Workshop Scientific Writing & Publishing

 
This basic workshop conveys the know-how of scientific writing & publishing and creates a basis for long-term development of participants’ scientific writing skills. The goal is not only to improve the text quality, but also to make the writing process more efficient and even enjoyable. Participants learn to communicate their research findings effectively and publish successful research articles.

To enable maximum possible transfer of learned skills, the trainer employs interactive and collaborative methods including writing sessions, reflections, peer feedback, practical exercises, discussions in the whole group and in pairs, and Q&A rounds.

Ideally, the course takes place in four weekly or bi-weekly half-day sessions complemented with homework to practice and deepen the course contents. The course can be conducted online or the first session can take place in person to establish group rapport. Alternatively a two-day onsite workshop is possible as well, albeit without the advantages of extended time for individual practice.

This workshop is optimally complemented by a follow-up monthly Writing group that provides a supporting framework for participants to develop their writing expertise, get organized and achieve their long-term writing goals.

Objectives

  • Participants learn to produce clear and compelling scientific texts.
  • Participants practice techniques for efficient drafting of scientific texts.
  • Participants understand the conventional structure of research articles and know how to apply it in their particular field.
  • Participants understand readers’ expectations and know how to use reader’s perspective to communicate their research findings effectively.
  • Participants learn to use writing as a support for their scientific thinking.
  • Participants reflect upon their writing productivity and develop strategies for improvement.
  • Participants learn to utilize peer feedback for effective revising.
  • Participants understand the scientific publishing processes.
  • Participants know how to write an effective letter to the editor and how to respond to reviewer comments.

Module overview

1. Writing process. Writing productivity.

  • How you can develop your writing skills “painlessly”
  • Why writing is hard and how to make it easier
  • What type of writer you are and how you can use your strengths to compensate for your weaknesses
  • How to optimally approach the different phases of the writing process: research & prewriting, structuring, drafting, revising
  • How to get into writing fast and combat writer’s block
  • How to write productively in a long-term, sustainable way
  • Science-based tips for better writing productivity

2. Macrostructure of research articles.

  • How to structure each section of a research article
  • How to write a compelling title
  • How to create a storyline for your research article
  • Comparing the general conventions with the particular situation in your own field
  • Understanding readers’ expectations and using the reader’s perspective to communicate your research findings effectively
  • The do’s and dont’s of writing research articles

3. Paragraph & sentence structure. Scientific language & style.

  • Paragraph structure: the key to easy-to-read texts
  • Sentence structure: how to create a logical flow in your writing
  • Text flow: further methods to improve the readability of your texts
  • Scientific language & style: how to write clearly and concisely, active vs. passive voice, the importance of action verbs, etc.

4. Peer feedback. Publication processes.

  • Guidelines for effective peer feedback
  • Peer-feedback practice
  • Journal selection criteria
  • Overview of the peer-review process
  • Writing a letter to editor
  • Responding to reviewer comments
  • Open science and emerging alternatives to traditional publishing

Participant feedback

I loved the practical nature of the course and that it focused primarily on tools which can be immediately implemented.

I liked that the course was very well structured and covered very different aspects of the writing process. I also liked that the course was practice-oriented and based on material that was relevant for my current work.

Online format worked out very well, there were enough breaks in between, always room for questions, room for discussions.