As a researcher, you want your work to make a real difference to the world. In other words, you want your research to have impact. How is impact measured? This is a controversial question. Many solutions have been proposed, including the h-index, the g-index, and the i10-index. However, these metrics are not without their disadvantages. […]
Tools to promote your research online
With more than 2.5 million articles published each year, it has become increasingly difficult to make a study stand out. Taking the time to promote your research will increase readership of your work and raise your profile within the academic community. Research promotion should begin right from the start. Ensure your title, abstract, keywords, and […]
Streamline the publication process with a presubmission enquiry
Before formally submitting to a journal, you can contact the editor describing what you would like to get published. This is known as a presubmission enquiry. If appropriate and presented correctly, a presubmission enquiry will allow the editor to quickly assess if a formal submission is worth your time. Some journals (e.g., The Journal of […]
Steer the future of science: publish your negative results
Publication bias and reproducibility are two of the key challenges facing the future of science. While certain initiatives have been implemented—for example, the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) requires clinical trials to be pre-registered in a public registry database from the start—we shouldn’t rely on such incentives to drive change. It is only […]
Writing a paper: 3 key aspects to focus on
Focus on the “take-home” message What is the core message of your paper? What is the most important thing you want readers to remember after reading your paper? Can you describe the core message of your paper to a colleague in one minute? Can you condense the paper into 3 to 5 highlights? Can you […]
