With nearly 15 years of academic journal publishing experience working within commercial and not-for-profit organisation, Francesca Cockshull, Director of Publications, Policy, and Heritage at the Association of Anaesthetists is also a Level 5 qualified Soft Tissue Therapist. She completed her studies in October 2022 at the Oxford School of Sports Massage and currently runs a career development skills blog which can be found at: https://officehrz.substack.com/  

During her session at Therapy Expo 2023, Francesca shared insights on the most effective ways of identifying ‘good research’, emphasising the importance of discerning reputable research amidst the vast number of academic journals currently available.  

Francesca began by defining what constitutes a journal: an academic publication featuring various types of content, including original research, reviews, and case reports. She highlighted that there are approximately 40,000 journals available globally, collectively publishing around 5 million research pieces annually, which can make finding reliable information rather overwhelming. 

She differentiated between subscription journals, which require institutional access, and open access journals where individual articles can be freely accessed but may involve an article publication charge (APC). Despite the potential for quality in both formats, she warned about the proliferation of predatory journals that lack proper standards and ethical practices, and focus on the overproduction of subpar research, rather than that of quality.  

Francesca also explained the peer review process as a critical quality assurance mechanism in academic publishing. In this process, submitted papers undergo initial assessments, and those deemed viable are sent for independent peer review. The editor's decision can result in acceptance, revision, or rejection. Approximately 10-20% of papers ultimately make it to publication, ensuring that only thorough research is shared. 

To identify reputable journals, Francesca suggested several strategies: 

1. Publisher Reputation: Familiarise yourself with recognised publishers and their journals. Look for clear information about submission guidelines, ethics, and peer review processes on their websites. 

2. Membership in Ethical Committees: Ensure that journals are members of reputable organisations like the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) or the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA). 

3. Quality Indicators: Use databases like PubMed, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and Think, Check, Submit, which help verify journal credibility. 

When searching for articles, Francesca emphasised looking for academic authorship and proper affiliations, as well as a structured format typical of research papers (e.g. abstract, methodology, results, discussions). She recommended examining the quality and style of writing - formal and objective with clear arguments - and the publication's reference list to ensure reliance on recent studies. 

Reading research articles requires a strategic approach, and Francesca advised starting with the abstract and conclusion to assess if their alignment. Following this, a review of the introduction and body of the paper can help to deepen understanding of the methodology and context. Acknowledging limitations in research is also crucial, as it highlights the scope of findings and potential biases. 

In conclusion, Francesca reinforced the idea that while academic research is vital, practitioners should not accept findings blindly. Personal experience and critical evaluation are essential when applying research to practice. She encouraged the audience to question the authority and relevance of research findings and to balance new studies with established knowledge. Her session provided valuable tools and insights for effectively navigating the complex landscape of academic research, emphasising the importance of discerning quality amidst an overwhelming amount of information.  

Check out the full session recording below: 

 

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