Abstract

ISAACS, Q; KHAN, S; DHAYA, D  and  CADER, R.. Synopsis of publications in Dentistry from the University of the Western Cape. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2018, vol.73, n.4, pp.234-238. ISSN 0375-1562.

Staff are encouraged to complete research and to ensure that these projects translate into quality publications. Such studies are required to have scientific merit and should inform clinical practices. AIM: To determine the barriers to publishing research and to critically evaluate completed publications. METHOD: Ethical clearance was obtained from the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (Registration No: 14/3/23). This was a cross-sectional descriptive study investigating the publications for the period 2005-2012. Questionnaires were administered via SurveyMonkey, e-mailed or staff were given copies to complete. Data were captured and analyzed in Microsoft Excel. Publications were critically analysed to determine the structure applied, recognising the academic scope of the respective journals. RESULTS: Responses to the questionnaire were received from 30 staff members and one postgraduate student. Eighty six (72.3%) registered research protocols had resulted in a publication. Failure to publish was attributed to: time-constraints, lack of resources and rejection by editors. Publications were mostly case reports (31%), cross-sectional studies (19%) and literature reviews (17%). CONCLUSIONS: Barriers in translating research into publications were identified; these should be addressed to further improve support to for staff. The publication rate, linked to the quality of the study, differed per department.

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