Guidelines for Creating Directed Readings
The Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy (CJRT) will publish one directed reading article in each edition. The following are guidelines to assist authors in the development and submission of directed reading articles.
Content
A directed reading article typically summarizes recent research on a topic without making an original contribution to the body of knowledge. This type of article is generally broad in scope and describes all aspects of health care relevant to respiratory therapy.
Purpose
The directed reading article is designed to contribute to the professional development of respiratory therapists. These articles allow the reader to earn continuing education credits and keep up with advances in the profession.
Audience
CSRT members are the principal audience for directed reading articles. These include general practice respiratory therapists as well as RTs that practice in specialized respiratory care such as neonatology, anesthesia, critical care, etc. The audience also includes educators, managers and students. Although some people may read directed reading articles for personal interest and general knowledge, many RTs will use these articles to obtain continuing education credits.
Submission Process
Pre-approval of directed reading articles is required prior to submission of a final manuscript. Individuals wishing to develop a directed reading article for publication in the Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy are required to submit a one-page summary of the topic, including the learning objectives.
The CJRT editorial board will inform selected authors on the suitability of the topic and the author will be invited to submit a manuscript of the proposed directed reading article as per the instructions outlined in these guidelines. The final manuscript will undergo a peer-review process by select members of the CJRT’s editorial board.
Remuneration
The author will receive an honorarium in the amount of $500.00 by the CSRT for the development and submission of a directed reading article. The author agrees to submit a one-page summary of the topic and the learning objectives for approval by the editor-in-chief. Once submitted, the article will undergo a peer-review process before publication in the Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy. The CSRT will pay the author in two instalments – the first instalment of $250.00 will be paid after approval of the one-page summary by the editor-in-chief and the second instalment in the amount of $250.00 will be paid after receipt of the final version of the directed reading article, including any revisions requested by the editorial board.
Directed Reading Manuscript Format
Every directed reading article contains the same components, including learning objectives, text and quiz questions. To facilitate the editing process, please submit your manuscript in a single document in the following order:
- Title
- Name of author(s), credentials and political affiliations
- Abstract (between 200 to 250 words)
- Learning objectives
- Main text (between 5,000 and 8,000 words – depending on subject matter)
- References (same guidelines for submission of manuscripts to CJRT)
- Author’s short bio (between 50 to 100 words)
- Tables (author must obtain appropriate permission to reprint previously published tables).
- Figure captions (author must obtain appropriate permission to reprint previously published images, graphs and figures)
- Quiz questions (at least 25 questions)
- Quiz answers – answers must be listed in the same order as the questions.
Writing Learning Objectives
The learning objectives for a directed reading article are the learning outcomes for self-study readers. They represent the instructional intent of your manuscript, as well as your goals as the writer. Learning objectives should address the question – “What will participants know or be able to do after completing the directed reading article?”
Because learning objectives represent the goals of the article, they can be written before the article. When identifying the manuscript’s learning objectives, it may be helpful to keep the following in mind:
- Objectives should focus on what readers will learn, not what material the article will cover.
- Objective should clearly state a specific goal.
- Objectives should be expressed in measurable terms.
- Objectives should begin with action verbs.
The following is an example of appropriate learning objectives:
At the completion of this activity, participants will:
- Understand the effects of invasive ventilation procedures on pediatric patients;
- Know the strategies for calming children’s fears;
- Be able to describe three methods of restraining pediatric patients for ventilation procedures.
*** At the completion of the article, the reader will “understand, know, comprehend.”
Developing Quiz Questions
Quiz questions must be multiple-choice questions. The following are recommendations for creating multiple-choice questions. Each question requires:
- A stem – a question, statement or incomplete sentence that immediately precedes a list of options or alternatives. It must address a specific issue requiring an answer or the completion of a statement.
- One correct answer
- Three plausible misleads or incorrect answers
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