CPD · Scientists
Reporting findings for peer review
Clear, honest reports that reviewers can check.
about this course
What you will be able to do
Clear, honest reports that reviewers can check.
- Structure a report, given a template, with question, method, results, limits and conclusion.
- Cite sources, given a reference style, with every claim sourced.
- State limits, given your results, in at least three honest sentences.
- Respond to a reviewer comment, given a sample, politely, with evidence or a change.
Task, condition and standard
Task
Write a short, honest report from a result table in the standard sections, cite every source in one style, state limits, and respond politely to a reviewer comment.
Condition
Given a result table, a report template, an agreed reference style and a sample reviewer comment, working in a three-hour supervised session.
Standard
Produce a report in the standard order, one citation style used throughout, at least three honest sentences on limits, no claim beyond the data, and a polite reply with evidence or a change.
These courses teach process, communication and recording. They give no clinical, legal, tax, financial or engineering sign-off. A named subject expert must review every line, and you must check your own professional body's current CPD rules, before you rely on a certificate.
sessions
8 modules
Module 1 Standard sections 20 min
- Title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, limits, references
- Results and discussion stay apart
- Each section has one job
Practise: Practise with a case card or template for "standard sections": structure a report, given a template, with question, method, results, limits and conclusion.
Standard to meet. Arrange a result table into a short report with the standard sections: title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, limits and references.
Module 2 Citing sources, one style 25 min
- Use one agreed style
- Every claim has a source
- Every citation appears in the list
Practise: Practise with a case card or template for "citing sources, one style": cite sources, given a reference style, with every claim sourced.
Standard to meet. Cite every source in a report using one agreed style, kept the same throughout, so each claim can be traced.
Module 3 Limits and what was not tested 20 min
- State what was not tested
- State possible errors
- Do not hide a weakness
- Share the raw data so that others can check.
Practise: Practise with a case card or template for "limits and what was not tested": state limits, given your results, in at least three honest sentences.
Standard to meet. Write at least three honest sentences on limits, covering what was not tested and the possible errors, for a small one-site study.
Module 4 Clear language 15 min
- Use short sentences and plain words
- Claim no more than the data show
- Cut filler words
- A colleague who is not on the study reviews first.
Practise: Practise with a case card or template for "clear language": respond to a reviewer comment, given a sample, politely, with evidence or a change.
Standard to meet. Edit a draft paragraph into clear, short sentences with plain words and no claim beyond the data.
Module 5 Practice 15 min
- Fill every section in order
- Keep results in results
- Add a limits paragraph
Practise: Run one full practice round for "reporting findings for peer review" on a case card or template: work through each outcome in turn (structure a report; cite sources; state limits; respond to a reviewer comment).
Standard to meet. Write a full short report from a result table, with all sections in place, results kept apart from discussion, and a limits paragraph.
Module 6 Check 5 min
- Review by a colleague not on the study
- Pass needs standard order, one style, honest limits
- Share raw data so others can check
Practise: Take the end check for "reporting findings for peer review": show that you can respond to a reviewer comment, given a sample, politely, with evidence or a change, and meet every outcome standard above.
Standard to meet. Create a short report in the standard order with one citation style, honest limits and no claims beyond the data.
Module 7 Second case: limits for a one-site study 45 min
- Write limits for a new study
- Say how far results apply
- Offer a next test
Practise: Practise with a case card or template for "second case: limits for a one-site study": respond to a reviewer comment, given a sample, politely, with evidence or a change. Use a new case this time (round 2).
Standard to meet. Write an honest limits paragraph for a small one-site study, stating what was not tested, the possible errors and what further test would help.
Module 8 Reviewer comments and portfolio 35 min
- Read the comment fairly
- Answer with evidence or a change
- Keep the report as evidence
Practise: Practise with a case card or template for "reviewer comments and portfolio": respond to a reviewer comment, given a sample, politely, with evidence or a change. Use a new case this time (round 2).
Standard to meet. Respond to a reviewer comment politely with evidence or a change, revise the report, and compile it into a portfolio with a short reflection.
practice
Worked example and case cards
Worked example sections
Title; abstract; introduction; methods; results; discussion; limits; references.
Case card
turn a result table into a short report.
Case card 2
A small study with one site only. Learners write the limits paragraph.
checks
10 check questions with model answers
What goes in limits?
Model answer: What was not tested and possible errors. (Covered in module 3: Limits and what was not tested. To pass that module: Write at least three honest sentences on limits, covering what was not tested and the possible errors, for a small one-site study.)
Cite how?
Model answer: One agreed style, every source. (Covered in module 2: Citing sources, one style. To pass that module: Cite every source in a report using one agreed style, kept the same throughout, so each claim can be traced.)
Where do results go?
Model answer: Results, not discussion. (Covered in module 1: Standard sections. To pass that module: Arrange a result table into a short report with the standard sections: title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, limits and references.)
Why share raw data?
Model answer: So others can check. (Covered in module 3: Limits and what was not tested. To pass that module: Write at least three honest sentences on limits, covering what was not tested and the possible errors, for a small one-site study.)
Why state limits?
Model answer: Readers judge how far results apply. (Covered in module 3: Limits and what was not tested. To pass that module: Write at least three honest sentences on limits, covering what was not tested and the possible errors, for a small one-site study.)
One citation style?
Model answer: Yes, kept the same throughout. (Covered in module 2: Citing sources, one style. To pass that module: Cite every source in a report using one agreed style, kept the same throughout, so each claim can be traced.)
Where do the numbers go?
Model answer: In results, kept apart from discussion. (Covered in module 1: Standard sections. To pass that module: Arrange a result table into a short report with the standard sections: title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, limits and references.)
Who reviews first?
Model answer: A colleague not on the study. (Covered in module 4: Clear language. To pass that module: Edit a draft paragraph into clear, short sentences with plain words and no claim beyond the data.)
Claims beyond data?
Model answer: Do not make them. (Covered in module 4: Clear language. To pass that module: Edit a draft paragraph into clear, short sentences with plain words and no claim beyond the data.)
A report cites 3 sources in the text but its reference list has 2 entries. What is wrong and what do you do?
Model answer: One cited source is missing from the list, so add it, in the same style, so each citation matches an entry. (Covered in module 2: Citing sources, one style. To pass that module: Cite every source in a report using one agreed style, kept the same throughout, so each claim can be traced.)
glossary
Words used in this course
abstract, citation, limitation, peer review, reproducibility.
marking
How the practice and assessment are marked
| Level | Meaning | Marks of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Secure | Meets the standard in the outcome every time, no prompts | 4 |
| Meeting | Meets the standard with one small slip, corrected when prompted | 3 |
| Developing | Meets part of the standard; needs a re-attempt | 2 |
| Not yet | Standard not met | 1 |
Pass = average 3 or more, and no outcome at 1. You may re-attempt after feedback. The subject expert sets any stricter pass mark.
where next
Ladder L1 to L7, slide by slide with notes
This course sits at L5 Specialist. Credits stack; aligned with, not accredited by, any framework.
jobs this leads to
Where this takes you
- Research assistant
- Laboratory assistant
- Technical writer
- Data technician
- Quality assurance assistant
assessment and certificate
How you are checked
Each outcome is checked against its standard with a checklist or a short test. A digital CPD record shows the hours. Keep evidence in My page. Aligned with common CPD practice; not accredited. Learners check their own body's rules.
ten locations and global
Your place
Use your own body's forms, units and currency. Local professional bodies set the rules for CPD hours; check them first.
India (Bengaluru)
Language: English, Hindi, Kannada. Personal data: Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023. Credit and levels: National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) and the national credit framework.
Netherlands (Eindhoven area)
Language: Dutch, English. Personal data: EU GDPR (Dutch: AVG), supervised by the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens. Credit and levels: the Dutch qualification framework (NLQF) linked to the European Qualifications Framework.
UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
Language: Arabic, English. Personal data: Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 (personal data protection). Credit and levels: the emirate education and training regulators (for example KHDA in Dubai) and the national qualifications framework.
Brazil (Sao Paulo)
Language: Portuguese (Spanish and English support). Personal data: LGPD (Lei Geral de Protecao de Dados). Credit and levels: the national technical-education catalogue and the national S-system training bodies.
Canada (Toronto)
Language: English, French. Personal data: PIPEDA, with provincial rules where they apply. Credit and levels: the provincial colleges framework and the national credential-recognition guidance.
United States
Language: English, Spanish. Personal data: state privacy laws (for example California), and COPPA for children under 13. Credit and levels: state and community-college credit systems.
Singapore
Language: English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil. Personal data: Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). Credit and levels: the Singapore national skills frameworks and the national credit system.
Australia
Language: English. Personal data: the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. Credit and levels: the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) levels.
Hong Kong (Eastern Asia)
Language: Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin), English. Personal data: the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. Credit and levels: the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework.
Georgia and Israel (Western Asia)
Language: Georgian, Hebrew, Arabic, English. Personal data: the personal data law of the country where the learner lives. Credit and levels: the national qualifications framework of that country.
Cayman Islands (Caribbean)
Language: English. Personal data: the Data Protection Act. Credit and levels: the local education and training framework.
Mexico
Language: Spanish, English. Personal data: the federal law on personal data held by private parties. Credit and levels: the national competency certification system and the education ministry levels.
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Draft
Draft CPD course. It opens only after final checks. No fee is shown.