A systematic review of the literature is a type of review that aims to collect and summarize all studies relating to a certain topic in order to answer a research question.

In this article, we will look at the differences between an SRL and a traditional literature review, the key stages of a systematic review, and the key resources and tools for conducting a transparent and reproducible SRL.

Systematic Review of the Literature: What Is It?

A systematic review looks at all existing research pertaining to a specific research question and draws conclusions from it in an unbiased, reproducible, and transparent manner.

Since systematic reviews aim to answer a research question and use rigorous methods to arrive at objective conclusions, they may often require as much focus and academic skill as primary research.

RELATED READ: Credible Scientific Research: Importance of sources

Systematic Review VS Literature Review

The main difference between a systematic review and a traditional literature review is that SLRs strive to minimize bias as much as possible, rely on reproducible and transparent methods, follow key stages, and tend to analyze a narrower yet more extensive scope of research.

What’s more, systematic reviews often involve more than one researcher to reduce bias and clearly state how each reviewed study was identified and evaluated.

Thanks to having these measures in place, systematic reviews make for very comprehensive and transparent pieces of research that are extremely valuable to academics, students, and other professionals in the field.

Since SLRs are very time-consuming and require a great deal of academic skill, a regular bachelor’s or master’s thesis will usually include a typical literature review instead.

How to Conduct a Systematic Review of the Literature: 5 Steps

SLRs follow a set of specific stages to ensure the methodology is reproducible and the results valid.

Starting with…

1) Define your research question

Just as in the case of experiments or other types of studies, a systematic review of the literature aims to answer a particular question.

In order to arrive at your research question, it’s vital that you become closely familiar with all the existing knowledge in the field, analyze it for potential gaps, and start asking questions about the subject matter.

Once you’ve razored in on your question, ask yourself:

• Is it clear?
• Is it focused?
• Is it going to bring something of value to the field?

You can also turn to various search frameworks (acronyms that help you focus your research question better) for help.

For example, here is a search framework that’s often used in medical fields:

• P (patient, population, problem)
• I (intervention)
• C (comparison)
• O (outcome)

There are a few more letters you can add depending on your research and field, such as:

• C (context)
• T (type of study design)

Take clinical trials, for instance.

If researchers are trying to determine whether a specific treatment (I) will work for a particular group of people (P), they may split participants into two groups (C), one of which receives the treatment in question and the other a placebo. The differences analyzed between the two groups and the conclusions drawn from that are the outcome (O).

2) Develop a review protocol

A review protocol is essentially a plan that details how you’re going to go about conducting your systematic review.

This is where you map out your selection criteria, describe which data you will collect and on which grounds you will analyze them, and detail the review process so that it is transparent and reproducible by other researchers.

In a nutshell, your review protocol should ideally include:

• The objectives of your review and your research question
• Selection criteria (why certain studies are included and others excluded)
• Search strategy (how you will look for and choose sources)
• Data analysis strategies (collection of data, managing data, evaluating data)

RELATED READ: Table of contents for research papers

3) Conduct a systematic search

A systematic search requires a search strategy. When looking for your sources, it’s important that you stick to inclusion/exclusion criteria you have defined in your protocol, such as:

• Study design
• Date of publication
• Age
• Geography
• Language

You should also determine which databases you will search based on your field and research question.

For example, PubMed or Cochrane Library are very popular databases in the health sciences.

4) Screen all studies

The next step is to apply selection criteria to all the studies and articles you have found. It is important that you document this process so that you can write it all up later on.

It is generally recommended that there are at least two researchers who screen the studies in question in order to reduce bias.

The screening process is split into two stages:

• Abstracts: Include or exclude studies based on titles and abstracts
• Full texts: Read through the articles that made it through stage 1 and decide whether they meet all the selection criteria

There are many different tools you can use to help with your screening, such as PRISMA or CASP.

5) Extract and synthesize relevant data

Once you have selected all the articles that are to be included in your review, it is time to extract data.

This is to be done methodically, ideally in a table that portrays all relevant data for all studies.

The primary information you are looking for is:

• Each study’s methods and results, including study design, context, sample size, and findings

You should also try to evaluate any potential bias and limitations in the selected studies.

After extraction comes synthesis. This is when you compile all your data into a coherent narrative that paints an objective picture of the topic in question and aims to answer the research question.

Again, you can use various tools and software that make the extraction and synthesis process easier, for example, RevMan or JBI SUMARI.

Conclusion

When all the above-mentioned steps are completed, it is time to write your systematic review (here is a PRISMA checklist that helps you stay on track) and get it published in a peer-reviewed journal or a systematic review database.

And if you need help editing or proofreading your review or other scientific documents, don’t hesitate to reach out to the FirstEditing team.

The post Essential Guide: Conducting a Systematic Review of the Literature appeared first on Firstediting.com.

Don’t worry. You’re not alone.

Every researcher has had to go through the same process at some point in their academic career – discover what a research protocol is, explore all its vital elements, and learn the format basics.

And that’s where this article comes in.

Today, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about the research protocol format in a Q&A form, which means you can easily scroll through the article and read about the questions that pique your interest.

100% value, 0% fluff.

Let’s get the ball rolling with the first question!

A research protocol is essentially a manual that researchers can refer to during their research.

It describes the objectives of the study as well as the methodology, helping researchers stay on track and use the same means to obtain their results. This is especially important if the research is conducted at multiple sites.

Not only that but a research protocol also includes all important safety rules and ethical considerations, ensuring the study is safe for both investigators and participants.

This is why research protocols are very important in clinical trials.

What information needs to be included in a research protocol?
Overall, a research protocol should include these 15 elements:

1. Project summary (similar to the research abstract)
2. General information (Title, date, names of researchers, names and addresses of research sites, names and addresses of clinical laboratories)
3. Rationale and context (how the study contributes to existing knowledge in the field)
4. Goals and objectives (what the study is trying to accomplish)
5. Study design (the type of study, sampling frame, participation criteria, etc.)
6. Methodology (clear instructions on procedures, measurements, observations, and data collection methods)
7. Safety considerations (preventive measures and potential risks)
8. Follow-up (an investigation on the aftereffects of the study once the participants have completed it)
9. Data management (data analysis tools and programs)
10. Expected outcomes (the solutions the results of your study may offer)
11. Publication responsibilities (researchers’ responsibilities and publication rights)
12. Ethical considerations (addressing ethical concerns)
13. Budget (distribution of funds and sources of funding)
14. Investigator information (background and CVs of all participating investigators)
15. References (all secondary sources referenced in the research protocol)

How long should a research protocol be?

It depends on your field of research and the individual circumstances surrounding your study. In general, research protocols tend to be longer than 5,000 words.

Since you’re covering a lot of information in your research protocol, no one expects it to fit within two pages. However, remember that it should also be as clear and concise as possible because one of its main purposes is practical guidance.

What are some common formatting mistakes to avoid?

Similarly to research proposals and research papers, the research protocol format ought to be simple and clear. Unless specified otherwise, use a common font and size (such as Times New Roman, 12), as well as regular spacing.

Here are some common formatting mistakes to avoid:

• Inconsistent formatting throughout the document (stick to the same heading styles and sizes)
• Not using headings and subheadings to organize information
• Incorrect citation style (make sure to use one citation style only)
• Grammatical mistakes and spelling errors (if you need help editing and proofreading your research protocol, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional editing service such as FirstEditing)
• Not including all relevant sections

What makes a good research protocol?

A high-quality research protocol checks off the following requirements:

• It serves as a clear manual that allows researchers to conduct their study in a safe and productive way that is free of any confusion
• It outlines all ethical considerations and safety rules
• It is organized into clear sections
• It focuses on practicality
• The language is concise, clear, and to the point
• It includes all important information as per question 2 of this Q&A
• It is free of grammatical mistakes and spelling errors
• The research protocol format is consistent and simple

Where can I find resources for further guidance?

Apart from the FirstEditing blog, you can also reach out to the FirstEditing team and inquire about their editing and proofreading services regarding research protocols.

In general, FirstEditing offers four different editing packages tailored to your specific needs, as well as a free editing sample.

If you’d like to read more about the research protocol format and all the different sections that research protocols ought to include, the National Health Service (UK) website points you to specific protocol templates while the World Health Organization website outlines all the vital components of a good research protocol.

Here is also a practical guide for health researchers if you’d like to familiarize yourself with the basics of crafting research papers and conducting research studies.

Conclusion

The word “research protocol format” may sound daunting, but once you learn the basics of what a research protocol is and what purposes it serves, you’ll find that you can absolutely understand the concept and even write a research protocol yourself if necessary.

When crafting your protocol, make sure it ticks off the following:

• Formatting consistency
• Organization of sections
• Clear and concise language
• References and correct citation style
• All relevant information
• Focus on safety, ethical considerations, and practicality
• Clearly explained methodology (that can be replicated at different research sites)
• No grammatical mistakes and typos

Have you ticked off all eight? If so, congratulations! It is very likely you’ve just nailed the basics of the research protocol format.

The post Frequently Asked Questions About Research Protocol Format appeared first on Firstediting.com.

Research protocols are documents that guide scientists throughout the research process, ensuring that all researchers are on the same page when it comes to the study’s objectives, methodology, and ethical considerations.

In this article, we’ll have a look at why research protocols are so vital and which elements they comprise.

Why Are Research Protocols Important?

Having a clear and well-defined research protocol is absolutely crucial in some areas of research, especially where clinical trials are concerned.

This is because the protocol states what is and is not allowed, as well as what the objectives and planned methods of research are, which ensures that the study is safe for its participants and researchers.

What’s more, adhering to the rules outlined in the research protocol helps make for valid and reproducible results as all scientists follow the same transparent process.

Again, this increases the safety of the study because it makes it possible to repeat the same experiment multiple times before arriving at the conclusion that it’s safe to apply the findings in real-world scenarios (for example, distributing a new type of medicine).

Research Protocol VS Research Proposal

If this is your first time conducting a study, remember not to mix up a research protocol with a research proposal.

Here’s what a research proposal does:

• It tries to convince its readers of the validity and importance of the planned study
• It usually strives to receive funding or other forms of support from organizations

A research protocol, on the other hand, aims to:

• Meet certain ethical standards and safety rules
• Outline the specifics of the planned study to ensure it contains safe and reproducible methods

RELATED READ: How to Write a Research Outline

How to Write a Research Protocol

Research protocols tend to follow a specific structure that comprises multiple important factors.

Let’s break it all down into 15 steps.

1) Project Summary

A project summary is very similar to a research abstract – it contains a few hundred words that outline the basics of the study, such as the objectives, rationale, and expected outcomes.

Don’t make it too long – you’ll have the chance to get into the specifics in the later steps.

2) General Information

Remember to include:

• Title and identifying number of your protocol
• Date
• Names of investigators
• Names and addresses of research sites
• Names and addresses of clinical laboratories

3) Rationale and Context
This section offers reasons and explanations for why the study is being conducted and how it fits in with other studies and existing knowledge in the field.

You should state:

• The problem you are hoping to solve
• Potential causes of the problem
• Potential solutions to the problem

You can also refer to various literature sources that are relevant to the topic at hand to support your arguments.

4) Goals and Objectives
This part is very important because it serves as a guide that will help the investigators stay on track during the research process.

While the goals of the study are broader descriptions of what your research aims to accomplish, objectives are concrete points that closely relate to the research question.

Objectives should be clear and simple, and you should state them before your research begins.

5) Study Design
This is where we get into the specifics of the study itself.

A study design includes:

• Type of study
• Participation criteria
• Sampling frame
• (Expected) duration
• Descriptions of the study (for example, experimental or observational)

6) Methodology
Methodology is the most crucial part of the research protocol because it’s what describes the ins and outs of the research process.

When you’re writing your methodology section, aim to unpack:

• Procedures that will be applied
• Measurements that will be taken
• How data will be collected
• Observations that should be noted

…and anything else that relates to the way the study ought to be conducted.

This is especially important if multiple different research sites are working on the same study because a standardized and clear methodology allows for valid, credible, and reproducible results that all research sites achieve in the same manner.

7) Safety Considerations

Research protocols revolve around safety measures a lot because they aim to ensure that the study adheres to ethical norms and is conducted in a safe environment.

This is why it’s essential that you outline the potential risks and preventive measures that are to be taken, as well as the step-by-step process for managing possible accidents.

Both participant and investigator safety are important.

8) Follow-up

If you’re working with human subjects, describe what kind of follow-up will be provided to participants and for how long.

A follow-up occurs when you investigate the aftereffects of the study on the participants after the study has been concluded.

9) Data Management

Discuss how you will manage the collected data, how you’ll go about completing a statistical analysis, and which programs or methods you will use to achieve the expected results.

10) Expected Outcomes

Your expected outcomes are to contribute to the field in some way or to be applied in real-world scenarios.

This is the section where you describe in more detail how you expect to use your findings and how they may affect different systems, for example health policies.

11) Publication Process & Responsibilities

If there are multiple researchers, the research protocol serves to highlight which responsibilities and tasks belong to whom.

What’s more, it also states who has publishing rights and whose names will be associated with the study if it ever gets published.

12) Ethical Considerations

Since research protocols aim to ensure that the study abides by certain ethical standards, a section where you discuss ethical considerations is of the utmost importance.

Explain how you will receive consent from the participants and how you plan to address any ethical concerns related to your research.

13) Budget Breakdown

To display complete transparency and integrity, create a clear plan for how you plan to distribute your funds and other financial resources.

You might also mention all the different sources of funding you’ve acquired for the study.

14) Investigator Details

List all other research projects conducted by the participating investigators, as well as their CVs.

You should also strive to mention all researchers, institutes, and sites that have agreed to collaborate with you on this study.

15) References

Finally, don’t forget to include all relevant references to increase the validity of your research protocol and to give credit where credit is due.

RELATED READ: Research Paper: MLA Format Fundamentals

Conclusion

Research protocols are incredibly important documents that serve as both a guide and a safety rulebook.

When writing a research protocol, remember to state your objectives in clear and simple terms, make your methodology section as comprehensive as possible, and take all ethical considerations and potential safety risks into consideration.

The post Understanding the Essence of Research Protocols appeared first on Firstediting.com.

And the difference between dependent and independent variables is one of those.

While not every academic paper includes variables – for example, a literature-based analysis looks quite different from that of a physicist – it’s common to orient one’s work around variables in scientific and statistical fields.

Here’s everything you need to know about dependent vs independent variables!

Dependent VS Independent Variables: Overview

The main purpose of variables in research is to explore a correlation and/or potential causation between two different things, which can be anything from height or gender to temperature, cortisol levels, or income.

For example, let’s say you want to research how stress impacts memory. You’ve got two variables here: stress on the one hand and memory on the other.

Stress is your independent variable. This means that it’s independent of other variables in your study. It’s the cause.

Memory is your dependent variable. Its value is reliant on the changes to the independent variable. If you’re severely stressed, your memory becomes impaired. This means that the dependent variable is the effect.

RELATED READ: How to write a strong hypothesis

Independent Variables

In order to make research as clear as possible, independent variables (sometimes referred to as predictor variables or factors) are further sorted into two different categories.

Experimental (or manipulated) variables can be directly manipulated by the researchers.

For instance, a study can measure if music tuned to 440 Hz has different health effects on the body than music tuned to 432 Hz.

The music is an experimental independent variable as it can be manipulated in order to see different results (health effects).

Subject variables, on the other hand, cannot be manipulated by researchers because they are fixed. This includes variables like socioeconomic status or gender.

Studies of this kind can look at a subject independent variable – such as socioeconomic status – and research how it impacts the dependent variable – such as academic performance.

Dependent Variables

Dependent variables are extremely important as they are essentially the results you’re trying to obtain in your study. Based on the changes or different characteristics of the independent variable, you are measuring the changes to the dependent variable.

Dependent variables can go by different names:

• Outcome variables
• Response variables

The dependent variable can also serve as a good starting point for brainstorming potential research ideas. Zero in on a subject you’re interested in, such as sleep quality or the mental well-being of students, and then ask yourself:

“What could impact sleep quality/the mental well-being of students? Is there a potential correlation between this dependent variable and another factor? Are there studies on the topic I can read?”

The more you dig into the specific subject, the more you’re likely to uncover potential gaps in existing knowledge and different cause-and-effect relationships.

RELATED READ: How to Write a Research Outline

Dependent VS Independent Variables: How to Identify Them

When you’re looking at a specific study, there’s a high likelihood you probably won’t see the words “dependent and independent variable”.

However, the relationship between the different factors being measured should give you a good indication of what each variable is.

To identify an independent variable, ask yourself:

• Does this variable come before the other variable (as cause comes before effect)?
• Is the variable changed in any way in order to determine changes in the second variable (as is the case with the study on music and health)?
• Does the variable serve as a grouping mechanism to determine the second variable (as is the case with the study on socioeconomic status and academic performance)?

To recognize a dependent variable, ask yourself:

• Does this variable follow after the other variable?
• Is this variable considered the outcome of the study?
• Is this variable altered as a result of changes to another variable?

Examples

Let’s quickly run through a few more examples.

1. You’re researching the impact of remote work on carbon emissions. Remote work is an independent variable. Carbon emissions are a dependent variable.
2. You’re measuring the effect of daylight on serotonin levels in humans. Daylight is an independent variable. Serotonin levels are a dependent variable.
3. You want to know how long a nap should be in order to boost alertness. The length of the nap is an independent variable. Alertness is a dependent variable.

6 Important Tips to Keep in Mind

1. Remember that variables are often referred to by different names. No matter the name, it is the relationship between the variables that is of the utmost importance.
2. It is essential to keep in mind that a statistical relationship does not automatically mean there is a cause-and-effect relationship. Sometimes, there may be a hidden variable you’re missing that’s affecting the study or the two variables may correlate without one directly causing the other.
3. Usually, the independent variable changes first, and the dependent variable changes second.
4. To better visualize your variables, turn to graphs and charts for help. It is common to place the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis.
5. A variable can never be both dependent and independent. It is one or the other.
6. It is possible to include many different dependent variables, but remember that if you decide to do so, you may need to ask more research questions and expand the scope of your paper. For instance, you can measure the impact of social media usage on sleep, diet, and subjective well-being, which will allow you to conduct much more thorough research on social media in general.

Conclusion

As you can see, dependent vs independent variables actually sound much more complicated than they are in practice. Once you unpack the relationship between the two kinds of variables, every research paper becomes easier to understand and digest properly.

And if you’re looking for some professional editing help with your research paper, don’t hesitate to reach out to FirstEditing. To get a free editing sample, click here.

The post Dependent vs Independent Variables: Difference and Examples appeared first on Firstediting.com.

Dumbfounded, you’re not quite sure what to make of it, and so you turn to the internet for help.

And that’s where this article comes in!

Today, we’ll go through what all those hieroglyphs – that is, proofreading marks – mean. The next time you look at your edited manuscript, it will be like discovering a brand new language entirely and realizing you can now read it.

What are proofreading marks?

So, what are proofreading marks in the first place?

Proofreading marks are used to point out any operational, punctuation, typography, and other mistakes in your manuscript that ought to be edited.

You will usually find proofreading marks in the margins of a manuscript, although some proofreaders will insert them in the text itself, which is why it’s often recommended to create double-spaced manuscripts to give your proofreader more room.

Proofreading marks are most commonly applied to hard-copy manuscripts, which is why they’re becoming increasingly rare nowadays – after all, many editors now use tracked changes in Microsoft Word to edit manuscripts digitally.

However, working with a pen and paper is another experience entirely, and some editors prefer it because it allows them to approach your text with a fresh perspective.

Your job as an author is to be able to decode the proofreading marks they leave behind and integrate your editor’s suggestions accordingly.

Of course, this isn’t very easy if you’re just seeing proofreading marks for the first time in your life. It’s a very specific language of its own, and there’s a high chance you will need to read through a guide in order to unpack the meaning of every single mark.

Luckily for you, that’s exactly what we’re about to do.

Punctuation Marks

Let’s start off with something simple – punctuation.

Punctuation marks are pretty straightforward because they’re all about inserting specific punctuation symbols, such as commas, apostrophes, dashes, and more.

Here’s a useful overview:

These marks tend to come with an up or down arrow.

The up arrow (⌃) is used for marks that appear at the bottom of letters, such as commas, while the down arrow (⌄) is often used for quotation or apostrophe marks.

Some marks – like periods or colons – can come in circles as well.

Please note: There is a difference between a hyphen, an Em dash, and an En dash.

• An Em dash is the longest one (—) and it’s often used to connect sentences (“Josh told her he was quite fond of her — something that was very much out of character for him — and left the room”)\
• An En dash has a medium length (–) and it tends to highlight a relationship between two words or numbers (“There were 10–15 people” or “The London–Prague flight takes two hours”)
• A hyphen (-) connects two words to create a meaning, for example, compound adjectives or compound nouns (“My mother-in-law is very kind” or “Write a one-page essay”)

Operational Marks

Alright, moving on to operational marks! These focus on spacing, paragraphs, deletion, and more.

Have a look at this image:

As you can see, operational marks are a tiny bit more complicated than punctuation marks.
But worry not! Here’s an overview of what all these marks mean:

• Delete: This refers to a word that should be deleted from the sentence
• Delete & close up: This refers to a letter within a word that should be deleted
• Close up: Delete space
• Mark new paragraph: Begin a new paragraph where the mark stands
• Spell out: Spell the word in full (e.g, “ok” -> “okay”)
• Move left: Move your writing left
• Move right: Move your writing right
• Let it stand: If the proofreader went through the text more than once and decided to alter their previous correction, they’ll put down “stet” to let you know you should leave the original version as it is
• Insert space: Insert space where the mark stands

Typography Marks

Next comes typography! This is the part where your proofreader tells you what you should capitalize, set in italics or boldface, and which words ought to be in lowercase.

These are the basics:

• caps: Set in capital letters
• Ic: Set in lowercase letters
• bf: Set in boldface
• ital: Set in italics
• rom: Set in roman
• wf: Wrong font
• sm cap: Set in small caps

Sometimes, capitalization is also shown as three horizontal lines.

Abbreviations

We’re not quite finished yet – there are a few more abbreviations you should memorize in order to understand the proofreading language in its entirety.

Here goes:

• tr: transpose two words the proofreader selected (change their order in the sentence)
• ww: wrong word
• dict: faulty diction
• rep: too repetitive
• awk: awkward construction
• wdw: too wordy, make more concise
• r-o: run-on sentence

Why is proofreading important?

Now that you know what proofreading marks are and how to decode them, it’s time to ask the question, “Why is proofreading important in the first place? And how is it different from editing?”

While some people use the two terms interchangeably, editing and proofreading are actually two different parts of the editing process.

In general, editing goes into much more depth – for example, structural editing looks at your story overall, including your character arcs and your plot development – while proofreading centers around grammar, punctuation, typography, and layout.

While proofreading tends to be quicker – it’s essentially the final correction before your manuscript goes to print or is submitted to the publisher – it’s just as important as editing.

Small details matter, so don’t underestimate the importance of proofreading.

Use proofreading marks to polish your own manuscript

Professional proofreaders aren’t the only ones who get to use proofreading marks.

If you are self-editing your own manuscript and want to do one final round of revisions on paper, using proofreading marks can help you get through the text faster and make the process much more effective.

Instead of coming up with your own elaborate system for inserting punctuation, changing word order, or deleting paragraphs, you already have a solid set of rules to learn and refer to.

Reach out to a professional proofreader for help

Of course, two sets of eyes are better than one, so it’s always a good idea to send your manuscript to a professional in the field.

Don’t worry, not all proofreaders use proofreading marks – tracked changes in Microsoft Word or Google Documents are much more common nowadays – but if they do, you now know how to decipher them!

A professional proofreader will ensure that your manuscript is free of errors, typos, and spelling mistakes, and what’s more, they’ll also look at technical aspects that many writers don’t pay as much attention to, such as your font, spacing, and typography.

At FirstEditing, for example, we offer proofreading services as well as high-quality editing packages. From copy editing to line editing and content editing, feel free to pick whichever package suits your needs.

And remember – now that you know how to use proofreading marks, why not print out your manuscript and go over it with these new symbols in mind before you submit it to a professional editor or proofreader?

You’ve just learned a whole new language, so have some fun with it!

The post What Are Proofreading Marks? A Complete Guide appeared first on Firstediting.com.

Yes, that’s right – you aren’t quite finished just yet. A cover letter is an important part of the submission process, and if you write it well, you’ll increase your chances of getting noticed by the journal editors.

But what is a journal cover letter? And what elements does it consist of?

Let’s get started!

What is a journal cover letter?

A cover letter is a short document researchers submit to journals along side their research papers. Its purpose is to introduce and summarize your research to the editors, which allows them to sort through their submissions at a quicker pace and make decisions more effectively.

A cover letter is essential for multiple reasons:

• It helps speed up the submission process
• It shows the editors that you’re familiar with basic requirements and research practices
• It summarizes your research straight away, which helps the editors decide whether your topic is fitting for their publication
• It demonstrates that you’ve put in extra effort and increases the likelihood that your research paper gets noticed

I can’t stress this enough: remember to always check the journal’s requirements before you submit your paper and follow them to the best of your ability.

What to Include in Your Journal Cover Letter: Checklist

Journal cover letters aren’t just written on the fly – they follow quite rigid rules, and your best bet is to adhere to these rules in order to demonstrate your knowledge and professionalism.

Here’s what a cover letter typically includes:

• The submission date
• The editor’s name (if you know it)
• The journal’s name
• The title of your manuscript and the type of your research (a case study, a review, etc.)
• A confirmation of originality (this typically goes along the lines of, “We confirm that this work is original, that it has not been previously published, and that it is not currently under consideration for publication elsewhere”)
• A brief summary of your research, its importance in the field, and its appeal to the journal’s readership
• Any statements of information the specific journal requires of you (for instance, a declaration of no conflicts of interest or suggested reviewers for the manuscript)
• Your contact information (include your academic or professional qualifications)
• “Thank you for your consideration” and “Sincerely” as a closing salutation

How to Best Write a Journal Cover Letter: 8 Tips

As stated above, an effective cover letter abides by standard requirements and doesn’t deviate from the norm.

This means that the best course of action is to familiarize yourself with the concept of a cover letter as much as you can and to have a look at different templates online.

What’s more, try to keep these tips in mind:

Your cover letter is where you essentially “sell” your research as it were – after all, journals are looking for content that will appeal to their readership. Demonstrate why your paper is worthy of publication, why it will be interesting to read, and what it adds to the existing knowledge in the field.
Pay attention to the specific statements of information the journal requires of you and always include them in your cover letter.

Examples:

• Conflict of interest: “We have no conflicts of interest to declare”, “This study received no financial support/received a grant from X”
• Reviewers: “A potential reviewer for our manuscript is Dr X”
• Authors: “All authors agree with this submission”, “All authors approved the final version of this research paper”

Polish your language. If you need help with this, don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional service or an independent colleague. Some services also offer to write a journal cover letter for you.

Don’t copy your abstract word for word. Your cover letter isn’t just an overview of your research – it ought to convince the journal editors why they should accept your submission. You can use your abstract as inspiration but try to come up with a new text for your letter.

Personify your letter. Address the editor by their name if you know it, mention the name of the journal you are sending your submission to, and talk about why your research would appeal to their readership.

Follow standard formatting. If the journal in question has specific requirements or templates for this, stick to it. For example, they may want you to write in UK or US English, number your pages in a particular way, use a specific font and spacing, and adhere to a pre-set paragraph structure.

Avoid presuming statements. For instance, “We look forward to your response” could be seen as presuming, so a simple “Thank you for your consideration” will do.

Keep it brief. A cover letter shouldn’t be too long because that defeats one of its main goals – to make the submission process quicker.

Reach Out to FirstEditing

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Over the years, a team of subject matter experts and Ph.D. editors at FirstEditing have worked with thousands of authors and researchers to help them polish their manuscripts, cover letters, and more.

Not only that but FirstEditing also offers writing services. In fact, one of their add-ons is the writing of a journal cover letter itself. Plus, they can provide you with a Certificate of English Editing, a document that many journals require alongside your submission.

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A research protocol is a crucial roadmap for rigorous academic research that provides clarity, structure, and ethical adherence. In this article, we explore the essential elements that every research protocol should include, benefiting both seasoned researchers and university students undertaking their initial research ventures. Let’s delve into the critical components of a well-designed research protocol.

The Different Protocol Elements

Study Objectives

The study objectives form the foundation of any research protocol. By defining the purpose and scope of the study, the objectives serve as a clear and concise statement of what the researcher aims to achieve. Well-crafted study objectives help researchers maintain focus and guide their data collection and analysis efforts. When formulating study objectives, it is crucial to ensure they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). By employing SMART objectives, researchers can effectively communicate the purpose of their study and evaluate its success.

Research Questions or Hypotheses

Research questions or hypotheses provide a framework for investigating the research problem. They help researchers refine their focus and establish the direction of their study. While research questions are typically used in exploratory research, hypotheses are employed in hypothesis-driven research. These questions or hypotheses should be framed to address the key variables under investigation. By formulating clear and testable research questions or hypotheses, researchers can effectively address their research problem and contribute to the existing body of knowledge.

RELATED READ: Research Methods

Variables

Variables are key elements in any research study. They are the characteristics or phenomena that researchers measure, manipulate, or observe. Variables can be independent (predictor), dependent (outcome), or control variables. Clearly defining variables is essential for ensuring accurate data collection and analysis. By carefully identifying and operationalizing variables, researchers can examine the relationships between them and draw meaningful conclusions from their research findings.

Research Design

The research design outlines the overall plan and structure of the study. A concise research design determines the type of data to be collected, the methods to be used, and the overall approach to answering the research questions or hypotheses. The most appropriate research design method depends on the nature of the research problem, available resources, and ethical considerations. Common research designs include experimental, observational, and qualitative designs. By selecting an appropriate research design, researchers can effectively address their research objectives and generate valid and reliable results.

Data Collection Methods

Data collection methods are the tools and techniques employed to gather information for the study. They can include surveys, interviews, observations, experiments, or a combination of methods. The selection of appropriate data collection methods depends on the research design, research questions or hypotheses, and the target population, and researchers should consider factors such as validity, reliability, and practicality. Employing reliable and valid data collection methods ensures the accuracy and credibility of the research findings.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations are of utmost importance in research protocols. Researchers must prioritize the well-being and rights of participants, maintain confidentiality, and obtain informed consent, and they should also be aware of ethical guidelines and regulations relevant to their field of study. Ethical issues, such as recruitment, data collection, and data analysis, can arise at any stage of the research. By addressing ethical considerations, researchers demonstrate professionalism and integrity in their research practices.

RELATED READ: What to do when you’re stuck in your research

Sample Size Determination

An appropriate sample size is crucial to ensuring the validity and generalizability of research findings. Determining the optimum sample size depends on factors such as the research design, statistical power, effect size, and desired level of precision. Researchers can employ various methods, such as power analysis, sample size calculators, or previous studies with similar research objectives, to determine the optimal sample size. Adequate sample size determination enhances the reliability and significance of research outcomes.

Data Analysis Plan

The data analysis plan details the statistical techniques and procedures that will be employed to analyze the collected data and ensure that researchers accurately and objectively interpret the data to address the research questions or hypotheses. Selecting the most appropriate data analysis techniques depends on the nature of the data and the research objectives. Commonly used statistical methods include descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and qualitative analysis. A well-defined data analysis plan enables researchers to draw meaningful conclusions from their data and contribute to the existing knowledge base.

Limitations

Every research study has limitations, and it is important to acknowledge and address them in the research protocol. Limitations can arise from constraints such as sample size, time, funding, or the methodology itself. Identifying and discussing limitations demonstrates the researcher’s awareness of potential weaknesses in the study and enhances the credibility of the research findings. Researchers should also suggest avenues for future research to overcome these limitations and further expand knowledge in the field.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a well-structured research protocol is vital for conducting impactful academic research. By incorporating study objectives, research questions or hypotheses, variables, research design, data collection methods, ethical considerations, sample size determination, data analysis plan, and acknowledging limitations, researchers ensure clarity, consistency, and ethical integrity. Implementing these key elements empowers students and researchers to execute studies that contribute significantly to their fields. Embrace the art of crafting a comprehensive research protocol and unlock the potential of your academic research endeavors.

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