VET403 Scientific publication

Credits (ECTS):2

Course responsible:Lucy Robertson

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Limits of class size:Max. number of students: 16

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 2025: Week 13

Spring 2026: Week 7 (tentative)

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 etc.) in scientific publishing, etc.

Learning activities
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
Teaching support
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.
Syllabus
- Relevant articles identified by the students themselves
- Publication guidelines (e.g., CONSORT, STARD, STROBE etc.)
Prerequisites
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.
It is also less useful for students who have newly commenced with their PhD, as they are unlikely to be working on any articles yet.
Recommended prerequisites
No particular subjects recommended. The students should be actively involved in a research project and preferably be at the stage of starting to write.
Assessment method
- Presentation of a self-chosen article
- Objective assessment of scientific articles
- Own manuscript writing
About use of AI
K3 - full use of AI
Use of AI is allowed but must be according to the regulations https://www.nmbu.no/en/guidelines-use-artificial-intelligence-ai-nmbu
Use of AI in writing scientific publications will be a topic to be addressed during the course
Descriptions of AI-category codes.
Examiner scheme
No external sensor
Mandatory activity
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).
Notes
Deadline for registration: February 1st
Teaching hours
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
Preferential right
PHD-VET, VET-FORSK, Masters students associated with VET, PHD-NMBU
Reduction of credits
VETFORSK403?
Admission requirements
The course is primarily intended for Ph.D students with projects associated with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, NMBU