Scientific Writing and Publishing in Health Sciences

The course aims at enhancing and improving the writing skills of those already familiar with the process. It contains lectures, group work, discussions in plenum and individual assignments. Lecture topics include;

• Academic Writing traditions
• The Editor's view on scientific papers
• Constraints for writing and structure within health science
• Publish or perish?
• The Pentagon Model of scientific writing and the academic language
• Language: being clear, concise, and correct
• Writers' block: what is it and how can it be overcome?

In order to apply for this course you must be registered as a PhD student or a be enrolled at a Medical Research Programme (forskerlinje) at a university. Valid documentation is a statement from your institution that you are a registered student this academic year (this may be a Screen shot from your page in StudentWeb if you are enrolled at a Norwegian university).

For more information regarding PhD courses at the Faculty of Health Sciences go to: http://uit.no/helsefak/forskning/phd/emner

The course has a capacity of 20 students.

If there are more applicants than available spaces, PhD and "forskerlinje" students at UiT - The Arctic University of Norway will be given priority.

Recommended prequisites: The student should have started writing the first paper of the PhD-thesis.

Knowledge and understanding

On successful completion of the course, the student should:

• know the structure of a scientific manuscript
• know the key criteria for good manuscripts
• be able to critically judge which parts of their scientific work to include in the manuscripts and how to evaluate their own writing against external criteria

Skills and abilities

On successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• communicate and disseminate scientific results from health research efficiently in writing
• master scientific writing for different target groups
• master practical tasks on how to overcome writers block
• respond to editors comments and rewrite manuscripts
• critically read and evaluate scientific articles within health sciences

Judgement and approach

On successful completion of the course, the student should:

• Demonstrate insight into the review process and the craft of scientific writing focusing on health sciences

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

• HEL-8012 Quantitative Research Methods .5 stp
• FSK-8002 Communicating Science Module 1: Scientific writing 1 stp

Language of instruction and examination

Application deadline is December 1st. Application code 9304 in Søknadsweb.

PhD students and students at the Medical Student Research Program at UiT - The Arctic University of Norway apply by registering for class in Studentweb by January 10th

Those who are admitted to the course must register for exam by February 1st.

Work Requirements

• Before the course starts the student submits an abstract (1 page) on the topic of the first paper or the whole PhD project
• Compulsory attendance (attendance on at least 80 % of educational activities required).
• Active participation in lectures and group sessions is required. 

Assessment

A written, individual home assignment (essay) (2000-3000 words), on a self-chosen topic.  The topic should be related to the student`s PhD thesis.  Language: English.  The students will be given two weeks to write the paper.

Grading scale:  passed/not passed

No re-sit examination is given as the course is given continuously.