for Preparing
Getting Your Manuscript Published: Practical Tips for Preparing Your Manuscript, Avoiding Common Mistakes, and Choosing the Right Journal Professor Teresa Davis, Editor-in-Chief The Journal of Nutrition Professor Jack Odle, Editor-in-Chief Current Developments in Nutrition
Writing Your Research Paper and Selecting the Right Journal to Submit Your Work Teresa A. Davis, Ph. D. Editor-in-Chief The Journal of Nutrition Professor of Pediatrics USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Importance of Publishing § Disseminate research findings to advance scientific knowledge and improve human health § Ethical mandate to make results available in a timely manner § Maintain public trust in research transparency § Enhance visibility of research § Demonstrate credibility of work § Measure of success § Boost funding and promotion
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Choosing a Journal Ø What audience do you want to reach? § What is the journal’s scope? § Who reads the journal? Ø How prestigious is the journal in your field? § Where do readers look for the best science in your field? Ø How long does it take to publish in this journal? § Do you need to publish quickly? Ø How much does it cost? § Can you afford the page charges, color charges, author fees (open access), submission charges?
The Journal of Nutrition Scope: § Original research that advances our understanding of nutritional mechanisms in humans, animals, cell culture models, and at the molecular level § Interactions of nutrition with genetics, physiological regulation, health outcomes, and behavioral outcomes § Public health and epidemiologic studies relevant to human nutrition, and innovative investigations of nutritional questions
Journal Impact Factor Ø Thomson Reuters Impact Factor measures the frequency with which an “average article” is cited Ø A two-year average § All 2016 citations of articles published in 2014 & 2015 divided by all papers published in 2014 and 2015 Ø Reflects the perceived scientific value of a journal’s articles, and indirectly, the journal itself Ø It does not measure the value of an individual paper Adapted from Dennis Bier, M. D. , EIC AJCN
Impact Factors of Selected Journals • • NEJM Lancet JAMA Nature Science Gastro JCI Diabetes 2016 72. 4 47. 0 44. 4 40. 0 37. 2 18. 2 12. 8 8. 7
Impact of Nutrition Journals 2016 IF Citations • Annu Rev Nutr 9. 05 • Am J Clin Nutr • Nutr Rev • Adv Nutr • J Nutr Biochem 4. 52 • Brit J Nutr • Nutr & Metab 6. 93 5. 54 5. 23 4. 14 3. 71 2. 97 4, 677 53, 346 6, 445 2, 001 35, 186 7, 814 21, 599 2, 239
Measures of Journal Value Ø Google Scholar Metrics § Measures both the productivity and impact of a scholarly journal (based on h-index) § Gauge of visibility and influence of recent articles § 2016 Google Scholar covers publications in 20112015 Ø Eigenfactor § Rates importance of science journals § Measure of importance of journal to science communication by origin of citation
Perils of Predatory Journals and Publishers Ø Use spam emails to solicit manuscripts, editorial boards Ø Fake: editorial board, peer-review, location, impact factors Ø Publish journals with titles similar to titles of established and respected journals Ø Exploit open access – charge authors to publish their research and make content freely available Beall, J Korean Med Sci, 31: 1511. 2016
Perils of Predatory Journals Ø Authors respond to publisher’s spam email by forwarding a manuscript Ø Immediately accepted with no peer review Ø Author receives invoice for large amount Ø If author asks for paper to be withdrawn, must pay a withdrawal fee Ø Paper held hostage – cannot submit paper to another journal because already published
Predatory Publishers Threaten Science Ø United States Federal Trade Commission has filed law suit against OMICS Group § Charge: deceiving researchers § “Used false promises to convince researchers to submit articles” § “Held work hostage over undisclosed publication fees” § “Vital that we stop scammers who seek to take advantage of changing landscape of academic publishing” Ø Publishing in predatory journals is a “waste of people, animals, and money” Basken, Chronicle of Higher Education, Sept 9, 2016; Mohen, Nature 549: 23, 2017.
How to Avoid Predatory Journals Ø Beall’s List of Predatory Open Access Publishers § List of 923 Publishers, 882 Stand-alone Journals, 101 Hijacked Journals - Taken down January 2017 § https: //web. archive. org/web/20170111172309/https: //scho larlyoa. com/individual-journals// Ø Are you submitting your research to a trusted journal? § Do you or your colleagues know the journal? § Can you easily identify and contact the publisher? § Is the journal clear about type of peer review and fees charged? § Do you recognize the Editorial Board? Heideman et al, Science Editor, 39: 1, 2016.
Choose the Best Journal in Field Ø Compete with the best scientists Ø Get the most rigorous peer-review § Strengthen your manuscript Ø Reach the most influential readers Ø Demonstrate value of work for grants & promotion Ø Be realistic – don’t aim too high or too low § Higher the IF, higher rejection rate Adapted from Dennis Bier, M. D. , EIC AJCN
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition § Publishes peer-reviewed basic and clinical research reports that are relevant to human nutrition in topics such as obesity, vitamins and minerals, nutrition and disease, and energy metabolism § Selected as one of the top 100 most influential journals in Biology and Medicine over the last 100 years by Special Libraries Association § Most highly rated peer-reviewed, primary research journal in the field of nutrition and dietetics § 2016 Impact factor: 6. 93, 5 -year Impact Factor: 7. 32 § 1 st in Nutrition field by Google Scholar § Publishes 14% of citations in field of nutrition and dietetics § Acceptance rate: 20%
The Journal of Nutrition § Created in 1928 - first scientific journal created solely publication of nutrition research § Publishes peer-reviewed research reports on all aspects experimental nutrition, critical reviews, and commentaries for of § 2016 Impact factor: 4. 14, 5 -year Impact Factor: 4. 45 § Top 10% of all ranked science journals § 2 nd in Nutrition field by Google Scholar § 35, 186 Citations in 2015 § Acceptance rate: 25% § 25 days to first decision; 3 months from submission to acceptance § ASN members: submission fees waived, page charges and color figures discounted
Advances in Nutrition § Publishes reviews that highlight the significance of recent research in nutrition § Cover broad scope of all areas of nutrition from basic science to public policy § Opening Impact Factor: 3. 25, Current Impact Factor: 5. 23 § Nominated as a Best New Journal and selected as one of the three finalists by the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers § Top 10% of all ranked science journals § Acceptance rate: 50% § Six issues published yearly
Current Developments in Nutrition § ASN’s newest journal, launched in November, 2016 § Exclusively Open Access § Broad scope, spanning basic science to public policy. Including: Implementation Science, Food Composition, Food & Nutrition Policy, and Brief Communications, Study Design/Methods § Articles published immediately upon acceptance; continuous publication § Articles tracked with Altmetrics § Data sharing encouraged (via Dryad & Figshare, etc. ) § Indexed by Google Scholar. PMCID application pending. § Acceptance rate: 36% § IF pending until 2019 § APC: $2000 (- 20% for ASN members)
Getting Ready to Write Your Manuscript Ø Find the Instructions for Authors for your chosen journal § Located on the journal website Ø Read the Instructions for Authors § Carefully Ø Obey the Instructions for Authors § Always
Structure for Most Scientific Manuscripts Ø Title Ø Abstract Ø Introduction Ø Methods Ø Results Ø Discussion Ø Acknowledgements Ø References Ø Tables and Figures
Tips on Writing Your Manuscript Ø Write your Methods section first • Then write your Results • Next write the Introduction • Write the Discussion last Ø Write clearly and concisely Ø Be precise Ø Avoid long sentences Ø Omit unnecessary words Ø Read text aloud
Requirements for Title Ø Declarative statement of results Ø Includes the participants, species, or cells Ø Clearly indicate the subject matter • Keywords Ø Advertise what paper is about Ø “Running head”: brief title (~50 characters)
Requirements for Abstract Ø Unstructured or Structured: Background, Objective, Methods, Results, Conclusion Ø Report key data Ø Summarize major conclusions and significance Ø 300 Word maximum for JN Ø At end: • Clinical trial registration number • Keywords
Requirements for Introduction Ø Provide sufficient background to understand context for the study Ø Convince the reader that your question is important Ø Frame the question as a hypothesis • Simple declarative sentence Ø Briefly state the study design at end
Methods Requirements Ø Describe how you tested the hypothesis in sufficient detail so that study can be replicated by others Ø Protocol must be approved by institutional committee Ø Experimental design carefully detailed • Treatment groups, sample size, randomization • Animals: ü Species, strain, sex, age, weight, source, genetic modifications, housing, husbandry
Methods Requirements Ø Diet composition o Complete information must be provided o Experimental diets should differ from control diet only in the nutrient being investigated o Nonpurified (chow) diets are not valid control diets for purified diets (e. g. , high fat diets) o Chow diets introduce many variables – macronutrient composition (% and type), micronutrient composition, fiber content, phytochemicals, batch-to-batch variation Ø Statistical methods o Provide details of the statistical methods used for each analysis
Results Section Requirements Ø Provide the raw, un-interpreted data Ø Order the results in logical manner Ø Present data in a objective manner Ø Do not duplicate data in text, figures, tables Ø Do not interpret your data in Results section Ø Choose table and figure formats that best illustrate the data
Tables and Figures Ø Use tables for large data sets Ø Figures provide a helpful visual representation of results Ø Figures can be used to illustrate experimental designs, diagrams, and pathways Ø Figures and tables should be easily understandable alone § Define abbreviations and terms Ø Use published manuscripts as a style guide
Discussion Requirements Ø Summarize key findings Ø State how your data answered the question posed Ø Comment on study limitations and strengths Ø Talk about how your data advanced nutrition knowledge Ø Avoid too much speculation
References Ø Use the style required by journal Ø Select relevant and recent Ø Balance references selected • Review articles can summarize the broad field • Original research manuscripts demonstrates intricate knowledge of field • Do not reference personal communications Ø Verify each reference is correct
Statement of Work and Conflict of Interest Ø Statement of authors’ contributions • Designed research • Conducted research • Analyzed data • Wrote paper • Primary responsibility for final content Ø Potential conflicts of interest and funding sources • List financial arrangements between authors and companies or organizations sponsoring the research • State if there are no conflicts of interest
Criteria for Authorship According to the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (2014), authorship should be based on: § Made substantial contributions to the conception or design of work; OR § Actively participated in the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data; AND § Drafted the work or revising it critically; AND § Gave final approval of the version to be published; AND § Agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Authorship Ø All authors must have participated sufficiently in the study to be able to take public responsibility for the contents of the paper Ø Authorship is not justified for: • Acquisition of funding • Participation solely in data collection Ø Co-authors can strengthen a paper by adding expertise or different perspectives Ø Co-authors can dilute who did most of work and had original ideas
Guidelines for Reporting Research Ø ARRIVE Guidelines: • Animals in Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments • Describes minimum information that should be provided in all scientific publications that report research using animals • Provides guidance on what should be included in all sections of the manuscript • Checklist available in Instructions for Authors in JN PLo. S Biology, 2010; 8: e 1000412; Ann Intern Med 2010; 152: 1
CONSORT Guidelines Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials Ø Provides guidance for reporting randomized, controlled trials in human subjects Ø Methods: • Description of clinical trial design • Defined primary and secondary outcome measures • Sample size, randomization, blinding, statistical methods Ø Results: • Participant flow diagram: participant number, losses, exclusions Ø Discussion • Interpretation of results • Include limitations
STROBE Statement Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Ø Checklist of 22 essential items for good reporting of cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies Ø Provide guidance on how to report observational research J Clin Epi 61: 344, 2008
PRISMA Statement Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Ø Checklist of 27 essential items for reporting of systematic reviews Ø Includes: • Clear statement of questions being addressed • Systematic search to identify all studies that meet eligibility criteria • Assessment of validity of findings of included studies • Systematic presentation of findings Ø Flow chart PLo. S Medicine 2009; 6: e 1000100
Submitting Your Manuscript Ø Reread the Instructions for Authors Ø Cover letter: title, authors, useful information Ø Make sure paper conforms to Journal guidelines • Check file type, format and resolution of figures and tables • Title page: running title, financial support, COI, OSM • Continuous line numbers Ø Must not be under consideration by another journal Ø May suggest qualified potential reviewers
Cover Letter Ø Many journals require a cover letter Ø Important information: title, authors, contact information for corresponding author Ø Be sure to use the correct journal name! Ø Useful information: background, major findings, novelty, importance, why submiting to this journal Ø Other information: Online Supporting Materials, Not under consideration by another journal Ø May suggest reviewers in cover letter or directly on website
Submission Checklist Ø Does the manuscript text file meet the requirements for the journal (. doc, pdf)? Ø Is the manuscript and abstract within required word limit? Ø Are line numbers required in the text file? Ø Does the title page contain required elements? § Title, authors, institution, corresponding author § Running title, Pub. Med name list § Word count, number of tables, number of figures, OSM § Financial support, COI § Abbreviations
Submission Checklist Ø What are the requirements for figures and tables? § Resolution and size § Format (should it be embedded in text? ) § Match order that appears in text Ø Do you have Online Supporting Materials? § May include: Articles in press, Lengthy descriptions of experimental procedures, Extensive data, Extra figures, Cover art § Label: Online Supporting Materials § Will appear as is when published (single space, no line numbers, legends under figures)
Submitting Cover Art to JN
Submission Checklist Ø Are references correct? § Match journal requirement format § Match the citation in the text § Complete § Online information include correct viewed date Ø Do you have copyright and permission forms? • Authors assign copyright to the publisher • Written permission of publisher required to reproduce or adapt figure or table • Publisher contact info on website
Multiple Submissions The same manuscript cannot be submitted to different journals at the same time. x x 16
Manuscripts are scanned for plagiarism Ø Self-plagiarism: reusing the author’s own previously published words without citation • Common in Methods section • Breach of copyright Ø Plagiarism: using text, tables, or illustrations developed by someone else • Permission is needed from publisher for use of previously published material and source must be cited
Research Misconduct Ø Data misuse § Invention of data § Manipulation of results and their presentation § Concealment of undesired results § Submission of false data § Disturbance of the research of others § Deception in any form Ø Participation in misconduct of others § Joint knowledge of forgeries of others § Co-authorship of forged publication § Gross neglect of ethical & other responsibilities Müller et al, European J Clin Nutr 2014; 68: 411; Adapted from Dennis Bier, M. D. , EIC AJCN
Journal Policies on Image Manipulation Ø No specific feature within an image may be enhanced, obscured, moved, removed, or introduced. Ø The grouping of images from different parts of the same gel, or from different gels, fields, or exposures, must be made explicit by the arrangement of the figure (i. e. , using dividing lines) and in the text of the figure legend. Ø Adjustments of brightness, contrast, or color balance are acceptable if they are applied to every pixel in the image and as long as they do not obscure, eliminate, or misrepresent any information present in the original, including the background. Journal of Cell Biology
Retraction Watch Ø Retraction Watch: http: //retractionwatch. wordpress. com/ Ø Blog that reports on retractions of scientific papers and scientific misconduct Ø Started by Ivan Oransky
Investigation and Consequences of Misconduct Ø Investigation Adapted from Dennis Bier, M. D. , EIC AJCN § COPE guidelines § Responsibility of university § Reported to U. S. Office of Research Integrity or appropriate other funding agencies Ø Consequences § Retraction of paper(s) § Prohibition from submitting grants and papers § Possible dismissal from faculty position § Possible criminal prosecution
Final Check Ø Are all components included? Ø Are you using an appropriate writing style? § Read the manuscript aloud. § Is it written clearly, concisely, and logically? Ø Have you done a final spelling and grammar check? Ø Have authors read and approved the final version?
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Good Luck! American Society for Nutrition http: //www. nutrition. org
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