Effective Scientific Paper Writing: Guidelines and Tips

1. Writing scientific papers Jennifer Sadowski & Kaati Schreier May 30, 2012

2. Before you start to write…… • Read lots of journal articles • Multiple readings • Read the entire article • Never cite an article just from an abstract • Before starting, create an outline of what to include in each section • Order to write your paper • Proposal or entire paper? • Methods, Objectives (Introduction), Relevance(Introduction) • Introduction (Literature review) • Results • Discussion • Abstract

3. General structure of a scientific paper • Title • Abstract • Introduction • Methods • Results • Discussion • Acknowledgements • References

4. General structure of a scientific paper • Title • Includes overview of topic, refers to objectives of study, species name • Abstract • Introduction • Methods • Results • Discussion • Acknowledgements • References

5. General structure of a scientific paper • Title • Abstract • Write last • Length depends on discipline and context • Include brief introduction to topic (few or zero references), relevance of study, brief methods, brief results (no statistics included) and discussion and ending summary statement. (Approximately 2-3 sentences for each). • Introduction • Methods • Results • Discussion • Acknowledgements • References

6. General structure of a scientific paper • Title • Abstract • Introduction • Thorough review of literature (including recent work) • Make general statements, then back up with references • Funnel structure • Include relevance of study • Methods • Results • Discussion • Acknowledgements • References

7. Introduction • Funnel structure: Starts broad and goes narrow, ends with the exact purpose of the paper • Paragraph 1: Animals compete for resources . . .(references) • Paragraph 2: Home ranges or territories can be aggressively fought over . . .(more references) • Paragraph 3: White faced capuchin monkeys will aggressively fight with invaders in their territory . . .(more references) • Paragraph 4: Objectives (Study how alpha male aggressive reactions influence the rest of the brood) and/or hypotheses

8. General structure of a scientific paper • Title • Abstract • Introduction • Methods • Enough detail to be replicated by others • May include references to other protocols • Include: Animal care, IRB, locations and dates, statistical analyses used, etc. • Results • Discussion • Acknowledgements • References

9. General structure of a scientific paper • Title • Abstract • Introduction • Methods • Results • Start with an overview of results (2-3 sentences) • Simply state results – do not discuss relevance or implications • Refer to figures, tables in reporting of results • Consider most concise way to report results (figure, table, or text) • Follow discipline or journal directions for reporting statistics and creating figures • Figures: label axes, figure captions (no title needed), appropriate colors • Discussion • Acknowledgements • References

10. General structure of a scientific paper • Title • Abstract • Introduction • Methods • Results • Discussion • Inverted funnel structure, revisit your main objectives • Interpret your results, do not re-state statistics • Compare your findings to other published studies (very important) • Explain experimental error and possible future studies • End with summary of overall relevance of project to field • Acknowledgements • References

11. General structure of a scientific paper • Title • Abstract • Introduction • Methods • Results • Discussion • Acknowledgements • Include funding sources (summer fellowships, grants, etc) • Include research mentors, individuals who helped with study or reviewed paper • References

12. General structure of a scientific paper • Title • Abstract • Introduction • Methods • Results • Discussion • Acknowledgements • References • Follow discipline or journal guidelines • Be consistent throughout paper • Check that all are included in paper and in reference list

13. The publishing process • Identify possible appropriate journals • Discuss with research mentor • Discuss authorship before starting (order and who to include) • Write paper to follow specific journal guidelines • Need to have complete and current literature review • Have others review and comment on your manuscript draft • All authors must confirm draft before submitting • You may be asked to suggest reviewers

14. The publishing process • Submit to journal for consideration • Editor will determine first whether draft will be reviewed or not (this may take days-months) • If yes, then sent out to reviewers for their feedback • Get feedback from reviewers (this may take months) • Can only submit one place at a time • Possible feedback: • Accept with minor revisions • Accept with major revisions • Reject, but may consider significantly revised edition • Reject • Make changes, explain changes (if they can’t be made), send back to editor (only a few weeks allowed) • May go back out to reviewers again • Advice: Develop a thick skin and keep trying!

15. Mid-term progress reports • Progress reports due to Kirsten Gabriel by 5pm Friday June 8 (via email) • Two pages long, double spaced, 12pt font, 1 inch margins • Use lay terminology so those outside discipline can understand report. • Work with your faculty mentor to create report including: • Research methods, results and discussion of work completed so far. • Remaining work and outline of plan for remainder of summer • Any problems or unexpected issues • How the project is going in general • Suggestions: • Revisit your research proposal • Refine your proposed objectives and/or methods • Write your methods out in detail, in proper format, so you don’t forget what you did this summer! • Have a clear, detailed outline, with specific goals, for each week remaining in the summer.