Preparing a Scientific Article for Publication

Article OutlineI. Title

II. Abstract

III. Introduction

IV. Data & Methods

V. Results/Findings

VI. Discussion/Conclusions

VII. References

The IntroductionBeginning my studies the first step pleas'd me so much, The mere fact consciousness, these forms, the power of

motion,The least insect or animal, the senses, eyesight, love,The first step I say awed me and pleas'd me so much,I have hardly gone and hardly wish'd to go any farther,

But stop and loiter all the time to sing it in ecstatic songs.

Whitman

The IntroductionOverall Purpose:

Convince the reader that your study will add knowledge or knowhow that is new and useful

The Introduction

Further Purposes• Stimulate the reader’s interest

• Provide background information which is pertinent to the study

• State the research question -- the most important part of the study

Outline of the Introduction • Identify topic of paper / General problem

statement / Gap in knowledge• More specific problem statement with

literature background and highlights• Point out where important knowledge is

missing• Give relevant limitations of previous studies• Be clear that filling this gap will be useful• Give study purpose and hypotheses• Be clear that your approach is new and

addresses limitations of previous studies.

The Problem Statement

• What is the general problem of interest?

• Why is the problem important/significant? (Provide numbers, rates, costs, etc.)

• What specific populations are involved?

Problem Statement Example

Despite programs and policies in a number of countries designed to lower the incidence of preterm birth and low birthweight, these adverse birth outcomes have not decreased in the last 10 to 15 years. In some countries they have actually increased substantially.

Background Information• Results of previous studies on this topic

• Areas of disagreement or uncertainty

• Contextual issues or other factors that affected study design

• Contextual information that is important for interpretation of results

Highlighting the Literature

• Moving from the general problem to the specific issue to be addressed, highlight the previous literature on the problem, thereby establishing the background for the study.

• Example: Over this same period, the rates of multiple births have risen in many countries. Because multiple births are at high risk of resulting in preterm birth or low birthweight, their increasing incidence affects the overall rates of both conditions. Previous studies on the effects of multiple births have shown their important influence on pregnancy outcomes.

Where is the Knowledge Gap?

• Provide an overview of existing theories, controversies and unresolved issues that are specific to the study and will be addressed by the manuscript.

• Select references in an impartial manner.

• Example: No study has explored the independent effect of twin and triplet deliveries on trends in preterm birth and low birthweight from an international perspective; that is, in countries with different health indicators and health care systems.

Study Purpose and Hypotheses

• State the study purpose(s) and the hypotheses to be tested.

• Provide a clear description of what this study hopes to accomplish.

• Example: The purpose of this study is to explore the role of... . Specifically, we hypothesize that...

Example of Study Purpose Statement

“This study provides an estimate of the proportion of orphanhood attributable to parental HIV-infection, as a way of planning for vulnerable children”

Common Problems: Introduction

• Study question too vague– Study objectives – Citations of other key studies on specific topic

• Background information too broad

• Information too elementary

• Unpublished literature, theses cited

• Unnecessary acronyms

• Results given at end of Introduction section

•

Common Problems:Vague Purpose StatementsCompare these examples:• “This study reports our experience with two

types of mosquito feeding: direct feeding and membrane feeding.”

• “Our purpose was to determine seasonal infectivity rates by direct feeding among gametocyte carriers 18 years old and younger, and to compare malaria transmission-blocking activity via direct versus membrane feeding.”

Literature Review Within Introduction to Set Context

• Comprehensive review/assessment of the current knowledge (for YOUR knowledge, then…)

• Representative sample, not everything

• Describe relevant studies/theories

• Provide a theoretical/conceptual framework

Sources of Literature Review• Bibliographic databases

1. MEDLINE (PubMed)2. EMBASE3. AIDSLINE4. POPLINE5. JSTOR

• Specialized databases 1. American College of Physicians2. ProQuest Digital Dissertation3. US Gov CDC4. WHO

Other Resources• Experts/colleagues

1. Supplements specific points2. Cited as personal reference

• Internet (http:// www.); search engines include:

1. Google2. Alta Vista3. HotBot

Elements of the Introduction: A Summary

• GAP GB – Key BACKGROUND to the gap. GU – Why filling the gap will be USEFUL. GL – Key LIMITATION(S) of previous studies responsible for the gap.

• APPROACH AB – BACKGROUND to the approach AN – What is NEW about the approach taken in the current study. AL – How does this new approach address the LIMITATIONS of previous studies.

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