Presenting and Publishing Research Data

Abstract

(from the chapter) Publication of research is an important though often neglected aspect of the research pathway. Although often perceived as the final link in the chain, an ever increasing emphasis on audit dictates that the research ultimately with be judged on the quality of publications emanating from it. In turn, this will influence the availability of future research grants. Therefore, it is sensible to plan likely outlets for any research findings at the very earliest stage of an application for funding. If, on consideration, there are unlikely to be any obvious outlets for the results, the would be researcher should give very careful thought to the value of embarking on the research project in the first place. In recent years, academia has been driven by the "Holy Grail" of the Research Assessment Exercise with its dependence on placing research publications in journals where they not only attract attention but from which they will be regularly quoted by other researchers. Essential to this is the concept of impact factor, an index that is not without its critics. Mercifully, an increasing number of funding bodies are starting to attach equal importance to other important benefits from research, including the development of a critical mind that leads to writing and awarding of higher research degrees such as MD and PhD, and the possible immediate benefits the research might have to clinical practice. Quite clearly, the longer the period devoted to research the greater the chances of higher quality publication. Ultimately, this is still likely to be audited by the grant awarding body and the quality of the research and the way in which it is presented is likely to have impact on future funding opportunities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) (chapter)