Strategy and Tips for Writing a High Quality Research … to write a...Strategy and Tips for Writing...

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Strategy and Tips forWriting a High Quality ResearchPaper

Presented by:Mary Nishikawa, MA, ELS

Editor and Trainer, AcademiaCactus Communications K.K.

Lecturer Introduction

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Understanding the concerns researchers andacademics have and helping them publish intop SCI journals such as Science and Cell

Board Certified EditorTrainer, AcademiaOver 25 years of experience in the review,editing, and rewriting of biomedicalresearch reports

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Aims of seminar

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• Pay attention to key sections for getting published

• Write a high quality paper, by knowing

– What to include and leave out in theintroduction, methods, results and discussionsections

You will learn how to

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You will learnWhat to includeand leave out

of your paper

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The title

What to include

The study type, method, or technique

Main subject

Main verb, if the title is describing results

Titles should include

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4

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The title

What to leave out!

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Common error:Unessential wordsincluded, essential wordsmissing in a title!

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Scenario 1

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A few remarks on the ICborder-area trade andconditions related to theprogression of the ICborder trade

What’s the problem?

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Includes an acronym

Repeats words orphrases

Includes non essentialphrases

Uses wordy phrases


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Write out acronym “IC”

Delete repetitive word: “bordertrade”

Delete non essential phrase: “Afew remarks on”

Revise wordy phrase “related tothe progression of ” to“progress”

Add method


Solution Original

ImprovedRecent progress of India-China border trade: A surveyof world economists

Scenario 2

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Assessing the effect of Xon the cardiac musclesof the white-headedcapuchin monkeyCebus capucinus


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Includes a non essentialphrase “assessing theeffect of

Includes two words thatmean the same thing

Assessing the effect of Xon the cardiac musclesof the white-headedcapuchin monkeyCebus capucinus

Scenario 2

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Revising wordy phrase“Assessing the effect of” to“induces”

Delete word with samemeaning: “white-headedcapuchin monkey ”

Assessing the effect of X onthe cardiac musclesof the white-headedcapuchin monkeyCebus capucinus

Solution Original

ImprovedX induces cardiac musclecontraction inCebus capucinus

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Indicate the studytype, method, ortechnique

Find the main subject

Include essential words(even articles!)

remove unessentialones

Titles

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Now what wasthat?

Remember…

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Introduction

What to include

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An Introduction

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• Gives the reader background information

• Explains the context of the work

• States the aim or hypothesis

• Sometimes includes a summary of key outcomes

Read and follow the journal’s manuscript guidelines.

Introduction: One possible style

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1. Provide general information orestablish the field

2. Develop the research questionor problem

3. State researcher’s objective

4. List achievements or describeorganization of paper

Background

Aim

Overview

Context

General

Expansion oftopic

Specific

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Verb tenses when writing

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Context

Background

Aim or hypothesis

When reporting facts or general information

• DNA is the code of life.

• “In industrialized countries, approximately 5-15% of

families experience food insecurity.”doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0052615

• “The common cold is the most widespread viral

infection in humans.” Ludwig et al. Respiratory Research 2013, 14:124

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Use the present tense

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When reporting facts or general information

• “Currently, there is no single standard method for

measuring the surface permeability …” DOI:

10.1080/21650020.2014.893200

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When explaining what a “thing” does

• The computer model provides

• The formula assesses

• This report describes

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When informing your readers

• Prior research has shown…

• “A number of studies have used surface infiltrationtesting to quantify the hydrologic performance ofpermeable pavement systems.” DOI: 10.1080/21650020.2014.893200

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Use the present perfect tense


• Prior research has shown…

• “Recent research has examined lighting variables of

color temperature, and illumination for affecting sleep,

mood, focus, motivation, concentration, and work and

school performance.” DOI: 10.1177/2158244012445585

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“…several authors have suggested that training is most

extensive only in establishments which operate in complex

market environments (Rowden &Conine, 2005; Sahinidis

& Bouris, 2008).”DOI: 10.1177/2158244011433338

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The cited author’s interpretation is in the present tense!



Past studies [1-3] have reported that not only maternal

diabetes but also slight glucose intolerance are a risk

factor for developing fetal overgrowth.”Kabeya Y et al. PLoS ONE 8(12): e84542. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0084542.


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When you are comparing your results withthose of past studies

• Smith et al. found that… but we found…

• We reported on this same subject, but it was a pilot

study.

• Past research linking … to … was mostly based on…

but ours was…

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Use the past tense

When citing past studies and reporting theirinterpretations in the present tense

“A study by Ott (1976) revealed that cool white

fluorescent lighting in classrooms can drastically improve

the behavior of student who are hyperactive or have

learning disadvantages.“ DOI: 10.1177/2158244012445585

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Use the past tense

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When citing past studies and reporting theirinterpretations in the present tense

“Adolescents, on average, engage in more reckless

behavior than do individuals of other ages” and are

“biologically driven” to risk taking, including criminal

offending, declared Steinberg (2007, p.56). DOI:

10.1177/2158244015573359

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Use the past tense

When stating an aim or hypothesis

• In the present study, we tested the hypothesis…

• The current study tests…

• We investigated the role of …

• This study investigates the role of…

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Use the past or present tense

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• The objective of the current study was to evaluate an

artificial lighting system for four discrete settings

(focus, energy, calm, and normal) designed for the

classroom environment. DOI: 10.1177/2158244012445585

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• This study attempts to fill this literature gap by

extending the previous analyses of age–poverty

interactions to examine one of the most serious forms

of alleged “adolescent risk taking”: homicides,

especially by firearms. DOI: 10.1177/2158244015573359

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When writing about proposed mechanismsdescribed in past research• … and …. may have common causes

• … may independently predict …

• ... may point to …

• … may indicate…

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Use a modal

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Introduction

What to leave out!

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Common error:“Borrowing”words of others

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Plagiarismtroubles!

You think you can

“Reuse” words from

another paper, as long

as you cite the paper

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Paraphrase text

Cite paper

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• Para (altered) phrase (way ofspeaking or writing

• You do not use the samesentence structure

• You may use some of the samewords, but not others

• You can make the sentencesimpler or more complex

What’s aparaphrase?

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“Pregnancy is commonly recognized

as a state of physiological and

temporary insulin resistance.”

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Avoid plagiarism!

It is well known that some women

develop temporary insulin resistance

during pregnancy, which is called

gestational diabetes.

Original Paraphrased

Kabeya Y et al. PLoS ONE 8(12): e84542.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0084542.

How can we avoid plagiarizing text?

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Read and catalog references

• Read and identify original content withquote marks “….”

• Try summarizing or paraphrasing

• Organize notes in a citation manager,database, excel sheet or on index cards

• Check sentence online in Google Scholar– http://scholar.google.com/

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サービス内容

• 剽窃検知ソフト、PlagScanを使い、すでに出版されてた380万以上の学術記事、

書籍、議事録との類似性を比較します。

• エディテージの出版専門家が検索結果をレポートでお知らせ。万が一剽窃の疑

いが掛かる可能性のある箇所があれば指摘し、修正をご提案します。

Get help checking plagiarism!

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http://www.editage.jp/publication-support/plagiarism-check/

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Common error:Unessential wordsincluded, essentialwords missing in theaim or hypothesis

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The hypotheses in this study

specifically address the relationship

between employees with training

experiences who have positive

attitudes about training (training

attitudes) and those positive

training attitudes are perceived to

improve job proficiency. (33 words)

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Sage Open 1-13 ©Debra L. Truitt 2011;DOI: 10.1177/215824401143338

The hypotheses in this study








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Repetition ofwords

Missing anessential word


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Revise aim or hypothesis

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Delete repetitive words

Reduce the word count

by identifying the main subject the main verb expressing

the projected outcome

Add essentials words, if

they are missing

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Solution 1 ProblemThe hypotheses in this study








In this study, it is hypothesized that

employees who have positive

attitudes about their recent training

will report that they are proficient on

the job. (24 words)


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• Writing a clearand conciseobjective is agreat start to

• A great ending!

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Remember…

Check the originality ofyour sentences

Include all the words youneed and try not torepeat!

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Now what wasthat?

Remember, in the introduction

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Methods section

What to include

Methods

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• Include enough information, but not toomuch

─ Study design and subjects

─ Materials

─ Procedures

─ Methods of analysis

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Methods

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• Provide details in supplements

• Cite and paraphrase orsummarize previously publishedmethods, including your own

Read and follow the journal’s manuscript guidelines

Verb tenses when writing

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Methods

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• “Normal lighting consisted of 500 lux with a

temperature of 3500 K...” DOI: 10.1177/2158244012445585

• “Students participated in either treatment or normally

lit classrooms.” DOI: 10.1177/2158244012445585

Past tense in methods – active voice

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• “Student motivation was evaluated with an

instrument adapted from Pintrich and DeGroot

(1990)…” DOI: 10.1177/2158244012445585

Past tense in methods – Passive voice

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Methods section

What to leave out!

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Common error:Plagiarizing one’s ownwords in methods

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Describing one’s own methods

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“The procedure forharvesting cells is asfollows: 1…., 2… , 3….”Description published inElsevier journal (copyrightholder)

“The procedure forharvesting cells is asfollows: 1…., 2… , 3….”Submission to Blackwell-Wiley journal


Moreplagiarismtroubles!

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Reusing the wording of

one’s own methods

from a previously

published report

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Avoid plagiarizing your own words!

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Paraphrase

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Paraphrased

“ We followed theprocedure for harvestingcells as described earlier.1

In summary, the stepsinvolved a …., b… , andc….” Submission to Wiley-Blackwell journal

Original

“The procedure forharvesting cells wasas follows: 1…., 2… ,3….” Descriptionpublished in Elsevierjournal (copyrightholder)

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Describe proceduresconcisely

Provide details insupplements

Use nonproprietary names Provide source of

materials Get help checking

plagiarism!

Methods

Now what wasthat?

Remember…

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Describe proceduresconcisely

Provide details insupplements

Use nonproprietarynames

Provide source ofmaterials

Methods

Now what wasthat?

Remember…

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Results section

What to include

1. Study design andsubjects

2. Materials

3. Procedures

4. Methods of analysis

Methods “guide” Results

1. Study conducted asplanned?Subjects participatedas planned?

2. Materials used asplanned?

3. Procedure followedas planned?

4. Methods of analysis,followed as planned?

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Results = Just the facts!

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Report data in one place

Table,

or Text

Figure

And leave the interpretationfor the Discussion PLOS Clinical Trials (2006) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pctr.0010022

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Results: Verb tense

Past tense – findingsWe found that high bloodpressure predicted an earlydeath…

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Results section

What to leave out!

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Common error:Unnecessary figures

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Figures

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Sage Open (2011) DOI: 10.1177/2158244011433338

The sample of this study wascomposed of 63.4% womenand 36.6% men (see Fig. 1).

Male FemaleGender of participants

Perc

enta

ge

60.0%

Figure1.

0%

20.0%

40.0%

Gender


Figures

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Perc

enta

ge

60.0%

Figure1.

0%

20.0%

40.0%

Gender

A bar graph isused to plotone data type

Data arepresented inboth the textand figure

Sage Open (2011) DOI: 10.1177/2158244011433338

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Remember, when using figures…

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Make sure you selectthe ones you reallyneed

When figures areoptional, place data intable or describe in text

Figure, table, or text?

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• OR

“Of the 237 study participants,150 were women (63.4%)”

• BUT NOT BOTH!

Table 1. Baseline demographiccharacteristics (n=237)

Sex (female) 150 (63.4 %)

Problem Solution


Sage Open (2011) DOI: 10.1177/2158244011433338


Perc

enta

ge

60.0%

Figure1.

0%

20.0%

40.0%

Gender

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Common error:Incomplete tables

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Sage Open ©Druckman and Greene 2013;DOI: 10.1177/2158244013492781

Table I: Rates of Joining the Newly Formed Section during Phase I, by Experimental Condition

Condition N Joined % change e-mailed % emailedImpersonal 93 5 5.38 1 1.08

Personalized 93 19 20.43 27 29.03Pressure 94 29 30.85 20 21.28

Total 280 53 18.93 48 17.14


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Problem

Word “Condition” andphrase “% e-mailed” arevague

Missing footer

Title is vague

N” is not explained

“Numbers in 2 columnshave no units

Table I: Rates of Joining the Newly Formed Section during Phase I, by Experimental Condition



Total 280 53 18.93 48 17.14Sage Open ©Druckman and Greene 2013;DOI: 10.1177/2158244013492781

Remember, when creating tables…

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Use specific wordingin titles

Identify allabbreviations andacronyms

Add a footer with abrief description ofstudy, and methodsof analysis, ifapplicable

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ProblemTable I. Rates of Joining the Newly Formed Section during Phase I, by Experimental Condition.



Total 280 53 18.93 48 17.14

E-mail type* N† sentan email

N†

Joining (%)N† replyingby e-mail (%)

Impersonal 93 5 (5.38) 1 (1.08)Personal 93 19 (20.43) 27 (29.03)Pressure 94 29 (30.85) 20 (21.28)

Total 280 53 (18.93) 48 (17.14)

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Solution

Table I. Rates of joining the newly formed professional group duringthe first round of an e-mail drive, according to type of e-mail sent.

*Impersonal, “Dear colleague”; personal, “Dear Name of Person”; andPressure, “Dear Name of person” plus pressure message: “The section willonly succeed with a sufficient number of members”;†N =number of people.

Title includesspecificinformation

N is identifiedas number ofpeople in footer

E-mail typesare described inthe footer

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Report data in one place,table, figure or text

Remove unnecessaryfigures and place data intable or text

Don’t forget units,identify acronyms, andplace details in footer

Remember, when writing results…

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Now what wasthat?

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Discussion section

What to include

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The discussion

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• Interprets key findings• Considers possible mechanisms, if applicable

• Relates key findings to previous research

• States limitations or unexpected findings

• Describes implications and generalizability offindings

Adapted from CONSORT 2010 Explanation and ElaborationBMJ 2010;340:c869. Annals of Internal Medicine recommendation.

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Discussion: Verb tense

Present tense – conclusionWe can conclude that men withhigh blood pressure have a 10%higher risk of CV disease…

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Discussion section

What to leave out!

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Common error:Overstating the value ofthe research

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“This study clearly demonstrates

that it is possible to significantly

influence consumers' Internet

shopping habits ...”

Interpretation matches results?

PLOS Clinical Trials (2006)DOI: 10.1371/journal.pctr.0010022


“This study clearly demonstrates

that it is possible to significantly

influence consumers' Internet

shopping habits ...”

Interpretation matches results?

“This study demonstrates that

it is possible to influence

consumers' Internet shopping

habits ...”

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PLOS Clinical Trials (2006)DOI: 10.1371/journal.pctr.0010022

Original Improved

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When interpreting results

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All research haslimitations, sowords such as“clearly” are notappropriate

Reserve the word“significantly” forstatisticalsignificance

The interpretationmust match theresults

Now what wasthat?

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Remember, when writing the discussion…

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You have learnedWhat to includeand leave out

of your paper

• Foote MA. The proof of the pudding. How to report resultsand write a good discussion. Chest 2008;135:866-868.

• Foote MA. How to make a proper introduction. Chest2007;130:1935-1937.

• Zeiger M. Essentials of Writing Biomedical ResearchPapers. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2000.

• CONSORT 2010 Explanation and Elaboration. BMJ2010;340:c869.

References

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Contact Details

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Mary Nishikawa, MA, ELSBoard Certified Editor in the Life SciencesTrainer in Academic Communications

[email protected]@editage.com

Tel: 03-5542-1950 Fax: 03-4496-4557URL: www.editage.jp www.cactus.co.jp

Dr. EddyTM personifies our efforts to support authors with good publication practices.He can be found at Editage Insights Japan http://www.editage.jp/insights/

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