1. How to write a scientific article
Saleem Saaed Qader MBChB, MD, MSc, MPH, PhD, SBGS Consultant General Surgeon, Lecturer
General Director, Medical Research Centre, Hawler Medical University
Department of Surgery, Rizgary Teaching Hospital
Department of Surgery, Medical College, Hawler Medical University
TMC
Oct 2014 1

2. How to write a scientific text?
Logical in such way that others can repeat it
Find out what is already known in the field
Find relevant published litteraturs (References)
Figures and tables should be clear
Language – simple and clear sentences
Understandable and comprehensive

3. Before starting to write the paper
Record your results
Make tables and draw graphs
Open a file to record summaries of results
Date the files
Revise your readings (repeat an experiment)
Write ideas whenever they come to you

4. IMRAD Format
I = Introduction (what problem was studied)
M = Methods (how was the problem studied)
R = Results (what are the findings)
A = and
D = Discussion (what do these findings mean or what is learned from these findings)

5. Essential parts of a scientific paper
Title: Describe the core contents of the paper
Abstract: Summarize the major elements
Introduction: Provide context/rationale for study
Materials: Describe the design (reproducible)
Methods: Describe the experimental procedures
Results: Summarize the finding (not interpret)
Discussion: Interpret the findings of the study
Conclusions: What does your results mean!!
Acknowledgement: Give credit to those helped
References: papers, books& websites (you cited)
Legends for tables and figures

6. Title page Title List of the Authors and their affiliations
Those who have actively contributed to the paper,
First author is the senior author
Key Wards: for indexing
Running Title
Correspondence: the one who submit it and to be responsible for contact in the future

7. Authorship
Getting funds, collection of data, or general supervision of the research group, alone does not justify authorship
Each author should have sufficiently participated in the work
The corresponding author should ensure that all appropriate co-authors are included on the paper
People who have helped but not authors should be acknowledged

8. The Title
A good title is defined as the fewest possible words that adequately describe the contents
It is extremely important and must be chosen with great care as it will be read by thousands, whereas few will read the entire paper
Indexing and abstracting of the paper depends on the accuracy of the title An improperly titled paper will get lost and will never be read

9. Titles should neither be too short nor too long
Waste words (studies on, investigations on, a, an, the etc) should not be used
It should contain the keywords
It should be meaningful and not general
It should be concise, specific and informative
It should capture the fundamental nature of the experiments and findings

10. How to prepare the title
Make a list of the most important keywords
Think of a title that contains these words
The title could state the conclusion of the paper
The title NEVER contains abbreviations, chemical formulas
Think, rethink of the title before submitting
Be very careful of the grammatical errors

11. “readable, well-organized, brief and self-contained “
The Abstract
A summary of the information
It is written clearly/simply, as it is the first and sometimes the only part of the study read
It should provide a brief summary of each section
State the principal objective/scope of the study
Describe the methods, results & the conclusions
It is written after completion of the paper
“readable, well-organized, brief and self-contained “

12. Criteria of the Abstract
It should not exceed 250 words
It should be written in one paragraph
It should be written in the past tense
Long words followed by their abbreviations which will be used throughout the paper
It should not cite any references
It should not give information that is not in a paper
Must be accurate with respect to figures

13. Objective/ Hypothesis at the end of introduction
The Introduction
It should answer the following questions:
What was the study?
Why was this an important question?
What did I know about this topic before (study)?
What model was I testing?
What approach did I take in this study?
“short, concise, comprehensive”
Objective/ Hypothesis at the end of introduction

14. General rules Use the present tense when referring to others
Use the active voice as much as possible
Avoid lengthy/unfocused reviews of literatures
Cite peer-reviewed literature or reviews
Avoid general reference (textbooks)
Define any specialized terms or abbreviations

15. Materials and Methods Provide full details (can be repeated)
If the peer reviewer has doubts that the experiments could be repeated, the manuscript will be rejected
Organize the methods under subheadings, with related methods described together (e.g. subjects, experimental design, measurement of…, hormonal assays etc…)
Describe the experimental design in detail
Do not mix the results in this section
Write in the past tense

16. Materials
Must identify accurately animals, plants, and microorganisms used by genus, species and strain
The source of subjects studied, number of individuals in each group used, sex, age & weight must be defined
If human subjects are used, the criteria for selection should be described: Inclusion/ Exclusion criteria
For chemicals: include exact technical specifications, source or method of preparation
Avoid use of trade names of chemicals, generic or chemical names are preferred

17. Methods It must be clear, precise/concise (reproducible)
If the method is new, all details must be provided
If the method has been previously published in a scientific journal, only the reference should be given with some identification
Questions: “how/ how much” must be answered
Statistics must be mentioned

18. Ethics consideration
Ethics consideration & consent (verbal or written)
Research subjects rights to withdraw from the study at any stage
How the research was explained to the research subjects
REC: Research Ethics Committee approval, when and where

19. Results It is written in the past tense
It is the core or heart of the paper
Clear/ simple since it constitutes the new science
The purpose is to summarize/ illustrate the findings in an orderly/ logical sequence, without interpretation
The text should guide the reader through the findings, stressing the major points
Do not describe methods that have already been described in the M&M section

20. Methods of presenting the data
In the text
In a table
In a figure
All figures/tables must be accompanied by a textual presentation of the key findings
Never have a table or figure that is not mentioned in the text

21. Tables and figures
Tables are appropriate for large or complicated data sets that would be difficult to explain in a text
Figures are appropriate for data sets that exhibit trends, patterns, or relationships that are best conveyed visually
Any table or figure must be sufficiently described by its title or legend, to be understandable without reading the main text of results
Do not include both a table and a figure showing the same information

22. What do your findings mean? Summarize the most important findings
Discussion
Analyse, Asses, Classify and Interpret
Give your own idea and try to show your conceptual ability that you have digested the subject
What do your findings mean? Summarize the most important findings

23. How to write the discussion
It is the hardest section to write
Its primary purpose is to show the relationships among observed facts
It should end with a short summary (conclusion) regarding the significance of the work

24. Components of the discussion
Try to present the principles, relationships, and generalizations shown by the results
Point out any exceptions or any lack of correlation and define unsettled points
Show how your results agree or contrast with previously published work
Discuss the theoretical implications, and any possible practical applications
State your conclusions as clearly as possible

25. Conclusions
What can you logically conclude through the analysis of your data? 
Introduce your conclusions by using a strong verb such as ”show” or ”indicate” Identify speculations by using ”might” with the verb

26. Acknowledgments You should acknowledge:
Any significant technical help from any one in your lab/ elsewhere
The source of equipment, cultures, or any other material
Any financial assistance e.g. grants, contracts or fellowships
Your university (HMU) for sponsoring …
Do not use the word “wish”, simply write “I thank …..” and not “I wish to thank…”
Acknowledgement is to the person whose help is acknowledging

27. Acknowledgments; Thesis
The supervisor (everything is his/her fault, but he/ she deserves a thank!)
Include people who gave you key ideas
Co-advisors and colleagues who have helped you with various aspects of the research work, including collection of field data
Colleagues who read and commented the manuscript(s) prior to submission for publication and journal’s referees
Relatives (wife/husband, girl/boyfriend, children, parants, grand parants, etc) and friends

28. References What is referencing?
It is a standardized way of acknowledging the
sources of information/ ideas used in your paper
A list of ALL the references used in the text must be written
Reference format varies widely:
Harvard format (name/ year system): most widely used
Alphabet-Number system is a modification of name and year system
Citation order system

29. In-text citations In name and year system:
Citation in the text is followed by the author’s last name/year of publication between parentheses
If they were two authors (both last names are written
If more than two then the only first author’s name is written followed by: abbreviation et al
If a single statement requires more than one citation then arrange them chronologically from oldest to more recent, separated by semicolons
If more than one reference share the same year then arrange them alphabetically within the year

30. In name and year system:
The reference list is arranged alphabetically by author
If an item has no author, it is cited by title, and included in the list using the first significant word of the title
If more than one item has the same author, list the items chronologically, starting with the earliest publication
Each reference appears on a new line
There is no indentation of the references
There is no numbering of the references

31. In alphabet-number system:
It the same as above but each reference is given a number
(Citation by number from an alphabetically arranged numbered reference list )
In Citation order system:
The reference list is arranged by the number given to the citation by the order that it were mentioned in the text

32. Reference List Any papers not cited in the text should not be included
Reference lists allow readers to investigate the subject in greater depth
A reference list contains only the articles that are cited in the text of the document

33. Book
1.  Okuda M, Okuda D. Star Trek Chronology: The History of
the Future.  New York: Pocket Books; 1993.
Journal or Magazine Article (with volume numbers)
2.  Wilcox RV. Shifting roles and synthetic women in Star trek: the next generation. Stud Pop Culture. 1991;13:53-65.
Newspaper, Magazine (without volume numbers)
3.  Di Rado A. Trekking through college: classes explore
modern society using the world of Star trek. Los Angeles
Times. March 15, 1995:A3.      
Encyclopedia Article
4.  Sturgeon T. Science fiction. In: Lorimer LT, editorial
director; Cummings C, ed-in-chief; Leish KW, managing ed.
The Encyclopedia Americana. Vol 24. International ed.
Danbury, Conn: Grolier Incorporated; 1995:

34. Book Article or Chapter
5.  James NE. Two sides of paradise: the Eden myth according to Kirk
and Spock. In: Palumbo D, ed. Spectrum of the Fantastic. Westport,
Conn: Greenwood; 1988:
ERIC Document
6.  Fuss-Reineck M. Sibling Communication in Star Trek: The Next
Generation: Conflicts Between Brothers. Miami, Fla: Annual Meeting of
the Speech Communication Association; ERIC Document
Reproduction Service ED
Website
7.  Lynch T. DSN trials and tribble-ations review. Psi Phi: Bradley's
Science Fiction Club Web site Available at:
/503r.htm. Accessed October 8, 1997.
Journal Article on the Internet
8.  McCoy LH. Respiratory changes in Vulcans during pon farr. J Extr
Med [serial online]. 1999;47: Available at:
Accessed April 7, 1999.

35. How to Write – and Rewrite
Writing is a Lonely but social, business
Good Writing is Rewriting (editing)
Get in the (daily) habit
An outline helps lots
The three stages of writing
Roughing it
Shaping it
Polishing it – including some basic rules 35

36. Heads Main ideas: centered, bold first level head
Second level head: left flush/bold (on its own line)
Third level head: Italic, Bold: not on its own line, starts a paragraph 36

37. Final Polishing for Style: Rules to aid comprehension
1. Minimize words > 2 syllables (shorter words)
2. All sentences should be 3 lines or less
3. Avoid using the passive voice “It has been found…”. “It has been shown…”
4. Put Subject-Object Near Each Other
Example “You can climb up the few steps and see
what is really ‘no man’s land’ filled with weeds,
rubbish and buildings about to fall down, to try
seeing the Turkish side.” [Barbara Kingstone,
European Reporter, September 21, 2006: 10.
Fix: To see the Turkish side, you can climb up the few steps 37

38. 6. Only 1-2 thoughts per sentence (more causes confusion)
5. Do not use many commas Interrupts the reader’s flow of attention Example: It was found, however, that social support, especially emotional support is affected by gender. Fix: Gender affects social support, especially emotional support.
6. Only 1-2 thoughts per sentence (more causes confusion) 38

39. 7. Keep sentences in logical order
8. Keep Clauses and Phrases Parallel Original: They may be reacting to distress or may attempt to make the unit do better. Fix: They may be reacting to distress or attempting to make the unit do better 39

40. To avoid sexist language Example: He/she needs to learn to write.
9. Use Short Paragraph Easier to read always lead your paragraph with a strong point – don’t bury it
10. Use Bulleted or Number Points Otherwise readers get lost in a long list
11. Use Plurals
To avoid sexist language
Example: He/she needs to learn to write.
Fix: They need to learn to write 40

41. References
Robert Day (1995): How to write and publish a scientific paper. 4th Edition, Cambridge University Press
University of Queensland (2009) References/Bibliography Harvard Style

42. ZOR
SUPAS
THANKS