1. How to write a scientific article
Constantinos (Dinos) Mylonas
Hellenic Center for Marine Research
Institute of Aquaculture
Crete, Greece

2. Components Report Thesis Article Format flexible strict (**)
very strict
Length
unlimited
limited
Content
specific
extensive
Illustrations
(Tables/Figures)
few
many
very few

3. Structure - Report Title page Introduction Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
References
(Tables and Figures embedded in text)

4. Structure - Thesis Title page Acknowledgements Summary
Table of contents
List of Figures (optional)
General Introduction
Chapter 1-n
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
(Tables and Figures embedded in text)
General Discussion
References

5. Table of Contents
Can be done automatically!

6. Table of Contents

7. Table of Contents

8. Table of Contents

9. Structure - Article Title page Abstract Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgements
References
Tables
List of Figures
Figures

10. Format Margins Spacing Font type and size Levels of organization
Left, right, top, bottom
Spacing
Single or double space
Line numbering
Font type and size
Base type (Arial vs Times)
Levels of organization
Not more than three
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Experimental animals
2.2. Experimental design
Effect of season on reproduction
Paragraphs
With or without indentation, separated by a double space, etc.

11. Format-margins

12. Format Spacing Font type and size Single or double space
(Arial vs Times)

13. Structure - Article Title page (1 page) Abstract Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgements
References
Tables
Figures legends
Figures

14. Structure - Article Title page (1 page) Abstract (1 page) Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgements
References
Tables
Figures legends
Figures

15. Structure - Article Title page (1 page) Abstract (1 page)
Introduction (2-3 pages)
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgements
References
Tables
Figures legends
Figures
- Presentation of the problem
- Current knowledge or situation
- Relevant knowledge from other species
- Objectives of the study

16. Structure - Article Objectives Content Understand the study
Evaluate the results
Repeat if required
Title page (1 page)
Abstract (1 page)
Introduction (2-3 pages)
Materials and methods (1-n pages)
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgements
References
Tables
Figures legends
Figures
Content
- Experimental animals or site
Experimental design
Data collection
- Analytical methods (hormone assays, molecular methods, measurements, etc.
- Statistical analysis

17. Structure - Article Title page (1 page) Abstract (1 page)
Introduction (2-3 pages)
Materials and methods (1-n pages)
Results (1-n pages)
Discussion
Acknowledgements
References
Tables
Figures legends
Figures
Presentation of results in a historical order
Reference to Tables and Figures
Absolutely NO discussion (no opinions or conclusions)

18. Structure - Article Title page (1 page) Abstract (1 page)
Introduction (2-3 pages)
Materials and methods (1-n pages)
Results (1-n pages)
Discussion (3-n pages)
Acknowledgements
References
Tables
Figures legends
Figures
Interpretation of results
Comparison with other studies
Avoid referring to Tables and Figures
Significance of the study, contribution to the field
Suggestions for further work
Conclusions
NO mentioning of results (numbers), except for comparison purposes

19. Structure - Article Title page (1 page) Abstract (1 page)
Introduction (2-3 pages)
Materials and methods (1-n pages)
Results (1-n pages)
Discussion (3-n pages)
Acknowledgements (1 paragraph)
References
Tables
Figures legends
Figures
Funding agencies and organizations
Technicians and collaborators who worked on the study
Scientist giving advice on study or reviewed the manuscript
- Reviewers that improved the manuscript
NOT your parents or girlfriend/boyfriend

20. Structure - Article Provide proof of knowledge of the field
Suggest studies to interested readers
Reviews to avoid many original articles
Original articles to demonstrate knowledge of the field
Title page (1 page)
Abstract (1 page)
Introduction (2-3 pages)
Materials and methods (1-n pages)
Results (1-n pages)
Discussion (3-n pages)
Acknowledgements (1 paragraph)
References (1-n pages, ~50 citations)
Tables
Figures legends
Figures
- Journals, Books, Chapters, Conferences, Thesis, Reports
- Every journal has its own style ! (alphabetical, numerical)

21. Structure - References

22. Structure - References

23. Reproductive behaviour of fish - bluefin tuna
Insert video of tuna spawning

24. Structure - Article Title page (1 page) Abstract (1 page)
Each Table in a separate page
Self-explanatory (no reference to main text)
Title page (1 page)
Abstract (1 page)
Introduction (2-3 pages)
Materials and methods (1-n pages)
Results (1-n pages)
Discussion (3-n pages)
Acknowledgements (1 paragraph)
References (1-n pages, ~50 citations)
Tables (0-7?)
Figures legends
Figures

25. Structure - Article Title page (1 page) Abstract (1 page)
Separate Word file or at the end of the main text
NOT next to the Figure
Self-explanatory (no reference to main text)
Title page (1 page)
Abstract (1 page)
Introduction (2-3 pages)
Materials and methods (1-n pages)
Results (1-n pages)
Discussion (3-n pages)
Acknowledgements (1 paragraph)
References (1-n pages, ~50 citations)
Tables (0-7?)
Figure legends (0-n)
Figures

26. Structure - Article Title page (1 page) Abstract (1 page)
Each Figure in a separate page, preferably in TIFF or JPEG format
For review also possible as MS PPT (one Figure per slide)
NO titles (legends)
Title page (1 page)
Abstract (1 page)
Introduction (2-3 pages)
Materials and methods (1-n pages)
Results (1-n pages)
Discussion (3-n pages)
Acknowledgements (1 paragraph)
References (1-n pages, ~50 citations)
Tables (0-7?)
Figure legends (0-n)
Figures (0-7?)

27. Language
Write in past tense for the results of an experiment or of another study. Use present tense for well-accepted theories or facts.
For example:
(Past) The study indicated that fish spawned well in captivity.
(Present) It is known that most temperate zone fishes spawn once a year in nature

28. Write in passive voice and not in the first person. For example:
Language
Write in passive voice and not in the first person.
For example:
(Yes) Blood samples were collected and analyzed using ELISA.
(No) We collected blood samples and analyzed them using ELISA.

29. Language
Avoid using author names out of parentheses. These are better placed in parentheses, unless there is really a need to emphasize the name of the author.
For example:
(Yes) The gilthead seabream reproduces annually for a period of 3-5 months (Zohar et al., 1995).
(No) Zohar and coworkers (1995) demonstrated that the gilthead seabream reproduces annually for a period of 3-5 months.
(Yes) Contrary to what has been know until now (Johnson et al., 1990; Stevens & Brown, 1991; Holland et al, 1993), Zohar and coworkers suggested recently that not all stocks of gilthead seabream reproduce annually for a period of 3-5 months.

30. Language
Never start a sentence with an abbreviation or an Arabic number. Spell them out.
For example:
(Yes) Luteinizing hormone is the main gonadotrophin in mammals, controlling gametogenesis.
(No) GnRH is the main brain hormone in mammals, controlling reproduction.
(Yes) Twenty-fine percent of the population in Greece own a second house.
(No) 15 fish were sampled at each monthly sampling.

31. Language
Spell out numbers from one to nine if they are not followed by units, and use Arabic numbers for those above 10.
For example:
(Yes) In the present study 9 fish were used in each of the five therapies used for the study.
(Yes) The experiments were repeated at 12 different times during the period of 3 years.

32. Language
Always spell out abbreviations at the first time cited in the Title, Abstract and main text of the manuscript. First the full name and then the abbreviation, never the other way around.
For example:
(Yes) Giving an exogenous dose of testosterone (T) is considered a reasonable method for increasing maleness.
(No) In the blood, E2 (17b-estradiol) can be elevated during the reproductive season.

33. Language
After parentheses a comma is placed only if it would be necessary without the parenthesis.
For example:
(Yes, with comma) Even though reports exist to support the existence of GnRHa in marine fishes (Jonhson et al., 2007), this has not been demonstrated in all fish studied to date.
(Yes, without comma) The study of reproductive functions in marine fishes (Brown et al., 2006) has led to the discovery of multiple forms of GnRHa in the brain.

34. Language
In a list of terms, the last one is connected with "and" with or without a comma. Be consisted in the use or not of the comma.
For example:
(Yes) It has been found that fish have three steroids in their plasma during reproduction: testosterone, estradiol(,) and dihydroxyprogesterone.
(No) It has been found that fish have three steroids in their plasma during reproduction: testosterone, estradiol, dihydroxyprogesterone.

35. Language
Citation to a figure, table or another study should be done at the end of the sentence, unless this citation refers to only part of the sentence.
For example:
(Yes) It has been found in both marine and freshwater fish that plasma testosterone increases after a meal and this increase is correlated to increased swimming activity (Stevens, 1978).
(No) It has been found in both marine and freshwater fish that plasma testosterone increases after a meal (Stevens, 1978) and this increase is correlated to increased swimming activity.
(Yes) It has been found in both marine and freshwater fish that plasma testosterone increases after a meal (Fig. 2) and this increase is correlated to increased swimming activity (Manabu et al., 2008).

36. Language
"Which" can be used for the same objective as "that". However, "which" is more formal and much stronger and it must be preceded by a comma.
For example:
(Yes) Fish did not respond to the treatment, which means that they were not mature yet.
(Yes) Fish did not accept the second type of food that was prepared with marine oils.
(No) All treated individuals were larger than the controls which means that the added nutrients were important in accelerating growth.

37. Language
Do not start a sentence with "This", That", "They" etc., unless it is very clear to what this term refers. Restate clearly if there is a doubt.
For example:
(Yes). From the different species studied, the African elephant is the only one that builds a nest for reproduction. This is usually made at the top of a tree, using feather and grass.
(No) From the five species of birds found in the Aegean islands, the two found in Crete feed exclusively on marine fish while the other three consume also fruits. These include mariets, alpikas and bassols.
(Yes) From the five species of birds found in the Aegean islands, the two found in Crete feed exclusively on marine fish while the other three consume also fruits. These fish include mariets, alpikas and bassols.

38. Language
The plural of fish is fish. Fishes indicates many fish species.
For example:
Each treatment consisted of 12 fish.
Each experiment considered at least three fishes from a total of 25 species available in the region.
Same holds for “people vs peoples”, “bread vs breads”, “money vs moneys”
The common names of animals are always written in small letters, with the exception of main names such as Atlantic, Japanese, Pacific, Australian, etc.

39. Language
A single sentence cannot constitute a paragraph. Either expand further or consolidate with another paragraph.
Use units with the IU standards (mg l-1 not ml/l).
Always leave a space between the number and unit (for example, 10 Kg, 4 min, 9 h) except in the case of temperature degrees and percentage (34°C and 20%)
Be consistent with the format of scientific names (in or outside parentheses), citations (Name, 1990 or Name 1990; et al. or et al.), range of numbers with hyphens ( or 20-30), etc.

40. Graphs

41. Graphs

42. Graphs

43. Preparation sequence
1. Prepare Graphs and Tables (This will create the “frame” of the paper)
2. Prepare the Title page (This will form the “theme” of the paper)
3. Start writing the manuscript
- Materials & methods
- Results
- Introduction (based on the Results you will build the background, justification of the study and its objectives)
- Discussion (interpret the results, relate to the current knowledge, suggest and justify further research, draw conclusions)
- References
4. Read again, and again, and again

44. Words of wisdom
If you prepare an article badly, it will take you 3-times as long to complete than you planned.

45. Words of wisdom
If you prepare an article well, it will take you only 2-times as long to complete than you planned.

46. It always takes longer than you think!!!
Words of wisdom
It always takes longer than you think!!!
Καλή επιτυχία!

47. The HCMR-Institute of Aquaculture
Hellenic Center for Marine Research
Reproduction and
Broodstock management
Institute of Aquaculture
Cretaquarium
Institute of Marine Biology
and Genetics
In Crete
Five research institutes
Institute of Aquaculture
Institute of Marine Biology and Genetics
Institute of Oceanography
Institute of Marine Biological Resources (Fisheries)
Institute of Inland Waters
Two public aquaria
- Rhodes Hydrobiological Station
- Creta Aquarium