How to WriteHow to WriteDefne Apul and Jill ShalabiDefne Apul and Jill Shalabi

Papers SummarizedPapers Summarized

Johnson, T.M. 2008. Tips on how to write a paper. J Am Acad Johnson, T.M. 2008. Tips on how to write a paper. J Am Acad Dermatol 59:6, 1064-1069.Dermatol 59:6, 1064-1069.

Lee, S.S. 2008. How to write a paper: an editor’s tips. Liver Lee, S.S. 2008. How to write a paper: an editor’s tips. Liver International 28:4, 421-422.International 28:4, 421-422.

Mumpford, F. 1990. The universal recipe or how to get your Mumpford, F. 1990. The universal recipe or how to get your manuscript accepted by persnickety editors. Clays and Clay manuscript accepted by persnickety editors. Clays and Clay Minerals 38:6, 631-636.Minerals 38:6, 631-636.

Wong, T.S.W. 2008. How to write an award-winning paper. Journal of Wong, T.S.W. 2008. How to write an award-winning paper. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice 134:1, Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice 134:1, 11-11.11-11.

Topics to be CoveredTopics to be Covered

Why and how to write - general Why and how to write - general guidelinesguidelines

Organization and content of a Organization and content of a scientific paperscientific paper

Tips on publishingTips on publishing The review processThe review process

Why Write?Why Write?

Writing cultivates Writing cultivates – disciplinediscipline– clear thinkingclear thinking– analytical abilityanalytical ability– a sense of accomplishmenta sense of accomplishment

Educational gain may be greater for Educational gain may be greater for author than readerauthor than reader

But….But….

Nothing is added to “science” and no Nothing is added to “science” and no benefits are realized unless your benefits are realized unless your writing is published AND understoodwriting is published AND understood

General Guidelines for WritingGeneral Guidelines for Writing

Know your subject in depth Know your subject in depth Determine your best time to writeDetermine your best time to write Establish and maintain a realistic Establish and maintain a realistic

timetable timetable The seven CsThe seven Cs

content, correctness, consistency, content, correctness, consistency, clarity, colorfulness, conciseness, clarity, colorfulness, conciseness, convincingnessconvincingness

““Recipe” for a scientific paperRecipe” for a scientific paper

1. Title1. Title

2. Authorship2. Authorship

3. Abstract3. Abstract

4. Introduction4. Introduction

5. Methods and 5. Methods and MaterialsMaterials

6. Results6. Results

7. Discussion7. Discussion

8. Conclusions8. Conclusions

(or Summary and (or Summary and Conclusions)Conclusions)

9.Acknowledgements9.Acknowledgements

10. References10. References

What if my work is special?What if my work is special?

For 99.99% of manuscripts, follow For 99.99% of manuscripts, follow the recipe!the recipe!

Possible additions arePossible additions are– Theory (after Introduction)Theory (after Introduction)– Regional Geology (before or after Regional Geology (before or after

Methods and Materials)Methods and Materials)– Extended literature review (after Extended literature review (after

Introduction)Introduction)

Writing OrderWriting Order

Writing should proceed in the Writing should proceed in the following order:following order:1. Methods and Materials1. Methods and Materials

2. Results2. Results

3. Discussion3. Discussion

4. Introduction4. Introduction

5. Abstract, Title, References, 5. Abstract, Title, References, AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Why Follow the Recipe?Why Follow the Recipe?

Answers all relevant questions:Answers all relevant questions: IntroductionIntroduction

– What problem was solved?What problem was solved? ExperimentalExperimental

– How was it solved?How was it solved? ResultsResults

– What did authors find?What did authors find? DiscussionDiscussion

– How were results interpreted?How were results interpreted? Summary and ConclusionsSummary and Conclusions

– What is significant about findingsWhat is significant about findings

TitleTitle

This is the first (and maybe only) This is the first (and maybe only) chance to convince your audience to chance to convince your audience to keep readingkeep reading

Should describe only what will be in Should describe only what will be in the paperthe paper

AbstractAbstract

Except for title, more people will read Except for title, more people will read the abstract than any other part of the abstract than any other part of paperpaper

Abstracts should be written for non-Abstracts should be written for non-experts experts

Should be the entire paper in Should be the entire paper in condensed formcondensed form

AuthorshipAuthorship

Long lists of authors can be a red Long lists of authors can be a red flag: credibility decreases after 5 flag: credibility decreases after 5 or 6 authorsor 6 authors

Should include only principle Should include only principle contributors - others can be contributors - others can be recognized in recognized in “Acknowledgements”“Acknowledgements”

Authorship Authorship (cont’d)(cont’d)

ALL authors are responsible for ALL authors are responsible for contentcontent– Everyone should have opportunity to Everyone should have opportunity to

review before submission/resubmissionreview before submission/resubmission– First author is responsible for data First author is responsible for data

collection, writingcollection, writing– Last author is most senior, established Last author is most senior, established

researcherresearcher– Middle authors listed in order of Middle authors listed in order of

contributioncontribution

IntroductionIntroductionWhat problem did the authors try to solve?What problem did the authors try to solve?

Write lastWrite last Write in present tenseWrite in present tense Three paragraphsThree paragraphs

1.brief background1.brief background

2.importance of the problem and issues 2.importance of the problem and issues needing clarificationneeding clarification

3.main objective(s) of paper3.main objective(s) of paper

Methods and MaterialsMethods and Materials How was the problem solved?How was the problem solved?

Write in past tense in adequate detail Write in past tense in adequate detail to repeat the study to repeat the study

Note how data were evaluated Note how data were evaluated – Statistical methodsStatistical methods– Computer programsComputer programs

ResultsResultsWhat did authors find?What did authors find?

Write in past tenseWrite in past tense Present facts in logical sequencePresent facts in logical sequence Include tables, graphs, illustrationsInclude tables, graphs, illustrations Avoid presenting irrelevant dataAvoid presenting irrelevant data Do not present implications or Do not present implications or

interpretations yetinterpretations yet

DiscussionDiscussionHow were results interpreted?How were results interpreted?

The most important section of paperThe most important section of paper Outline the main points that emerge Outline the main points that emerge

from the results and build 1-2 from the results and build 1-2 paragraphs for each pointparagraphs for each point

Avoid saying “further studies are Avoid saying “further studies are required”required”

Use past tenseUse past tense

ConclusionConclusionWhat is significant about the findings?What is significant about the findings?

Discuss importanceDiscuss importance Don’t repeat discussion points – Don’t repeat discussion points –

rather, explain why they are rather, explain why they are importantimportant

Re-examine the introduction to see Re-examine the introduction to see whether objectives have been metwhether objectives have been met

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Be brief, but recognize those whoBe brief, but recognize those who– provided financial support, samples, provided financial support, samples,

analyses, technical assistance, analyses, technical assistance, – critiqued manuscript before submission, critiqued manuscript before submission,

journal reviewers (not the editor)journal reviewers (not the editor)

ReferencesReferences

Use exact style of journal (see Use exact style of journal (see authors guidelines or look at a recent authors guidelines or look at a recent issue)issue)

List only works that have been List only works that have been publishedpublished– In case of personal or written In case of personal or written

communication, cite in body of textcommunication, cite in body of text

How to PublishHow to Publish

Choose the right journal and follow Choose the right journal and follow its submission instructionsits submission instructions

Use a cover letterUse a cover letter– include a statement about why include a statement about why

information presented is new and/or information presented is new and/or significantsignificant

– ““sell” your papersell” your paper Suggest appropriate reviewersSuggest appropriate reviewers

How to Publish How to Publish (cont’d)(cont’d)

Writing style should be simple and directWriting style should be simple and direct– Active voice is better than passiveActive voice is better than passive

The dog bit the cat vs.The dog bit the cat vs. The cat was bitten by the dogThe cat was bitten by the dog

Use spell checkUse spell check Simplify figuresSimplify figures Avoid non-standard abbreviationsAvoid non-standard abbreviations Avoid common statistical errorsAvoid common statistical errors

– ‘‘Significant” = statistically significantSignificant” = statistically significant

How to Publish How to Publish (cont’d)(cont’d)

OrganizationOrganization– a disorganized paper may reflect a a disorganized paper may reflect a

disorganized experimentdisorganized experiment– prepare an extensive outlineprepare an extensive outline– or outline the paper after completion to reveal or outline the paper after completion to reveal

disorganizationdisorganization Have an impartial person review it who will Have an impartial person review it who will

tell it like it is – don’t wait for journal tell it like it is – don’t wait for journal reviewers or editors do that for youreviewers or editors do that for you

Review ProcessReview Process

‘‘‘‘Your manuscript is both good and original, but the Your manuscript is both good and original, but the part that is good is not original, and the part that part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good.’’ -Samuel Johnsonis original is not good.’’ -Samuel Johnson

AcceptanceAcceptance RevisionRevision Rejection Rejection

How to RespondHow to Respond

Respond to ALL reviewers’ comments Respond to ALL reviewers’ comments and suggestions – only fight back on and suggestions – only fight back on issues you strongly disagree withissues you strongly disagree with

If rejected, don’t simply submit as is If rejected, don’t simply submit as is to a different journalto a different journal

Common Reasons for RejectionCommon Reasons for Rejection

Poorly written/poor stylePoorly written/poor style Conclusions unjustified by dataConclusions unjustified by data Flawed or poor design methodsFlawed or poor design methods Faulty statistical analysisFaulty statistical analysis Hypothesis not adequately testedHypothesis not adequately tested

Ethical IssuesEthical Issues

Data manipulation/falsificationData manipulation/falsification Plagiarism and self-plagiarismPlagiarism and self-plagiarism Conflicts of interestConflicts of interest