Interlude: Introductions, Methods, and Time

Here's my latest curated round-up of the best tips, tools, and resources on scientific and medical writing.

💌 Round-up

💻 From My Desk

How to Structure the Introduction Section of Your Manuscript
The Introduction helps to orient your reader to your study. By following a standard structure, you can "funnel" your reader to the specific question you address in the manuscript. Learn more about this structure and download the free checklist to ensure you include all the essential information.

Word Choice: Methodology vs Methods
Many authors think that methodology is a synonym for methods. But these words have distinct meanings. Learn which term to use when describing your general approach or specific methods.

👓 Reading

The effect of peer review on the improvement of rejected manuscripts
From the article: "...authors often disregard advice from peer reviewers after rejection. Authors may regard the peer review process as particular to a journal rather than a process to optimize dissemination of useful, accurate knowledge in any media. Specialty journals might consider collaborating by using a single manuscript submission site that allows peer reviews to be transferred to the next journal, which helps [with] holding authors accountable for making the suggested changes."

Authorship inequality: a bibliometric study of the concentration of authorship among a diminishing number of individuals in high-impact medical journals, 2008–2019
This study looked at author inflation—the increased size of the author list—and practices around granting authorship on peer-reviewed articles in medical journals. The study proposed that honorary authorship is a growing (and unethical) practice that authors may use to help with promotions and allocation of research funding. To know whether granting authorship is appropriate, learn more about the ICMJE guidelines for authorship.

Change as the Only Constant: How Will the Role of Medical Communication Professionals Evolve by 2025?
This article dives into five areas that may change in medical communication over the next 5 years: multichannel communications, broader audiences, open access, digital expertise, and conferences. Learn what skills you might need to be successful in 2025 through five informative infographics.

🎧 Listening

Ten Percent Happier - A New Way to Think About Your Time
In this interview, Ashley Whillans, author of Time Smart, talks about shifting from "time poverty" to "time affluence." She shares how to do a time audit; funding time, finding time, and reframing time; and the value of canceled meetings. Personally, I found the time audit and the idea of reframing time really helpful.
iTunes | Spotify | Website

🧰 Tools

BioRender
I was recently introduced to this software, which can help you create quality schematics for your manuscripts, grants, presentations, and more. Try the free version (with a few tips from us) to see whether this program will work for you.

💬 Quote

“Sit down to write what you have thought, and not to think about what you shall write.” - William Cobbett
 

💭 Thoughts

Put your cell phone in another room when you need to focus on a task. The mere presence of your phone—even turned off—can negatively impact your self-control and cognitive processes.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Discussions, Symptoms, and the Science of Communication

Welcome to the first edition of the refreshed newsletter from Redwood Ink. Every couple of weeks, I will reach out with a curated round-up of the best tips, tools, and resources on scientific and medical writing.

💌 Round-up

🎉 Featured

3 Grant-Writing Advice Gems for the New Year
I am delighted that my blog was featured in this article. The author discusses the importance of blending research and emotion, nailing the specific aims page, and writing a winning title.
 

💻 From My Desk

How to Draft the Discussion Section of Your Manuscript
The Discussion section is the most important—and difficult—part of writing a manuscript. Fortunately, this section typically follows a standard structure. Learn more about this structure and download the free outline to help you efficiently draft this challenging section.

Putting Signs and Symptoms into Perspective
Many writers default to using the term symptoms. But in some cases, signs is the more accurate term to use. Read on to learn how the perspective will help you know which term is the correct word to use in your writing.

👓 Reading

How a torrent of COVID science changed research publishing — in seven charts
The COVID-19 pandemic has made a big impact on research publishing, starting with the sheer volume of papers submitted and published. In seven graphic charts, Nature tells an interesting story about how the pandemic has changed research publishing.
 
Watch Your Language!—Misusage and Neologisms in Clinical Communication
From the article: “Given that those seeking to join the medical community are likely to adopt the language they see and hear every day while in training, it falls on us to choose our words deliberately and with purpose. We need to recalibrate our language. Conscious efforts on our part can redefine the standard learners seek to achieve.”
 
Opinion: Being Scientists Doesn’t Make Us Science Communicators
As I transitioned from working in a lab to a career in editing, I learned that being a successful scientist or clinician does not guarantee expertise in communicating the science. From the article: “Science communication is a science in and of itself, one that requires rigorous training and instruction.”
 
A new mandate highlights costs, benefits of making all scientific articles free to read
This article offers an in-depth look at the open access movement in science. The author covers how open access benefits authors, affects publishing fees, and will change the future of scientific publishing.

🎧 Listening

All About Grants Podcast: Human Subjects Research Post-Award
If you work with human participants, this episode offers tips about what is needed for progress reporting, reaching out to your IRB when a protocol change is needed, the difference between adverse events and unanticipated problems, and more.
iTunes | MP3 | Transcript

🧰 Tools

The Writer’s Diet
I was recently introduced to this free online tool that helps you find “zombie nouns” and “flabby” phrases in your writing. I find this tool most helpful when I’m making final tweaks to lay summaries.

💬 Quote

“When you write a manuscript, it feels like being in a relationship with someone. You'll hate it, get bored with it, be pissed off, like you just want to break up. But, just like any relationship, you will fall in love again and again, like you don't want to lose it.” - Alvi Syahrin
 

💭 Thoughts

Keep your workspace bare. Every object is an imposition on your attention. A workspace is not a place for distractions. It is a place for accomplishing things. 

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal