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Learning objectives
1. What makes a good manuscript
2. When to write a manuscript
3. How to plan and structure a manuscript
4. How to write a manuscript, and in what order
5. How to present the results
6. How to refine your manuscript
7. What to expect from reviewers, and how to plan for this
8. How to deal with reviewer comments and to revise your manuscript
Writing a study up for a scientific journal
The golden rules/essentials
• Storyline (and order) is all-important
• Presentation is next most important
• Ambiguity is a killer; complexity is another
• Do not confuse interpretation with evidence (data); interpretation and speculation are fine, but always make it clear that this is what you are doing
• Cautious/balanced interpretation of your data is a winner – there is invariably more than one possible interpretation (not just the one you favour!)
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