How to read and present a scientific paper

Scientific Papers

• Scientists share their results in papers• How do you read one?

1. Skim

2. Vocabulary

3. Comprehension (look at figures!)

4. Reflection and criticism

Parts of a Scientific Paper

• Abstract• 4 parts:

1. Introduction

2. Methods

3. Results

4. Discussion

How do you present a paper?

1. Introduction– Background (~2 slides)– Hypothesis (1 slide)

2. Methods (1-2 slides)

3. Results – 1-2 figures / slide– Summary (1 slide)

4. Discussion (2 slide)

- include future directions

Influence of Life Stress onDepression: Moderation by a

Polymorphism in the 5-HTT Gene

Caspi et al. (2003)Science, Jul 18;301(5631):386-9.

Example paper presentation

Genes, Environment and Depression

• Depression is prevalent• Stressful events (the environment) may or

may not lead to depression• The 5-HTT gene may underlie these

behaviorally different reactions

Hypothesis

• Different genotypes of the 5-HTT gene mediate depression reactions to stressful experiences.

Methods

• 1037 individuals (follow from age 3 to 26)• 3 groups based on genotype of 5-HTT

– 1. s/s– 2. s/l– 3. l/l

• Test reactions to stressful events at age 21 - 26

Results

S genotype increases % of major depression episodes

5-HTT genotype affects amount of major depression episodes

P = 0.05

(Fig 2)

Summary

• S genotype of 5-HTT increases the effect of stressful life events on depression including– major depression episodes– predicted suicides

Discussion

• Gene (ie. 5-HTT) interacts with the environment (ie. stressful life event) to affect behavior (depression)

• Questions:– What is the mechanism for 5-HTT affecting

depressive behavior?– Is there an evolutionary advantage to having

the s allele?

Discussion

• Genes can affect the reaction to environmental risks factors

• Possible future direction: test different 5-HTT genotype on aggressive behavior

TOOLKIT CREDITS: Developed by Angela Gee, (Los Angeles Trade Tech Community College, CA) and Martin Diaz,( Los Angeles Trade Tech Community College , CA) with support by the rest of the C-DEBI Collaborative Toolkit Team. WEBSITE: http://www.coexploration.org/C-DEBI/toolkits_science_papers.html