WASP – Write a Scientific Paper course: why and how

Abstract

The ability to write up research in the form of a paper is a crucial requisite for academics. The skills required are manifold and are acquired piecemeal during an individual’s training. Matters would be facilitated by a short and intensive course that would cover all of these facets. Such a course would ideally be delivered by experienced writers and editors. It is for this very reason that WASP (Write a Scientific Paper) was created. WASP was held outside of Malta for the first time, in London. This paper describes the preparations required in order to plan and execute a course of this or similar nature.

Keywords:

• Access to information
• information dissemination/methods
• peer review, research
• publishing
• education

Acknowledgements

Professor Josanne Vassallo and Professor Charles Savona-Ventura for helping the author to carry out the course in London, Mr. Charles Busuttil (MIME secretary), Mr. David Zammit and Mr. Darryl Zammit from ITHAMS, Dr. Justine Bugeja and Ms. Mariella Scerri for Facebook input and Andrea Wicks (Green Insurance) for insurance advice. We would also like to thank the following colleagues from the RCPCH: Dan Rowsell (Facilities and Hospitality Coordinator), Caroline Spray (Revalidation & CPD Administrator), Vivian Chen (Events Manager), the rest of the extremely helpful support staff at the College as well as Professor Neena Modi, College President, for encouragement throughout. We would also like to thank Novalac, Actavis and Proquest for partial sponsorship of WASP in London.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.