Rajesh Kumar Sharma

Asso Professor
Himalayan College of Nursing,
Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Said..
“Scientists are rated by what
they finish, not by what they
attempt”
Said..
“There is no way to get
experience except through
experience.”
 Aim of this class is
 to demystify the style of scientifically writing for
publication in different types of journal or in books
to communicate the results or research findings
to contribute to the pool of knowledge
within nursing and health care disciplines.
Scientific Process
It is a research process in which a problem is
identified, relevant data are gathered, a
hypothesis is formulated from these data, and the
hypothesis is empirically tested
Why does one write an article?
 Conveying research findings is an exciting moment!

 Scientific research is not complete until the results have

been published

 Writing an accurate, understandable paper is as

important as the research itself
A research report
 It is a written document or oral presentation
based on a written document that
communicates the purpose, scope, objective(s),
hypotheses, methodology, findings, limitations
and finally, recommendations of a research
project to others.
 The last stage of a marketing research process.;
 It is more than a summary of findings;
 Rather it is a record of the research process
 The researcher has to convince the client
[and others who may read the report] that
the research findings can be acted on for
their own benefit.
 Critical issue…..
Critical aspect of the Research reporting is
• the reporting of new results
• disseminate the research findings
• Utilize the research finding to practice evidence
based Nursing.
Lots of Nursing research has been done by
nurses but findings of their work not getting
published .
Types of Research Report I
 Any research report contains:
– descriptions on methodology,
– results obtained,
– and recommendations made.
 The basic orientation of a research report depends on its
audience.
 Before writing the report – the researcher must know his
or her audience; – he/she may have to make assumptions
about the composition, background and interests of the
target readers.
Types of Research Report II
 Types of Research Report II
 Two types of reports:-
– Technical Report: suitable for a target
audience of :- “researchers, research
managers or other people familiar with and
interested in the technicalities such as
research design, sampling methods,
statistical details etc., “
 Popular Report: suitable for:
“ a more general audience, interested mainly
in the research findings as it is non-
technical in nature.”
 The writing style is designed to facilitate
easy and rapid reading and understanding
of the research findings and
recommendations.
A research report is not an essay
How to write a Report or scientific
publication?

Just sit down and

start writing?
 Thesis Headings'
Chapter -1 – Introduction & Background
Chapter -2 – Review of Literature
Chapter -3 - Methodology
Chapter -4 - Result
Chapter-5-Discussion, Summary & Conclusion
Bibliography
What is a strong manuscript?

Novel
Clear
Useful
Exciting
Well presented
Readable easily
Abstract
 The abstract should summarize the content of the
paper and should present the aim of the study,
material and methods, results and conclusions, not
more than 300 words.
 (Limited to 300 words)
 Keywords: Keyword1, Keyword2, Keyword3,
Introduction & Background
 The introduction of the paper should explain the
nature of the problem, previous work, purpose,
and the contribution of the paper. The contents
of each section may be provided to understand
easily about the paper. Mention the references as
per Vancouver style12
 Problem Statement & Objectives
 Conceptual Framework
Conceptual Framework
 Conceptual frameworks (theoretical
frameworks) are a type of intermediate
theory that attempt to connect to all aspects
of inquiry (e.g., problem definition, purpose,
literature review, methodology, data
collection and analysis).
 Conceptual frameworks can act like maps
that give coherence to empirical inquiry.
Because conceptual frameworks are
potentially so close to empirical inquiry, they
take different forms depending upon the
research question or problem.*
* [[Link]
 Figure 1: Theoretical framework based on the General
System Theory for knowledge of risk factors of coronary
artery disease among administrative employees

Input Throughput Output

Administrative
employees Gain in
Non-modifiable knowledge
factors regarding the
Experimental risk factors of
•Age group
•Sex coronary
Exposure to PTP on knowledge artery
•Heredity of risk factors of
Modifiable risk knowledge diseases
test and coronary artery Exposure to
factors disease
preventive knowledge
•Obesity
health test No gain in
•Smoking
behaviour knowledge
•Sedentary lifestyle
self-rating regarding the
•Hypertension
scale risk factors of
•Personality type
Control group coronary
•Stress
No PTP artery
•Diabetes mellitus
diseases
Material & Method
 Research approach & Design
 Research Setting
 Sample & Sampling process
 Instruments
 Reliability
Result
 All results presented in tabular or graphical
form shall be described in this section. All
Tables and figures must have a title and a
legend to make them self-explanatory and
they should be given numbers. Each table or
figure should be on main body of the text.
Discussion:
 It should contain a critical review of the
results of the study with the support of
relevant literature. Unsupported hypothesis
should be avoided
Conclusions:
 This must summarize the main paper.
Ensure that extrapolations are reasonable
and that conclusions are justified by the
data presented, and indicate if the study
design can be generalized to a broader study
population.
Paper Writing
Paper

Reviewer Reader
What editors want?
Good quality science!

 Follow ”Guide for Authors”

 Original interesting research in active area of research
 Clear study design and methodology
 Well presented results and data
 Clear and concise English

Editor Is Busy !
[Link]
Structure of a Paper
 Abstract: Summury of the report

 Introduction: What did you do? Why did you do it?

 Material & Methods: How did you do it?

 Results: What did you find?

 Discussion: What does it all mean?

 Conclusions: What did we learn?

The Next is not solid
science,
it is our experience
Planning …

Writing

your paper
Strategy & frame work

Reading

Determine you
Goals !
Reading
Reading…

know

Reading criticize

Write
Read to Know
How ?!
 Read as possible as you can
 Read Title and Abstract first
 Read Discussion for interpretation
 Refer to Introduction and Methods only if necessary
Importance?
 your article situation!
 current state of understanding?
 gaps in the knowledge
 KEY paper in this field
 New ideas
Read to Criticize
How ?!
 Read at least 5 direct paper with same goals
 Read with deep analyzing thinking (compare)

Importance?
 Research questions
 Appropriate methods
 Context
 Target journals
Read to Write
How ?!
 Choose framework
 Take the idea you like ( with its reference )
 Merge ideas
Importance?
 Give you the framework for ideas
 give you vocabulary bank
 Provide the most common methodology and results
with its analysis
Road Map
Know Criticize

Choose Read them Formulate

Collect Read
master again framework
papers all
pieces deeply of ideas

Write

Read each Collect Discuss Write on

item ideas in your your words
separately paragraphs colleagues

Discuss The rest of

Re-edit &
Re- Primary
your general
revise draft
colleagues map
Framework
Frame of the ideas
Do you have an organizational system?
If you don’t, create one that suits you!
Spend more time organizing and less time writing. It’s
just plain less painful!

Develop a road-map
Arrange key facts and citations from the literature into a
crude road map/outline BEFORE writing the first
draft.
Think in paragraphs and sections…
Very Very Important : Documentation

Highlight

Make other word documentation

( sentence + reference + date)

Revise
Files Arrangement
Paper Numbering
Highlight & Make Notes
Record in Word
Writing 1 st draft
Notes
 Don’t be a perfectionist!

 The goal of the first draft is to get the ideas down in complete
sentences in order.

 Focus on logical organization more than sentence-level

details.

 Writing the first draft is the hardest step for most people.
Minimize the pain by writing the first draft quickly and
efficiently
Sentence
“only 4% of readers understand a 27-word sentence
first time”
Reader objectives
• Only need to read once
• Do not have to read slowly
• Can understand author logic immediately
Do:
 Easy to read articles had an average sentence length of
around 15-20 words
 Not more than four 30-word sentences in the whole
manuscript
 Think about ‘reader expectation’ and match the
expectation with the contents
Paragraph
 1 paragraph = 1 idea
 Give away the punch line early
 logical flow of ideas
 Sequential in time
 General then specific (take-home message first!)
 Logical arguments (if a then b; a; therefore b)
 Transition words used
 Emphasis at the end!
Your reader remembers the first sentence
and the last sentence best. Make the last
sentence memorable. Emphasis at the end!
Collect & Merge
Merge
 Collect all paragraph in each item of designed
framework according to journal style

 Re-arrange in logic and easy manner

 Revise and revise

The First Draft
Your first draft
Aspect of writing scientific:
 Know your audience and write for that specific audience
 Your supervisor/professor is not here to teach you basic
grammar and spelling.
 Do Not Turn in a First Draft!
 Get and use stylebooks
 Do not use more words where fewer will do.
 Use an outline to organize your ideas and writing
 Think about the structure of paragraphs
 Pay attention to tenses
 Aspect of writing scientific:
 The first step in the process involves
 the interpretation of the results of data analysis in
light of:
– the marketing research problem investigated,
– and the research design and methodology followed.
 The research report is a means of communication
that can be understood, believed, trusted by
everyone who are likely to be affected by the
research, and acted upon by the decision maker.
 Aspect of writing scientific……......
 Captions should not merely name a table or figure; they should
explain how to read it.
 When citing a reference, focus on the ideas, not the authors.
 Show us don't tell us.
 Write about your results, not your tables, figures, and statistics.
 Develop a strategy for your Discussion.
 Introductions and conclusions are the hardest parts.
 Break up large projects into small pieces and work on them.
 Make your writing flow and resonate
 Take editorial comments seriously.
 However, the style in which many research
journal articles are written especially reports
of quantitative studies which makes it
difficult for beginning research consumers
to become interested in the story.
 Scientific writing can be according to
Journals
Eg. Medknow Journals, Ovid, etc
Peer Review Process
Peer Review Process
What are some styles of Scientific
writing
 Review of literature
 Organization of a theoretical position
 Also called a “position paper”
 Development of a research plan
 A full research study or Research paper or scientific
paper
 Meta-analysis of previous research outcomes
 Writing a grant proposal
Common Deficits in Articles
 Poorly planned study!

 Poorly conducted study!

 Poorly presented study!

Characteristics of scientific writing
 The style of writing should be concise,
straightforward.
 Highly technical terms and complex
sentences are not best way to convey ideas
Content of Scientific research article

 Title of scientific papers can be indicative,

informative, question type or main-subtitle
(series) type format.
 Quantitative reports follow a conventional
format referred as the IMRAD format
(Introduction, Method, Result and
Discussion).
 An academic paper typically belongs to
some particular category such as:
 Research paper or scientific paper
 Case report or Case series
 Position paper
 Review article or Survey paper
Overview of IMRaD structure
 Although the sections of the journal manuscript are
published in the order: Title, Abstract, Introduction,
Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, and
Conclusion, this is not the best order for writing the
sections of a manuscript. One recommended strategy
is to write your manuscript in the following order:
1. Materials and Methods
2. Results
These can be written first, as you are doing your
experiments and collecting the results.
 3. Introduction
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion
Write these sections next, once you have had a chance
to analyse your results, have a sense of their impact and
have decided on the journal you think best suits the
work
6. Title
7. Abstract
Write your Title and Abstract last as these are based on
all the other sections.
Following this order will help you write a logical and
consistent manuscript.
 Case reports
An unexpected association between
diseases, diagnosis, rare features of
disease and therapeutic approaches
 Journal of Medical Case Reports,
 Oncology Reports,
 Oncology Letters and Cases Journal
What to write while writing case report
 Title,  Diagnostic assessment,
 Key words,  Therapeutic
 Abstract interventions,
 Introduction,  Follow-up and
 Patient information,  Outcomes,
 Clinical findings,  Discussion
 Timeline,  patient perspective, and
 informed consent
 Position paper
 A position paper is an essay that presents an opinion
about an issue, typically that of the author or another
specified entity
 Position papers range from the simplest format of a
letter to the editor
 Position papers in Academia enable discussion on
emerging topics without the experimentation and
original research
Review articles
 Review articles are an attempt to summarize the
current state of understanding on a topic.
 They analyze or discuss research previously published
by others
 TWO TYPES-
1. systematic reviews and
2. literature reviews
Styles of writing…
 With regards to references and other part of the
manuscript, various styles have been developed.
 These all styles are often imposed by journal editors and
university regulations. Some are as follow……
- University of Chicago Press (1993),
- The American Psychological Association (2001), and
- The American Medical Association (1997) are widely
used for reference style.
- Vancouver style of ICMJE, 1978(International
Committee of Medical Journal Editors)
Example of APA & Vancouver style
of citation
 Disney AP(1998). Some  Disney AP. Some trends
trends in chronic renal in chronic renal
replacement therapy in replacement therapy in
Australia and New Australia and New
Zealand. Nephrol Dial Zealand. Nephrol Dial
Transplant , 13: 854–859. Transplant. 1998 June; 13:
854–859.
 Styles of research reports:
While writing the reports following style a research
scientist must do –
 Plan your writing
 Talk to people about your ideas before writing
 Have a theory
 Use a conceptual framework to explain your theory
 Conduct a thorough review of relevant published
research
 Carefully read the relevant research literature
 Analyze the findings of similar studies
 Use literature that is sometimes not in agreement with
your theory

compiled from V.E. McMillan's Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences , a highly
recommended resource for scientific writing
 Organize your paper: outline your ideas
 Use headings and subheadings
 Use many shorter paragraphs
 Use precise language
 Review your spelling carefully: there is not their; it’s vs
its; whose vs who’s are all silly mistakes that cause
grades to be lowered
 Pay attention to tense
 Use the Academic Medicine, or the APA style for
footnotes, endnotes, and reference bibliography.
 Paraphrase long quotes as often as possible, making
certain to appropriately cite the source.
 Proofread, proofread, proofread
 Look at grammar & spelling
 Have others read it: does it make sense to them?
 Does the conclusion stem from the argument first laid
out in the introduction?
 Is the argument throughout cohesive?
 Did I cite all references, paraphrases and quotes?
Summary
The format and structure which we have discussed
here are general one; the various scientific journals,
and oftentimes specific disciplines, utilize slightly
different formats and/or writing styles.
It is intended that information will provide a valuable
contribution to you all specially new nurse
researchers to develop their research findings or
other scholarly ideas into a better scientific report or
manuscript writing which to be submitted for
publication
References
1. Jenkins S 1995 How to write a paper for a scientific journal. Australian
Journal of Physiotherapy 41(4): 285 – 289
2. Stanford University. Writing in Science
[Link]
3. Erren TC, Bourne PE (2007) Ten simple rules for a good poster
presentation. PLoS Comput Biol 3(5): e102.
doi:10.1371/[Link].0030102
4. Swales, J. M. & Feak, C. B. (2004). Academic Writing for Graduate
Students. (2nd ed.). Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. .