Publishing Mental Health Research

Ph.D. -course

Course description

Course content

Objective:

The course will prepare the candidates for writing, submitting and reviewing their scientific manuscripts. The objective of the course is to increasing the candidates understanding of the publishing process and facilitate practical knowhow to increase the chances of having their manuscripts accepted for publishing.

The learning activities consists of a mixture of short lectures, workshops and self-activity between sessions.

The course covers the following topics:

Structure of the manuscript, different methods of writing a manuscript, manuscript eye catchers, key parts of the manuscript, language, style, tables and figures, selecting the right journal for submission, responding to a review and impact factors.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate:

  • Has knowledge about how a scientific manuscript is structured
  • Knows how to write a scientific manuscript
  • Knows about factors that are likely to influence the chances of having a manuscript published

Skills

The candidate:

  • Is able to present methods and results, and adequately discuss the findings in a manner that is in line with the course matric or the guidelines of the journal in question
  • Can peer-review manuscripts and supply feedback in a clear and neutral way
  • Is able to work systematically to continue to improve his/her own writing skills
  • Is able to prepare a cover letter and response to a manuscript review

General competence

The candidate:

  • Is able to write good manuscripts
  • Makes smart decisions about where to send manuscripts for publication in the field of mental health research
  • Understands the importance of collaboration and how they can support the scientific community through voluntary work like being a reviewer
  • Is able to present scientific results in an oral presentation or as a poster
  • Understands how to promote own research after publication

Study period

Autumn and spring (two consecutive semesters). The course is made up of four study sessions over the two semesters:

Course dates for fall 2023 / spring 2024 are:

18.-19. September 2023

4.-5. December 2023

12.-13. February 2024

27.-28. May 2024

All sessions will be held at Hotel Scandic Ørnen in Bergen.

Credits (ECTS)

4 ECTS

Based upon 56 hours of courses and 50 hours of pre/post course preparation.

Course location

Bergen (only)
Language of instruction
English
Course registration and deadlines

Application deadline for fall 2023: 09.06.23

Registration is not done in Studentweb, but by written application. The application must contain the following information:

Navn, tittel og arbeidssted / Name, title and workplace
Kort om søkers bakgrunn / Short summary of your background
Informasjon om prosjekt(er) søker er tilknyttet til / Short info about your connected research project
Kort om tidligere skrive erfaring / Short summary about your earlier writing skills
Kort om motivasjon og behov for å delta på denne forskerskolen / Short summary of motivation to participate

You can send the application to:

Inge Joa
Leder TIPS PsykNettVest
Psykiatrisk divisjon, Stavanger Universitetssjukehus
1ste Amanuensis, Universitetet i Stavanger, Samfunnsfaglig fakultet, Institutt for helsefag
Tlf 51515038
mobil 91392373
Inge.joa@sus.no

Recommended Previous Knowledge
Medical or health related educational background or PhD project related to medical / health related research and prior experience with academic writing.
Part of training component
Yes
Form of assessment

Participation at all four study sessions.

Continuously improvement of the manuscript, which are handed in prior to each session.

Written self-assessment of the candidate¿s own learning activity and learning outcome.

Course overlap

MEDARTVIT, 1 stp

MEDFORM, 1 stp

Who may participate
Masters degree or equivalent education level is required, with the exception of students on the Medical Student Research Program. All students must be admitted to a PhD program at the University of Bergen or University of Stavanger in medicine, psychology or related fields.
Programme

The course will consist of four gatherings over the course of 12 months, each gathering lasting two days.

All participants submit a draft (manuscript/protocol) no less than four weeks prior to the course.

The draft manuscripts/protocols will be circulated amongst all participants no less than three weeks prior to the workshop (notice: full confidentiality regarding the circulated material is required)

All participants must read all papers prior to the workshops.

The focus in the workshops will be on developing the participants¿ draft English language manuscripts. The stage of the draft manuscript/protocol may range from 1st to n version (already published manuscripts may not be used in this course).

The draft manuscripts will receive systematic input from the course leaders, and will be discussed in the group in relation to the theoretical lectures on scientific writing.

Based on the input provided, all manuscripts are rewritten and gradually improved until the manuscript is of acceptable quality to be released for submission.

Academic responsible

Academic responsibility

Professor Gro Janne Wergeland

Course coordinator

PhD candidate Lena Antonsen Stabell

Lecturers

PhD Gro Janne Wergeland

PhD candiate Lena Stabell