Scientific Paper

Elements Title, Abstract, Introduction, Methods and Materials, Results, Discussion, Literature Cited Title, Abstract, Introduction, Methods and Materials, Results, Discussion, Literature Cited The actual words Abstract, Introduction, etc. are centered on the line above the text of each section. The exception is the Title that appears alone. The actual words Abstract, Introduction, etc. are centered on the line above the text of each section. The exception is the Title that appears alone.

Writing The writing should be clear, logical, orderly, free of grammatical and spelling errors. The writing should be clear, logical, orderly, free of grammatical and spelling errors. Do not refer to the writer or experimenters by name or with personal pronouns. Do not refer to the writer or experimenters by name or with personal pronouns.

Title Tell the reader the type of work being reported Tell the reader the type of work being reported Organism studied Organism studied Aspect or system examined Aspect or system examined Variable(s) manipulated Variable(s) manipulated Follow the title by the author(s) names and affiliation(s) Follow the title by the author(s) names and affiliation(s)

Abstract A one or two paragraph condensation of the entire paper. A one or two paragraph condensation of the entire paper. Provides the main features and results of the work. Provides the main features and results of the work. Should be able to stand alone. Should be able to stand alone.

Introduction Present the question at issue Present the question at issue Present background information about why the question is of interest Present background information about why the question is of interest Place the question in the context of what is already known about the topic Place the question in the context of what is already known about the topic Present what the current study might contribute to the question Present what the current study might contribute to the question Present the hypotheses being tested Present the hypotheses being tested

Study Site Describe the field location Describe the field location Describe the sampling procedure Describe the sampling procedure

Methods Describe the materials and procedures used Describe the materials and procedures used Should allow others to repeat your study to see if they would get similar results Should allow others to repeat your study to see if they would get similar results Published techniques that you’ve used should be cited without describing them in detail Published techniques that you’ve used should be cited without describing them in detail Use past tense and tell the reader what was done (not how to do it). Use past tense and tell the reader what was done (not how to do it).

Results Present the results of your study Present the results of your study Be clear, without comment or bias or interpretation Be clear, without comment or bias or interpretation Graphs, data tables and figures are important Graphs, data tables and figures are important Report statistical tests Report statistical tests Do not draw conclusions in this section Do not draw conclusions in this section

Discussion Evaluate the meaning of your results Evaluate the meaning of your results Draw conclusions about your original hypotheses Draw conclusions about your original hypotheses Present the significance of your conclusions in regards to the question at issue Present the significance of your conclusions in regards to the question at issue Present what the study has contributed to the overall understanding of the question Present what the study has contributed to the overall understanding of the question

Literature Cited List all published work mentioned in your paper List all published work mentioned in your paper Use style presented in your handbook or see the CSE Style Manual Use style presented in your handbook or see the CSE Style Manual