? What is the correct order of working steps? 1.Methods 2.Results 3.Figures 4.Tables 5.Introduction 6.References 7.Discussion 8.Abstract

Personal experience Matthias 1.Idea about story 2.Write outline 3.Decide journal 4.Decide autor list 5.Figures and Tables 6.Introduction 7.Results 8.Discussion 9.Methods 10.Abstract 11.Co-authors 12.Rewrite 13.Evtl. language check 14.Get OK from Co-authors 15.submitt

Personal experience Bertram 1.Basic idea 2.Decide journal 3.Select figures 4.Discuss with Co-authors 5.Rough introduction 6.Methods 7.Results 8.Conclusions 9.Co-authors 10.finalize figures 11.Abstract 12.Rewrite introduction

Recommendation Barbara Helm 1.Central message in 1-3 sentences 2.Select journal, check journal guidelines 3.Figures + tables + legends 4.Outline: resultsM&Mdiscussionintroduction 5.Abstract 6.Convert outline to draft (same order) 7.Refine abstract 8.Refine discussion 9.Cover letter 10.Polish style, format, references… 11.submit

Idea/story decide journal, authors Figures + tables Outline (introductionresultsM&M discussionintroduction) Draft abstract Co-authors refine polish OK from Co-authors submit What is the correct order of working steps? - synthesis

Summary: Steps in writing a paper Assess your work: decide what, when and where to publish. Refrain from duplicate publication, and define your purpose in publishing. Obtain and read the Instructions to Authors of the journal chosen Decide who the authors will be Draft a working title and abstract Decide on the basic form of the paper Collect the material under the major headings chosen

Steps in writing a paper - continued Design tables, including their titles and footnotes; design or select illustrations and write titles and legends for them Write for permission to reproduce any previously published tables, illustrations or other material that will be used Write a topic outline and perhaps a sentence outline Write, type or dictate a preliminary draft of the text quickly (!), to give it unity. Check completeness of the references assembled Put the manuscript or typescript away for a few days

Steps in writing a paper - continued Re-examine the structure of the paper Check the illustrations and tables and make the final versions Re-read the references you cite and check your own accuracy in citing them; check for consistency, and reduce the number of abbreviations and footnotes (Re)type the paper (= first draft) Correct the grammar and polish the style Type several copies of the corrected paper (= second draft)

Steps in writing a paper - continued Ask for criticism from co-authors and friends Make any necessary alterations Compose a now title and abstract suitable for information retrieval, list the index terms and assemble the manuscript Compile the reference list, cross-check references against the text, and ensure that all bibliographical details are correct Retype (= penultimate version) and check typescript Obtain a final critical review from a senior colleague Make any final corrections (final version)

Steps in writing a paper - continued Write a covering letter to the editor, enclosing copies of letters giving you permission to reproduce any previously published material or to cite unpublished work Check that all parts of the paper are present, and post as many copies as specified to the editor If the editor returns the paper, revise it as necessary, send it elsewhere, or abandon it Correct the proofs