SATISH SHUKLA
M.S. (Surgery), FAIS, FICS, FAOA, Oncologist (U.S.A.)
Retired Professor & H.O.D. Surgery
M.G.M. Medical College & M.Y. & Associated Hospital, Indore
Director- Lakshmi Memorial Hospital & Research Centre,
Indore (M.P.)
Editor / Chairman, Indian Journal of Surgery
Writing is a process of thoughts converted into words and sentences on paper. It is an indigenous process and continues in some form or other as age advances. Child learn to write gradually, though vocabulary make him learn the various subjects and enlighten him to progress and unfold the knowledge. A prescribed curriculum and graduation in different courses comes to end some day to enter some profession and start doing job. But writing continues. Majority gets indulged in their profession and writings get limited to their work. While many have inherent power to read and write other than their professional subjects and entertain themselves or satisfy their hidden appetite in subjects of their liking. Similarly in science less people get involved in writing and majority get busy in their professional work whether a Medical, Engineer or others. Basic scientists involved in research are of course turned to writing as they progress in their field as their professional obligation. In Medical field whether in teaching institution, National Institutions or Corporate Institution, the academic atmosphere and zeal to excel in their work, lead them to write their scientific, experiences in term of patients care. Disease process of any nature involving patients follow a peculiar pathway but still differ in many ways and leads to research and scientific writings. Newer investigations, newer procedures and newer thinking make the medical science exciting and brings new hypothesis with glory to improve patients care.
Basic science breakthrough in understanding diseases, with its adoption in clinical practice always been a point of controversies and discussion. This leads to various studies and articles presentations. With the time some new hypothesis or procedure excitements and new innovations comes into existence, gradually get proved or disproved with the ongoing research work and time. Infection and its control in 40’s and 50’s, breakthrough in management of malignancy in 60’s, role of genetics and genetic codes in relation to discuss in 70’s, transplantation procedure in 70’s onwards, management of cardiac disorders in 70’s and 80’s, minimal invasive surgery in 90’s and role of genetics and immune therapy in the beginning of 21st century have changed the medical sciences un thought for. Responsible future writing with positive and solid proof of research in the past always helps in innovation and step in right direction to newer hypothesis.
We do not know where the science is going to take, in which particular direction. All these form the basis of writing and spreading the knowledge. This put pressure on all those involved and a competitive bid among researchers to place their work in writing and be one among first to do it. Writing is a great tool of once expression to achieve a great height with responsibility and also accountability. Responsibility is individual development and author’s oriented, while accountability is what other requires of you. An article published in a journal, the truth with facts given in it are responsibility of the author, while journal is accountable for its publication under its guideline and rules. Both are synonymous in some way and depends on truth and faith. If the Editorial Members, reviewers and publisher do not take pragmatic attitude and belief in the Author’s integrity, no article can be published. It is the responsible writing with full accountability of all those involved from Author to reviewer and publisher, based on mutual respect, faith and belief, that article get published. That is how the scientific journals in particular are screening and get confidence of all those in the field. This is what is expected from each group to do their job truthfully in time to put confidence in every one and enhance the image of the journal. Since the time writing started, it was done with some purpose whether in literary or scientific field. To express and promote knowledge and give some message. It has value attached to it. Now with change of time, market factors are increasing more, so also the change of values and change of writing perception to suite the market forces. In scientific journals also, a competition to be first or better in the field many times compromises the real achievements and basic structure of the article. Here we have to be more responsible to present truth and give confidence to the readers.
Duplicate writing is not uncommon and every journal faces the same. With fast communication and processing system in computer era, check and recheck are possible in majority of cases but inter language interaction becomes difficult sometimes. Inspite of these available tools, duplicate writings of publishing same article in the journals are not uncommon. In I.J.S. we get such cases, but caught in the process to check it. This is mostly found in new generation Surgeons to achieve fame in no time. Curtail this habit to stick to basic principle to achieve your goal.
Conflict of interest is also one of the points covered by all journals publication policy as fundings to research are prevalent now more than before. This may be of scientific values or market regulated forces, but has to be checked. Research needs money and funding agencies whether Government, Institution or Private organization never compel to do any wrong but is individual mania.
Plagiarism is another field needs to be curtailed. It is an academic fraud. This dishonesty of duplicating of someone else’s work full or in part is to be taken seriously. More such cases are coming to light as time is passing. This tendency among younger generation colleagues for gaining some marks in their career or otherwise is a bad precedence and needs action. This is a breach of Journalistic ethics and the person concerned in to be punished by way of expulsion suspension or termination to give lesson to others. Since the development of the internet, and better access to the universal material, people get attracted to this fraud as well caught with clear proofs. Develop your own skill and work hard with so much opportunities available and give originality with vision to communicate through writing and enjoy reputation. This is not to be confused with copyright infringement where work is registered and if used, has to be permitted. Both may coexist with double fraud. Never involve in such activities and make writing a tool of your expression and pleasure.
Scientific writings of research oriented work or some new message from clinical work involves more than one person, hence many names attached as Authors along with Principal Author. But to add more than desired names for any reasons or under compulsion is not desirable and is to be resisted. This is the responsibility of the principle author to include the names of those who helped him in carrying out the work. Seniority or position does not make someone as principal author but the originator and processor of the subject is the principal author, while others are co-authors.
Authors have a great responsibility of producing facts of their work in terms of numbers and results truthfully. Many such writings with many fold numbers of cases or subjects then actual numbers are shown, while the institution does not have such numbers or subjects available for research, is a matter of concern. This tendency is prevalent with some where numbers get increased to many fold diluting the true result and a scientific fraud. Every Journal’s reviewers get such articles with suspicion. The results always vary and not compitable with work and many contradictions to prove their point. This is academic dishonesty. How to check this is a difficult question? Individual honesty is needed, small numbers with some message is enough for a good article. Acceptance by a Journal for publication is a different matter depending on Journal’s policy. Writing with new message and conviction, always attract the attention of Editors and Reviewers.
Responsible writing is not only important for the Authors of an article but for Editors and Reviewers also. Every scientific work has some speciality involved and if Reviewers is not involved with one particular speciality should forward to his colleagues of that speciality for comments. Many times it is not speciality or knowledge but apathy of the Reviewer, or short of time, or over busy schedule, leads to bad review comments and poor writing. Now with open journal policy of sending Reviewers comments to Editors and Authors, the writings are open to scrutiny and stake is on for journals reputation. Reviewers writing is very responsible work and to be taken seriously. We all in the process of editing and reviewing articles cannot shirk our responsibility of truthful writing. It needs conviction, knowledge, determination and punctuality. Give our best to enhance the editing/reviewing process to give confidence to our authors in the journal and chance to learn also.
Writing courses are available in many countries. The course guidance helps in putting the work in proper perspective in a methodical way with responsible and correct writing. Language of the scientific work writing is different and needs hard work to learn. Proper scientific writing is different from literary or other field writings. Such courses should be available in our country also. It should be a part of curriculum in organizing scientific conferences or seminars held by scientific organizations. Scientific Associations have some responsibility to their members. Young generation is coming up with good work but needs guidance in responsible writing and responsible presentations. Let all the organizations come forward and arrange such courses and workshop of common interest for such writings and will be a great success in achieving better article writings for publication. Many surgeons or scientists have work of substance, but poor knowledge of writing and needs help from elders. Little help will bring many good scientific material to light.
All Journals have their own technical guideline and frame of presentation. Till the writing is not of quality and truthful with responsibility, it will not achieve the desired goal.
Every one of us has some originality and innovative ideas. Let it come out of you in term of writing to give message of substance. Someone may pick up and develop further, and so on to a research break through. Scientific advancement is unending. It progresses with responsible writing to attract and encourage new generation, to do better, and further better.
Writing is inherent, it needs to develop with the time. Books are the best companion of individual and are guide to your responsible actions and responsible writing. Let us come together to develop our self to guide future generation for responsible writing.
