VET403 Scientific publication

Credits (ECTS):2

Course responsible:Lucy Jane Robertson

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Limits of class size:Max. number of students: 15

Course frequency:Spring - usually once per year

Nominal workload:50-55 hours (one full week, plus one day preparation beforehand, some homework)

Teaching and exam period:Spring 2024: Tentatively week 7, but note that this is open for change.

About this course

Why and how do we write scientific articles?

Are there any basic rules to follow?

Which journal should I choose and why? 

I know there are reporting guidelines, but which one is right for me?

Who should be a co-author of my article, and how can I avoid problems with this?

I have received negative feedback on an article I submitted for evaluation - how do I proceed?

These - and several other issues - related to scientific publishing will be discussed during VET403.

Learning outcome

The intentions are that by the end of the course, the students will be able to:

Primary objective

  • Produce a first draft of a scientific manuscript for sharing with colleagues

Secondary objectives

  • Follow the Vancouver recommendations for authorship
  • Identify appropriate scientific journals for submission of their own manuscripts
  • Identify the category of their study (e.g., case control, survey, experimental etc.) and be able to use the correct guidelines for reporting
  • Analyse and assess published scientific literature, and use this approach as a basis for evaluating their own manuscripts during the drafting process
  • Be aware of important issues in scientific publication, including, but not restricted to: current position on open access, predatory journals, hijacked journals, use of AI (e.g., ChatGPT) in scientific publishing, etc.
  • The activities shall be primarily based upon:

    1) Moderated discussion

    2) Group work

    3) Critical reading of scientific articles and other text

    4) Presentation of scientific articles

    5) Writing of scientific text

  • The main support tool is that the students will have the opportunity for  discussion in small groups around publication of scientific articles, particularly regarding their own manuscripts.

    Critical reading of articles will be central to the discussion.

    Relevant tips and info will be provided, shared, and discussed, as well as ethical considerations.

  • General knowledge - there are no special requirements. The course will be primarily targeted toward students (PhD, Masters, Research-line) who have begun to write manuscript(s) or will soon begin.

    Feedback from previous students on this course indicates that the course is less useful for students who will soon be submitting their thesis; late in Year 1 or early in Year 2 is recommended. 

    • Presentation of a self-chosen article
    • Objective assessment of scientific articles
    • Own manuscript writing
  • No external sensor
  • Attendance is compulsory. An attendence record of at least 75% is required to pass the course.

    Participants must also conduct the pre-course activities.

    In addition, they must:

    • evaluate and present a published article in their field
    • read and assess articles presented by other participants (max 4 others), probably not in their field.
    • provide a (short) piece of writing for the others participants to evaluate
    • evaluate pieces of writing from other participants (max 4).
  • Pre-course activities (week 7)

    Monday: plenary all day

    Tuesday a.m.: plenary

    Tuesday p.m.: self study

    Wednesday a.m.: structured group work with supervision

    Wednesday p.m.: plenary discussion

    Thursday all day.: self study

    Friday a.m.: structured group work with supervision

    Friday p.m.: plenary discussion

    Detailed timetable is provided on Canvas

  • PHD-VET, VET-FORSK, Masters students associated with VET, PHD-NMBU
  • VETFORSK403?
  • Passed / Not Passed
  • The course is primarily intended for Ph.D students with projects associated with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, NMBU