Writing for researchers

There are various online writing platforms with collaboration options such as OneDrive, Google Drive, Sharepoint, Authorea, Overleaf or ShareLaTex.

The website http://www.scientificwritingtips.com/ gives advice on writing and publishing in biomedical journals. Tips and tricks are available in a 12-part series of articles (in Dutch and English), namely (1) beginning, (2) title and abstract, (3) introduction, (4) methods, (5) results, (6) discussion, (7) tables and figures, (8) references, (9) authorship, (10) choice of journal, (11) submitting an article, and (12) responding to referee comments.

The EQUATOR (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) website also provides an overview of the essential elements of an article, together with writing tips and examples of Reporting Guidelines.

The website of Linguistic Supervision and Advice of UGent offers links to websites and tools for developing your Academic English skills. The presentation Academic writing puts you on the right track in the field of academic language use.

International Reporting Guidelines give an overview of the criteria that an article should satisfy, where possible, in order to promote transparency in reporting and prevent Reporting Bias.

Study type Reporting guideline
Cohort, case-control and cross-sectional study STROBE statement
Case reports CARE
Health Economic Evaluations CHEERS
Animal studies (pre-clinical) ARRIVE
Qualitative research SRQR
RCT CONSORT statement
Guidelines AGREE
Study protocols SPIRIT
Systematic review (and meta-analysis) PRISMA statement, checklist en flow diagram

PRISMA-P (PRISMA for protocols)

PRISMA-A (PRISMA for abstract)

More guidelines for Health Research can be found at www.equator-network.org

Following an analysis of linguistic quality, technical difficulty and scope, the University Language Centre will decide whether your text/article is eligible for proofreading. You will then be sent a quote, providing details of the cost and delivery time. See here for more information (contact, method, examples and reactions).

The Translating, Interpreting and Communication department offers an affordable proofreading and translation service to third parties. See here for more information about this service.

If you would like more information or if you have any questions, you can contact our information specialist Nele Pauwels.

Do you have a question related to your literature review or do you need help with searching, processing or publishing of your literature/data? Then please fill in our form to give us a clear view of your question and so that we can advise you efficiently. Alternatively, you could email us at kcgg@ugent.be.