Writing A Journal PDF

CPD
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Writing a journal article
CONTINUING
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
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Read Brenda Chivimas
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Guidelines on
multiple choice practice profile on how to write a
questionnaire ethical practice practice profile
Writing a journal article: guidance

for novice authors
NS741 Price R (2014) Writing a journal article: guidance for novice authors.
Nursing Standard. 28, 35, 40-47. Date of submission: November 14 2013; date of acceptance: February 20 2014.
Aims and intended learning outcomes

Abstract
The aim of this article is to assist prospective
This article focuses on writing for journal publication. The purpose of nurse authors in preparing an article for
writing is explored, paying particular attention to the message to be publication in a professional journal, to
conveyed and the readership to which that message is addressed. write with clear purpose and to plan the
The process of drafting and revising an article for publication is outlined, article carefully using journal guidelines. The
after which attention is turned to the peer-review process, what peer article encourages the nurse author to liaise
reviewers are looking for in an article, and what might then be required closely with critical readers both before and
of the author in redrafting the article to meet the expectations of the after submission to the chosen journal. It is
journal. Prospective authors are encouraged to research the journal to important to note that writing for publication is
which they plan to submit their work, and to then target their writing to a collaborative process and no journal article is
the readership of that publication. ever the sole product of the author. Each article
is crafted, to some degree, by constructive
Author criticism shared informally before submission,
Bob Price for example by colleagues and supervisors
Director, postgraduate qualifications in advancing healthcare practice, (critical readers), and formally after submission
Faculty of Health and Social Care, The Open University, Milton Keynes. by peer reviewers and journal editors.
Correspondence to: altanprice@talktalk.net After reading this article and completing the
time out activities you should be able to:
Keywords 4Review
your motives for writing for
publication.
Authorship, critical reader, journal readership, peer review, 4Identify
why it is important to write for
writing for publication publication.
4Summarise
what is involved in planning
Review and preparing an article for publication
All articles are subject to external double-blind peer review and checked in a professional journal.
for plagiarism using automated software. 4Describe
how to structure a draft article.
4Understand
the importance of consulting
Online critical readers before you submit your article
for publication.
Guidelines on writing for publication are available at 4Describe
the purpose and benefits of the
www.nursing-standard.co.uk. For related articles visit the archive and peer-review process.
search using the keywords above.
Introduction
More than 40 years ago, the philosopher
and writer Idries Shah cautioned against the
unconsidered burgeoning of information,
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and instead recommended considering how identified how some authors write to impress,
information might best be conceived, conveyed rather than write to express, and writing
and used: People today are in danger of may be foggy and cluttered with complex
drowning in information; but, because they terminology. Some authors wish to be famous.
have been taught that information is useful, Writing may also be cathartic (Andersson
they are more willing to drown than they and Conley 2008). However, well conceived,
need be. If they could handle information, clearly written and accessible nursing articles
they would not have to drown at all (Shah must move beyond expressive need and
1969). Simply writing more is not the mark serve a purpose, for example to educate the
of a successful professional; instead, it is reader about a new initiative, to contribute
important to decide the purpose for which the to, or identify gaps in, the evidence base or to
information will be used and how the writing critically review or change clinical practice.
can best be used to facilitate that. In this article, it is argued that writing for
Today, more healthcare information is publication is most usefully seen as a service,
available to professionals and patients than ever which helps to improve nursing practice and
before (Virtual Physiological Human Institute patient care through sharing information.
2013). The number of outlets for publication Complete time out activity 1
have increased, and journals are now published
in print and online. Nurses might write both
formally for publications and informally for Planning the article
blogs or websites. Irrespective of the format, Journal articles begin with a process of
there remains a critical requirement to write conception. It is important to establish the
well and with clear purpose, and to remain exact message you wish to convey to readers;
mindful of the reader and how the information this is then followed by phases of design and
will be used (Thomson and Kamler 2013). review (Figure 1). Conception of the article
Although pressure to publish is increasing, for involves understanding why you think the
example as a requirement of an academic post, article needs to be written (motives) and
for professional or personal development, or the purpose that the article will serve. You
to share innovation within a hospital trust, need to envisage the scope of the article,
potential authors and readers may have less something that is always important given the
time and, therefore the responsibility to write finite space within a journal. From talking
clearly and with distinctive purpose is even with other nurse authors, I am struck by the
more important. high proportion of thinking time to writing
time required to produce an accessible and
coherent journal article. Writing an article
Understanding motives for writing can be compared to an iceberg, where the
Motives for writing for publication are writing work comprises that part of the
recognised increasingly as important in the article visible above the surface. The thinking 1 Review your
conception of journal articles (Watson 2012a). or conception work why the article is worth motives for writing
Failing to consider why you wish to publish writing, who it will serve and how it might for publication. Have
can result in articles that lack focus. Several be constructed corresponds to the greater you, for instance, been
motives exist with regard to journal article proportion of the iceberg, which exists impressed by other
writing. To publish is considered learned beneath the surface. authors and wished
and professional because in doing so you are Some prospective articles that have been to join a group of
sharing knowledge, experience or expertise. conceived as potentially valuable have never influential writers?
Publication may convert an academic essay or made it to the draft stage. On reflection, the What is it about other
thesis or a conference presentation or poster article has not seemed the right one to write, authors writing that
into an article that appeals to a wider audience. or, equally important, the prospective author impresses you the
However, publication might also be driven by considers him or herself ill-equipped to write clarity of their ideas
other motives. the article. or the accessibility
Nursing is not purely a scientific process, It is important to understand your motives of their language, for
but one that is contested in terms of ideology for writing, especially when others encourage example? Are you
and values (OHalloran et al 2010). Writing you to write. Writing may be required to serve concerned with helping
in nursing can be political and express views the purpose of an employer or organisation. others to develop
on best practice. The ego is an important However, the design of the article still requires their understanding of
consideration because authors develop their your creative input; it must still be meaningful nursing practice?
reputation through publication. Ragins (2012) to you and to the reader (Box 1).
NURSING STANDARD / RCN PUBLISHING april 30 :: vol 28 no 35 :: 2014 41

CPD writing for publication
Purpose of the article available at: www.rcnpublishing.com/r/author-

Journals differ in the types of articles they guidelines. The content and format of the article
publish. Nursing Standard for example publishes will depend on the type of article you choose to
general research and continuing professional write. The length of article will depend to some
development articles, with relevant guidance extent on the type of article being written and
FIGURE 1
A summary of writing and publishing processes
The time required at each stage of the writing and publishing process varies, depending on numerous
variables, for example single versus multiple authors, the type of article, the time required to research it
and the peer-review process. However, the time between submission of the first draft of the article to the
editor and publication, is typically measured in months, unless the article has been commissioned for
a specific journal issue.
Article conception
Understanding your motives for writing; developing a focus, scope and purpose for the article;
identifying the most appropriate readership and the most appropriate journal for publication.
Design
Deciding whether you will invite others to write with you. For novice authors, writing with more
experienced colleagues, a course tutor or lecturer can be a good way to start and generally
increases your chances of publication. However, you must be prepared to take responsibility for
a portion of the draft and discussion work involved. It may take longer to agree the content and
details of the article when there are multiple authors. Identify informal critical readers who are
willing to review your draft before submission to a journal. Research what information is required to
write the article. Create a plan and decide the content to be included in each section of the article.
Contact a member of the editorial team to discuss your ideas or proposed article.
Draft article and informal review

The article is drafted and informally reviewed by one or more critical readers. Adjustments are
made to the first draft of the article, and the article is either prepared for journal submission or
checked a second time with critical readers.
Article submission and formal review

The article is prepared and submitted in the required journal format and style, using the
author guidelines. Particular attention should be given to the references, ensuring that they
are presented in the required style for the journal and that the reference list is complete. The
article will then undergo double-blind peer review that is, the peer reviewers do not know
your name and you do not know theirs. Possible outcomes of this review process are accept,
minor revision required, major revision required or reject. The peer reviewers and the editor will
provide information on the adjustments required. The purpose of this feedback is to assist you
in improving your article and to check that the text is accurate, up to date and informative for
readers. You, as the author, then embark on one or more revisions of the article as required,
and in response to each revision you will receive feedback from the reviewers.
Copy editing and preparation for publication

If the article is accepted, it is handed over to the copy editor, who will edit the article and raise
any additional queries and points of clarification. This may require additional information and/or
references to be added to the text. You, as the author, will be required to review proofs of the article
and make any necessary changes, checking these for accuracy before the article is published.

the chosen journal. However, the average length the essay was written for a different purpose
is between 2,000 and 5,000 words. Articles and readership (the examiners). Second, it
that exceed the stated word limit will often be may have a different prescribed length, and
returned to the author to cut before submission. third, it develops what has been taught within
Therefore, it is important to check requirements a course. A journal article makes original
for article submission in the journals guidelines points about a specific area of practice or
because as stated previously, the format and education, for example. The reader may not be
word limit often depend on the type of article familiar with the subject area or know what the
being submitted. author intends to convey. Therefore, ideas and
It is important that you have a clear purpose information generated from coursework can be
for the article, that it is targeted to an identified used to form the basis of a journal article rather
readership (one that the journal serves) and that than trying to adapt an essay for publication.
the subject matter that you would like to cover The process of selecting a suitable journal
is not too vast or complex to be conveyed within in which to publish is simplified when a clear
the specified word allowance for that particular purpose for the intended article is identified.
journal. Failure to clarify the purpose of the As an author you may ask the following
article is one of the main reasons why articles questions:
are rejected by journals. The text should remain 4Which
journals address the needs of the
focused on a specific subject area and deal with nurses or healthcare professionals for
a few concepts or points in depth rather than whom I wish to write? Some journals serve
trying to discuss all of the literature that has a specialist practitioner audience, but if you
been written on the subject. For example, a think that your work is relevant to a wider
peer reviewer might note in his or her feedback: audience, then consideration should be given
Your work seems to cover at least six concepts to journals that have a wide readership.
and it is not possible to do these justice within 4How
complex are the ideas that I wish
the length and scope of this article. to share? Articles are necessarily written
An article may serve many purposes (Box 2), making some assumptions about what the
but there should be one that the reader can
identify quickly (Ragins 2012). The purpose of BOX 1
the article should relate directly to the
Caitlins publication plans
readership, and its success will depend on your
ability to explain ideas clearly and succinctly to Caitlin works as a clinical nurse specialist in rehabilitation nursing. She
the reader. Just as in essay writing, it is advises several different clinical teams on how to engage the patient fully
necessary to examine how confident you are in in rehabilitation work. Her employers are keen for her to publish to improve
explaining your arguments within a defined the rehabilitation profile of the healthcare trust. She is interested in writing
word limit. Novice authors usually because she feels that the psychology of rehabilitation is misunderstood
and that as a result work with patients is not always successful. A better
overestimate what they can explain clearly in a
understanding of what sustains and motivates patients in rehabilitation
single article, how many topics they can cover programmes might help other nurses to work more effectively. Caitlin wants
and what should be assumed about the readers to write on the psychology of patient rehabilitation, but hasnt yet decided
existing knowledge. It is important to note that what she will cover or what her main messages will be.
the article can become overly complex. Expert
authors are more circumspect about what they
can explain well and what they believe are the BOX 2
important arguments or explanations to share Possible reasons for writing a journal article
with the reader (Box 3).
4To propose or review a theory.
As an author, you need to determine the
4To convey insights learned from experience.
readers expectations what the reader might 4To report research results.
want or need from reading your article. 4To encourage debate among the readership, for example, by sharing
Although conference papers often convert well a case study.
into articles since they are prepared to inform 4To explain new processes, technology or systems of work, for example
and educate a wide audience, essays tend to be the latest clinical guidelines.
more problematic. If you are a nursing student, 4To share a new initiative or intervention in a given field of practice,
it can be tempting to write an article using an for example a new type of wound dressing or treatment.
existing coursework essay. A tutor may have 4To critically review the literature on a particular subject.
commended the work and suggested that you 4To explore the evidence base for a particular area of practice.
4To develop colleagues confidence and expertise, for example writing
get it published. You should be cautious in
as a group.
such circumstances for several reasons. First,

reader already knows. Complex information debates and arguments are developed in the
can be shared with the readership of a middle (main body), and the main points are
specialist journal. If the article is aimed at a summarised at the end (conclusion) it is more
wider readership, however, then the number likely the article will be accepted for publication.
of points discussed will need to be fewer Planning the article is important,
and explanations developed more fully. The particularly for the novice author. Without a
article should cover less material but more plan that sets out sections, proposed content
clearly, making fewer assumptions about and relevant references, there is a chance that
the readers existing knowledge. the article will become too long, lose focus
4Does
the intended journal publish the type and prove difficult to edit to the required word
of articles that I believe should be written? count. You should indicate the planned number
Reading the journal will help you to decide of words for each section and check this as your
this, whether it focuses on professional writing progresses (Box 5).
and practical issues, or whether there is a The plan, which will have references added
greater focus on abstract and philosophical before writing begins, has three important
information. Neither one of these is superior; characteristics. First, the number of main
it is rather a matter of deciding whether the points to be made is modest, typically two
journal serves the purpose of your article per section. Articles that cover too much
and whether it will convey information that ground can seem superficial and there may
you believe may serve nurses or healthcare be a temptation to write in a shorthand way.
professionals well (Box 4). Shorthand writing is typified by paragraphs
Complete time out activity 2 that have several subjects and that lead the
reader through a series of rapid cognitive leaps
as ideas are shared (Box 6). Such shorthand
Drafting the article writing is often the product of authors
Although journals may state that conventional panicking, as they remember all that they
headings and sections should be used within had intended to address. A novice author
particular types of articles, such as research
studies or literature reviews, it is important to BOX 4
remember the purpose of the article should also
guide the structure of the text. Drafting a journal Caitlins journal selection
article is a process whereby the purpose of the Caitlin selects Nursing Standard as the most
work is made apparent, in which information appropriate journal for her intended article on
is shared in a clear sequence, and one that helps the following grounds:
the reader to understand what knowledge you 4The journal meets the needs of a wide variety of
as the author are trying to convey. If you have nurses who practise rehabilitation in a range of
settings worldwide.
structured the work well the purpose of the
4The journal publishes a range of articles, but
article is clear at the outset (introduction), ideas, there is consistent emphasis on information that
empowers and enables nurses to work
more effectively.
BOX 3 4Caitlin believes that what she has to share can
The purpose of Caitlins journal article be conveyed clearly within the word limit.
4The journal articles are peer reviewed (at
Having spent some time thinking about her intended article, Caitlin has decided least two peer reviewers examine the work
she wants to help nurses to understand the psychological factors that can independently). Caitlin understands that this
undermine patient engagement in rehabilitation. Although she could write about review process is important in ensuring that her
assessing, teaching and motivating patients, it is the problem of understanding article is accurate, provides useful information,
why psychology can undermine patient engagement that she believes most and includes seminal and recent work in this area.
perplexes nurses. Her local consultations with colleagues confirm the need 4The choice of journal fits with the intended
for additional information on this subject, and when she discusses this idea in purpose of Caitlins article. On another occasion,
an email with the journal editor, she receives a positive response. Caitlin now she might target a different journal with another
begins to identify the main factors as she understands them, mindful that she article and a quite different purpose. Caitlin
believes she can only discuss three or four of these adequately in a 3,000-word submits her work to only one journal at a time,
article. Factors that seem most prominent include fear of harm or failure, waiting for the editors response before deciding
misunderstanding of the patients role, confusion over requirements (mixed staff whether to offer her work to an alternative
messages), and what she calls change overload (the pace of what the patient journal. Submission to multiple journals at the
must accommodate and do). Although not an expert, Caitlin has determined the same time is likely to waste editorial time, cause
focus and scope of her article, and identified who the readers will be. confusion and may result in a breach of copyright.

usually needs more word space to convey No matter how well educated you are, there
ideas clearly and especially where reference is is always a need for consultation, review and
also made to the literature. For example, each editing of the article. Consultation provides
point may require two or more paragraphs an opportunity for you to write more clearly,
to convey information clearly. Second, there recognising how a reader might receive your
needs to be adequate allocation of words for the words. Consultation and review not only
introduction. The introduction is needed to set protects the reputation of the journal, it also
the context and to convey the purpose of the protects your reputation as an author.
article accurately. It is here that the narrative Once the first draft of an article has been
begins, the explanation of what you note from written and references added, it is good practice
experience and your review of the literature. to conduct a first informal consultation. The
A concise and structured introduction will purpose of this consultation is to determine
contribute to the flow and direction of the rest whether the article makes sense. If it does not,
of the article. Third, you should have an idea then you need to identify what was not clear.
about what the conclusion will be within the Informal consultation can be conducted with
plan of the article. This is possible because your local critical readers, for example colleagues,
article makes a well understood case, one that supervisors and mentors who are familiar 2 Study Caitlins
you have considered carefully. You begin to with the subject area. purpose for the intended
write only when you know what case you wish Complete time out activity 5 article in Box 3 and
to make. The conclusion returns to the case summarise why you
made in the introduction. BOX 5 think the outlined
Complete time out activity 3 purpose might be
Caitlins outline plan for her article
helpful in the authors
In planning an article, you anticipate the sequence Psychological constraints on patients subsequent writing.
of ideas that readers can follow most easily and engagement in rehabilitation
help them to understand what is being explained. Introduction (600 words):
3 Test the quality of
To some degree, this is a cultural matter; different 4Main problem patients faltering in their
your written expression
cultures have different conventions of the way rehabilitation (secure the readers interest).
4Confusion as to why this occurs. by seeing how many
they reason with written information (Cortazzi words it takes you to
4Unspoken, but sometimes identified, psychological
and Jin 2013). In Chinese and some southeast explain something clearly.
constraints.
Asian cultures, for example, the convention is that 4Signposting identifying from clinical experience Insights here will help
the work arrives at the case (the main argument) which psychological factors seem important and you avoid overestimating
in the conclusion at the end, and the author organising the article in sections. what you can convey
leads the reader to that point. In western society, Constraint 1 patient fear (600 words): within an article. Imagine
however, it is more conventional to make your 4Fear of injury or further mishap, for example that you are writing
case early on in the article, and then to discuss the myocardial infarction. The need to understand about the psychological
arguments for and against. Here, it is assumed body capacity and risk assessment. care of a patient. Choose
that the reader finds it easiest to have an overview 4Fear of failure taking responsibility for their
one aspect of care and
first to know where the article is leading. role in the partnership. Worrying that they will
not please the rehabilitation team and/or their
try to summarise your
Complete time out activity 4 ideas clearly in one or
relatives.
Constraint 2 misunderstanding the patients two paragraphs. Conduct
a word count. How easy
Consulting to best effect role (500 words):
4Expectations of the passive patient role. was this?
Writing an article is influenced by your 4Anxiety associated with shared decision making.
knowledge of the subject matter, the allocation Constraint 3 patient confusion (500 words): 4 Identify nursing
of thinking time (deciding what you wish to say), 4Dealing with mixed messages from staff. articles that you have
and the quality of your written expression. Nurse 4Misunderstanding about the process of found informative. Do
authors vary in the breadth and depth of their rehabilitation what happens and why. they begin with an
vocabulary and their confidence in constructing Constraint 4 change overload (500 words): overview of the need or
sentences and paragraphs. It is easy for the nurse 4Information overload and deficit. problem and summarise
to assume that he or she does not have the skills 4Doubts about learning capability. ways to think about the
to write well, and equally easy to assume (by Conclusion deductions (300 words): subject under discussion?
someone who has a wealth of words at their 4Importance of insights into patient experience.
Revisit them to study the
disposal) that others will appreciate a complex 4Setting shared and realistic goals, for example
structure and note the
explanation. In reality, good articles use the most those that acknowledge the psychology of
rehabilitation. points you think
appropriate words, often the simplest words, are important.
4Monitoring changes in patient perception.
and to precise effect (Ragins 2012).

After the informal review, the article is consultation. Peer reviewers (two or more) are
revised and written acknowledgement added tasked with reading the work against review
regarding any contributions made by the criteria set by the journal. These criteria
critical reader. Errors in grammar or syntax include the clarity and accuracy of the article
might have been identified and should be and its aim, its relevance to nursing practice,
corrected. The critical reader may also advise use of the literature, and clear use of tables,
you on your writing style. Sentences may have figures and scenarios, all of which should
been overly long and convoluted, which may support rather than detract from the article.
mean it is difficult to convey exact meaning. Where research is reported, questions will
5 Who might you
Short sentences written in plain English are be asked about the credibility of the research
trust to be an informal
easier to understand. If you have not asked design and the claims made.
critical reader of your
permission to use quotations, figures, tables Peer reviewers use their experience of nursing
draft article? What
or diagrams from other publications, this and writing to examine the information
qualities do you seek
needs to be obtained. The article submitted presented. Importantly, the role of the
in a critical reader?
to a journal will be checked for plagiarism by
Is he or she good at
comparing it with other published work, often
writing? You will need
using plagiarism detection software, to ensure
BOX 7
to schedule a review Responses to Caitlins submitted article
the author has acknowledged all sources
meeting with the
correctly and that new and independent Caitlin received a letter from the journal editor
critical reader after
writing is presented. asking her to revise the submitted article,
any informal review
Once the work is submitted to the journal, using the written feedback from the two peer
of your work to discuss
a second and formal review process begins reviewers for guidance. She noted the following:
the article in relation
(Watson 2012b). This formal review process 4Both reviewers wanted her to review sections
to your stated plan. of her writing where it was not clear how the
is usually more demanding than the informal
references were being used, for example to
support her arguments or to offer contrary
BOX 6 view points.
Shorthand and clear paragraphs 4Both reviewers liked the structure of her work,
but identified deductions in her conclusion that
Below are two author versions of written work on psychological problems that didnt seem to fit clearly with the preceding
can limit patient involvement in care planning. information. She was asked to check and
Shorthand paragraph, in which many ideas are condensed into one revise this.
paragraph 4Reviewer 1 alerted her to some recent policies
Patients experience psychological problems that can undermine their ability to on patient consultation and engagement in care
negotiate care with the nurse. Frequently, these are founded on an uncertainty planning, and suggested that she needed to
of role, including fears about how they are meant to behave. Other issues include discuss this in her article.
fear of not having behaved as the nurse expects, including being chastised for 4Reviewer 1 encouraged her to link some of her
their lifestyle. Patients may switch from being passive to assertive. All those points to psychological theories that helped
involved will have different perceptions of what care should be are acted out in to explain patient difficulties, for example
the care relationship. Understanding the patients confusion is an essential skill concerning group compliance.
for nurses who wish to ensure that care is dignified. 4Reviewer 2 asked Caitlin to consider whether
This paragraph is motivated by the authors anxiety to cover more ground. It she thought the case made was unduly
has several foci: first, the origins of the patients psychological problems (two optimistic with regard to how best to respond
are introduced); second, ambivalence regarding whether the patient should to the patients difficulties.
act assertively or passively; third, the possible sequelae of role ambiguity; and, 4Reviewer 2 welcomed the practical focus
fourth, the nurses response. Each of these subjects could warrant a paragraph of the article and valued the fact that it
of its own. It is hard for the reader to follow the authors train of thought, centred on practice experience rather than
except perhaps that he or she is offering an overview of the issues. rehabilitation theory.
Caitlin incorporated the reviewers
Clear paragraph, designed to help the reader understand the point being made recommendations within the article and
Patients are sometimes confused about how they are meant to behave in a submitted her revised version. As part of the
care relationship with the nurse. They may have been socialised to think of the notes, she explained that she had now linked
patient role as a passive one. They may believe that they should listen, learn and her work briefly to two psychological theories,
act on the direction of healthcare staff. When a nurse invites them to be more a compromise that improved the work, but
forthright about their needs, to state what would help them best, they can be which did not complicate the article unduly.
taken aback by such a suggestion. They are not accustomed to being an equal Subsequently, the second version of the article
partner in care. was accepted for publication and progressed to
This paragraph has a single focus the ambiguity of patient role expectations. the copy editing stage, during which the copy
It explains why the ambiguity might arise through past socialisation of the editor worked with Caitlin to refine her article
patient and the nurses expectation of partnering in care. before publication.

reviewer is not to determine what the author article. The editor of the journal will make the
should argue (it is not an ideological check), final decision on whether the revised article is
but to check that writing is accurate, clear suitable for publication.
and relevant to the journal readership. Peer Complete time out activity 6
reviewers exercise an ethical guardianship of
the journal in that they contest the accuracy
and completeness of the information shared. Conclusion
Where they offer comments on the stance Authors preparing work for publication need
taken by the author, these may be rhetorical to write with clear purpose and with the target
and designed to prompt reflection on whether readership in mind. Although articles might be
the author is expressing a perspective that written out of a personal need to express a view
is easily defended and one that supports the or to advance the authors professional reputation,
authors reputation when the work is published. the more pressing need for articles is often
Reviewers are often excited by innovative associated with well constructed information that
writing, but recognise that it could leave the helps nurses to improve patient care.
author exposed in a subsequent debate. They Successful articles are usually founded
might, therefore, offer reflections designed to on a clear and explicit purpose, one that
help the author anticipate the consequences of the author has reflected on for some time
an article once it is published. before the work was constructed. The article
The formal review process can last from should have a clearly defined scope, meet the
two weeks to several months, depending on needs of a carefully identified readership,
the complexity of the article, the type of work and be structured to help the reader follow
presented and the number of revisions required. the arguments presented. At best, it should
At the end of the review period, reports are be written by an author who welcomes the
submitted to the editor, who collates the constructive critique of informal and formal
reviewers commentaries and responds to the critical readers who want to help improve the
author (Box 7). It is relatively rare for an editor work presented. 6 Note your reactions
to accept an article at this point; there is nearly Nursing needs journal contributions from to the extensive review
always some revision to be made. Because nurses in a wide array of practice settings to and revision process
the review process is double blind, different communicate and disseminate information, following submission of
reviewers may request different revisions, and research findings and new initiatives that can an article. What do you
you will need to decide how best to include be used to update and improve patient care. think is important with
this feedback in your article. Editors want to The diversity and complexity of nursing means regard to allocating time
encourage you to write for publication to share that the profession will benefit from articles to complete an article
your knowledge and expertise in an informative that draw on experience as well as theory and preparing it for
manner. Therefore, they are usually willing to and research. Clinicians have a great deal to publication?
discuss with you what seems most important to contribute in helping to ensure that nursing
correct, augment and clarify, but they will not theory is applied to practice. By working 7 Now that you have
dictate the exact form of the revised writing; that through the processes shared in this article, completed the article,
remains the responsibility of the author. You can you should be better prepared to add your you might like to write
chose to reject some of the recommendations well-reasoned insights to a body of knowledge a practice profile.
made by the reviewers, but you should be able to that contributes to nursing practice and Guidelines to help you
justify your response. It is useful to include this patient care NS are on page 50.
information when resubmitting your revised Complete time out activity 7
References
Andersson MA, Conley CS (2008) OHalloran P, Porter S, Blackwood B edition. Octagon Press Ltd, Watson R (2012a) Writing
Expecting to heal through (2010) Evidence-based practice London. for publication: the journal
self-expression: a perceived and its critics: what is a manager article. In Holland K, Watson R
control theory of writing and health. to do? Journal of Nursing Thomson P, Kamler B (2013) (Eds) Writing for Publication in
Health Psychology Review. 2, 2, Management. 18, 1, 90-95. Writing for Peer Reviewed Nursing and Healthcare.
138-162. Journals: Strategies for Getting Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester,
Ragins B (2012) Editors Published. Routledge, Abingdon. 59-93.
Cortazzi M, Jin L (2013) comments: reflections on the
Researching Cultures of Learning. craft of clear writing. Academy Virtual Physiological Human Watson R (2012b) The editorial
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on Language Learning and 493-501. Explosion and How to Harness (eds) Writing for Publication in
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Writing a journal article: guidance

Aims and intended learning outcomes

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Draft article and informal review

Article submission and formal review

Copy editing and preparation for publication

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