Guidelines

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LEARNefficient is a global academic network, connecting LEARNers and Mentors who share perspectives on their topics of interest through reviews, images, audios and videos, to facilitate conceptual, integrated, and efficient learning. Users must adhere to the following for publishing content on the platform:

  • General principles

  • Users on LEARNefficient include

    • LEARNers

    • Mentors

  • Topic of interest

    • A topic of interest is one, with a significant impact in academics, practice, and research. LEARNefficient coordinates content and connects LEARNers and Mentors through their topics of interest.

  • Publications

    • The types of publications linked to topics include concise reviews, tables, figures, audios, and videos.

    • Topics are also linked to questions along with their explanations.

    • Most publications on the platform are user-generated.

  • Publishing content

    • The number of publications in each topic is limited as follows:

      • Concise reviews: 3

      • Answers/explanations: 3

      • Images: 5

      • Audios: 5

      • Videos: 5

    • Each Mentor is assigned a predefined number of publication slots. The number of publication slots available to each Mentor is displayed in Menu > My Profile.

    • Mentors may upload content against publication slots assigned to them through the “Publish yours” option displayed below each publication type.

    • The user must publish content within 5 days after opting to publish.

      • Failure to publish content within 5 days of ownership results in loss of the publication slot

    • The option to publish figures, tables, audios, and videos are currently available exclusively to mentors.

  • Structuring and formatting text

    • LEARNefficient recommends the use of a word processor (platform is optimized for Google Docs, MS Word) to create Concise Reviews and Explanations; use the publication window (Menu > My Publications), for minor refinements only.

    • Text formatting (headings, bullets, bold, and italics) will be maintained as in the original document.

    • Font, color, and size of text will be automatically readjusted to platform specifications.

    • Use an optimal combination of paragraphs and bullets.

    • Normal text

      • Limit the number of sentences in each paragraph or bullet to three.

      • Use up to three levels of bullets to structure concise reviews and explanations; do not use numbering for the same.

      • Restrict bold fonts to the beginning of sentences.

      • Use italics only when necessary according to good practices of scientific writing; avoid italicizing merely for emphasis.

    • Headings

      • Use sentence case.

      • In MS-word or Google docs, apply “Headings” style to format text (recommended).

      • On LEARNefficient, use “H” on mobile or “Heading” on PC in the text box.

    • Subheadings

      • Use “Normal text” style in sentence case with boldface formatting; do not use “Subheadings” style in MS Word/Google docs.

    • References

      • Globally reputed textbooks, guidelines of reputed organizations, or peer-reviewed, high impact journals are acceptable references.

      • Follow National Library of Medicine [ANSI/NISO Z39. 29-2005 (R2010)] style for bibliography.

      • Use Arabic numerals as superscripts for in-text citations.

      • LEARNefficient recommends limiting intext citations to headings wherever possible.

      • A minimum of 3 references for concise reviews and 1 for explanations are mandatory.

  • Language

    • The default language is English (United States).

    • Adhere to accepted principles of scientific writing ensuring conciseness and relevance of content.

    • Use inclusive, non-emotive language.

    • Review spelling and grammar prior to publishing.

  • Plagiarism

    • The platform observes a zero-tolerance policy to plagiarism. Adhering to the following principles are helpful.

      • Summarize facts from multiple sources in the author's own words. Never copy-paste.

      • Cite all sources; the use of a citation manager for precise bibliography formatting in NLM style is recommended.

      • Utilize appropriate plagiarism detection tools before publishing.

      • Authors should be aware of the increasing risk of plagiarism when two or more words are used verbatim from any source.

    • Plagiarism detected through feedback from multiple users or copyright owners will result in prompt removal of content, loss or publication rights and potential termination of the account.

  • Copyrights

    • The content uploaded must be user-generated and owned. The user must assume full responsibility for the authenticity of uploaded content.

      • Copyrighted content must not be uploaded to the platform without the permission of the copyright holder; in such cases, the user must secure necessary permissions, mention the phrase “published with permission” and explicitly state the details of the copyright holder and permitting authority.

    • LEARNefficient assumes no responsibility for copyright infringements by the users.

    • If a copyright infringement is brought to the notice of LEARNefficient by the copyright holder, the content will be removed from the platform. This may also result in loss of future publication rights, suspension, or termination of the user account.

    • Users must adhere to the copyright laws applicable to their region, violation of which may result in penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.

  • Prohibited content

    • Inflammatory content pertaining to politics, religion, race, ethnicity, nationality and gender orientation.

    • Pornography, vulgar language, hate speech, and cyber bullying.

    • Impersonation, inappropriate product promotions, fake engagement, spams, and scams.

    • Graphic content other than for educational purposes to appropriate audiences.

  • Explanation

  • Users may create explanations for multiple choice and open response questions.

  • Adhere to the general guidelines prescribed for structuring and formatting as described in section 1.3.

  • The word limit for an explanation is 200.

  • Multiple-choice questions.

    • An explanation for a multiple choice question should rationalize the correct choices (key) and refute the wrong ones (distractors).

    • If relevant, a heading that captures the focus of the question may be provided; the topic of interest linked to the question must not be used as a heading.

    • A minimum of one globally reputed textbook, journal article, or association guideline must be referenced to substantiate the explanation.

  • Open-ended questions

    • Explanations should be drafted to address the focus of the question, while avoiding unnecessary duplication of the content within the concise reviews of the topics linked to the questions.

    • A minimum of one globally reputed textbook, journal article, or association guideline must be referenced to substantiate the explanation.

  • Concise review

  • General principles.

    • A concise review is a comprehensive summary of a topic of interest in 600 words or less.

    • The content of a concise review should enable a user to answer all the questions linked to the topic.

      • This rule may be relaxed for topics with ‘overview’ as a suffix. In such cases, the content must be optimized to present the topic addressing as many questions as possible.

    • Users must adhere to the general guidelines for structuring and formatting prescribed in section 1.3.

    • Structuring content.

      • Do not use the topic as a heading at the beginning.

      • Introductory paragraph: definition or brief description of the topic and its significance. Provide answers to two questions: What is it? Why is it important?

      • Tables or tabular arrays should not be used within concise reviews. Such arrays may lead to distorted viewing in mobile or desktop platforms.

  • Specific situations: concise reviews in specific categories should be structured with the following headings wherever applicable. As mentioned above, an introductory paragraph without a heading, limited to 3 sentences, defining/describing the topic, and mentioning its significance is mandatory. Headings appropriate for each category of content is mentioned below

    • Diseases: epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, differential diagnosis, morphology (includes gross and microscopy), immunohistochemistry, workup, staging (malignancies), management, complications, prognosis/course, prevention, control (in the community).

      • Workup: include laboratory, radiological or other investigations undertaken to establish the diagnosis, guide management, or assess prognosis. Discuss the significance and interpretation of relevant tests from a clinical perspective.

      • Management: discuss the options; rationalize the order of preference in various clinical scenarios.

    • Drugs: mechanism of action, resistance (if applicable), effects, ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion), indications, adverse effects, special populations.

      • Correlate headings with each other. E.g., proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with increased enteric infection resulting from achlorhydria; here the effect of the drug is correlated with an adverse effect.

      • Correlate clinically wherever relevant.

      • Indications:

        • Mention the disease, the purpose of the drug, order of preference, and reason for preference. E.g. Ethosuximide is the preferred first line agent for control of absence seizures not associated with other seizure types due to lesser adverse effects compared to valproate.

      • Adverse effects:

        • Enumerate based on clinically significant frequency, severity, and seriousness.

        • Describe risk factors, mechanism, prevention, and management if relevant.

    • Classes of drugs: classification, mechanism of action, resistance (if applicable), effects, ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion), indications, adverse effects, special populations.

      • Within each of the aforementioned sections, compare and contrast individual agents/classes rather than enumerating the features of each agent/class. E.g. In the section for adverse effects of #Antidiabetic agents: overview, while describing hypoglycemia, compare and contrast the predilection of each class rather than enumerating features of individual agents/class.

    • Microorganisms

      • Characteristics: morphology, biochemical reactions, growth requirements, culture.

      • Transmission including life cycle.

      • Pathogenicity: virulence factors, antigens, toxins.

      • Infections: names with or without brief descriptions.

      • Laboratory diagnosis: listed in order or relevance (preferable).

      • Antimicrobial susceptibility: sensitive antibiotics (in order of preference); mention inherent and acquired resistance if relevant.

      • Management.

      • Vaccines.

    • Organ: surfaces/coverings, supports/ligaments, interior (for hollow organs only), relations, vascular supply, lymphatic drainage, innervation, microstructure, development, functions, applied importance.

    • Procedures: indications, contraindications, technique, interpretation (for diagnostic procedures), complications.

    • Physiological/biochemical processes: inhibitors, regulation, functions, steps.

    • Biomolecules: synthesis, properties, effects (for hormones etc.), functions (for enzymes etc.), mechanism of action, regulation.

  • Table

  • File

    • JPEG and PNG files can be uploaded

    • The maximum size is 2 MB

  • Title: mandatory and should be limited to 160 characters including spaces

  • Description: mandatory and should be limited to 480 characters including spaces.

  • Credits: not mandatory; must be added to acknowledge the source if applicable and should be limited to 160 characters including spaces.

  • Sharing: the tables uploaded to the platform are shareable by the creative commons licence CC BY-NC 3.0.

  • Content

    • Provide a footnote/key where applicable for abbreviations and explanations.

  • Copyrights

    • The table must adhere to copyright guidelines mentioned in general principles.

  • Figure

  • File

    • JPEG and PNG files can be uploaded

    • The maximum size is 2 MB

  • Quality

    • Ensure optimal quality with respect to lighting, contrast, resolution, and clarity to enable clear visualization of image details and avoid blurring/pixelation when magnified. Image editing software may be employed for the same.

    • Add descriptive texts/labels/markers where applicable to facilitate easy identification and understanding.

  • Title: mandatory and should be limited to 160 characters including spaces.

  • Description: mandatory and should be limited to 480 characters including spaces.

  • Credits: not mandatory; must be added to acknowledge the source if applicable and should be limited to 160 characters including spaces.

  • Sharing: the images uploaded to the platform are shareable by the creative commons licence CC BY-NC 3.0.

  • Permissions and confidentiality

    • Personally identifiable information including name, address, postcode, date of birth, or any other detail that may directly or indirectly identify the individual(s) in the image is strictly prohibited.

    • The users uploading the image must assume full responsibility for obtaining necessary permissions and consents that may be required for publication. LEARNefficient assumes no responsibility in this regard.

  • Copyrights

    • The image must adhere to copyright guidelines mentioned in general principles.

  • Audio

  • File

    • mp3, wav, and m4a file formats can be uploaded.

    • Maximum size is 15 MB.

  • Recording and editing

    • The audio should be recorded in a controllable environment free of background noises (including electrical hums, computer fans etc.)

    • Use an appropriate recording device to ensure high-quality output.

    • The use of an audio recording and editing software is highly recommended.

      • Ensure that the final version for upload is edited suitably to amplify or normalize for consistent volumes, avoid abrupt endings with fade in/out if necessary, insert silence when pauses are required, remove background noises or any other changes to optimize listener experience.

  • Content

    • Mention the name and designation of the creator(s) followed by the title of the audio at the beginning.

    • Brief and precise descriptions in a conversational style is the recommended format of presentation.

    • The narrator may request for feedback and rating from LEARNers and Mentors.

  • Sharing: the audios uploaded to the platform are shareable by the creative commons licence CC BY-NC 3.0

  • Copyrights

    • The audio must adhere to copyright guidelines mentioned in general principles.

  • Video

  • File

    • mp4, wav, avi, mov and flv file formats can be uploaded.

    • Maximum file size is 600 MB.

  • Quality

    • Use appropriate equipment/tools to record and edit.

    • Ensure adequate resolution.

    • Check preview prior to publication.

  • Content recommendations

    • Mention the name and designation of the creator(s) followed by the title of the video at the beginning.

    • The narrator may request for feedback and rating from LEARNers and Mentors.

  • Permissions and confidentiality

    • Personally identifiable information including name, address, postcode, date of birth, or any other detail that may directly or indirectly identify individual(s) in the video other than the creator/narrator is strictly prohibited.

    • The users uploading the video must assume full responsibility for obtaining necessary permissions and consents that may be required for publication. LEARNefficient assumes no responsibility in this regard.

  • Sharing: the videos uploaded to the platform are shareable by the creative commons licence CC BY-NC 3.0.

  • Copyrights

    • The video must adhere to copyright guidelines mentioned in general principles.