EMILIO OVUGARESEARCH SEMINAR, GULU UNIVERSITY MARCH 3-

6, 2008

Publication Skills

Medical journalism

Medical journalism is an entity itself (Joseph Muhangi, 1980)

Basic principles

Publication is communicating informationPublication is as much a political issue as a

scienceThere are thousands of journals aroundCommunication is difficultYou want to be understood correctlyBe sure you are simultaneously a perceiver

and a communicator

What to consider

What is the message?Who is the audience?What form of communication? How is the

message to be passed?What is your source of message? How was it

derived?Which medium, journal, publisher, etc?Are ethical issues covered?

Considerations in paper acceptance

Region of the worldClub membershipNegative vs positive resultsGender issuesLimited volume of each journalStandards set by editors: quality of science

Writing skills

Mind your English/languageMind your statistics/research knowledge basePublishing is competitive businessBe prepared for disappointmentBe receptive to harsh critiquingFollow guidelines offered by chosen journal

Types of publication

Scientific articlesReview articlesBrief communicationsCase reportsLetter to the editorCommissioned reportEtc

Components of scientific paper

TitleAbstractBackgroundMethods of studyResultsDiscussionConclusionReferences

Abstract

TitleBackgroundObjectivesMethodsResultsDiscussion

Background

Situation analysisLiterature reviewGaps and existing problemsObjectivesSignificance/justification

Methods of study

ABC of how data was collectedStudy populationSampling frame, sample size, selectionData collection tools/methodsData entry/analysis methods/tools

Results

Relevance to title and objectivesPresentation style

Tables Charts Graphs Pie charts Plain description/narrative Quotes

Data presentation 1

Dzaipi Controls

Completed suicide

Attempted suicide

Completed suicide Attempted suicide

2004 123 270 21 27

2005 61 215 14 12

2006 51 144 12 18

2007 0 34 9 27

Data presentation 2

Data presentation 3

Data presentation 4

‘They pour hot water on themselves as if going to slaughter chicken’

‘They rub themselves with a maize cob till they bleed’

Discussion

Recap main featuresCompare with other/similar studiesHighlight limitations/strengthsRecommendations, if anyAny other?

References

Two main styles in biomedical research APA 5th Edition Harvard style

Referencing software EazyPaper 3.0 EndNote 11

Review process

Submit completed manuscript; guidelines of journal

Referee processReview/rewrite/resubmitGalley proofPublicationNotification?

Regional journals

African Health SciencesEast African Medical JournalEthiopian Medical JournalCentral African Journal of Medicine