http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Prof:Rui Alvesralves@cmb.udl.es

973702406Dept Ciencies Mediques Basiques,

1st Floor, Room 1.08Website:http://web.udl.es/usuaris/pg193845/testsite/

How to Write Scientific Papers Research papers

• When you do your experiments, think of the Figures in the paper.

• Organize the gels/photographs/etc. appropriately

• Collect all data before you start writing

• Collect the references before hand

•ONLY PRACTICE MAKES PERFECTION!!!

• CAREFULLY READ FORMATING INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!

• Be sure that you write your paper in the clearest possible way:

• Co-authors Filter

• Teacher Filter

• Writing clearly is difficult

• Writing clearly in short form and still be precise and providing all necessary information is (difficult)

• Trick: Write long and then make it shorter.

10

• Abstract

• Introduction

• Methods

• Results

• Discussion & Conclusion

• Acknowledgements

• Bibliography

• Divide it into three parts:

• What is the problem you are addressing and why?

• How do you address the problem?

• What results do you find and what do you conclude from them?

• Abstract

• Introduction

• Methods

• Results

• Discussion & Conclusion

• Acknowledgements

• Bibliography

• Divide it into three parts:

• What is the problem you are addressing and why?

• How did you address the problem?

• What results do you find and what do you conclude from them?

• Divide it into three parts:

• What is the problem you are addressing and why?

• What is the relevant previous research that led to the question/observation you are addressing/describing?

• Divided into organized paragraphs

• Cite original sources rather than reviews

• Divide it into three parts:

• How did you address the problem?

• Describe the research and experiments you did very broadly

• Divide it into three parts:

• What is the problem you are addressing and why?

• How did you address the problem?

• What results do you find and what do you conclude from them?

• Describe the results and their implications in a swoop

• Abstract

• Introduction

• Methods

• Results

• Discussion & Conclusion

• Acknowledgements

• Bibliography

• Divide this section into as many parts as different types of methods you used & add a description of the materials:

• Use subheading (less than three types)!!!!

• Ideally ANYONE with access to the same equipment should be able to reproduce your experiments from this description (you are allowed to send them to the methods sections of earlier papers or supplementary

materials)!

• Abstract

• Introduction

• Methods

• Results

• Discussion & Conclusion

• Acknowledgements

• Bibliography

• Organize this section is such a way that your story is increasingly strengthened by the way you describe your results

• Divide this section into as many sections as you need:

• Use subheading (less than three types)!!!!

• Abstract

• Introduction

• Methods

• Results

• Discussion & Conclusion

• Acknowledgements

• Bibliography

• First paragraph: a summary of your results and conclusions

• After that:

• Discuss the relevance of your results, how they (dis)agree with previous results and what doors do they open.

• A figure contextualizing the change in knowledge prompted by your work is a good idea

• Conclude with predictions for the futures without wild speculation

• Abstract

• Introduction

• Methods

• Results

• Discussion & Conclusion

• Acknowledgements

• Bibliography

• Acknowledge contributions by people other than co-authors.

• Include REFEREES!!!!!

• Abstract

• Introduction

• Methods

• Results

• Discussion & Conclusion

• Acknowledgements

• Bibliography

• Read journal instructions

• Use automatic bibliography generator (Endnote, refworks, …)

• Abstract

• Introduction

• Methods

• Results

• Discussion & Conclusion

• Acknowledgements

• Bibliography

• Make sure that they are organized as required by the journal

• Make sure they are in the right order. The text must cite Figure 1 first, then figure 2, etc…

• Include titles for figures and tables

• Read instructions over and over and over again…

• Write with a positive attitude

• Use automatic bibliography generator (Endnote, refworks, …)

• Keep a consistent tense of the verb

• Use paragraphs wisely

• DON’T USE THE PASSIVE VOICE

• NEVER USE SENTENCES THAT TAKE UP MORE THAN TWO LINES OF YOUR WORD DOCUMENT

• AVOID REPETITION OF WORDS AND IDEAS

• AVOID COMPLEX WAYS OF SAYING SIMPLE THINGS

• Rechek everything again!!!!

• Be prepared to rewrite everything

• Read the paper in print

• Include cover letter.

PRATICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!!