Lecture 8: Paper writing – putting the story together Title Authorship Abstract Introduction...
-
Upload
marjory-griffin -
Category
Documents
-
view
216 -
download
1
Transcript of Lecture 8: Paper writing – putting the story together Title Authorship Abstract Introduction...
Lecture 8: Paper writing – putting the story together
Title Authorship Abstract Introduction Methods Results (& Discussion) Discussion Conclusions Acknowledgements References Table and Figure
captions Tables Figures
Classical structure
Writing tips
Construct a flow chart or a set of dot point Introduction
Reason for study List of key references to include Objectives of paper
Methods Site description Instrumentation used Climate
Results Organise figures and tables in logical order to provide
the set of arguments you wish to present ………
Title
Should capture key content of study Use it as a headline to attract readers
if it worth writing, it should be worth reading Use the fewest possible words to
describe accurately content of the paper Omit waste words
"A study of ...", Indexing and abstracting services
depend on accuracy of the title
Abstract
Allows reader to identify content of paper quickly and accurately determine its relevance to their interests decide whether to read the document does not present methods
In < 250 words states objectives and scope of the investigation summarizes results and principal conclusions
Is self-contained Is published separately by abstracting services e.g.
Biological Abstracts, Current Contents … Omit references to literature, tables or figures
Keywords
Used by the indexing and abstracting services, in addition to those in the title
Increase ease of finding your paper by interested readers
Writing tips
Start in the middle e.g. Methods – this is easy and gets you started
Write Results Organize figures and tables in a logical order Helps you develop your story
Write Discussion Write Introduction
You have your story, now set it in context of existing work, define your objectives etc.
Housekeeping Abstract References
Introduction
Main goal is to tell the reader what the paper is about
Why is the work being done? briefly introduce relevant literature justify interest in the topic
What hypotheses are being tested? state clearly the scope and objectives of the study what approach does paper take to answer the
questions posed? How will the paper advance or improve on
previous work? e.g. refining or increasing scientific knowledge describing a new method Developing a new theory
Materials & Methods
Use sub-headings to describe: Theory & equations used to analyze & interpret
results (use equation numbers for cross-reference)
Details of study site Location Vegetation type, species, land cover … Climate
Instrumentation Equipment and materials available commercially
should be described exactly e.g. Li-7500 (Licor Inc., Lincoln, NB, USA)
Data processing, quality control Describe processing steps such as editing, gap filling Include errors of measurement
Results (& Discussion)
Let the data do the talking Present results in a logical sequence to
support your thesis/objectives Present analyzed & condensed data, not raw
results State your findings clearly using simple
sentences Describe what you want the reader to learn from
each Figure or Table, do not let them guess e.g. ‘Figure 2 shows an exponential dependence of
respiration on soil temperature.’ NOT ‘Figure 2 shows the soil respiration data.’
Writing tips
Copy your figures into one spreadsheet This maintains linkages with primary sources (show example)
Use cross referencing between referenced to figures and tables in text to caption labels
Useful if order is later changed
Text (Insert, Reference, Caption OK) Figure 1 shows that …. . . . Figure Captions Figure 1. Respiration as a function of temperature
Writing tips
Discussion
Your explanation and interpretation of the data How do results confirm/refute hypotheses being tested? How do your results compare with published material?
Cross-reference your results but do not repeat or introduce new data
Do not extend your conclusions beyond those directly supported by your results
Discuss the significance of the results Do not leave the reader thinking "So what?” How does your paper advance knowledge?
Conclusions
Inferences that can be drawn from your paper A list of the main points you want the reader to
learn from your research Emphasize the key points, especially for
readers who have waded through the discussion but are still asking "So what is the bottom line here?"
Not a summary of the entire paper
Acknowledgements
List of those who helped in the work but did not contribute to the scientific interpretation
Technical assistance Financial assistance
References
List of all references cited in text, Tables and Figures
Consult recent issues of the selected journal for referencing style
Cross-check with text carefully Are listed references in text, Tables and
Figures? Are references in text, Tables and Figures in
the list?
Table & Figure captions
Captions must be self-explanatory Enable reader to interpret table or figure
without reading text. Reader’s time is precious
1st line of caption is its title Ensure tables & figures are cross-
referenced in text Type captions on a separate page
Tables
Make Tables clear and simple Include only essential data Like elements should read down Clear headings with units
Caption self explanatory
Example Table
Table 1. Regression equations relating plant component respiration rate to air temperature.
Plant component
Period Units Regression equation r2 n
Canopy leaves RL
night mol CO2 m-2
leaf s-1
0.41 exp(0.0575 Ta) 0.89 22
Trunks – rough bark RTr
night and day
mol CO2 m-3
sapwood s-1
0.34 Ta + 3.93 0.93 13
Trunks – gum bark RTg
day mol CO2 m-3
sapwood s-1
2.0 RTr 8
Trunks – gum bark RTg
night mol CO2 m-3
sapwood s-1
4.1 RTr 8
Where, RL = canopy leaf respiration rate
RTr = trunk rough bark respiration rate
RTg = trunk gum bark respiration rate
Example Table, some improvement
Table 1. Relationships between air temperature and respiration of leaves and trunks. Gum-bark respiration, RTg, is a multiple of rough- bark respiration. Chlorophyll in gum-bark reduces daytime RTg relative to nightime RTg.
Plant component
Period Units Regression equation r2 n
Canopy leaves RL
night mol CO2 m-2
leaf s-1
0.41 exp(0.0575 Ta) 0.89 22
Trunks – rough bark RTr
night and day
mol CO2 m-3
sapwood s-1
0.34 Ta + 3.93 0.93 13
Trunks – gum bark RTg
day mol CO2 m-3
sapwood s-1
2.0 RTr 8
Trunks – gum bark RTg
night mol CO2 m-3
sapwood s-1
4.1 RTr 8
Where, RL = canopy leaf respiration rate
RTr = trunk rough bark respiration rate
RTg = trunk gum bark respiration rate
Redundant information
Figures
Keep figures clear and simple Max of 4 lines per panel
Use multiple panels if needed Figures will be smaller when printed Figures will be in black and white
Harder to read than colour Label axes clearly
Be consistent throughout paper Use large font Include units
Time series at Virginia Park
-100
100
300
500
700
01/09/2001 03/09/2001 05/09/2001 07/09/2001
DateH
or
lE
(W m
-2)
-30
-20
-10
0
10
Fc
(m
ol C
O2
m-2
s-1
)
Average of heat_flux
Average of LEtot
Average of Fctot
0
10
20
30
01/09/2001 03/09/2001 05/09/2001 07/09/2001
Date
Wa
ter
va
po
r p
res
su
re (
hP
a)
250
300
350
400
CO
2 m
ixin
g r
ati
o (
pp
m)
Average of Water vapour pressure
Average of Vaisala_H2O
Average of CO2 mixing ratio
Original spreadsheet figures in colour
Time series at Virginia Park
Figure for paper in black and white
Just marginal for clarity
Figure 6. Time series of (a) the fluxes of H, λE and Fc and (b) CO2 mixing
ratio and water vapour pressure measured using a LI-7500 open-path
infrared gas analyser and water vapour pressure from a Vaisala relative
humidity sensor. Note the strong and rapid variations in humidity
associated with synoptic weather fronts and with nocturnal boundary layer
formation and dissipation.
Writing style
Clarity Concise Logical Fluent
Accurate Pay attention to detail
Be concise
“It is clearly shown in Figure 1 that the annual mean CO2 flux at Virginia Park (5 mol m-2 s-1) was lower than at Tumbarumba (10 mmol m-2 s-
1)” “The annual mean CO2 flux at Virginia Park was
5 mol m-2 s-1 and 10 mmol m-2 s-1 at Tumbarumba (Figure 1).”
“The data that were obtained by Leuning et al. (2005) were probably showed that drought stress caused a reduction in GPP…”
“Leuning et al. (2005) found that GPP was reduced by drought stress”
Use shorter sentences
“The success of the flux station methodology relies on the combination of carbon cycle measurements to provide detailed process understanding on short to medium time scales, satellite-derived radiances that provide global coverage at daily time steps, and soil-vegetation-atmospheric models that are informed and parameterised by these measurements.” (48 words)
“Measurements at flux stations describe ecosystem processes on short to medium time scales and provide data to test and paramaterise soil-vegetation-atmospheric models. Extrapolation to large space and time scales is possible when flux measurements and models are combined with MODIS remote sensing.” (42 words)
Check your paper
Get colleagues to proof-read your paper!
Make sure English is first rate Editors will not accept poorly written
papers Pay attention to details
Submitting a paper
Assemble manuscript with figures and tables
Check for errors one more time Write letter to editor
Say why your paper will be of interest to journal
Corresponding author Submit to one journal at a time
Acknowledgements
Prof, Elaine K Gallin, Program Director For Medical Research At The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, USAhttp://www.aaas.org/international/eca/present/SciPaper/sld001.htm
http://aerg.canberra.edu.au/edupaper.htm