Tips for Maximizing Publication Potential

1. Manuscript Writing for
Pathologists:
TIPS for Maximizing Publication Potential
AMADO O. TANDOC III, MD, FPSP
Research Institute for Tropical Medicine

2. TIP No. 0: CAVEAT
Scientific manuscript should be:
• Derived from sound research design,
methods, and analysis.
• Ethics-cleared.

3. Do publish:
• New and original results or methods
• Interesting, rare, educational cases (“Zebras”)
• Reviews or summaries of particular subjects
• Manuscripts that advance knowledge and
understanding of certain scientific field
TIP No. 1: CONTENT

4. What NOT to Publish?
DO NOT PUBLISH REPORTS OF NO SCIENTIFIC INTEREST, OUT
OF DATE WORK, DUPLICATIONS OF PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED
WORK, WORK WITH INCORRECT/UNACCEPTABLE
CONCLUSIONS!
Not the same as
Research with
Negative Results!

5. • Determine what type of manuscript to write
• Article type determines the structure and
what needs to be included in the manuscript
– Full article/Original Article
• Observational? Diagnostic evaluation? Qualitative
research? Quality improvement study? Systematic
review?
– Case report
TIP No. 2: FORM

6. • Determine what type of manuscript to write
• Article type determines the appropriate
reporting guidelines to follow
TIP No. 2: FORM

7. www.equator-network.org

9. STRATEGY: ONCE ARTICLE TYPE IS DETERMINED, CONSULT THE
APPROPRIATE CHECKLIST.
MORE AND MORE JOURNALS ARE ADOPTING THE EQUATOR
NETWORK CHEKLISTS AS A “QUALITY CHECK” ON THE
TRANSPARENT REPORTING OF SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION.

11. • Select the best/most suitable
journal for submission
• Look at your own references
these are helpful in narrowing
down your choices
TIP No. 3: JOURNAL
SELECTION
DO NOT
SUBMIT YOUR
MANUSCRIPT
TO A JOURNAL
IF IT IS CLEARLY
OUT OF SCOPE.

12. • Ask the following questions:
– Is the journal peer-reviewed?
– Who is this journal’s audience?
– Is the journal reputable/credible?
– Is it open-access?*
TIP No. 3: JOURNAL
SELECTION DO NOT SUBMIT
YOUR
MANUSCRIPT TO
MORE THAN ONE
JOURNAL AT A
TIME. IT IS
AGAINST
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS OF
ETHICAL
PUBLICATION.

14. Check online for the Listings of
Predatory Journals
• Previously
there was
“Beall’s List”
• Cabell’s list is a
subscription-
based service
listing
predatory
journals
https://predatoryjournals.com/journals/

15. • Every journal has its own set
of Instructions
TIP No. 4: READ THE
INSTRUCTIONS again
and again
Check the journal’s website

16. • Save time by writing your first draft in
accordance with the Guide to Authors of the
journal selected

17. Editors and reviewers hate wasting time on
poorly prepared manuscripts.

18. • Infuse logic in your writing.
• Logical writing → easy reading
TIP No. 5: LOGIC

19. • Brush up on the language.
TIP No. 6: CLARITY

20. • Key to successful scientific writing is to watch
out for common errors:
– Sentence construction
– Incorrect tenses
– Inaccurate grammar
– “Conversational,” “informal,” “colloquial” language
TIP No. 6: CLARITY

21. • Remember that journals have length specs
• Write direct and short sentences
– 1 idea/1 piece of information only per sentence
– AVOID multiple statements in one sentence
TIP No. 7: BREVITY

22. TIP No. 8: LEARN
• If you get rejected, do not
despair.
– Everyone—even the most
seasoned ones— has papers
rejected
• Try to understand why
– Editors’ and Reviewers’ advice
are very valuable!

23. • Should you decide to submit to another
journal
– Take heed of the editors’ and reviewers’ advice
– Select a new journal (not a predatory one!)
– Read the Guide for Authors of the new journal,
again and again
TIP No. 8: LEARN

24. TIP No. 8: LEARN
• Online resources dedicated
to build capacity for
researchers
• Online training modules
– Grant proposal writing
– Manuscript writing
– Selecting journals
– Data Analysis & Statistics

25. Browse Coursera Catalog

26. AuthorAid Resources for
Researchers

27. PCHRD/PAMJE
• 16th National
Medical Writing
Workshop
– 12-13 August
2019
– Cagayan de Oro
– Deadline: May
15, 2019

28. • Grant Proposal and Protocol Writing
– 15-19 July 2019
• Scientific Manuscript Writing
– 23-27 September 2019 | 21-25 October 2019

29. To Improve Publication Success
• Tip 1: Publish content of Scientific Interest
• Tip 2: Determine the article type and follow
reporting guidelines
• Tip 3: Select the Appropriate Journal
• Tip 4: Read the Instructions Again and Again
• Tip 5: Be logical in writing your manuscript
• Tip 6: Write clearly
• Tip 7: Write short and direct to the point
• Tip 8: Learn from the Experience

30. References
• “How to get your research published and then noticed.” Elsevier. http://researcheracademy.com
• “How to write a Great Paper and Get it Accepted by a Good Journal.” Elsevier.
• Mark Ware Consulting Ltd, Publisingand E-learning Consultancy. Scientific publishing in transition: an overview of
current developments. Sept., 2006.www.stm-
assoc.org/storage/Scientific_Publishing_in_Transition_White_Paper.pdf
• Ethical Guildlinesfor Journal Publishing, Elsevier.
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/intro.cws_home/ethical_guidelines#Duties%20of%20Authors
• International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical
Journals: Writing and Editing for Biomedical Publication. Feb. 2006
• http://www.publicationethics.org.uk/guidelines
• http://www.icmje.org/index.html#ethic
• George D. Gopen, Judith A. Swan. The science of Scientific Writing. American Scientist (Nov-Dec 1990), Vol. 78, 550-
558.
• Michael Derntl. Basics of Research Paper Writing and Publishing.http://www.pri.univie.ac.at/~derntl/papers/meth-
se.pdf
• Thomas H Adair. Professor, Physiology & Biophysics Center of Excellence in Cardiovascular-Renal Research, University
of Mississippi Medical Center. http://dor.umc.edu/ARCHIVES/WritingandpublishingaresearcharticleAdair.ppt
• Bruce Railsback. Professor, Department of Geology, University of Georgia. Some Comments on Ethical issues about
research. www.gly.uga.edu/railsback/11111misc/ResearchEthics.html
• Peter Young. Writing and Presenting in English. The Rosetta Stone of Science. Elsevier 2006.
• Philip Campbell. Editor-in-Chief, Nature. Futures of scientific communication and outreach. June 2007.
• Recipe for a quality Scientific Paper: Fulfill Readers’ and Reviewers’ Expectations. http://sparks.informatics.iupui.edu
• EDANZ Editing training materials. 2006 http://liwenbianji.com, http://www.edanzediting.com/english.html

32. http://philippinejournalofpathology.org