Write a Scientific Paper.ppt
- 1. How to Write a Scientific Paper
- 2. The questions to ask yourself first…
- 3. Is the paper worth writing? • What’s in the literature? • “So What?” • It’s a lot of work (average 20-30 drafts). Don’t do it unless its worth it.
- 4. What do I have to say? A single question clearly stated with adequate evidence for the answer. Try stating the question and its answer in one simple sentence.
- 5. Is it one or more papers? • Putting too much in one paper makes it diffuse and less compelling than if its focused • Salami Science?
- 6. OK, So you want to/need to write a paper --> next questions a. What is the right format for the message (original article/review?) b. What is the right audience—who cares? c. What journal should I choose?
- 7. Which journal? • i. Is topic of my paper within its scope and format? • ii. Would it match my audience? • iii. Ask mentor or other senior researchers: appropriateness • iv. Impact Factor • v. Consequences of wrong decision: time lost; failure to publish
- 8. Calculation for journal impact factor* A= total cites in 2015 B= 2015 cites to articles published in 2013-14 (this is a subset of A) C= number of articles published in 2013-14 D= B/C = 2015 impact factor *Weights review articles heavily and is higher in scientifically better populated fields
- 9. To find out a journal’s impact factor Search on Impact Factor (current year - 2 years) (e.g. for now, search: impact factor 2015
- 10. A scientific article as a critical argument a. Statement of problem; posing a question b. Presentation of evidence c. Assessment of the validity of the evidence in the face of .. a. strengths/weaknesses b. other evidence d. Conclusions
- 11. Literature Search First • What has been done and what can you say that’s new? • Be thorough in your search:---a high sensitivity/low specificity search.
- 12. a. Establishes responsibilities in paper writing b. Avoids hurt feelings The Title Page: Do it early— title; authors and their order; sources of support
- 13. The Process of Paper Writing • Create an outline first • Plan on multiple drafts: – Filename with dates – One filename written over with new draft • Tables/figures early: prompt more analysis • Deadlines for you and coauthors
- 14. The Introduction • Draw audience in; be provocative • Target journal specific audience • Identify gaps in knowledge • End with question/hypothesis Knee Pain, Why?
- 15. The Methods Section Should include subheadings Write clearly enough to be understood by nontechnical reader and be replicated Past tense
- 16. The Results Section • Organize around tables/figures • Present tabular results selectively in text • Past tense • No interpretation; just the facts! • Tables should stand on their own 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 before talk after talk % Fellows with Papers Published
- 17. The Discussion Section • 1st paragraph: answer question/hypothesis • Remainder: – Evidence pro and con: literature review – Strengths/limitations of your study – Implications of findings (be conservative) – Other findings of your study • Last Paragraph: conclusion
- 18. Getting Tense! PAST and PRESENT • When quoting previously published work, refer to it in present tense (e.g. penicillin treats strep throat) • When describing your own study, refer to work in past tense (e.g. we tested a new antibiotic for strep throat)
- 19. Pop Quiz: The good scientific paper ... A. Is focused on a specific question(s). B. Covers a broad spectrum of disease or methodologic questions Less is More.
- 20. Pop Quiz: In a good scientific paper ... A: Abstract and tables and figures are understandable without reading whole paper. B. Abstract and tables and figures are understandable only with reading whole paper.
- 21. Pop Quiz: In a good scientific paper ... A: Writing is in passive voice (e.g. it was found that…). B. Writing is in active voice (we found that…). C. Writing mixes active and passive voice.
- 22. Pop Quiz: In a good scientific paper ... A: A term defined in the methods section is used again and again (a rose, a rose, a rose) B. Various synonyms for a term are used to prevent reader boredom. (a rose, a flower with a thorny stem, a fragrant flower) Define a term and use it consistently. Otherwise, you’ll confuse the reader.
- 23. Pop Quiz: In a good scientific paper ... A: Writing is flowery B. Writing is concise Generally, the shorter, the better
- 24. Proofread before Submitting Are terms used consistently throughout? Do numbers in abstract match numbers in text and tables? Do citations in text match references? Are Syntax and Grammar acceptable
- 25. A brief synopsis of writing an abstract • It’s a minipaper: – Introduction (usually 1-2 sentences) – Methods (often longest part) – Results – Discussion is limited to concluding statement • Like a paper, requires many drafts, most oriented to presenting argument concisely
- 26. Getting the Reviews of Your Paper • “The reviewer is always right.” (whether they are or not!) • Don’t respond quickly. Digest reviews. .
- 27. If your paper was rejected… • Was it sent out for review? If not, consider changing type of journal • If reviews don’t suggest changes, send it out quickly to another journal • The 3 journal rule.