De castro mekelle university 2014

SCIENTIFIC
COMMUNICATION

C . A . S. A .

Easy when you know how
Paola De Castro
Head of the Publishing Unit
Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome (Italy)
Council Member
European Association of Science Editors

Mekelle University, January 25, 2014
1

CASA project

scientific communication

Initial inspirational quote from Nelson Mandela
FOCUS ON
EDUCATION

“

Mr Mandela had a
leadership role
in making HIV/AIDS in
sub Saharan Africa
an issue that the world
could no longer ignore.

His speech at the International AIDS Conference in Durban in 2000
changed the course of the epidemic …

2

CASA project

”

PREMISE

TEACHING & LEARNING are strictly connected
My experience
Publishing Unit
National Institute of Health
Istituto Superiore di Sanità

Your experience
different
backgrounds

Mekelle University,
Tigray Health Bureau, hospitals,
health facilities

C . A . S. A .

new knowledge to improve public health
3

CASA project


Basic topics and training program
FOCUS ON
the strategic role of scientific communication
as added value to the CASA project
TWO PARTS

A

B

4

Provide basic information on scientific communication
 create awareness on the topics to be included in a training program
Present a modular training program on scientific communication
 describe modules, explain methodology, schedule future activities

CASA project


Part A
Basic information
on scientific communication

3

Assumptions

• Relevance
• Target and types
• Rules and best practices

5

CASA project


COMMUNICATION PROCESS
Basic elements
CHANNEL
Code

Sender

MESSAGE

Receiver

Feedback

noise

Communication is sharing, not just providing information!
Keep it in mind to understand possible barriers
6

CASA project


ASSUMPTION

1

Relevance
Communication is
an important part of RESEARCH ACTIVITY
WHY?
Look for possible answers in the following slides

7

CASA project


WHY is scientific communication RELEVANT FOR YOU?

Suggestions
 Progress is always based on previous work
 Scientists have a responsibility for communicating research results

 Patients need to be informed
 All stakeholders (policy makers, general public)
should be aware of the value of scientific research
 Health is a common good
 We live in a “global” world

8

CASA project


Responsibility
of science communication
For all people working in Research and Development

Information transfer is
an ESSENTIAL part of their work
It is a responsibility that must be
recognised and undertaken
with the same commitment and professionality
as all the other science-related activities.

9

CASA project


It is important to share information at different levels, to
different stakeholders, in a global health perspective.

Health knowledge can often mean
the difference between life and death
Each year, around 9 million children
die from preventable and treatable illnesses
The handbook produced by UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO
provides vital messages and information for mothers,
fathers, other family members, caregivers and communities

10

CASA project


Internet provides tools
We are aware of the “digital divide”
BUT even when Internet is available
it is important to know
• where to find such tools
• how to recognize quality information
• how to use it
A cultural change is still required
and it is associated with the capacity to
use resources provided by information technologies
and to produce new and useful online resources

11

CASA project


New trends: BE OPEN!
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?









Open sharing of research activity
Open online information
Open Access journals
Open peer-review
Open data sharing
Open to patients/society
Open in disclosure conflicts of interest
Open online courses (MOOCs)

A NEW STATE OF MIND
12

CASA project


OA is a philosophy and not an archive
OA routes

10,000 OA

OA journals (gold)
Digital archives (green)

CREATE AWARENESS
among all stakeholders

13

CASA project

2200 listings


Role of scientific journals
Despite the changes introduced by the Internet in communication,
scientific journals still represent the most widely recognized means
for communicating research results of among peers.
Scientific journals:

14

CASA project

• represent the dynamic memory of science (started in 1660)
• rely on a consolidated know-how and editorial structure
• guarantee quality control, dissemination, indexing and
impact evaluation of published articles.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION
on scientifc knowledge dissemination through centuries

Rise & development
of scientific journals

If you are not interested , skip to slide 31

15

CASA project


How does knowledge transmission
change through the centuries?
The big revolutions
Orality

Oral memory within a community

Writing

First graffiti
Hieroglyphs
Alphabeth

35,000 years ago
3,200 BC
1,000 BC

Symbols = concepts
syllables

Printing
Internet
16

China 1050, Gutenberg 1450
Internet 1974 – 1990 Web – Google 1995

CASA project


The Bible, 1456

The Comedy, 1491

First book printed in Magonza
by Gutenberg

by Dante Alighieri

180 copies
36 x 29 cm

180 copies
36 x 29 cm

Texts have already a defined structure

Print diffusion
Millions of copies printed in few years

(commentaries by Cristoforo Landino)

Page numbering and italic were introduced
by Aldo Manunzio in 1501
17

CASA project


SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS
rise in the 17th century in the academies
Before, philosophers communicated through philosophical dissertations & letters

Journal des Scavans

Philosophical Transactions

First journal, published in Paris 1665

Royal Society of London, 1666

OBJECTIVE
Present the
most relevant
European
scientific
papers

18

CASA project

OBJECTIVES
Inform the Royal
Society members
and other readers
about scientific
discoveries
Establish
principles
scientific priority
and peer review

Scientific journals develop
since the 18th century
WHO is the
publisher?

still today they represent the preferred channel
to disseminate scientific research results

In the centuries, science
becomes more specialized

 Scientific societies
 Universities
 Governmental agencies
 Scientific institutions
 Profesional associations

the publishing
enterprise develops

Journal “shape” keeps unchanged
until the Internet revolution

19

CASA project

The book shape has an influence
on the way of thinking

 Sequential reading
 Texts and illustrations
 Text structure
 Paratextual elements

The article of the future
5 minute video by Elsevier

It shows the advantages
of enriched articles including
supplementary information
interactive content.
It provides true immersion
in the contest of the subject matter.
Data are linked to databases
providing the most updated
information
It proves a positive correlation
among data sharing,
citations and impact.

20

CASA project


TODAY INTERNET
allows new ways of communication
Journals (and books)
change their shape

New ways are developed
• Blogs
• Discussion lists
• Wikis
• Online answers
• Social networks
• Collective conversations

All this deeply affects
21

CASA project


Internet changes economic models
& allows new metrics
Publishers are looking for new opportunities
Journal PRICES grow exponentially
Authors become aware of the new opportunities provided by ICT
& start NEGOTIATE THEIR RIGHTS (self archiving is now recognised by most publishers)

Online free full text is generally required
& also the availability of RESEARCH DATA is desired
New EVALUATION METRICS are introduced
as alternative to IF, e.g. H index (individual research output)
OA journals utilizing FREE SOFTWARE are developed
There is CONFUSION on the roles of the actors
of the editorial process and some contraddictions
22

CASA project


Publications in the world (2008=986.099)
United States
European Union
China
Japan
Russia
Latin America
Africa

28%
37%
10%
8%
7%
4.9%
2.2%

USA & EU are still the world leaders as for the absolute
number of scientific publications.
Yet, their percentage share of publications decreased
much more then any other country in the last 6 years.
On the other hand, China doubled its publications (10%).
Considering the size of Asian population it is envisaged
that it will become the leader continent as for publication
output in the coming years.

due primarily to Brasil
with 25% increase
in the last 6 years

UNESCO, Science report 2010 – Based on ISI data
Data refer to 2008, now the situation is rapidly changing
23

CASA project


Citation increase in OA journals
Open access citation average. A. Swan
http://eprints.ecs.soton.ac.uk/18516/2/Citation_advantage_paper.pdf

24

CASA project


OPEN ACCESS
a new paradigm of communication
Basic concepts from the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge
in the Sciences and Humanities (2003)
 Our mission of disseminating knowledge is only half complete if the
information is not made widely and readily available to society.
 New possibilities of knowledge dissemination not only through the classical
form but also and increasingly through the open access paradigm via the
Internet have to be supported.

 We define open access as a comprehensive source of human knowledge and
cultural heritage that has been approved by the scientific community.
 In order to realize the vision of a global and accessible representation of
knowledge, the future Web has to be sustainable, interactive, and transparent.
Content and software tools must be openly accessible and compatible.

25

P. De Castro • Scientific Communication • CASA project - Ethiopia, January 2014

CASA project


… it requires the active commitment of each and every individual producer of
scientific knowledge and holder of cultural heritage.

Open access contributions include original scientific research results, raw data
and metadata, source materials, digital representations of pictorial and graphical
materials and scholarly multimedia material.

26


CASA project


Open Journal Systems

Free software for online
journal management

Over 11,500 journals

27


CASA project


Development of OA policies
In 2007, ISS signed an OA policy (the first health
research institute in Italy with an OA policy)
In 2013, ISS signed a Position paper supporting
Open Access to research data
28

CASA project


OA, a moral imperative
National and international institutions and funding organizations
support OA to research information and data
Issue policies and recommendations with varying embargo periods
•
•
•
•
•
•

29

NIH
European Commission
Wellcome trust
Telethon
Italian research institutes
…..


CASA project


December 2013

European
Commission

Open up
publicly funded
research data

30

CASA project


ASSUMPTION

2

Target & types
It is important to select
the most appropriate communication tool
according to target and context

WHY?

31

CASA project


Different targets, objectives & types
of scientific communication
target

PEERS

LAY PEOPLE
researchers,
medical
& technical staff

objective

type

32

share research results, progress
in research, contribute to debate
 journal articles
 technical reports
 oral communications or posters
in conferences or workshops
 abstracts and proceedings
 social media
 etc.

CASA project

patients, families, policy
makers, community health
workers, vendors, etc.

change behaviour, improve life style,
access to therapy, increase retention








oral communications
leaflets, bookmarks, posters
audiovisuals
workshops, informal meetings
e-health communication
social media
etc.


GENERAL ADVICE for researchers
TIPS FROM EXPERIENCE




Plan your work in advance
Select the best type of communication (target, objective, context)
Consider time and resources available





Define authorship & responsibilities (collaborators)
Consider previous work (bibliographic search)
Follow instructions to authors (if available)
Produce a first draft





Revise the draft, seek advice, share, test the product
Submit for publication (peer review process)
Approve final draft


33

CASA project

Disseminate (online, print, share, talk, link, etc.)

Value of scientific journals
Considering readers’ requirements

QUESTIONS

WRITE A USEFUL ARTICLE
to contribute to the progress of science
Which information needs shall I meet?
Are there other publications on the same topic?
Are they up-dated?
Are they useful?
Are they easily available?
Are they free on the Internet?

•
•
•
•
•

WHY write an article?
WHERE to publish it?
WITH whom?
HOW much time?
WHICH budget?

In some cases, national journals or books
may be more appropriate
34

CASA project


Value of scientific journals
Considering authors’ requirements
PUBLISH IN QUALITY JOURNALS (IF)
to obtain the highest evaluation

QUESTIONS

(grants, career advancement)

35

HOW TO SELECT THE JOURNAL?
• Indexed journals (IF)
• Journals where important authors
publish
• High rejection rate journals
• Journals which I read for updating

CASA project

WHAT TO CONSIDER?
• Where is the journal indexed
• Editorial committee
• Editorial organization (policy)
(peer review, time)
• Online availability
• Copyright issues…

AUTHORSHIP & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
1953
Watson e Crick published an article on
DNA which is very famous and well
known all over the world

… and what about
Rosalind Franklin?
Watson J D, Crick FHC.
Molecular structure of nucleic acids:
a structure for deoxyribose nucleid acid.
Nature 1953; 171: 737-738.c

36

CASA project


ASSUMPTION

3

Rules & best practices
It is important to know
standards, guidelines and tradition

WHY?

37

CASA project


Actors of the EDITORIAL PROCESS
authors
editors
publishers

readers

• Referees
• Technical editors
• Translators
• Graphic designers
• Photographers
• Printers
• Web masters
• Librarians
• Information specialists

Be aware of the role of each actor in the process
to be able to understand it and comply with their requirements
38

CASA project


RESPONSIBILITIES
To be pointed out in CASA training program
AUTHORS
•
•
•
•
•
•

Develop useful contents
Select the appropriate document type
Read instructions to authors
Provide all information required by editors
Do not cheat
etc.
EDITORS
•
•
•
•
•
•

39

Organize and validate information
Garantee publication integrity
Create useful journals
Write instructions for authors
Specify steps of the editorial process
etc.

CASA project

REFEREES
•
•
•
•
•

Guarantee quality of published papers
Declare conflicts of interest
Comply with schedules
Respect privacy and confidentiality
etc.


SCIENTIFIC EDITING inside an editorial office
Receiving manuscripts
First evaluation by editor in chief
Peer review (reviewers/authors, reviewers, editor)
Editor in chief (acceptance/modification/ rejection)
Scientific editing – graphics
(correction of drafts)

Receiving proofs
Article final copy
Complete issue
(including all articles)
Blueprint
Online dissemination
Print
40

CASA project


WRITING A JOURNAL ARTICLE
a challenge between tradition and innovation

WARNING!
BE AWARE OF EDITORIAL RULES
AND BEST PRACTICES
1.
2.
3.

evaluate scientific content and target
be familiar with technical requirements
be familiar with the publication ethics

FORMATS OF SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

41

CASA project


Instructions to authors
for over 6,000 journals in
the health and life sciences

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS
First and last step for article writing.
Submit to the right journal!
Follow instructions!

42

CASA project


IMRAD structure

Introduction
Background information
State specific purpose of the study
Limit references
Do not include data or conclusions

Material and methods
Describe (patients, animals, etc.)
Define material and equipment
Illustrate procedures
Compare with other methods

43

CASA project

Results
Show results in logical order
Point out only relevant data

And
Discussion and conclusions

Stress only new aspects
Do not repeat what was written in the methods
Avoid conclusions which are
not associated to reliable data

REVISION: different levels of responsibility
1. AUTHORS’ REVISION
before submission

• read instructions to authors
• read again after some time (one-two days)
• use check lists

2. INITIAL EDITORIAL REVIEW

3. PEER REVIEW
after submission

Minor revisions
Major revisions
Authors! Take it seriously!
Be prepared to answer
all points raised by reviewers

after submission (before peer review)

A paper may be rejected by the editor, IF…
• it is not compliant with journal scope & formats
• it has poor English

4. TECHNICAL EDITING
after acceptance

Journal editorial staff

Revision improves quality & provides a learning opportunity
44

CASA project


Middle inspirational quote from Nelson Mandela

ACCEPT
THE CHALLENGE

45

CASA project

“
”


To sum up …
SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION

3
Assumptions
Relevance
Target & types
Rules & best practices

46

CASA project

 Communication is part of research activity
 It is important to select the most appropriate
communicaton tool according to objective,
target and context
 It is important to know rules and best practices

TRAINING


Part B
Modular training program
APPLY NEW KNOWLEDGE from CASA

main objectives

 Write an article to be submitted
to a peer reviewed journal
 Write an abstract to be submitted
as oral presentation or poster
in a national or international Conference
 Write a technical report
 Prepare a power point presentation

47

CASA project


Create the document best fitting your objective
TRAINING will directly involve you in:
Writing a journal article
How to select the right journal
Instructions to authors,
your first guide to write an article

Writing a technical report,
a book or a chapter
Why write a report
Which part are you going to play
How to organize a sound structure

48

CASA project

Submitting a conference abstract,
writing a conference paper
Select the appropriate theme & collaborators
Be prepared to produce
a power point presentation or a poster

Producing leaflets & other tools
Some hints for autonomous creations of
printed tools and WEB 2.0 communication


Be aware of & expoit existing infomation
TRAINING will help you to know:
How to search in online databases
Select databases
Select appropriate topics
Filter available information

How to access online journals
Search available sources
Take advantage from HINARI

49

CASA project


Be aware of & utilise editorial guidelines
TRAINING will provide you a selection of basic guidelines:
“Vancouver style”
Recommendations for the conduct, reporting, editing and publication
of scholarly work in medical journals

EASE Guidelines
for Authors and Translators
of Scientific Articles to be Published in English

50

CASA project


Be aware of rules & follow best practices
TRAINING will help you in:
Using illustrations
When using a table or a figure?
Some technical details

Citing the work of others: how & why
Elements to be included in a reference
Reference styles

Managing revision
Levels of technical editing
Respond to referees
Handle proofs
51

CASA project


The “Conference world”
an opportunity to grow and develop collaboration
Training will help you to know:
How to submit an abstract
Select topic, authors
Follow guidelines

How to produce effective posters
Before getting to work
Balancing content, structure and graphics

How to organize
a conference or workshop
at local, national or international level
Define roles and objectives
Scientific committees
and their responsibilities
Defining a conference programme
issuing a call for papers

How to produce effective presentations
Before getting to work
Suggested structure and schemes

52

CASA project


Other useful topics
Training will help you to know:
How to involve community health workers
Select objectives, targets & tools
Consider human and financial resources & time
Define a shared communication strategy

How to communicate through social networks
Know about web 2.0
Participate in networks discussions
Create awareness on specific health issues

How to use publication metrics
Know about traditional metrics (IF)
Know about altmetrics
53

CASA project


Expected results from training
Short term (January 2014)

Medium term (2014-2015)

Prepare an abstract
to be submitted to

Standardize CASA reports

Address WHO to utilize CASA data

Start e-learning modules

54

Prepare a poster/ power point
presentation for

Prepare a manuscript to be submitted
to a peer reviewed journal

CASA project


Questions
Tick the correct answers
Publication of scientific output is part of the research process
and plays a basic role for science development
Online information is always reliable

Scientific journal articles are primarily used to inform families
& citizens & sometimes may be used to inform researchers
When submitting a journal article for publication, it is NOT
important to follow instructions for authors
Referees do not directly address the authors of submitted articles

55

CASA project


Correct answers



Publication of scientific output is part of the research process
and plays a basic role for science development
Online information is always reliable

Scientific journal articles are primarily used to inform families
& citizens & sometimes may be used to inform researchers


56

When submitting a journal article for publication, it is NOT
important to follow instructions for authors
Referees do not directly address the authors of submitted articles

CASA project


Certificate of accomplishment
C . A . S. A .
At the end of the training course
all those who will have successfully
completed assignments & achieved expected results
will receive a certificate
of accomplishment

57

CASA project


Final considerations 1
A training program
is an ADDED VALUE to the CASA project.

C . A . S. A .

It contributes to:
 provide visibility to the project activity
 maximize results achieved
 develop new collaborations
 facilitate funding

This program in scientific communication may become
a training model to be utilized in a wider geographical area

58

CASA project


FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
Final considerations 2
Collaboration is essential for the success
of this initiative

C . A . S. A .

Progress is reached step by step, through a mix of REALISM and IDEALISM
Sharing the same objectives, we will permit to:
•
•
•
•

Integrate the training program with existing practices
Overcome possible obstacles
Test and improve the new models
Find appropriate solutions

QUESTIONS?

59

CASA project


Final inspirational quote from Nelson Mandela

PASSION
AND HARD
WORK

60
60

“


CASA project

”

thank you!
C . A . S. A .
paola.decastro@iss.it

61

CASA project


De castro mekelle university 2014

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (12)

Similar to De castro mekelle university 2014

Similar to De castro mekelle university 2014 (20)

More from Paola De Castro

More from Paola De Castro (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

De castro mekelle university 2014