CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE THROUGH PUBLICATION

 By Toyosi.Y. Raheem

Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist/TB Lab Supervisor, NIMR, Yaba-Lagos.

Introduction

Publishing results of research findings contribute effectively and efficiently to scientific knowledge. During the recent African Union TB conference at the International Conference Centre, Abuja from 3-5^th March, 2011, one of the paper presenters inquired from the  participants: “how many scientists/researchers had ever conducted a research that was never published?” And “how many Scientists/ Researcher had ever published but such publications were never implemented?”  From the response of the participants, it was obvious that a number of Scientists/Researchers conduct research, produce data but such findings were never made available to the larger scientific community. It was also obvious from the response, that quite a number of research findings were never transformed into policies and consequently, were never implemented.

The objective of this write up is to further stimulate Scientists/ Researchers on the two key areas (a) making results of scientific research available and accessible through publications and (b) to also further stimulate the scientific community on the need to form a coalition of researchers that would pursue the critical need for transforming scientific findings into policies that would form an essential framework of policy implementation. This is very key for the achievement of the Health related Millennium Development Goals especially in Nigeria.

 

Why Publishing practices are key requirements

(1) According to the documents on Quality Practice in Biomedical Research (QPBR) by TDR/WHO, It is not only a good practice to publish scientific results but also to do so in a timely way.  Scientists/Researchers must ensure that Scientific results are moved into the public domain. This a compelling requirement not only because it is an intrinsic part of the scientific process but  it is also a mandatory expectation from the Public. Whether the fund (grant) used for the research was provided by local or foreign donors, the public, has a legitimate interest and rights to the outcome. Researchers/scientists ought to know that such funds for research whether locally or by foreign donors come directly or indirectly from the Tax Payers. In essence, it should be seen as ‘tax payers’ money at work’ Publishing negative results are very valid and are allowed. If the study was well controlled and well executed, and the data were fully and promptly recorded, then negative results are valid and should be available to the scientific community. This practice will save spending resources on other attempts to follow the same path.

(2) Publishing practices also have a beneficial impact on the Researchers/ Scientists as well. The Researcher is exposed to peer review and or  to informed discussion and challenge and  other researchers are able to build on the results, and  or can  avoid duplicating efforts.

 (3) The scientist becomes a known figure in his / her field, strengthening the chances for

obtaining further funding and continuing his/ her scientific investigations.

Choice of publishing forum

There are many options for publishing results of scientific results and these are

(1) In peer review journals: TDR/WHO and others relevant  documents showed that Publishing  in peer review journals carries most weight if the study can be submitted to a well reputed, specialist, peer-reviewed journal. Journals provide instructions on format, style, content and length, including the position of the principal author’s name in the list of contributors. Although  the approval process may take some time, especially as reviewers usually make comments and suggestions for improvement, the advantage is that publication in a peer-reviewed journal is considered reliable and earns respect for the authors.

(2) It is also possible to publish by oral or posters presentation at conferences. Here, formal peer review is not always practiced since conference sponsors/organizers often make calls for papers and accept all contributions. After the conference, the papers appear in the proceedings of the meeting. Scientists/Researchers must be aware of the fact that sometimes commercial sponsors hold conferences with dual purposes(i) education, and (ii) as a vehicle for marketing activity. It is also common to note that the sponsor(s) may be advocating a viewpoint that is not necessarily in line with the conclusions of the presentations, so researchers must be prepared to stand by their own conclusions.

(3)  Publishing through press conferences, newspapers, interviews, TV coverage or web-page:  It is not a  recommended practice to publish  releases through these media except  the formal publication is available. This is because only rarely does a journalist properly understand the content of a study or the significance of its contribution, so the message will not be accurate in these types of media.

Patents and scientific publishing

In some ways, the need to publish conflicts with the need to file patents. A patent is

desirable if the results of the study promise novelty, new invention and utility sufficient

for a new product or principle. Without a valid patent, business partners are not willing

to invest in developing an idea into a viable product. To be patentable, an idea has to

display ‘novelty’, which means that it must not have been published previously in any way,

including by the same person filing the patent. In other words, premature publication

can spoil the chances of obtaining a patent. Publication in terms of patent law covers

not only formal peer-reviewed publication but also the more informal types discussed

above, and even public discussions where there are no written records.

Recommendations/conclusion

Since publishing is a very critical process for moving ideas into the public

Domain and for justifying the tax payers’ money, research institutions should have a policy for publishing results, these are expected to include at what point in a project it is necessary or advisable to publish? Where and how to publish? The institute’s procedures for review? The conventions for co-authoring papers, the necessity for including significant data fairly and accurately in publications. The policy on publishing should also address whether the research data are the intellectual property of the researcher, the institute or the grant giving body and ownership of patent rights.

Institutions where policies on publishing are already in place, it must be adequately implemented, monitored and evaluated for maximum outcome.

References

(1)  TDR handbook: Publishing Practices in Quality Practices in Basic biomedical Research Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) sponsored by UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank and WHO pg 54-56.

(2) TDR. Handbook: Good Laboratory Practice. Quality practices for regulated non-clinical research and development.

Geneva, UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical

Diseases (TDR), 2001 (TDR/PRD/GLP/ 01.2)

(3) Wager et al. Good publication practice for pharmaceutical companies Current Medical Research &Opinion 2003, 19 (3):149-154 (http://www.cmrojournal.com).