Scientific Writing & Publication
A collection of presentations and mini-courses on scientific writing and publication available from the Duke AI Health Community of Practice
Clear, accurate written communication is fundamental to the clinical research enterprise. However, many people working in the field struggle with tasks related to writing for scientific publication, or find it difficult to adapt and accommodate complex technical work for different audiences.
Although early-career researchers typically receive training and mentoring in writing for peer-reviewed publication, many may still benefit from additional support in developing and broadening their communication skills. This is also true for administrative and operational staff contributing to team science projects, whose career paths may not have included opportunities for developing scholarly communication skills. These challenges are further compounded by the highly variable and rapidly changing practices of scientific publication, which often create confusion and pose barriers even for experienced authors.
Bridging Gaps in Science Communication
In response to this growing need across multiple research communities at Duke, the Duke AI Health Community of Practice is supporting a series of educational offerings organized around topics in science writing and communication. These programs range from short, lecture-based sessions on scientific writing and publication practices to more in-depth mini-courses that explore multiple aspects of science writing for different audiences and applications.
Courses Supported by the Community of Practice
These course offerings focus on different skills and competencies and are contextualized for different audiences, including administrative and operational staff, students, and early-career researchers and clinicians. They include:
Basics of Effective Written Communication
This course, originally developed for the Duke Clinical Research Institute, focuses on the fundamentals of communicating effectively in a business environment (when that business is focused on clinical research). Topics covered include common mistakes and perplexities in grammar, punctuation, and English usage, as well as strategies for communicating clearly via email, official letters, and reports.
Fundamentals of Writing: Peer-reviewed Abstracts and Manuscripts
This course explores the anatomy of the IMRaD (Introduction-Methods-Results-and-Discussion) manuscript, the necessary elements of research articles, and strategies for navigating the drafting and revision process.
Introduction to Scientific Publication
Here, we explore scientific publication from the perspective of a lead author. The course covers topics such as authorship roles and responsibilities, managing the drafting and revision process for a multiple-author manuscript, selecting an appropriate target journal, writing cover letters, what to expect from the submission process, revising in response to peer critique, and navigating the steps of proof correction and final publication.
Foundations of Scientific Writing for Staff Members
This is a mini-course that consists of four virtual classes combining lecture and interactive elements, culminating in the creation of an original academic poster to be presented at a showcase organized by Duke AI Health. Classes introduce the history and function of peer review in scientific communication and the evolution of the modern research article, organization and structure of academic writing, drafting and revision, and use of figures, tables, and other illustrations.
In Search of Good Nonfiction Writing
A multi-part hybrid course similar to Foundations of Scientific Writing, this course adds detailed discussion of scientific storytelling for nontechnical or nonacademic audiences. It also features a syllabus of readings to complement classroom discussions and culminates in a series of “lightning talks” based on individual student research interests.
About the Instructor
These courses were developed by Jonathan McCall, MS, with support from the Duke Clinical Research Institute, the Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the Duke School of Medicine Office of Learning and Development, and the Duke AI Health Community of Practice. Jonathan’s interest in teaching grew out of his many years as a senior editor and writer for the Duke Clinical Research Institute’s Communications division, where he edited and managed peer-reviewed publications for Duke fellows, faculty, and students. In addition to his work as communications director for Duke AI Health, Jonathan also serves as an instructor for multiple programs and courses in science writing, including the Duke STAR summer research experience and the joint Duke-NIH Clinical Research Training Program.
