Writing academic papers

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Writing academic papers
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC

• Peter J. Murray, PhD, RN

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MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• Experience writing and reviewing
• Associate Editor, Computers in Nursing (since
  1995)
• Editor, ITIN (1999-2001)
• Editor, OMEGA (2002 - )
• Editor, refractions (BJHCIM) (2001 - )
• Written MSc and PhD theses multiple publications
• Manuscript reviewer on multiple publications
• External examiner and moderator on Masters
  courses

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Writing academic papers
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• 1. What is your experience so far? (10 min.)
• 2. What are the secrets? (10 min.)
• 3. Looking at some of the detail (40 min.)
• 4. Refrain what are the secrets? (5 min.)
• 5. QA

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What are the secrets?
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• 1. Know your audience - who are you writing for?
• 2. Follow the guidelines - or else!
• 3. Good writing is the product of proper
  training, much practice, and hard work.....?
• and..

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MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• Follow the guidelines

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Looking at some of the detail
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• Many websites and resources available
• Content
• Structure
• Style
• Presentation
• References
• Plagiarism

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Looking at some of the detail - Content
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• The most important aspect
• Academic writing should present the reader with
  an informed argument.
• Sort out what you know about a subject from what
  you think about a subject.

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Looking at some of the detail - Structure
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• Introductions are the hardest to write - not too
  long, but cover all the points
• Main body
• - good sections (sub-headers as appropriate)
• - clear signposting
• - quotations and references - support what you say

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Looking at some of the detail - Structure
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• Logical sequencing of argument (consistent with
  what the introduction says you will do)
• Make sure you address all the points in the
  question or in your plan.
• Conclusion - make sure you put one in!

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Looking at some of the detail - Style
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• What is good style? - you know it when you see it
• Whose style?
• Style guides
• Write for clarity (could your grandmother
  understand it?)

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Looking at some of the detail - Style
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• You are writing for a good mark
• - not the Nobel Prize for Literature

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Looking at some of the detail - Presentation
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• Follow the guidelines
• (usually a percentage of marks for presentation)
• - if it says word-process, dont hand-write
• - good spacing on the page (margins, double
  space)
• - spelling, grammar, syntax - prrofread!
• - length
• - and dont rely on the spell-check

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Looking at some of the detail - References
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• Use the approved style
• Check that in-text corresponds with list
• Refer to pages for direct quotes
• Referencing from the Internet - issues

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Looking at some of the detail - Plagiarism
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• Plagiarism is using others' ideas and words
  without clearly acknowledging the source of that
  information.
• Its easy - but dont be tempted (your marker may
  actually know their subject!)

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Looking at some of the detail - Plagiarism
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• To avoid plagiarism
• - you must give credit whenever you use
• another person's idea, opinion, or theory
• any facts, statistics, graphs, or other pieces
  of information that are not common knowledge
• quotations of another person's actual spoken or
  written words or
• paraphrase of another person's spoken or written
  words.
• Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University

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MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• Refrain what are the secrets?
• 1. Know your audience - who are you writing for?
• 2. Good writing is the product of proper
  training, much practice, and hard work.....?
• Follow the guidelines - or else you only have
  yourself to blame

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MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• What about the marking criteria?
• Interpretation and scope
• Understanding of topic
• Use of literature
• Evaluation and synthesis of evidence
• Critical analysis
• Structure, logical development
• Abstract/introduction and conclusion
• - make sure you know what is required

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MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Writing academic papers

• QA
• any questions? - roundup of issues