Scientific Publication and Research Protocol Design and Drafting
Learning objectives
Upon successful completion of the course the post-graduate students are expected to be able to:
- identify different types of scientific publications
- use the literature to present scientific knowledge when formulating research questions
- recognize and describe the main structure, sections and content of a scientific publication
- design and draft an original investigation for submission
- present the findings using tables and/or figures
- cite the literature based on international guidelines
- describe and follow all the basic steps required for the submission of a study to a scientific journal
- acquire knowledge of the basic concepts used when replying to Reviewers’ comments
- describe the basic structure and individual sections of a research protocol
- design and draft a research protocol
- present and discuss the methodology and main findings of research studies (in English)
Course content
This course prepares students to draft and present a research study as well as to introduce them to the basic principles of designing a research protocol. The following topics are covered:
- General principles of writing a research manuscript
- Drafting the Abstract
- Drafting the Introduction section
- Discussion of assignments: Introduction
- Drafting the Material and Methods section
- Discussion of assignments: Material and Methods
- Presenting the Results using tables and their interpretation
- Discussion of assignments: Results – Tables
- Drafting the Discussion section
- Discussion of assignments: Discussion section
- Preparation and submission of a research protocol for funding
The teaching methods include lectures which introduce students to the content of the sections comprising a scientific publication. The design and drafting of a scientific publication (in English) is assigned to students organized in groups. After completion of each section, the drafts assignments are discussed with tutors and then are revised accordingly including necessary amendments. At the end of this course, the final version of the manuscript is submitted and orally presented (in English) to a scientific audience that set questions and request for clarifications.