In 2024, many JOVS authors make outstanding contributions to our journal. Their articles published with us have received very well feedback in the field and stimulate a lot of discussions and new insights among the peers.

Hereby, we would like to highlight some of our outstanding authors who have been making immense efforts in their research fields, with a brief interview of their unique perspective and insightful view as authors.

Outstanding Authors (2024)

Aman Goyal, Magister Chirurgiae Association, India

Alexis Sanchez, Orlando Health, USA

Francisco Javier Moradiellos, Quirónsalud Madrid University Hospital, Spain

Outstanding Author

Aman Goyal

Dr. Aman Goyal is a graduate of MBBS (2018-2024) from Adesh University, Bathinda, Punjab, India, and the Founder of the Magister Chirurgiae Association. He served as the Editor of original research publications at JAMSA (Journal of Asian Medical Student Association) from 2022-2023. His deep-seated interest in medical literature and research has led him to actively engage as a peer-reviewer for esteemed surgical journals, including the International Journal of Surgery (IJS), Annals of Medicine and Surgery, International Journal of Surgery Open (IJSO), and the Cureus Journal of Medical Sciences, and medical student journal such as the British Student Doctor Journal (BSDJ). His research endeavours predominantly revolve around the surgical sciences, with a pronounced focus on surgical gastroenterology and oncology. He contributed significantly to various research projects in General Surgery, Anaesthesiology, Ophthalmology, and OBGY, resulting in the successful publication of over 10 papers in international peer-reviewed journals. His ultimate aspiration is to evolve into a surgeon-scientist distinguished in this specialized field of surgical gastroenterology and oncology. Connect with Dr. Goyal on LinkedIn and follow his Association here.

JOVS: What are the essential elements of a good academic paper?

Dr. Goyal: In the field of medicine, producing a high-quality academic paper involves several key components. The cornerstone of a well-structured paper lies in adhering to the IMRD (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion) format, a widely recognized method for organizing scholarly work. It serves as a blueprint, guiding authors through the sequential development of their research.

Moreover, strict adherence to established guidelines and checklists is imperative during the drafting process. These resources serve as invaluable tools, ensuring that no essential aspect of the paper is overlooked. By systematically following these guidelines, authors can effectively navigate through each section of the IMRD framework, thereby enhancing the coherence and comprehensiveness of their work.

The credibility of any academic paper is the robustness of its statistical analysis. An unbiased and balanced approach to statistical interpretation is essential, taking into consideration the patient’s demographics and variables within the study. This validates the findings of the research and also instils confidence in the reader regarding the integrity of the research.

I believe the methodology section assumes paramount importance within an academic paper. It serves as a roadmap, elucidating the details of how the study was conducted, such as randomization in the case of randomized controlled trials. A transparent methodology not only facilitates comprehension but also lays the groundwork for future researchers, offering insights into the protocol and methodologies employed.

Furthermore, the accurate citing of references is fundamental. It not only lends credence to the work but also acknowledges the contributions of previous researchers in the field. Keeping these points in mind is helpful for crafting a good academic paper.

JOVS: What authors have to bear in mind during preparation of a paper?

Dr. Goyal: Authors preparing a paper should keep several critical factors in mind to ensure its quality and suitability for publication. Firstly, they must ensure the originality of their contribution, avoiding any potential issues related to copyright infringement or self-plagiarism. Moreover, authors should meticulously review the literature to identify existing knowledge gaps and ensure their research question aligns with these gaps. The paper's title and abstract play crucial roles in attracting readers; thus, they should be concise, clear, and accurately represent the paper's content.

In constructing a paper, authors need to provide a comprehensive literature review and construct a cogent argument synthesizing relevant information. The introduction should provide a clear, structured description of the background and rationale for the study, while the methodology section must offer a thorough explanation of the chosen study design and data collection methods. Results should be presented credibly, supported by valid statistics, and aligned with the research question, utilizing clear text, tables, and figures.

During the discussion section, authors should critically analyze their findings, discuss their implications, and acknowledge any limitations. Finally, the conclusion should succinctly summarize the main arguments and conclusions while highlighting future prospects. Before submission, authors should ensure proper formatting of references, inclusion of necessary tables and figures, and thorough proofreading for spelling, grammar, and potential plagiarism. By adhering to these guidelines, authors can enhance the quality and impact of their scientific papers.

JOVS: Data sharing is prevalent in scientific writing in recent years. Do you think it is crucial for authors to share their research data?

Dr. Goyal: Yes, I strongly believe that data sharing is crucial for authors in scientific writing. In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards promoting transparency and reproducibility in research, and data sharing plays a pivotal role.

Firstly, sharing research data allows for greater transparency in the scientific process. By making their data openly available, authors provide an opportunity for other researchers to scrutinize and verify their findings, thereby enhancing the credibility and reliability of the research. This transparency fosters trust within the scientific community and ensures that research outcomes are based on robust evidence.

Access to shared datasets enables researchers from diverse backgrounds to explore new hypotheses, conduct further analyses, and generate novel insights. Collaborative efforts fueled by shared data can lead to the development of more effective solutions to complex research questions. Also, it allows authors to extend the reach of their findings beyond the confines of individual studies.

In summary, data sharing is indispensable for authors in scientific writing as it enhances transparency, encourages collaboration, and amplifies the influence of research endeavours. However, it's imperative to prioritize patient confidentiality by ensuring that sensitive information remains safeguarded.

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)

Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez is a distinguished General Surgery Specialist (2002), with a Master's in Laparoscopic Surgery (2010) and a Master’s in Business Administration (2018). He served as an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Central University of Venezuela and as an attending physician at the University Hospital of Caracas (2003-2017). During his tenure, he held key positions such as Director of the Robotic Surgery Program, Founder and Coordinator of the Robotic Digestive Surgery Fellowship, and Director of Research. His extensive training in this field has led to his active involvement in training surgeons across various countries and publishing studies on Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), Robotic Surgery, training, and simulation. Currently, he is the Director of the Robotic Surgery Program at Orlando Health, Orlando, Florida, USA, where he spearheads initiatives focused on OR efficiency and objective performance evaluation of the surgical team. Connect with Dr. Sanchez on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

JOVS: What do you regard as a good academic paper?

Dr. Sanchez: To consider a publication as a good paper, there are basically two key aspects: the first and most important is the methodological aspect of the study, and the second relevant aspect, from my point of view, is the reproducibility and large-scale application of the study's recommendations. A well-written paper should clearly communicate its objectives, methods, results, and conclusions, making it accessible and understandable to both experts and those new to the field. A good academic paper must produce a significant impact, either by leading to new studies in the field or by leading to changes in current practice that result in better outcomes. The robustness of the methodology ensures the reliability of the findings, while the applicability of the study ensures that the findings can be translated into real-world benefits.

JOVS: What are the most commonly encountered difficulties in academic writing?

Dr. Sanchez: The availability of time is definitely one of the main limitations, which is why having a motivated and engaged research team that shares the passion for generating knowledge is a key factor. Access to information is quite straightforward these days, and the use of EMR and other data management software greatly facilitates the conduct of research. Another aspect that can be challenging to manage is the administrative side; funding for research is not always easy to secure, and the team must be familiar with the available avenues to obtain financial support. Industry support is appreciated, but we must ensure that it does not lead to bias in the study. Additionally, balancing clinical duties with research activities can be demanding, and the writing process itself requires a high level of precision and attention to detail. Collaboration and effective communication within the research team are essential to overcome these challenges.

JOVS: What is fascinating about academic writing?

Dr. Sanchez: The most fascinating aspect is the opportunity to bring ideas to fruition, to confirm theories, and to produce knowledge that leads to significant changes in daily surgical practice. In my case, many of the training models developed and published are currently part of the training curriculum in multiple general surgery residencies. Furthermore, the proposal and development of efficiency measures have, in many cases, increased the capacity to offer modern surgical techniques to a larger part of the population. Seeing how your published ideas or proposals are mentioned in conferences and international events and have led to the generation of new ideas is immensely satisfying. It is great to feel that we have contributed our two cents to this exciting journey we have experienced with the constant incorporation of new technologies into the operating room over the last 20 years. Moreover, academic writing allows for the dissemination of innovative practices and the establishment of best practices, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes. The process of peer review and collaboration with colleagues worldwide also enriches the research experience and helps to build a community of practice dedicated to advancing the field.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)

Francisco Javier Moradiellos

Francisco Javier Moradiellos, MD, FEBTS, is the Chief of Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Quirónsalud Hospital Group in Madrid, Spain, and Associate Professor at Universidad Europea in Madrid. In past appointments at Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, he led the ex vivo lung preservation program for lung transplantation and performed the first normothermic portable human lung perfusion and transplant in the world. He was also deeply involved in ex vivo assessment of human lungs from controlled and uncontrolled non-heart-beating donors. At Quirónsalud hospitals, he pioneered robot-assisted lung resections in Spain with over 450 procedures performed to date. He is a certified robotic proctor for da Vinci systems. He has helped numerous teams in Spain and Portugal develop their own robotic thoracic surgery programs and periodically conducts practical training courses. His other research interests include complex chest wall reconstructions with 3D-printed custom-made titanium implants. More about Dr. Moradiellos can be found here and here. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

JOVS: What are the essential elements of a good academic paper?

Dr. Moradiellos: Foremost, a good academic paper must be useful for the scientific community. True usefulness arises from several key aspects: 1) Relevance - This involves real-world applicability in different clinical environments and for a diverse population of patients. 2) Reliability - This implies accurate data, robust analysis, and honest interpretation of results. 3) Humility - This means acknowledging the limitations of the paper and recognizing that scientific "truth" is a collective effort of cumulative knowledge-building and reassessment of established views. Acknowledging previous contributions and sometimes challenging them based on new findings are also elements of a good academic paper.

JOVS: Do you think it is important to follow reporting guidelines (e.g. STROBE, PRISMA or CARE) during preparation of manuscripts?

Dr. Moradiellos: I would argue that reporting guidelines are highly useful in the preparation of scientific manuscripts for several reasons:

1. Standardization- These guidelines provide a standardized framework for reporting research, which helps ensure consistency and transparency across studies. This standardization makes it easier for readers and reviewers to understand and evaluate the research.
2. Completeness - By following these guidelines, authors can ensure that they have included all necessary information in their manuscript. This completeness enhances the quality and credibility of the research.
3. Reproducibility - Detailed and standardized reporting facilitates the replication of studies by other researchers. This reproducibility is essential for validating results and advancing scientific knowledge.
4. Transparency - These guidelines promote transparency in research by encouraging the clear and honest reporting of methods, results, and potential limitations. Transparency is crucial for building trust in scientific findings.
5. Peer Review - Adhering to reporting guidelines can streamline the peer-review process, as reviewers can more easily assess the rigor and reliability of the study. This can lead to more efficient and constructive feedback.
6. Compliance - Many journals require adherence to specific reporting guidelines as a condition for publication. Following these guidelines ensures that the manuscript meets the journal's standards and increases the likelihood of acceptance.

JOVS: Would you like to say a few words to encourage other academic writers who have been devoting themselves to advancing scientific progress?

Dr. Moradiellos: In the field of medical academic writing, it is clear to me that publishing should not be about recognition or prestige. It should be about our patients and those treated by colleagues around the world. It should be about generously sharing our experience and expertise in a mutually beneficial exchange. Despite the pressures and incentives to publish, which have exponentially increased the volume of publications and sometimes decreased overall quality, authors should commit themselves to high-quality research in respected journals. Additionally, they should demand the same quality from academic publishers.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)