AuthorAID

Scientific research is conducted all over the world, and increasingly in developing countries. In an effort to help countries solve problems and speed development, development aid has been invested in research capacity, notably by Sweden{{cite web|url=http://www.sida.se/sida/jsp/sida.jsp?d%3D121%26a%3D1521%26language%3Den_US |title=Site map - Start page - Sida |access-date=2008-05-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080427103542/http://www.sida.se/sida/jsp/sida.jsp?d=121&a=1521&language=en_US |archive-date=2008-04-27 }} Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and Canada.{{cite web|url=http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-1-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html |title=International Development Research Centre: International Development Research Centre |access-date=2008-03-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313024911/http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-1-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html |archive-date=2008-03-13 }} International Development Research Centre The results of this research must be available through publication to be useful in economic development and to other researchers. Yet only an extremely small fraction of the scientific literature is written by developing world authors, even in fields such as health and environmental studies, where it is universally recognized that the world’s dominant problems manifest themselves in developing regions.

An analysis, published in Science in 2005, of 4061 health-related journals from 1992 to 2001 showed a growing gap in scientific publications between low-income countries and the rest of the world. Similarly, Athula Sumathipala and her colleagues found under-representation of developing world authors in leading medical journals such as the BMJ, Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, and JAMA, in 1999 and 2000.{{cite journal |vauthors=Sumathipala A, Siribaddana S, Patel V |title=Under-representation of developing countries in the research literature: ethical issues arising from a survey of five leading medical journals |journal=BMC Med Ethics |volume=5 |pages=E5 |date=October 2004 |pmid=15461820 |pmc=524359 |doi=10.1186/1472-6939-5-5 |url=http://biomedicentral.com/1472-6939/5/5 |doi-access=free }}

There is no single cause of the under-representation of developing world authors. Bias exists on the part of both editors and reviewers who choose what to publish. Frank Gannon,{{cite web|url=http://www.embo.org/about_embo/bio.html |title=EMBO: Promoting bioscience in europe |access-date=2008-05-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513040407/http://www.embo.org/about_embo/bio.html |archive-date=2008-05-13 }} Frank Gannon writing as the editor of EMBO Reports,[http://www.nature.com/embor/index.html] EMBO Reports pointed out one worrisome source of bias against researchers from developing countries. He suggested that editors and reviewers discriminate "by judging colleagues on their work address" noting that "[t]he address of the first or last authors is not always a neutral piece of information when assessing a paper."Gannon F. [http://www.nature.com/embor/journal/v8/n5/full/7400972.html Address bias (editorial).] EMBO Reports 2007; 8(5):421. Accessed 22 April 2008

Differences in publication priorities between developed and developing countries are not always a sign of bias. The editors of a guide to publishing in the addiction sciences noted that "US research is primarily (and legitimately) oriented towards that country’s own social and economic priorities, which do not necessarily apply to cultures in the developing world. The problem of US dominance is thus not only one of maldistribution of opportunity."Barbor TF, Stenius K, Savva S (editors). [http://www.parint.org/isajewebsite/isajebook/isajewebbook.htm Publishing addiction science: a guide for the perplexed.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511181214/http://www.parint.org/isajewebsite/isajebook/isajewebbook.htm |date=May 11, 2008 }} International Society of Addiction Journal Editors/World Health Organization. Accessed 23 April 2008 Some writers, analyzing the issues of science information transfer from a sociolinguistic and sociopolitical standpoint, consider this cultural dominance to reflect an "Anglo-American English language hegemony."{{cite journal |author=Aalbers MB |title=Creative destruction through the Anglo-American hegemony: a non-Anglo-American view on publications, referees and language |journal=Area |volume=36 |issue=3 |pages=319–22 |year=2004 |doi=10.1111/j.0004-0894.2004.00229.x }} The problem is further compounded by variations in the quality of the feedback peer reviewers are able to provide about the language and writing, since this advice does not always help to make the writing better.{{cite journal |vauthors=Guyatt GH, Brian Haynes R |title=Preparing reports for publication and responding to reviewers' comments |journal=J Clin Epidemiol |volume=59 |issue=9 |pages=900–6 |date=September 2006 |pmid=16895811 |doi=10.1016/j.jclinepi.2006.05.004 }}{{cite journal |author=Shashok K |title=Content and communication: How can peer review provide helpful feedback about the writing? |journal=BMC Med Res Methodol |volume=8|pages=3 |year=2008 |pmid=18237378 |pmc=2268697 |doi=10.1186/1471-2288-8-3 |doi-access=free }}

Writing in English, overwhelmingly the language of scientific publication, constitutes a problem that can make it difficult for non-native English speakers (NNS) to "compete on an equal research basis."{{cite journal |author=Gosden H |title=Research writing and NNSs: from the Editors |journal=Journal of Second Language Writing |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=123–39 |year=1992 |doi=10.1016/1060-3743(92)90012-E}} In the early 1990s Gosden surveyed editors if biology, chemistry and physics journals to identify aspects of manuscripts "which may seriously detract attention from judgment of a paper’s essential merits." He found that journal editors reported several problems encountered by NNS researchers, including inadequate knowledge of the unwritten "rules of the publication game" (for instance, failure to cite sufficient references to earlier research and unfamiliarity with the argumentation style or scientific level of the journal.)

The editors of the addiction sciences publishing guide mentioned above noted that international publishing requires technical skill to follow the instructions to authors, and is "an acquired competence in social communication." They warned that "if the formalities are not followed, even a study containing strong and original findings might immediately be turned down." One potential obstacle to acceptance is that "many English-speaking editors and reviewers (in the same way as many French, German, or Swedish speaking editors) will have a rather strict idea of what constitutes good language."

Freeman and Robbins, when developing the AuthorAID concept, summarized what they learned about the problems faced by authors in developing countries as:

• Uncertainty about which journals may be suitable for a submission
• Unfamiliarity with editorial conventions
• Persistent pressure to write in English
• Conflicts with collaborators about authorship and author order
• Lack of scientific and statistical tools to analyze data as required by journals
• Editors’ and publishers’ inattention to development problems and developing country topics.{{cite journal |vauthors=Freeman P, Robbins A |title=The publishing gap between rich and poor: the focus of AuthorAID |journal=J Public Health Policy |volume=27 |issue=2 |pages=196–203 |date=July 2006 |pmid=16961198 |doi=10.1057/palgrave.jphp.3200071|s2cid=45444934 }}

Editors and other research publication experts might help researchers overcome linguistic challenges and cultural differences, and help them understand the procedural, ethical, and technical intricacies of academic publication. Freeman and Robbins reported that in developing world research institutions there are simply too few editor/scientist mentors (well-published authors or experienced editors) available to assist in disseminating the work of emerging research talent whose findings might be brought to bear on the world’s major problems.

Editors of international journals reported to Freeman and Robbins that they sometimes reject submissions from developing country authors even when the content shows merit. Some noted that despite investment in research capacity in developing countries, many manuscripts reflect inadequate attention to research design and analysis. Conflicting priorities and lack of resources to provide substantive editing have also been discussed as a potential source of bias by members of the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).[http://www.wame.org] World Association of Medical Editors Editors in WAME who work with researchers as well as those who tend the gates at journals noted that the chances of acceptance may be lower for manuscripts needing more rather than less editing work.Value of technical editing. WAME listserve discussion, March 2–8, 2005. http://www.wame.org/resources/wame-listserve-discussions/value-of-technical-editing/. Accessed 21 March 2008

At smaller journals in particular, manuscripts are likely to be rejected if they seem to require more editing than the editors or publisher can afford to provide. Another potential source of bias is perceived narrowness of scope: some editors lament the paucity of submissions sufficiently broad in scope to warrant international dissemination. Manuscripts that report research on a local or regional topic are often rejected by international journals before the editors have carefully scrutinized the research design and data collection.

Journal editors from the Forum of African Medical Editors (FAME){{cite web|url=https://www.who.int/tdr/networking/fame/default.htm |title=FAME |access-date=2008-05-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514164523/http://www.who.int/tdr/networking/fame/default.htm |archive-date=2008-05-14 }} Forum of African Medical Editors and the Eastern Mediterranean Association of Medical Editors (EMAME),[http://www.emro.who.int/EMAME/index.htm] Eastern Mediterranean Association of Medical Editors both of which are supported by the World Health Organization, report they do most of the editorial tasks themselves, and have little time to assist authors with substantial revisions. Lack of editorial staff to help authors may prolong the review process or result in rejection of manuscripts whose research findings could be applied to solving practical problems or to further research.

The tradition of intensive editing in many fields and at many scholarly journals and publishing houses (see academic publishing) has given way to commercial imperatives to produce at lower cost more "content" that can be repackaged and resold or licensed to others to generate additional revenue. To reduce costs, publishers have pushed greater editorial responsibility upon authors. Journals proliferate, but editorial resources are often strained, leading to a propensity to accept manuscripts that require less work. This may impose an additional burden on readers trying to understand the published articles.

Research institutions in wealthy countries have responded to this new publishing environment. Where no in-house editorial service exists, elite institutions often buy editorial help for their researchers from freelance editors or specialized firms. Few, if any, developing world institutions have in-house editorial services or external editors.

In some models of open access publishing the author pays the publisher a "manuscript processing fee," which contributes little revenue to invest in editing. These fees tend to exclude less affluent authors from the start. However, not all models of open access publishing require financial support from authors, and some open access publishers waive their fees when payment would represent a hardship for authors.

The editors of the Journal of Public Health Policy (JPHP) first presented the AuthorAID idea, provisionally named EditAID, at a meeting of the World Federation of Public Health Associations in Brighton, England in April 2004. Public health professionals from the federation’s 69 national associations expressed interest in the AuthorAID concept. Some wanted to benefit from mentoring and others offered to help scientists with less writing experience.

The second public presentation of AuthorAID took place in Mexico in November 2004 at the Global Forum for Health Research.{{cite web |url=http://www.globalforumhealth.org/Site/000__Home.php |title=Global Forum Health web site - Home |access-date=2007-11-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820021857/http://www.globalforumhealth.org/Site/000__Home.php |archive-date=2007-08-20 }} Global Forum for Health Research This allowed AuthorAID’s developers to reach a group closer to the intended users, i.e., researchers from developing countries plus national and international agencies that invest in research. Robbins and Jerry Spiegel, a Canadian colleague from the Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research,[http://www.ccghr.ca/] Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research talked to the forum about the potential benefits of AuthorAID.Freeman P, Spiegel J, Robbins A, Neufeld V. [http://www.globalforumhealth.org/Forum8/Forum8-CDROM/OralPresentations/Robbins%20Spiegel%20F8-295.doc AuthorAID: A project to open access of under-represented contributors to scholarly publications.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050514104646/http://www.globalforumhealth.org/Forum8/forum8-cdrom/OralPresentations/Robbins%20Spiegel%20F8-295.doc |date=2005-05-14 }} Global Forum for Health Research. Forum 8, Mexico City, October 2004. Accessed 21 March 2008 In addition, a group of Rockefeller Foundation International Health Research Awardees presented their research to a concurrent ministerial summit.[https://web.archive.org/web/20040630162851/http://www.who.int/rpc/summit/en/] Rockefeller Foundation International Health Research Awardees at the Global Forum for Health Research, 2004 These researchers, from 25 developing countries, had been helped by JPHP in an AuthorAID-like developmental editing experiment.{{cite journal |vauthors=Abrahams N, Adhikari R, Bhagwat IP |title=Changing the debate about health research for development. International Health Research Awards Recipients |journal=J Public Health Policy |volume=25 |issue=3–4 |pages=259–87 |year=2004 |pmid=15683065 |url=http://www.palgrave-journals.com/jphp/journal/v25/n3/abs/3190028a.html |doi=10.1057/palgrave.jphp.3190028|s2cid=12447695 |display-authors=etal|url-access=subscription }} In the wake of this experience, interest focussed on the search for more substantial ways to test the AuthorAID concept.

Many editors of US scientific journals were, at the time, engaged in activities to support developing world journal editors and their publications.Tillet T. [http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2005/113-7/niehsnews.html Global Collaboration Gives Greater Voice to African Journals.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917070610/http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2005/113-7/niehsnews.html |date=2008-09-17 }} Environmental Health Perspectives 2005; 113(7), July 2005. Accessed 1 April 2008 For its May 2005 meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, the council of Science Editors (CSE, formerly the Council of Biology Editors) invited a presentation of AuthorAID. Ana Marusic,{{cite web|url=http://www.cmj.hr/editors.htm |title=Editors |access-date=2008-05-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501021501/http://www.cmj.hr/editors.htm |archive-date=2008-05-01 }} Ana Marusic co-editor of the Croatian Medical Journal,[http://www.cmj.hr/] Croatian Medical Journal organized a special session on AuthorAID. Editors from FAME encouraged CSE to participate in AuthorAID. CSE’s board voted to develop the concept into a CSE project. Paul Bozuwa of Dartmouth Journal Services,{{cite web|url=http://ejournal.nbii.org/archives/vol2iss1/editorial.bozuwa.html |title=SSPP: Council of Science Editors Task Force on Science Journals, Poverty, and Human Development |access-date=2008-05-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117224351/http://ejournal.nbii.org/archives/vol2iss1/editorial.bozuwa.html |archive-date=2008-01-17 }} Paul Bozuwa who chaired a CSE Task Force on Science Journals, Poverty, and Human Development, took the lead for CSE on AuthorAID.{{cite journal | author = Bozuwa P | year = 2006 | title = Council of Science Editors Task Force on Science Journals, Poverty, and Human Development | url = http://ejournal.nbii.org/archives/vol2iss1/editorial.bozuwa.html | journal = Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy | volume = 2 | issue = 1| pages = 1–2 | doi = 10.1080/15487733.2006.11907972 | bibcode = 2006SSPP....2....1B | doi-access = free }}

The Science and Development Network posted an article by the JPHP editors in its Opinions section describing AuthorAID to the broader science and development communities.Freeman P, Robbins A. [http://www.scidev.net/content/opinions/eng/closing-the-publishing-gap-between-rich-and-poor.cfm Closing the ‘publishing gap’ between rich and poor.] SciDev.Net 2 September 2005. Accessed 1 April 2008 The JPHP editors followed up with an editorial in their journal in which they explained the problems faced by developing world researchers when they try to publish their work in scientific journals.{{cite journal | author = Anonymous | year = 2005 | title = Editorial: AuthorAID | url = http://www.palgrave-journals.com/jphp/journal/v26/n4/abs/3200050a.html | journal = Journal of Public Health Policy | volume = 26 | issue = 4 | pages = 387–388 | doi = 10.1057/palgrave.jphp.3200050 | doi-access = free | url-access = subscription }}

In 2006, AuthorAID experiments started to take shape. Certain central elements remain constant across the experiments. AuthorAID is not commercial, relying exclusively on volunteer scientific and editorial mentors to help developing world authors. All AuthorAID projects match mentors (senior scientists with editorial experience often in or near retirement, or experienced science editors) with researchers seeking help to present their work. Mentors forswear authorship, agreeing to accept acknowledgment from the researchers whom they assist. Together the mentors and authors work on a manuscript via the internet or e-mail (unless they are able to meet in person) through to publication.

The European Association of Science Editors (EASE)[http://www.ease.org.uk] European Association of Science Editors invited a presentation of AuthorAID at its 2006 Annual Meeting in Kraków, Poland and subsequently endorsed the concept. Short descriptions of AuthorAID have been published in the journals of both CSEAmeh E. [http://www.councilscienceeditors.org/members/securedDocuments/vw8n5p152.pdf Scientific authorship and editing in the developing world.]{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Science Editor 2005; 28(5): 152. Accessed 21 March 2008 (Science Editor) and EASERobbins A, Freeman P. [http://www.ease.org.uk/ AuthorAID: Developmental editing assistance for researchers in developing countries.] European Science Editing February 2007; 33(1): 9-10. Accessed 21 March 2008 (European Science Editing).

The International Society for Environmental Epidemiology,[http://www.iseepi.org/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511210639/http://www.iseepi.org/ |date=2008-05-11 }} International Society for Environmental Epidemiology with almost 1000 members worldwide, created an AuthorAID for its developing world members, relying on the expertise of senior members as mentors.The International Society for Environmental Epidemiology. [http://www.iseepi.org/about/authoraid.html AuthorAID. What is AuthorAID?] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428120733/http://www.iseepi.org/about/authoraid.html |date=April 28, 2008 }} Accessed 21 March 2008 In 2007, this became one of the first operational experiments with the AuthorAID concept.

In late 2008 AuthorAID and Scientists without Borders, a project developed by the New York Academy of Sciences,[http://www.nyas.org/programs/borders.asp] Scientists without Borders discovered each other and agreed to investigate ways to work together. In autumn 2009 work began on the development of an organizational profile for the AuthorAID concept and its various projects on the Scientists without Borders website. In addition, support from the Eastern Mediterranean Association of Medical Editors (EMAME),[http://www.emro.who.int/EMAME/] Eastern Mediterranean Association of Medical Editors (EMAME) the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean of the World Health Organization,{{cite web|url=http://www.emro.who.int/index.asp |title=World Health Organization - Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean |access-date=2011-08-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814192139/http://www.emro.who.int/index.asp |archive-date=2011-08-14 }} Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, WHO and the Bahrain Medical Society{{cite web|url=http://www.emro.who.int/EMAME/emmj4/Media/PDF/Poster.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-01-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725130416/http://www.emro.who.int/EMAME/emmj4/Media/PDF/Poster.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-25 }} Bahrain Medical Society made it possible for Karen Shashok, a translator and author's editor located in Granada, Spain, to attend the EMMJ4 conference in Manama, Bahrain and start work on the AuthorAID in the Eastern Mediterranean project.

The International Network for Advancing Science and Policy (INASP), an international development charity based in Oxford, UK, has run a funded AuthorAID program called AuthorAID at INASP since January 2007.[http://www.inasp.info/file/413/authoraidinasp.html AuthorAID at INASP: A systematic approach to increasing the capacity of developing country researchers to publish and communicate their work] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521233258/http://www.inasp.info/file/413/authoraidinasp.html |date=2008-05-21 }} Accessed 4 July 2012 Following the independent evaluation of the pilot phase from 2007 to 2009,[http://www.inasp.info/media/www/documents/AuthorAID-evaluation-2010.pdf AuthorAID: Evaluation of Pilot Phase 2007-2009]{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Accessed 4 July 2012 the program was extended until the end of 2012.

AuthorAID at INASP is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), and the UK's Department for International Development (DFID).[http://www.authoraid.info/about About AuthorAID] Accessed 4 July 2012 AuthorAID at INASP is not connected to the other AuthorAID programs. Instead, it is an integral part of INASP's Programme for the Enhancement of Research Information,[http://www.inasp.info/file/3a1a5782ece736a02e3751a49b0cf507/perii-publishing-support.html PERii: Publishing Support] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705031716/http://www.inasp.info/file/3a1a5782ece736a02e3751a49b0cf507/perii-publishing-support.html |date=2012-07-05 }} Accessed 4 July 2012[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120208121702/http://www.dfid.gov.uk/R4D/Project/60601/Default.aspx Information on PERii on the DFID website] Accessed 4 July 2012 which facilitates the availability, accessibility, creation, and uptake of research in developing countries.

Like other AuthorAID initiatives, the AuthorAID program at INASP includes a mentoring scheme,[http://www.authoraid.info/mentoring-info Mentoring portal on the AuthorAID at INASP website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814131029/http://www.authoraid.info/mentoring-info |date=2012-08-14 }} Accessed 4 July 2012[http://www.inasp.info/media/www/documents/2010-AuthorAID-Learning-from-Experience-w.pdf Case study of a mentoring relationship]{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Accessed 4 July 2012 which in June 2012 had nearly 5000 members from 150+ countries.[http://pubs-for-dev.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2012-10-Murugesan-Update-on-AuthorAID.pdf Presentation on AuthorAID at Publishers for Development Conference, June 2012] Accessed 4 July 2012 In 2012, the British Academy invited AuthorAID at INASP to talk about mentoring at the Career Development Workshop for Early Career Researchers in West Africa,[http://www.pubs-for-dev.info/2012/05/online-free-open-access-confusions-of-a-west-african-researcher/ Publishers for Development blog] Accessed 4 July 2012[http://desertherald.com/?p=1341 Report of British Academy workshop in Desert Herald, a Nigerian newspaper] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617190040/http://desertherald.com/?p=1341 |date=June 17, 2012 }} Accessed 4 July 2012 and a talk on mentoring was also given at the 11th General Assembly of the European Association of Science Editors.[http://www.ease.org.uk/ease-events/triennial-conference/editing-digital-world-tallinn/tallinn-programme/parallel-session-f Parallel Session F at EASE conference: Local assistance of scientists and institutes by editors]

Since 2007, the AuthorAID staff from INASP have organized many workshops on research writing (i.e., writing research papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals) in various countries in Africa,[http://www.authoraid.info/news/back-from-2-workshops-in-kenya/ Workshops in Kenya, May to June 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624001059/http://www.authoraid.info/news/back-from-2-workshops-in-kenya |date=2012-06-24 }} Accessed 4 July 2012[http://www.authoraid.info/news/authoraid-workshop-in-zambia/ Workshop in Zambia, March 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407130813/http://www.authoraid.info/news/authoraid-workshop-in-zambia |date=2012-04-07 }} Accessed 4 July 2012[https://archive.today/20130217235428/http://www.authoraid.info/news/guest-post-authoraid-workshop-in-ethiopia/ Workshop in Ethiopia, November 2011] Accessed 4 July 2012[https://archive.today/20130218001217/http://www.authoraid.info/news/grant-proposals-a-recent-workshop-and-a-new-opportunity/ Workshop in Rwanda, May 2011] Accessed 4 July 2012 South Asia,[https://archive.today/20130218053340/http://www.authoraid.info/news/back-from-nepal Workshop in Kathmandu, Nepal, March 2011] Accessed 4 July 2012[https://archive.today/20130218054237/http://www.authoraid.info/news/back-from-pakistan/ Workshop in Pakistan, May 2012] Accessed 4 July 2012[http://www.authoraid.info/news/more-from-sri-lanka/ Workshop in Sri Lanka, March 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501134603/http://www.authoraid.info/news/more-from-sri-lanka |date=2010-05-01 }} Accessed 4 July 2012 and Latin America.[http://www.authoraid.info/news/greetings-and-slides-from-nicaragua/ Workshop in Nicaragua, November 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402185856/http://www.authoraid.info/news/greetings-and-slides-from-nicaragua |date=2009-04-02 }} Accessed 4 July 2012[http://www.authoraid.info/news/from-the-colombia-workshop/ Workshop in Colombia, November 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306060229/http://www.authoraid.info/news/from-the-colombia-workshop |date=2010-03-06 }} Accessed 4 July 2012 Workshops have also been organized locally by researchers working in INASP's partner countries.[http://www.authoraid.info/news/guest-post-a-workshop-in-cuba-comunicacion-invitada-un-taller-en-cuba/ Workshop in Cuba, June 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021034905/http://www.authoraid.info/news/guest-post-a-workshop-in-cuba-comunicacion-invitada-un-taller-en-cuba |date=2010-10-21 }} Accessed 4 July 2012 The impact of AuthorAID at INASP workshops on the publication output of participants is periodically evaluated.[http://www.inasp.info/media/www/documents/2011-RW-AuthorAID-NUR.pdf Long-term assessment of AuthorAID at INASP workshop in Rwanda]{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Accessed 4 July 2012 Researchers who attend the train-the-trainers workshop, which are often part of AuthorAID at INASP's research writing workshops, are encouraged to pass on their knowledge.[http://www.authoraid.info/news/guest-post-a-workshop-in-biratnagar-nepal/ Workshop in Biratnagar, Nepal, July 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516110345/http://www.authoraid.info/news/guest-post-a-workshop-in-biratnagar-nepal |date=2013-05-16 }} Accessed 4 July 2012[https://archive.today/20130218065543/http://www.authoraid.info/news/guest-post-a-writing-workshop-at-manipal-college-of-medical-sciences-nepal/ Workshop in Pokhara, Nepal, July 2011] Accessed 4 July 2012 The hundreds of free e-resources on research communication available on the AuthorAID at INASP site can be used by anyone for non-profit workshops and educational activities.[http://www.authoraid.info/resource-library AuthorAID e-resource library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708061026/http://www.authoraid.info/resource-library |date=2012-07-08 }} Accessed 4 July 2012

Since 2010, AuthorAID at INASP have provided grants to support research communication. Grants have been awarded for researchers to present at conferences,[http://www.authoraid.info/news/guest-post-from-an-authoraid-travel-grant-recipient/ Blog post by travel grant recipient in Pakistan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701180336/http://www.authoraid.info/news/guest-post-from-an-authoraid-travel-grant-recipient |date=2012-07-01 }} Accessed 4 July 2012] organize local AuthorAID workshops,[https://archive.today/20130218024722/http://www.authoraid.info/news/guest-post-authoraid-case-writing-workshop-in-tanzania/ Blog post by workshop grant recipient in Tanzania] Accessed 4 July 2012 and attend an intensive course on research writing.[https://archive.today/20130217231022/http://www.authoraid.info/news/guest-post-from-the-intensive-course-on-research-writing/ Blog post by grant recipient in Sri Lanka] Accessed 4 July 2012

A pilot e-learning course on research writing was conducted in 2011, and results were reported at an e-learning conference.[http://www.slideshare.net/MoodleMootIreland/moodling-with-rwandan-researchers Moodling with Rwandan Researchers, AuthorAID presentation at Moodlemoot Ireland & UK 2012] Accessed 4 July 2012

From January to June 2009 the first on-site phase of this volunteer project, co-coordinated by Karen Shashok and Dr Farhad Handjani, was able to get underway thanks to support from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Shiraz, Iran.[http://www.sums.ac.ir/english/shiraz/university.html] Shiraz University of Medical Sciences The results of the first on-site phase of this project were presented at the European Association of Science Editors 2009 conference, and were reported in European Science EditingShashok K. [http://www.ease.org.uk/pdfesearticlesnov09/EATW_correspondence106-8.pdf AuthorAID in the Eastern Mediterranean: A communication bridge between mainstream and emerging research communities.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006052100/http://www.ease.org.uk/pdfesearticlesnov09/EATW_correspondence106-8.pdf |date=October 6, 2011 }} European Science Editing 2009; 35(3):106-108 and elsewhere.Shashok K. [http://www.emwa.org/JournalPDFs/J_V19_I1.pdf How AuthorAID in the Eastern Mediterranean helps researchers become authors.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928042635/http://www.emwa.org/JournalPDFs/J_V19_I1.pdf |date=2011-09-28 }} The Write Stuff 2010; 19(1): 43-46Shashok K. [http://publicationethics.org/newsletters Aiding authors in the Eastern Mediterranean.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224174048/http://publicationethics.org/newsletters |date=December 24, 2010 }} Ethical Editing 2010; 2(3): 5-6Shashok K, Handjani F. [http://journals.tums.ac.ir/description.aspx?org_id=59&culture_var=en&journal_id=18&segment=en Enhancing the quality of research publication: AuthorAID in the Eastern Mediterranean.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930023735/http://journals.tums.ac.ir/description.aspx?org_id=59&culture_var=en&journal_id=18&segment=en |date=September 30, 2011 }} Journal of the Tehran University Heart Center 2010; 5(4): 169-171 The second on-site phase, again supported by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, took place from November 2010 to July 2011. Work during this phase formed the basis of several articles,Shashok K. [http://mejc.sums.ac.ir/files/PDFfiles/1.pdf594704931.pdf Good writing and good reporting to enhance the impact of articles and journals.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331045722/http://mejc.sums.ac.ir/files/PDFfiles/1.pdf594704931.pdf |date=March 31, 2012 }} Middle East Journal of Cancer 2011; 1(4): 151-152Habibzadeh F, Shashok K. [http://www.cmj.hr/2011/52/4/21853553.htm Plagiarism in scientific writing: words or ideas?] Croatian Med J 2011; 52: 576-577Shashok K. [http://www.saudija.org/article.asp?issn=1658-354X;year=2011;volume=5;issue=3;spage=303;epage=307;aulast=Shashok Authors, editors, and the signs, symptoms and causes of plagiarism.] Saudi J Anesthesia 2011; 5(3): 305-307 and also resulted in plans for collaborative research between an author's editor at the Clinical Research Development Center of Nemazee Hospital (one of the teaching hospitals affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences) and an AAEM editor in Spain. The AuthorAID in the Eastern Mediterranean [http://www.authoraidem.org website] was inaugurated in late October 2012.

Experienced volunteer editors who contribute their time to AAEM are located in several countries and edit research manuscripts at no cost to the authors. In Iran, the project has provided manuscript editing combined with training in writing, revising, good scientific English style, appropriate referencing and citation, and research publication ethics. Sets of AAEM advice developed for authors and editors cover aspects of technical editing such as abbreviations, reference formats and identifying sources of materials, as well as aspects of research writing and publication such as plagiarism, self-plagiarism, appropriate secondary publication and choosing the most appropriate journal. While the next on-site phase of AAEM is being planned, its volunteers continue to provide manuscript editing support via email for researchers in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

• Academic publishing
• Committee on Publication Ethics
• Council of Science Editors
• European Association of Science Editors
• European Science Editing
• International English
• Open access (publishing)
• Peer review
• Rhetoric of science
• Science and Development Network
• Scientific literature
• Scientists without Borders
• World Association of Medical Editors

{{Reflist}}

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{{cite journal|vauthors=Benfield JR, Feak CB |title=How authors can cope with the burden of English as an international language |journal=Chest |volume=129 |issue=6 |pages=1728–30 |date=June 2006 |pmid=16778297 |doi=10.1378/chest.129.6.1728 |url=http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/full/129/6/1728 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725041627/http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/full/129/6/1728 |archive-date=2008-07-25 |url-access=subscription }}

{{cite journal|author=Benfield JR |title=Cardiothoracic surgeons divided by a common language |journal=Ann. Thorac. Surg. |volume=84 |issue=2 |pages=363–4 |date=August 2007 |pmid=17643601 |doi=10.1016/j.athoracsur.2007.02.097 |doi-access=free }}

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Council of Science Editors Global Theme Issue on poverty and human development. Oct 22, 2007. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080511194952/http://www.councilscienceeditors.org/globalthemeissue.cfm] Accessed 21 March 2008

{{cite journal |author=Goehl TJ |title=Access Denied |journal=Environ. Health Perspect. |volume=115 |issue=10 |pages=A482–3 |date=October 2007 |pmid=17938705 |pmc=2022641 |doi=10.1289/ehp.10729 }}

{{cite journal |author=Kerans ME |title=Close to home. Notes on the post-publication withdrawal of a Spanish research paper |journal=Ibérica |volume=4 |pages=39–54 |year=2002 |url=http://www.aelfe.org/documents/text4-Kerans.pdf}}

{{cite journal |vauthors=Lillis T, Curry MJ |title=Professional academic writing by multilingual scholars. Interactions with literacy brokers in the production of English-medium texts |journal=Written Communication |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=3–35 |year=2006 |doi= 10.1177/0741088305283754|s2cid=28945618 |hdl=1802/27267 |hdl-access=free }}

{{cite web |author=Suber P |url=http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/overview.htm |title=Open Access Overview (definition, introduction) |access-date=2008-05-09 |archive-date=2007-05-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070519103647/http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/overview.htm |url-status=dead }}

{{cite journal |vauthors=Pan Z, Gao J |title=Crossing the Language Limitations |journal=PLOS Med. |volume=3 |issue=9 |pages=e410 |date=September 2006 |pmid=17002510 |pmc=1576334 |doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0030410 |doi-access=free }}

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