Transforming a Conference Proceeding into a Scholarly Research Article: The Case of ONCOLLABORATE
- PJO
- Jun 20
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 1
Original Article
Transforming a Conference Proceeding into a Scholarly Research Article: The Case of ONCOLLABORATE
1 Section of Medical Oncology, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila, Philippines; 2 Metropolitan Medical Center, Sta Cruz Manila, Philippines
Introduction
The transformation of conference proceedings into scholarly research articles is an essential process in academia, as it enables the dissemination of knowledge and fosters ongoing dialogue in the scientific community. This article outlines the steps necessary to convert a proceeding, specifically from ONCOLLABORATE, into a full-fledged research paper. This will involve expanding the original material, ensuring rigorous scientific methods, and adapting the content to meet the standards of peer-reviewed journals.
1. Understanding the Starting Material
1.1. Defining the Nature of the Conference Proceeding
Conference proceedings, such as those from ONCOLLABORATE, typically present initial findings, case studies, or preliminary research. These documents are often concise, focusing on key results and discussion points without delving deeply into methodology or comprehensive literature reviews. For example, Advento Kim's proceeding, Multidisciplinary Management of Advanced Thymoma, presents a case study with discussions on its implications for future research but lacks the depth required for a scholarly article.
1.2. Identifying the Core Content
The core content of a proceeding, like the one provided, includes essential data such as patient details, diagnostic methods, treatment approaches, and the outcome of the case. This content forms the backbone of the research article. The next step involves identifying gaps in this content that need expansion for scholarly publication.
2. Expanding the Introduction
2.1. Deepening the Background
In the proceeding, the introduction provides a brief overview of thymomas, emphasizing their rarity and complexity. To transform this into a research article, it is crucial to expand this section by incorporating a comprehensive literature review. This involves researching current data on thymoma prevalence, challenges in diagnosis, and recent advancements in treatment. The introduction should also highlight the significance of the case study in contributing to existing knowledge.
2.2. Establishing a Clear Hypothesis
A scholarly article requires a hypothesis or research question. While the proceeding hints at the importance of multidisciplinary approaches, a research article should explicitly state the hypothesis or research objectives. For instance, the hypothesis could be: "Multidisciplinary management of advanced thymoma improves patient outcomes by facilitating personalized treatment strategies."
3. Methodology Enhancement
3.1. Detailing the Research Design
The proceeding provides a basic description of the patient’s diagnostic workup and treatment. However, a research article must offer a detailed methodology section that explains the research design, including the selection criteria for case studies, data collection methods, and analytical techniques. For instance, the research design should specify why this particular case was chosen, what diagnostic criteria were used, and how data on treatment outcomes were gathered.
3.2. Ensuring Reproducibility
One of the hallmarks of a scholarly article is reproducibility. The methodology section should be detailed enough that another researcher could replicate the study. This means including information on all diagnostic tools used (e.g., specific imaging techniques, laboratory tests), the exact chemotherapy regimen, and any follow-up procedures. In the case of the ONCOLLABORATE proceeding, this would involve providing detailed descriptions of the imaging studies, histopathological tests, and the reasoning behind choosing specific treatments.
4. Expanding the Results Section
4.1. Comprehensive Data Presentation
The results section in the proceeding is often a summary of the key findings. In a research article, this section needs to be much more comprehensive. It should include all relevant data, presented in a clear and organized manner, often supported by tables and figures. For instance, the results of the patient's treatment could be expanded to include detailed imaging results before and after treatment, laboratory findings over time, and a breakdown of the side effects experienced.
4.2. Statistical Analysis
A scholarly article requires the inclusion of statistical analysis to support the findings. The proceeding might simply state that the treatment was "well-tolerated," but a research article should quantify this tolerance using statistical measures. For example, the incidence of side effects could be reported alongside statistical significance tests to determine whether these outcomes are likely due to the treatment regimen or could have occurred by chance.
5. Discussion and Interpretation
5.1. Integrating Literature
The discussion in the proceeding may touch on the broader implications of the case study but is typically limited. In a scholarly article, this section should be expanded to interpret the results in the context of existing literature. This involves comparing the findings with those of other studies, discussing the potential reasons for any differences, and suggesting how these results could influence future research or clinical practice. The article should critically evaluate the case's implications for the understanding of thymic malignancies and the effectiveness of different treatment strategies.
5.2. Highlighting Contributions and Limitations
It is essential to clearly articulate the contributions of the study to the field, as well as its limitations. The proceeding might not address limitations, but a research article should. For example, in the case of the ONCOLLABORATE proceeding, limitations could include the small sample size (a single case), potential biases in treatment selection, and the lack of long-term follow-up data. Acknowledging these limitations strengthens the article by demonstrating the author's critical engagement with the research process.
6. Conclusion and Future Directions
6.1. Summarizing Key Findings
The conclusion of the research article should succinctly summarize the key findings and their significance. Unlike the proceeding, which might conclude with a call for more research, the scholarly article should offer a clear summary of what the case study has revealed about advanced thymoma management and suggest specific areas for future research.
6.2. Proposing Future Research
Based on the findings, the article should propose future research directions. This could involve suggesting larger, multi-center studies to validate the findings, exploring new therapeutic options, or investigating the genetic underpinnings of thymomas to identify potential targets for treatment.
7. Adhering to Journal Guidelines
7.1. Selecting the Appropriate Journal
One of the critical steps in transforming a proceeding into a research article is choosing the right journal for submission. The author should consider journals that focus on oncology, rare diseases, or multidisciplinary approaches to cancer treatment. Each journal will have specific guidelines regarding manuscript structure, word count, and citation style.
7.2. Formatting the Manuscript
The manuscript must be formatted according to the selected journal’s guidelines. This includes organizing the sections in the correct order (typically Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion), adhering to word limits, and ensuring that all citations are correctly formatted. Proper formatting not only reflects professionalism but also increases the likelihood of the manuscript being accepted for publication.
8. Peer Review and Revision
8.1. Preparing for Peer Review
Once the manuscript is submitted, it will undergo peer review. This process involves experts in the field evaluating the quality, relevance, and accuracy of the research. The author should be prepared to receive feedback, which may include requests for additional data, clarifications, or methodological adjustments.
8.2. Revising the Manuscript
Revising the manuscript based on peer review feedback is a crucial step in the publication process. Authors should respond to reviewers' comments thoroughly, addressing each point raised. This may involve conducting additional analyses, expanding the discussion, or clarifying certain aspects of the methodology. The goal is to improve the manuscript and align it with the reviewers' and journal's expectations.
9. Ethical Considerations
9.1. Ensuring Patient Confidentiality
When converting a proceeding into a research article, it is essential to ensure that all patient information is anonymized to protect their privacy. This is particularly important in case studies, where details can sometimes inadvertently reveal the patient's identity. The manuscript should adhere to all ethical guidelines for human subjects research, as stipulated by the journal and relevant institutional review boards.
9.2. Disclosing Conflicts of Interest
The author must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the research. This includes financial ties to pharmaceutical companies, involvement in competing research, or any other factors that could be perceived as a conflict. Transparency in this area is vital for maintaining the integrity of the research.
10. Finalizing and Submitting the Article
10.1. Proofreading and Editing
Before submission, the manuscript should be thoroughly proofread to correct any grammatical errors, typos, or inconsistencies. This step ensures that the article is polished and professional, which is critical for making a positive impression on the journal editors and reviewers.
10.2. Submission Process
The final step is submitting the manuscript to the chosen journal. This often involves uploading the document through an online submission portal, along with any supplementary materials such as figures, tables, or additional data. Authors should follow the submission guidelines carefully to avoid any delays in the review process.
Conclusion
Transforming a conference proceeding like ONCOLLABORATE into a scholarly research article is a detailed and methodical process. It requires expanding the content to include a comprehensive literature review, detailed methodology, and robust data analysis. The article must also be formatted according to journal guidelines and prepared for peer review. By following these steps, researchers can effectively contribute to the academic community, advancing knowledge in their field and paving the way for future research.
ETHICS STATEMENT
While derived from anonymized proceedings of the monthly ONCOLLABORATE conference, this manuscript did not undergo formal ethics board review. However, the authors ensured the privacy of the case study participants was fully protected.
AUTHORS CONTRIBUTION
KAT, original draft, writing of the manuscript; SLB, review and editing
FUNDING
This research received no external funding.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to commercial or financial relationships.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
This article reflects the views and findings of the authors alone and does not necessarily represent the official position of the author's affiliated organizations, the publisher, editors, or reviewers. We encourage readers to remember that the content presented here does not constitute endorsement or approval by any of the entities above.
Similarly, any products or services mentioned within this article are for informational purposes only. The publisher recommends that readers conduct independent evaluations before making any decisions, as the publisher does not guarantee or endorse any products or services mentioned.
DECLARATION OF USE OF GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
In the preparation of this manuscript, Gemini 1.5 Flash and Grammarly were utilized to refine grammatical structure and phrasing. The authors have thoroughly reviewed, edited, and verified all content generated by AI, taking full responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of the final published work. The use of AI did not extend to data analysis, interpretation of results, or the drawing of scientific conclusions. All scientific content, intellectual contributions, and research findings presented herein are solely those of the authors.
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Received: 2024 Apr 27 Received in revised form: 2024 May 16 Accepted: 2024 Jun 25
CITATION
Advento-Torres K, Balete SL. Transforming a conference proceeding into a scholarly research article: the case of ONCOLLABORATE. Philipp J Oncol [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2025 Jun 9];1(1):e008. Available from: [https://www.philsoconc.org/post/transforming-a-conference-proceeding-into-a-scholarly-research-article-the-case-of-oncollaborate-1]
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