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VET403 Scientific publication

Credits (ECTS):2

Course responsible:Lucy Jane Robertson

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Limits of class size:Max. number of students: 16

Course frequency:Spring - usually once per year

Nominal workload:50-55 hours (one full week, plus one day preparation beforehand, some homework)

Teaching and exam period:Spring 2025: Week 13

About this course

Why and how do we write scientific articles?

Are there any basic rules to follow?

Which journal should I choose and why? 

I know there are reporting guidelines, but which one is right for me?

Who should be a co-author of my article, and how can I avoid problems with this?

I have received negative feedback on an article I submitted for evaluation - how do I proceed?

These - and several other issues - related to scientific publishing will be discussed during VET403.

Learning outcome

The intentions are that by the end of the course, the students will be able to:

Primary objective

  • Produce a first draft of a scientific manuscript for sharing with colleagues

Secondary objectives

  • Follow the Vancouver recommendations for authorship
  • Identify appropriate scientific journals for submission of their own manuscripts
  • Identify the category of their study (e.g., case control, survey, experimental etc.) and be able to use the correct guidelines for reporting
  • Analyse and assess published scientific literature, and use this approach as a basis for evaluating their own manuscripts during the drafting process
  • Be aware of important issues in scientific publication, including, but not restricted to: current position on open access, predatory journals, hijacked journals, use of AI (e.g., ChatGPT) in scientific publishing, etc.
  • Learning activities

    The activities shall be primarily based upon:

    1) Moderated discussion

    2) Group work

    3) Critical reading of scientific articles and other text

    4) Presentation of scientific articles

    5) Writing of scientific text

  • Teaching support

    The main support tool is that the students will have the opportunity for  discussion in small groups around publication of scientific articles, particularly regarding their own manuscripts.

    Critical reading of articles will be central to the discussion.

    Relevant tips and info will be provided, shared, and discussed, as well as ethical considerations.

  • Prerequisites

    General knowledge - there are no special requirements. The course will be primarily targeted toward students (PhD, Masters, Research-line) who have begun to write manuscript(s) or will soon begin.

    Feedback from previous students on this course indicates that the course is less useful for students who will soon be submitting their thesis; late in Year 1 or early in Year 2 is recommended. 

    It is also less useful for students who have newly commenced with their PhD, as they are unlikely to be working on any articles yet. 

  • Recommended prerequisites
    No particular subjects recommended. The students should be actively involved in a research project and preferably be at the stage of starting to write.
  • Assessment method
    • Presentation of a self-chosen article
    • Objective assessment of scientific articles
    • Own manuscript writing


    Oral presentation Grading: Passed / Not Passed Oral presentation Grading: Passed / Not Passed
  • Examiner scheme
    No external sensor
  • Mandatory activity

    Attendance is compulsory. An attendence record of at least 75% is required to pass the course.

    Participants must also conduct the pre-course activities.

    In addition, they must:

    • evaluate and present a published article in their field
    • read and assess articles presented by other participants (max 4 others), probably not in their field.
    • provide a (short) piece of writing for the others participants to evaluate
    • evaluate pieces of writing from other participants (max 4).
  • Notes
    The registration deadline must be at least 3 weeks before the first day of the course (as there is also homework that must be done during the previous week). Late registration must be approved by the person responsible for the subject in good time. 
  • Teaching hours

    Pre-course activities (week 13)

    Monday: plenary all day

    Tuesday a.m.: plenary

    Tuesday p.m.: self study

    Wednesday a.m.: structured group work with supervision

    Wednesday p.m.: plenary discussion

    Thursday all day.: self study

    Friday a.m.: structured group work with supervision

    Friday p.m.: plenary discussion

    Detailed timetable is provided on Canvas

  • Preferential right
    PHD-VET, VET-FORSK, Masters students associated with VET, PHD-NMBU
  • Reduction of credits
    VETFORSK403?
  • Admission requirements
    The course is primarily intended for Ph.D students with projects associated with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, NMBU