Introduction

Timetable

This page describes the overall course structure and provides links to the lecture slides for each segment (click on the section title hyperlink). It also provides links to the practical activities and related supplementary material (see links in right-hand sidebar). Nominal course duration: 20hrs lecture time, 20 hrs practical work in groups and as individuals.

In order to complete the course, you will need a good Web connection, preferably broadband. Many resources will be accessible from home, but some will only be available via the University network.

I am not aware of any major browser incompatibilities – the site was developed using Firefox 14.0.1 on a Mac running OS X and on a PC running Windows 7 and IE8 – but if you come across any, please email me.

Segment 1. Lecture: Introduction to the course.

Duration 2 hours

Most scientific training concentrates on developing a disciplinary excellence, such as genetics or microbiology. This course will help you acquire additional skills that will increase your effectiveness as a publishing author.

Topics covered:

  • Course objectives and structure
  • Timetable of activities.
  • Review of practical work
  • Assessment process
  • Individual project presentations (5 min max including questions)

Segment 1. Practical: Activity 1

Duration 4 hours

Segment 2. Lecture: Hypotheses, reproducibility and design.

Duration 2 hours

Topics covered;

  • What is an hypothesis and why are they so important?
  • What characterizes good and bad hypotheses?
  • Problems with non-reproducibility in biological research
  • An introduction to experimental design

Segment 2. Practical: Activity 2

Duration 4 hours

Segment 3. Lecture: Searching the literature

Duration 2 hours

Topics covered:

  • What sorts of information do scientists produce?
  • Where is this information stored?
  • How are databases constructed and how are they best searched?
  • Abstract and full text databases
  • Subscription and open access resources
  • How to use Google, Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science
  • Other types of database
  • Non-text-based search

Segment 3. Practical: Activity 3

Duration 4 hours

Segment 4. Lecture: Basic reading and writing skills

Duration 2 hours

Topics will include:

  • Are you reading enough?
  • Strategies for reading scientific articles efficiently
  • Finding a place to start
  • Writing a literature review
  • Understanding the structure of scientific writing
  • Using citation management software

Segment 4. Practical: Activity 4

Duration 4 hours

Segment 5. Lecture: Writing a scientific article

Duration 2 hours

Topics covered:

  • Types of scientific writing
  • The basic IMRD structure of scientific articles
  • Different types of article
  • Instructions to authors – advice and variation
  • Writing a scientific article – where to start
  • Examples of good and bad practice for each section
    • Titles
    • Names
    • Abstracts
    • Introduction
    • Methods
    • Results, Figures and Captions
    • Tables
    • Discussion

Segment 5. Practical: Activity 5

Duration 3 hours

Segment 6. Lecture:How publishers and publishing work

Duration 2 hours

Topics covered:

  • Journal ecosystems and quality
  • What gets Publishers out of bed in the morning?
  • How do journal editors work
  • How does the rejection process work?
  • Examples of referees comments
  • Main reasons for failure
  • Dealing with referees comments

Segment 6. Practical: Activity 6

Duration 4 hours

Segment 7. Lecture: Becoming a successful author

Duration 2 hours

Topics covered:

  • Publisher rejection profiles
  • What are the most common reasons for rejection?
  • How can authors avoid the most common reasons for rejection?
  • Selecting the right journal

Segment 7. Practical: Activity 7

Duration 2 hours

Segment 8. Lecture: Global output metrics

Duration 2 hours

Topics covered:

  • Global strategies for research investment
  • The need for research assessment
  • The grant proposal process and research quality
  • QUALIS and other assessment processes
  • The central importance of Impact Factors
  • Alternatives to impact factors
  • New uses of metrics

Segment 8. Practical: Activity 8

Duration 3 hours

Segment 9. Lecture: Trends in STM publishing

Duration 2 hours

Topic covered:

  • Overview of commercial publishing
  • New business models: open access and open archives
  • ‘Cascade’ publishing and new approaches to peer review
  • Editorial gateways
  • Publishing business development strategies