1. How to write and publish a paper?
Presented by Han Chen
Adopted from:
Day, R.A. and Gastel, B How to write and publish a scientific paper, Greenwood Press.

2. A must read
Day, R.A. and Gastel, B How to write and publish a scientific paper, Greenwood Press
This is a must read for all research students (HBSc, MSC, PhD, PDF, and visiting scholars)
COOKING BOOK! Why is more important for Chinese students
Cooking can learn from good chefs

3. How long does it take to read the book?
I read it within three weeks after work? 2-3 chapters per night before going to bed
I still read it occasionally
You need a sharpened knife to cut fuels more efficiently (how to say this in Chinese?)

4. Contents
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion

5. Title=one sentence of conclusion
Importance
Read by many people, a good title attracts readers’ interest
It shall highlight what your paper is about, in a broad theoretical and geographical context, describing casual relationships
How do others design their titles (Nature, Science, PNAS, Ecology…)?

6. Authorship
The listing of authors should include those, and only those, who actively contributed to the overall design and execution of the experiments
Conceived ideas? Conducted experiments? Did analysis, Wrote the paper? – intellectual contributions count
“The dilution effect of the multi-author approach adversely affects the real investigators”
The balance, which may change with culture, shall be strived!

7. Abstract
Briefly summarizes the main sections of the paper: Introduction, Materials, and Methods, Results, and Discussion
Last piece to be written (after you have written all sections)
Must meet intended journal format (number ofwords, structure), e.g., Aim, Methods, Results, and Synthesis

8. Introduction
The Introduction of a research paper sets the stage for your scientific argument = Broad context = why
Rationale, what is the purpose, why is it important?
What is new in your paper? How it is novel?

9. Introduction: writing guide
Global context or theoretical context?
Is it still debated (unclear)?
Review important literature—let’s see how: classic and most recent—try to use web of science to show you how
Construct testable hypotheses
Theoretical predictions: Patterns vs. mechanisms
Use present tense

10. Methods-What you did
Experimental or sampling design: simple random sampling or completely randomized design vs more sophisticated design (repeated measurements, nest design)
Most recent technical methods—lab manual
Must be reproducible

11. Methods: guide The usual order of presentation is chronological
Suggested subheadings: Study area, Sampling or Experimental Design, Measurements, & Data Analysis
Use very specific, concise language; do not let readers to guess what you did
Is your study pseudo-replicated?
Most papers are rejected because of the lack of writing clarity for Methods

12. Pseudo-replication
Layer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
15-yr-old
5-yr-old
Spring
Summer
Fall
All statistical models require errors to be independently random—will show you how

13. Results
Summarize the data, emphasizing trends and patterns with your objectives (hypotheses) in mind
Refer your tables and figures
Results, like Methods, shall be presented in past tense
“The compulsion to include everything, leaving nothing out, does not prove that one has unlimited information; it proves that one lacks discrimination (Aaronson 1977)
“The fool collects facts; the wise man selects them” (Powell 1888)

14. Results Concise to the point (hypotheses)
The shortest section of your paper
if it is preceded by a well-written Materials and Methods section and followed by a well-written Discussion
Another section is very easy to write, just telling what you have found

15. Discussion
Purpose: what do your results mean in a broader context (theoretically or globally)
Omit wild guesses and irrelevant asides, but provide insightful explanations, which are different from speculations!
In Discussion, your verb tense should swing back and forth between present and past

16. Discussion: Guide
Do your results support your hypotheses? Three hypotheses = three paragraphs
Results for each paragraph: Are your findings consistent with others? Point out any exceptions or any lack of correlation and define unsettled points.
New insights are always beautiful, alternative hypotheses to the ones that have been established
Most papers cited in Introduction shall be mentioned here again—settling down “unclear”
Summarize your evidence for each conclusion

17. Discussion-Guide
Present the principles, relationships, and generalizations
Discuss the theoretical implications of your work, and if applicable, practical applications
Can you generalize from your specific findings to other situations?
End with more far-reaching predictions, interpretations, and conclusions.
How does your work contribute to an understanding of the broader topic?
If you can end with a firm statement, giving the reader a satisfying sense of closure

18. Conclusions Defining scientific truth
The reader should not ask “So what?” after reading the Discussion
Often, the best you can do is shine a spotlight on one small area of the truth
When you describe the meaning of your little bit of truth, do it simply
The simplest statements evoke the most wisdom; verbose language and fancy technical words are used to convey shallow thought

19. Acknowledgments Individuals who helped field work, reviewed the paper
Funding sources
If your colleague may not agree with some of your central points and it is not good science and not good ethics for you to phrase the Acknowledgments in a way that seemingly denotes endorsement

20. References
Follow the target journal requirement—this is why you need to know where you wish to submit your paper
Most manuscripts are rejected more than once! Take advantage of reviewers’ comments and improve your paper. This is a good (but painful sometimes) learning experience! This process makes acceptance enjoyable and worthy of celebration by your professor’s grant money—go for a beer or diner at your taste!
Make sure that you learn to use a reference manager database (Endnotes is highly recommended)—All prolific researchers use this
this makes revision so much easier and ensures citation accuracy
My students have to use Endnote in order to have their manuscripts reviewed by me

21. Tables
Read the target journals to see how other researchers present their tables and follow authors guidelines
Table functions are:
Table 1. A summary of data briefly (if large data set is analyzed)
Statistical results such as ANOVA or Regressions including dependent variable, independent variables, F or T test, model R2, effect (F and P values, partial R2 or eta2)
If you have choice to present means in a table or figure, choose figure over table

22. Figures
Read the target journals to see how other researchers present their tables and follow authors guidelines
R can produce the most beautiful ones-but learning is steep

23. More strategies
Read English papers ( relevant, best papers) This can be done effectively by properly using ISI Web of Science and Researchgate (
Many journals papers can be downloaded from authors web site or requested by an if your library does not have

24. Writing
How to write a paragraph (Chinese writers are typically very good in this)—Here is a test
Write simple sentences that are coherent together into a paragraph
Do not start a sentence with authors names (citation). This is reserved for the most impactful source –truly original one