Publishing skills: Effective Bio-Medical Writing

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Effective Medical Reading | Effective Bio-Medical Reading & Writing | Team research writer

EBW - Effective Bio-Medical Reading & Writing ™

An advanced course for young researchers and graduate students in the clinical and biomedical sciences. During the course, participants are guided through the process of writing a research paper using their own experimental data, following the latest standards of good editorial practices. Each session is composed of short lectures and practical work in small groups, focused on critical reading, problem solving and original writing. The course, given in English language, focuses on the presentation of scientific content (it is not a language course). The course has now been given successfully at the University of Milan for three consecutive years.

Main goals of course

Learn how to correctly structure a research report
Know how to strategically choose the best presentation of data in graphic or textual form
Experience writing and revising, as well as working with a medical editor
Write a publication-quality research paper according to the latest international standards

Teaching strategies

Lectures provide strategies for writing each section of a research paper
Small group work: problem-solving exercises
At the end of the course, participants will have written a publication-quality brief communication

Prerequisites for participation

University degree in medicine, biology or related biomedical field
Ability to read and write English
Ability to understand English spoken by a native speaker

Main course topics

Scientific writing: the sentence, the paragraph, the section, the verb, word choices and style
The writing process: all the steps from presenting data in tables and figures, to writing an outline and the first draft, to preparing the final, revised text
Defining the article: study hypothesis, scopes, actions
Guidelines for quality reporting
Figures and tables: roles, choice, design, legends; when to choose supplementary online material
Writing the various sections of an article: Introduction, Materials and methods, Results, Discussion
Completing the text with an abstract, a title, closing notes, references
Revising your own manuscript to ensure internal coherence
How to anticipate, and respond to, peer reviewers' criticisms
Preparing a cover letter that attracts attention

Flexible format The format will be adapted to meet each client's needs and interests. Common formats are:

Classic version 45 hours, in 8-9 days at intervals of two or more weeks
Compact version (suitable for summer school) 45 hours, in 5 consecutive days

The course is organized for preformed groups and is held conveniently in your institute. A brief bio of the instructor is available here. For further information: Dr. V. Matarese, Ph.D. (+39-0423-985191; info@uptoit.org)