How to write a scientific paper

How to write a scientific paper Instructor: Pham The Hai How to write a scientific paper? The answer is everywhere now….Internet Types of papers • Papers fall into a number of groups: Research, Reviews and Articles on specific topics • A review article:  a controversial topic; a topic gaining increasing interest but not yet reviewed  discussing different points of view • A research article: reports research findings  “a contribution to new knowledge” 1st question to be asked! • Will they publish me? Identify the journal Depends on: the nature of your work the interests of the journal  Check the guidelines of your intended journal first! Common questions asked of referees by editors 1st tip: just follow the guidelines • Check out the format and the speciations of your intended journal  follow them! 2nd tip in writing: “scientific” is not “stylist” • No need to be poetic, verbose, imaginative no need to look for various synonyms: “cats” can be just “cats” no need: felines, kitties, or “mouse-catchers” • 4C: Clear, Concise, Complete and Correct  it’s scientific • Usually use the passive voice 3rd tip: the common layout • A research article usually follows a basic format: Title + Abstract + IMRAD + Conclusions + Acknowledgement + References IMRAD = Introduction + Materials&Methods + Results and Discussion Title • requires great care • should be as specific as possible Name the species you dealt with (if or more  an inclusive term: e.g the genus) Briefly let the reader know what you did with them REMEMBER: most readers will look at only titles, before reading on Title • "A Study of Crickets" tells practically nothing  • "Behavior of the Field Cricket, Acheta assimilis” still is not specific enough  • "Correlation of Temperature and Stridulation Rates during Crepuscular Calling of the Field Cricket, Acheta assimilis” GOOD ! Abstract • A summary of your research  • Describe your research in as few words as possible  only the most significant findings • The potential reader usually use it to decide whether to read the paper Introduction • Explain why you did your research + what was expected from it  usually provide the background – literature review remember to cite previous works  lead the readers to your research question • Verbal forms: usually present tense for what is evident/known but: ABC found/has shown/has reported that…; It has been shown/it was reported that… Materials and Methods • Tell what you did  Past tense • You should describe your experimental conditions and procedures so completely that anyone could repeat the experiments or observations However, for procedures that are so well-known (beware of your feeling!) or duplicate those of an earlier paper  you can just cite the paper Results • Present what you found/observed, without commenting/discussing • Present the results with illustration: tables; figures; images with informative legends  try to make the reader understand your work without having to read the text  use the text efficiently: not tell the same information; tell something exceptional; or summarize the information Discussion • Discuss your results in relation to those of others, citing pertinent papers:  Specifically point out significant findings  try to raise interesting questions  unexpected/contradictory results: should be explained usually use the present tense • Should consider to include the Conclusions in this sections if a separate Conclusions section is not allowed by the journal Some other tips • Literature citation: - List only those pertinent papers - Follow the style! Use a reference manager software! • Illustrations: - as few as possible  reduce cost - include as much info as possible - should be of the highest quality  ask for assistance if you need Special hint • When writing, follow the MRADI order: M&M  Results/Discussion  Introduction  Abstract  Title/References => Edit => Edit again after some time => Ask somebody else to read and comment => Proof read carefully Some other tips to make your writing even better? • Read papers of the others  judge them  follow the good ones • Read the recent papers of your intended journal  figure out the “taste” of the journal/editor ENJOY YOUR WRITING! ASSIGNMENT Each group selects a research paper (since 2000; need to be approved by the instructor before use) read and study carefully  give a presentation about the paper (The paper must be sent to the class and the instructor week before the presentation) The presentation MUST answer the following questions: -What is the research question/topic? -Why did the authors the research? (based on what background, due to what demand, etc…) -What is the overall approach? (the strategy/ the research direction) -What are the methods used? For what purposes? -What are the experiments done in the research? In your opinion, how well were they designed? -What are the results? -What are the significant findings, in relation to other publications? -Final evaluation: Is the paper well-written? Is its format OK? What could have been improved? .. .How to write a scientific paper? The answer is everywhere now….Internet Types of papers • Papers fall into a number of groups: Research, Reviews and Articles on specific topics • A review article:... instructor before use) read and study carefully  give a presentation about the paper (The paper must be sent to the class and the instructor week before the presentation) The presentation MUST answer... Verbal forms: usually present tense for what is evident/known but: ABC found/has shown/has reported that…; It has been shown/it was reported that… Materials and Methods • Tell what you did  Past