How to write a scientific paper
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The document outlines key aspects of writing a scientific paper, emphasizing the importance of structure and clarity in conveying complex information. It details the standard format sections, including title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, acknowledgments, and references, while offering guidance on writing styles and objectives for each section. Additionally, it addresses common barriers to effective writing, suggesting that practice and adherence to format can help overcome these challenges.
How to write a scientific paper
- 2. “How To Write a Scientific Paper” Asif Nawaz Mphill microbiology Aust
- 3. • The process of writing is a helpful tool for promoting the process of scientific thinking. • Writing a scientific paper that effectively conveys complex information is an ART that requires practice and expertise. • Barriers to effective writing include lack of experience, poor writing habits, writing anxiety, unfamiliarity with the requirements of scholarly writing, lack of confidence in writing ability, fear of failure, and resistance to feedback. • However, most scientific papers follow a standard format that can be easily adopted. That helps author present the research in an orderly, logical manner. • This format is: • | Title | Authors | Abstract | Introduction | Materials and Methods | Results | Discussion | Acknowledgments | Literature Cited |
- 4. I. Sections of the Paper • Main Section Headings: Each main section of the paper begins with a heading which should be capitalized, centered at the beginning of the section, and double spaced from the lines above and below. Example of a main section heading: INTRODUCTION • Subheadings: • Subheadings should be capitalized (first letter in each word), left justified, and either bold italics OR underlined. Example of a subheading: Effects of Light Intensity on the Rate of Electron Transport
- 5. II. Title, Authors’ Names, and Institutional Affiliations • Objective: The Title should concisely describe the contents of the paper. • Format: The title should be centered at the top of page 1. The authors' names and institutional affiliation are centered below the title. Authors are listed in the order in which they contributed to the project. The person who did the most work is listed first. If all authors did equal work, they are listed alphabetically.
- 6. •For example: Ducks Over-Winter in Barley Fields in Response to Increased Daily Mean Temperature Ima Mallard, Ura Drake, and Woodruff Ducque East High School
- 7. III. Abstract • Objective: An abstract summarizes in one paragraph the major aspects of the entire paper. It helps readers decide whether they want to read the rest of the paper or not. Structure: The length of the abstract should be kept to a 200-300 words. Limit your statements concerning each segment of the paper (e.g., purpose, methods, results, etc.) Use the following outline to write your abstract:
- 8. 1. The question(s) you investigated (or purpose) (from Introduction) 2. The basic experimental design and methods used (from Methods) 3. The major findings including key quantitative results (from Results) 4. A brief summary of our interpretations and conclusions (from Discussion) Although the Abstract is the first section of your paper, this section must be written last since it will summarize the whole paper.
- 9. IV. Introduction • Objective: Establish the context of the work reported by discussing the relevant primary research literature (with citations) and summarizing our current understanding of the problem we’re investigating. • Structure: • The Introduction structure can be thought of as an inverted triangle with the broadest, most general information at the top of the triangle and the specific problem you researched at the bottom. General Information Specific Purpose
- 10. • Use the following steps to write the introduction: 1. Identify the subject area: Use key words from your Title in the first few sentences of the Introduction to get it focused directly on topic without losing focus or discussing information that is too general. 2. Establish the context: Provide a brief and balanced review of the published literature that is available on the subject. 3. Clearly and concisely state the purpose and/or hypothesis of our investigation: This involves answering the questions like, Why did you choose this kind of experiment? What advantages does it confer in answering the particular question(s) you are posing? What are the objectives of our study etc.
- 11. V. Materials and Methods • Objective: Using concise and precise writing, describe where the study was conducted, the materials used in the study, how measurements were made, and how the data were analyzed (statistical tests). • Structure: 1.Describe the study area (e.g., national analysis, regional, your university). Including the physical and biological features of the site and precise location (i.e., elevation, latitude, longitude) 2. Describe the experimental OR sampling design. 3. If you are using secondary sources of data, describe the datasets. Who collected the data? Include citations!!
- 12. 4. Provide a rationale for the specific procedure or data you chose to use. If using a particular methodology, cite the source of the method. 5. Describe calculations – how were the data summarized and analyzed? e.g. the methodology used for the calculations like t-test etc. & errors. Style & Organization: • Write your methods in a paragraph form – not a list. • Use subheadings • Use the past tense • Use an appropriate level of detail so that someone could replicate your study. • If you used standard methods from previously published studies, cite these methods instead of re-writing them. Do not report any results in the Methods section!
- 13. VI. Results • Objective: Write a narrative (text) to present the key results, without interpretation. Use tables and figures to illustrate the key results. • Types of results we might report: • Trends (X increases or decreases over time) • Correlations (as Y increases, X also increases) • Differences (Y is greater than X)
- 14. • Style & Organization: You must refer to each table and/or figure in the text and clearly indicate for the reader the key results that each conveys. Report means and percents when possible. Figures and tables are numbered in the order in which you refer to them in the text. Figures and tables are numbered independently of each other. For example, if you present one figure and one table, they would be numbered Figure 1 and Table 1. Report findings in the past tense. Do not provide any interpretation of the data (i.e. why population is increasing) – this belongs in the discussion section.
- 15. • Report negative results: They are important! If you did not get the anticipated results, it may mean your hypothesis was incorrect and needs to be reformulated, or perhaps you have stumbled onto something unexpected that warrants further study. VII. Discussion • Objective: In this section you interpret your results based on previously published research and explain how your new findings change our understanding of the problem. Think big picture. Why do you think that we got these results? Why are your results important? You must relate your work to the findings from previous studies conducted by yourself and other investigators. Do not introduce new results in the Discussion.
- 16. • Structure: The topics of the discussion section should follow the same order as the Results section. The Discussion will always connect to the Introduction, it does not simply repeat or rearrange the Introduction. Instead, it tells how your study has moved us forward from the place you left off at the end of the Introduction. • Questions to answer in your discussion: • Do your results provide answers to your testable hypotheses? If so, how do you interpret your findings? • Do your findings agree with what others have shown? If not, do they suggest an alternative explanation or perhaps an unforeseen design flaw in your experiment or theirs? • Given your conclusions, what is our new understanding of the problem you investigated and outlined in the Introduction? • If warranted, what would be the next step in your study, e.g., what experiments would you do next?
- 17. VIII. Acknowledgements • If, in your experiment, you received any significant help in designing, carrying out the work, or received donated materials from someone, you MUST acknowledge their assistance and the service or material provided. •IX. Literature Cited Provide an alphabetical listing (by the first author's last name) of the references that you actually cited in the body of your paper. Ask your teacher to recommend a standard format for referencing (e.g., MLA, APA).
- 18. X. Figures and Tables • Objective: To represent data in a clear and organized way, Each figure and table should stand on its own without having to refer back to the text. Decide whether a figure or table is the more effective way to present your data. • Tables: Present lists of numbers or text in columns, each column having a title or label • Figures: Figures are visual presentations of results, including graphs, diagrams, photos, drawings, schematics, maps, etc. • Numbering: Tables and Figures are assigned numbers separately and in the sequence that you refer to them in the text of the results section
- 19. XI. Appendices • Objective: Contains information that is non-essential to understanding of the paper, but may present information that further clarifies a point without burdening the body of the presentation, Examples of material that might be found in an appendix: raw data, maps (foldout type especially) & extra photographs, explanation of a mathematical procedures, diagrams of specialized equipment.