This document provides guidance on writing a manuscript for publication. It discusses including an introduction that presents the specific problem being addressed, how the project will solve the problem, and the theory behind the project. It also discusses including a methods section that describes how evidence was searched for and appraised to support an evidence-based practice project or research study. The document recommends summarizing results, discussing findings compared to literature, limitations, and implications. Tips are provided on disseminating evidence-based practice outcomes and deciding what to publish, selecting a journal, and structuring the manuscript.

1. My First Manuscript Raritan Bay Medical Center Research and Education Committee Yvonne Wesley RN PhD FAAN March 18, 2011 3/18/2011 1

2. Objectives 3/18/2011 2

3. 1. Introduction What is the problem How does your project address the problem What is your PICO, research question or hypothesis What is the theory behind your project 3/18/2011 3

4. 1. Introduction What is the problem The manuscript should open with an introduction that presents the specific problem Good opening addresses: Why the problem is important Develop the background of the problem 3/18/2011 4

5. 1. Introduction How does your project address the problem What is the primary and secondary purpose of the paper Explain your approach to solving the problem 3/18/2011 5

6. 1. Introduction What is your PICO, research question or hypothesis State your PICOT if you are writing up the EBP process State your research question if there is not enough evidence to generate a hyp0thesis State a hypothesis if there is theoretical and empirical evidence to support a relationship between variables 3/18/2011 6

7. 1. Introduction What is the theory behind your project If writing up the findings from a research project Be sure to mention the theory that generated the research questions or hypotheses If writing up the EBP process Be sure to appraise the theories mentioned in the studies found in the literature. 3/18/2011 7

8. 2. Method -- Research Literature Review Conceptual and operational definition of the concepts Quantitative and Qualitative findings Sample – demographics, size, sampling Measures – questionnaires, interviews, focus group Design – quasi-experimental, case study 3/18/2011 8 Manuscript for peer-review journal

9. 2. Method -- EBP Search Strategy Key search words Databases used during the search How did you limit the search Appraisal of the Evidence Are the results valid? Are the results important? Will the results help? How you integrated the evidence into practice How you evaluated the effects 3/18/2011 9

10. 3. Results Summarize the data collected Number of people Demographic of the people Descriptive Central tendencies and variability Summarize the analysis on the relevant data Answer you research question/hypothesis or PICO Inferential Statistics Parameteric tests Non-parameteric tests Report data to justify your conclusion 3/18/2011 10

11. 4. Discussion Did you find what you expected Compare your results with the literature Acknowledge limitations of your project Evaluate and interpret the results Draw inferences and conclusions Provide implications 11 3/18/2011

12. Melynk, B., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2011) Evidence-based practice in nursing and healthcare:A guide to best practice (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. 3/18/2011 12 Objective: Discuss Melnky’s Method of Disseminating EBP Outcomes

13. Disseminating EBP Outcomes Oral Presentation Panel Presentation Roundtable Presentation Poster Presentation Grand Rounds Podcast Presentation Community Meeting Committee Meeting Journal Club Publishing Health Policy Media 3/18/2011 13

14. Publishing Find a Mentor Generate the Idea Plan the Manuscript Title page Abstract Introduction Manuscript narrative Conclusion & implications Positive Attitude 3/18/2011 14

15. Deciding What to Publish Letter to the editor Commentary Books Continuing education reviews Chapters NCLEX questions Articles EBP clinical practices guidelines Newsletter inserts Standards of care Book/media reviews Policy briefs 3/18/2011 15

16. Selecting a Journal Is the Journal peer-reviewed? What is the profile of the journal’s readership? What is the turnaround period for the review? What is the in press period? What are the technical specifications? Page length APA style Margins Font & Size Graphic, Photos, Images 3/18/2011 16

17. The Manuscript Generic Outline Introduction to the clinical problem The clinical question Search for the evidence Presentation of the evidence Critical appraisal of the evidence Application of evidence to practice Evaluation 3/18/2011 17

18. Search for the Evidence 3/18/2011 18 Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) Stillwell, et. Al. (2010) EBP4

19. 3/18/2011 19 Present the Evidence

20. Appraisal of the Evidence 3/18/2011 20

21. Appraisal of the Evidence 3/18/2011 21

22. 3/18/2011 22 SUMMARY