Writing scientific paper (Easy When You Know
How)
By
Dr. Ayat Al-Ghafari Wednesday 26-06-1436
Objectives
O By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:
1. Describe the main characteristics of the scientific writing
2. Identify the elements of the scientific paper
3. Discuss the function, structure, and writing style of each element of scientific paper
4. Respect the academic integrity, honesty, and ethics of scientific writing
Characteristics of scientific writing
O
Good scientific writing is:
Clear
Avoid any unnecessary details
Simple
Use direct language, avoid vague or complicated sentences
Characteristics of scientific writing
Neutral
Avoid making assumptions (e.g., Everyone knows that …..) and unproven statement (e.g., It can never be proved that ……)
Clarity
It present how and where data were
collected and supports its conclusions with evidence
Characteristics of scientific writing
Structured logically
Ideas and processes are expressed in a logical order
The text is divided into sections with clear headings
Accurate
Avoid vague and ambiguous language such as about, approximately, almost
Characteristics of scientific writing
Avoid technical terms and jargon
Use them only when they are necessary for accuracy
Objective
Statements and ideas are supported by
appropriate evidence that demonstrates how conclusions have been drawn
Acknowledging the work of others
What do scientists write
?
O Research papers
O Reviews
O Abstracts
O Book chapters
O Books
O Grant applications
O Theses (and assessment reports)
Writing a scientific paper
O
First question
O Have I got sufficient data to support my conclusion?
O
Have a look at a typical journal in your field
O What do the results sections look like?
The next step
O
When you have decided what you are trying to communicate set up a mock results section
O
Label several sheets of blank paper:
O Table 1, 2 etc
O Figure 1, 2 etc
O
Roughly sketch what data will go on what page
O
Shuffle the pages into a logical order
O
Does it seem complete
O Yes? Write the paper!
O No? What else do you need to do?
Choose your journal
O Look carefully at a selection
O Which is most appropriate?
O Talk to your supervisor(s)
O No point going for Nature unless everyone agrees it is worthwhile
O Consider the impact factor
O Not all journals are equal!
O The impact factor is a measure of how often an average article in a journal is cited
Elements of scientific writing SCIENTIFIC PAPER
1. Title
2. Abstract/summary
3. Introduction
4. objectives
5. Methods
6. Results
7. Discussion
8. References
What do you do first?
This is what I do
O On a 1000 mile journey, the hardest thing is the first step.
O Make the first step easy!
O The methodology is often easiest to write as is simply descriptive.
O Order this in the same way as you will present your results
The next step
O I usually write the results text next
O This is also descriptive as you simply describe your data (figures and tables)
O “These data show that something is
higher/faster/larger than something else (p<0.001)”.
O A common error is to add discussion and interpretation to this section
O This leaves nothing for the discussion section!
The home straight
O I usually then write the introduction
O Details why you did the study (not what you found)
O Then the discussion interprets your results and places into context with the literature.
O End with a nice ‘take home’ message in the final paragraph
Crossing the line
O Figure legends should be ‘stand alone’
O The title should be clear and attract attention
O You need to lure readers to your paper amongst all the others
O Similarly, the abstract should be very clear
with simple messages, clear results and snappy conclusions
References
O
Use Endnote (or similar) to output the references in the correct format
O
But, which references do you cite?
O High impact factor journals
O Avoid over citation of yourself
O Write what you know and then reference the text or you will need to stop every few words to find a paper in the heap on your floor!
Elements of scientific paper 1- Title
Function:
It should start with a title that describes the contents of the paper
Format:
The title should be centered at the top of the paper
Informative and specific
Concise
Understandable
Has important words first
Has no abbreviations
Elements of scientific paper 2- Abstract/summary
Function:
It summarizes the major aspects of the entire paper
Format:
It is a one paragraph summary of the work, including the question investigated, the
methods used, the principal results and conclusions
Use the active voice when possible
Write the abstract with a concise sentences
Use past tense because the data are unpublished yet
Elements of scientific paper 2- Abstract/summary
Contents:
Brief background/context
Aims of the study
The information the research will provide
Begin writing the abstract/summary after you have finished writing your paper
Write short and simple sentences (≤ 25 words in the sentence are enough)
Don’t use long word where a short one will do (e.g., facilitate ---- help, endeavor ---- try)
Elements of scientific paper 3- Introduction
Function:
Is a brief section designed to inform the reader of the relevance of your work and includes a relevant background
Use present tense or present perfect tense
Provides a clear statement of the rationale for your approach to the problem studied
Outlines your main objectives
It usually uses a funnel style, starting broadly and then narrowing
Elements of scientific paper 4- Objectives
Function:
To describe the main reasons behind doing this research
Format:
Several ways can be used to signal the research questions such as:
1. “to determine whether …….”
2. “ the purpose of this study was to ……”
3. “ this study studies the hypothesis that
…….”
4. “ This study was undertaken to ………….”
Elements of scientific paper 4- Objectives
SMART Objectives:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time-bound
Elements of scientific paper 5- Methods
Function:
Explain clearly how you carried out your study
It describes the process you undertook to complete the research
Format:
Use a past tense to describe what you have already done
Simple (don’t mention any unnecessary details)
Clear
Elements of scientific paper 6- Results
Function:
To objectively present the your key results, with no interpretation, in an orderly and
logical sequence using both text and
illustrative materials (tables and figures)
Use past tense to detail the results you obtained
Use present tense to refer to graphs, tables, and figures
Elements of scientific paper 6- Results
The style of the table
Elements of scientific paper 6- Results
When to use a table??
Elements of scientific paper 6- Results
Guidelines for a good table:
The title should clearly describes what the table is about
The column heads are descriptive and clearly indicate the nature of the data presented
The data is divided into categories for clarity
It is self-contained
Sufficient spacing is present between columns and rows (FOR ALL TABLES)
The layout is clean and the font is legible
Elements of scientific paper 6- Results
The style of the figure
Elements of scientific paper 6- Results
When to use a line graph ??
Elements of scientific paper 6- Results
When to use a Bar chart??
Elements of scientific paper 6- Results
When to use a Pie chart??
Elements of scientific paper 6- Results
When to use a drawing/ photograph ??
Elements of scientific paper 6- Results
Guidelines for a good figure:
Ensure image clarity
A figure legend at the bottom ALWAYS draws the reader’s attention to the graph’s key
points
Label all important points
Choose an informative title that tells immediately the reader
The axes are labeled clearly
A note at the bottom acknowledge the source
Elements of scientific paper 7- Discussion
Function:
It offers your interpretations and conclusions about your findings
How do your results relate to the goals of the study
How do they relate to the results that might have been expected from background
information
Demonstrate your ability to synthesize, analyze, evaluate, interpret, and reason effectively
Elements of scientific paper 7- Discussion
Function:
Use present tense to explain significance of results
Use past tense to summarize findings, with present tense to interpret the results
Interpret your results and explain key limitations
Discuss agreement or contrast with previously published work
Offer general conclusions
Recommend areas for future study
Elements of scientific paper 7- Discussion
For a successful discussion (make a STORY)
Beginni
ng Middle End
Elements of scientific paper 8- Referencing
Function:
To support your opinion
To add credibility to the information you present
To enable the reader to trace the source you used
To avoid possible accusations of plagiarism
You should include a reference for all the sources of information that you use when writing
A knotty problem
O Who will be included as authors (and in what order)
O This can cause some dispute!
O Some journals have a clear policy
O Some supervisors or research groups also have a policy (ask)
O All authors carry full responsibility for the content
The mechanics of publication
O Submission
O You may need to learn how to use an on-line system like ‘Manuscript Central’
O The decision
O Rejection. Learn from the referees comments and try again
O Revision. This is common. Answer the referees questions carefully (maybe generate some
more data) and you’ll be OK
O Immediate acceptance. This is rare!
