Beginner Writers' Guide Toward Scientific Publication: Habits and Principles Behind Written Words.

Abstract

Background: Research studies, evidence-based practice, or continuous quality improvement projects are an integral part of everyday rehabilitation nursing practice. Patients, third-party payers, and accreditors demand clinical practice based on research results and/or project evidence. Rehabilitation nurses need to consider that the only way to build nursing science is to convey their work to others through scientific publication.

Aim: The purpose of this article is to share a beginner writers' guide with 12 writing habits set on six principles that are behind or underlies written words, leading toward manuscript preparation/publication.

Approach: Rehabilitation nurses who are clinicians, leaders, and managers at all educational levels and in all practice settings with completed research or projects have potential to become authors.

Outcomes: Writers can acquire these habits and principles for success that increase or refine their skills to author scientific publications, supporting and advancing nursing science.

Discussion and implications for practice: These 12 writing habits based on six principles for being successful in publishing scientific work are a learned process. Publications enhance care provided and quality of life for those affected by disability and chronic illness.

Conclusion: All writers will find these habits and principles helpful in constructing a scientific manuscript suitable for publication.