Publications
Factsheets
The role of factsheets is to provide growers with detailed information and concise recommendation on how to change current practice.
Factsheets are usually produced in the scenarios listed below:
- At the end of a project when there are clear changes to current grower practice
- When a new notifiable pest or disease problem has arisen
- When information from a number of projects needs to be collated, including Defra and other funded research
- When information has been gained from overseas and interpreted for a UK context
Content
The content of the factsheet should be agreed and set out in the 'factsheet specification', a tabulated document showing the overall structure, listing the subsections of the factsheet and detail of each section. (This specification also contains information on the delivery date and cost of writing the factsheet).
In general, factsheets should be as concise as possible and should concentrate on using clear 'easy speak' language, avoiding repetition and with minimal use of jargon eg 'Send to a laboratory for testing' rather than 'Test using the enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay technique'. Suggested labs should then be listed. There is also usually no value in including the details of research projects such as the number of replicates or statistical treatment of data.
Factsheets are stand-alone documents which should contain all the necessary information and avoid referring the reader to 'further sources of information'. If listing useful addresses, please include contact telephone number and website (if applicable).
If reporting on research projects, they should not contain information on the trial design etc but should aim to report the results of the work in an interpreted way ie. Spores germinated when relative humidity was 95% for more than three hours therefore growers should aim to avoid long periods of humidity by following the guidelines below.
Facts and figures to aid growers change current practice, including clear costings information of implementing any new practices/changing existing ones, should be stated wherever possible.
Authors should also aim to integrate the topic eg two-spotted spider, within an issue eg integrated pest control.
Structure
The overall structure of the factsheet should be determined when the 'factsheet specification' is drawn up. In general, however, they follow the structure outlined below.
Introduction
Usually a very short paragraph of approximately 50-60 words summarising the key aim of what the factsheet is about, which project(s) it relates to (if any) and what recommendations it provides eg guidelines on cultural, chemical and integrated control of the problem.
Background
A more detailed explanation of the problem, economic value to the industry (eg losses to a particular pest/disease) and what guidelines the factsheet is providing to help resolve/minimise the issue (approximately 200 words).
Action points
A list of bullet points summarising the information in the factsheet into key recommendations for growers on how they can change/improve their current practice. It is often easier to write this section in last and they should be listed in a logical order.
Main body of the factsheet
Please divide this part of the factsheet into logical sections as outlined in the specification, using bullet points and subheadings to break up the text wherever possible.You should aim to report only the information that will be of interest to growers.
Crop protection information
Typically detailed information on products available to growers is best tabulated with subheadings including for example: product name; active ingredient; for use outside and/or under protection; approval status including SOLA number if applicable; comments eg avoid using too close to marketing date due to spray deposits etc. HDC have a standard disclaimer for use with such tables.
Format
Number of words
As a rough guide, one page of an A4 factsheet with diagrams/photographs/graphs will equate to approximately 600 words. Factsheets can be either 2, 4, 8, or 12 pages in length. Therefore, please bear in mind the number of words and rough number of pages this equates to when writing the factsheet. Most factsheets are either 4 or 8 pages in length.
Photographs
Pictures/graphics and illustrations often convey a message better than a description - use informative graphics wherever possible. SEMs should not be used.
If photographs are to be used, they may be submitted as colour prints (7 x 5), transparency slides or digital images (minimum resolution 300dpi). Please submit these at the same time as the factsheet text.
If you wish to send scanned images of prints or slides, this is usually acceptable if they have been scanned on a good quality scanner but physical versions are preferred. If you are sending digital images, please send as separate files (ie not embedded in a word document) either as JPEG's or TIFF's. We have the facilities to open images saved in PhotoShop, PhotoEditor, PowerPoint or Microsoft Paint.
Diagrams/Graphs
Please present data as clear, simple, two-dimensional graphs/diagrams making the lines thick enough to show up well when printed. Colour is preferred to black and white. If possible, headings and axes labels should be in Arial font. Please include any graphs/ tables on disk or via e-mail.
Captions
Please label all graphs/diagrams and photographs clearly with captions or legends that are to accompany them.
Layout
If there are key points within the text to be illustrated by diagrams/photos/graphs please clearly indicate where these are. If specific diagrams/photos/graphs should be larger than others, please also clearly indicate this.
Delivery date
Please note that penalties for late delivery of text can be applied to factsheets. We like to avoid this if possible so please inform the relevant Communications Manager as soon as possible if you think you will be unable to meet the agreed delivery date.
Text and images should be submitted to the relevant Communications Manager by disc/e-mail (jenny.lang@hdc.org.uk, ross.newham@hdc.org.uk, scott.raffle@hdc.org.uk or andrew.tinsley@hdc.org.uk) and/or by post by the date agreed and stated on the bottom of the 'factsheet specification'.
The next stage
Once text has been submitted, it will be checked by HDC Technical and Communications Managers and any suggested amendments will be returned to the author(s). Editing remains the responsibility of the principal author but the HDC retains authority for final editorial amendments. The principal author will be given the opportunity to comment on final editorial amendments before the publication is printed.
Once the text has been agreed, the relevant Communications Manager will take it for design and layout. Once this is complete, a pdf or hard copy of the factsheet will be circulated to the authors for information. Only critical changes can be made at this stage.
Project Coordinator
It is courteous to forward a copy the factsheet to the project/grower co-ordinator if applicable prior to sending it to us so that his comments may be incorporated. The project/grower co-ordinator will be listed on the bottom of the 'factsheet specification'.
If you have any queries at any stage of writing the factsheet, please do not hesitate to call either Jenny Lang, Ross Newham, Scott Raffle or Andrew Tinsley at the office on 01732 848383. |
