1. Scientific Writing Fred Tudiver, MD Karen Smith, MA Ivy Click, MA Amelia Nichols, MS

2. “A naturalist’s life would be a happy one if he had only to observe and never to write.” -- Charles Darwin

3. Anatomy of a Scientific Article IMRaD Introduction Method Results Discussion

4. Introduction Introduce the problem/question Why is this problem important? Discuss background What have other researchers found? Not an exhaustive history * Objective State the purpose of current manuscript/study and brief rationale

5. Method Describe in detail how the study was conducted. Identify subsections: Participants * Apparatus/Materials/Instruments Procedure Step-by-step guide of how you collected your data/conducted your study. Reader should be able to duplicate your study by following the Method section!

6. Results Summarizes data collected and statistical or analytical treatment used. No raw data or individual results! Present all relevant tests (even those counter to your hypothesis/desired result). Information about what analyses were conducted Results of the analysis Statement of significance Generally preferred to report the exact p-value rather than p<.05 or p<.01.

7. Tables and Figures Consider using a table to present large amounts of data/results. Must refer to all tables in text. Do not repeat in text what is presented in a table. Use figures to graphically represent significant results. Convey at a quick glance the overall pattern of results.

8. Discussion What do your findings mean? Examine, interpret, qualify results. Draw inferences from results. Application of study Further research needed? Limitations Do: list limitations which could have affected the study. Don’t: give editors/reviewers ammunition to disqualify your work. Conclusion State as clearly as possible Short statement about significance of this work

9. “Inside-Out” Sequence for Writing a Research Manuscript Materials and Methods Results Discussion Conclusion Introduction Abstract

10. Planning Select the journal and read Instructions to Authors Heading style Reference/Citation style Figure and table format Word count Write a rough abstract first or start text in the middle (inside-out approach) Prepare a rough draft Write the final manuscript

11. Choosing the Right Journal Make a choice prior to beginning manuscript preparation. What journals do you and your co-authors read most often? In what journals were the articles you used for background for this project published? New versus established journals?

12. Checklist for Choosing a Journal Which journal is most suitable? Which is most likely to accept your paper? How soon is it likely to publish your paper? What areas does your intended journal focus on? What are its current hot topics? Have there been any special issues recently? Are any planned? What are the editorial policies and requirements? Is it included by abstracting services (PUBMED)? What length is appropriate for that journal? What format is required?

13. What is an impact factor? A way of measuring the relative quality of a journal within a particular field. The average number of times that articles published in a specific journal in the two previous years (e.g. 1998-99) were cited in a particular year (i.e. 2000). Provides an approximation of the prestige of journals.

14. The Final Draft Front Matter Title (fewest possible words that describe the contents) Author’s (co-authors) name and address Abstract (mini-version of the paper, no citations) Keywords Article Body Introduction Method Results Discussion/Conclusion End Matter Acknowledgment (technical help and financial assistance) References Appendixes

15. Tips for Better Writing Passive versus active voice: Given a choice, active is more direct & interesting. Sentence subject should be what is being emphasized. Words: Simple terms are better than long/complicated ones. Avoid jargon. Avoid wordiness (i.e. long rambling sentences).

16. Tense Past tense (demonstrated): Introduction/Literature review – when discussing other researchers’ work. Methods section Results section Present perfect tense (have demonstrated): Past action that did not occur at a specific time To describe an action beginning in the past and continuing into the present. Present tense (demonstrates): Discuss the results (Discussion section) Present conclusions

17. Common Grammar Errors Subject/verb agreement: The student body were interested in the debate. The student body was interested in the debate. Number agreement: The patients saw their doctor three times a month. The patients saw their doctors three times a month. Contractions: Do not use them

18. Common Errors cont… Cite a reference when you make a statement of fact! It is well known that… (Well known by whom?) Refer to all tables and figures in the text.

19. Editing Your Scientific Writing Vagueness Ambiguity Wordiness Comparable v. similar A test of urine sugar should be done after both meals. Look for what’s essential v. what’s filler.

20. Levels of Editing Checking for clarity Checking for factual errors Checking for errors in: grammar spelling punctuation capitalization Checking to make sure you followed the journal’s rules