HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
Full Unequivocal Data Set Focus Careful Planning Organization Attention to Detail Communication with Colleagues
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
FALLACY: Its only the number of papers that count One good detailed paper in a prestigious journal is worth far more than smaller component papers in lesser journals!
FACT:
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
AUTHORSHIP Before Starting to Write, Define the Following: Who will be coauthors Who only will be acknowledged Order of authors POTENTIAL PROBLEMS Senior Authorship/Independence Co-contributing 1st and 2nd Authors
A) B) C) A) B)
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
Choose the journal before you start writing Carefully review several recent issues Study the Instructions to Authors Identify publication costs
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
COMMON GRAMMAR/STYLE ISSUES - Spelling: British vs American - Spell-check: false security - Active vs passive voice - Multiple adjectives - Incorrect use of due to - Ambiguous use of this - Hyphenation - Abbreviations - Run-on, sentences, use of semicolons
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
TITLE PAGE Choice of Title Short Description of major conclusion Running Title Not longer than SPECS Include words from title No unusual abbreviations Authors Names Check instructions Footnotes/Symbols Author for correspondence Key words
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
ABBREVIATIONS Check instructions Standard abbreviations Frequent cumbersome phrases/words Abbreviation list vs in text Generally dont begin a sentence with an abbreviation
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
ABSTRACT/SUMMARY Is the entire paper worth reading? A brief account of papers relevant points Length and format specified for each journal (i.e. continuous vs. specific sections) It must stand alone without reference to text body
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PPAER
INTRODUCTION Long enough to place paper in context Reasons for doing study Methods used Indication of conclusions DONT MAKE INTRO TOO LONG!! Dont provide a complete history of field Basically: What you did, why you did it, what you found!
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
MATERIALS AND METHODS Provide sufficient detail for others to repeat and/or understand differences from past/future studies Use subtitles Patient populations: Tables, Inclusion/exclusion criteria Use generic vs. trade names If unusual complexities, consider appendix Make sure statistics are appropriate
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
RESULTS Logical sequence of presentation Minimize unpublished results Use subheadings Use appropriate tables/illustrations Dont repeat data in text and tables/ills Number of significant places after decimal Patent issues
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
DISCUSSION Reviewers rarely complain a discussion is too brief Provide summary of results and how results led to conclusion Place results in context of current knowledge Impact of data (present and future) Unanswered questions Limitations of study Use subheadings Dont overemphasize your own work
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Those not listed as authors who helped with study -Intellectual input -Encouragement -Special measurements/reagents -Techs in lab -Secretarial assistance Research support CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
REFERENCES CHECK WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS Numerous variations Full names vs. initials Number of names before et al Page inclusitivity Punctuation Order in text vs. alphabetical No unpublished data or personal communications in this section Limit historical references Keep number of references as short as feasible
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
FIGURES/LEGENDS Focus on key points Dont clutter Illustrations Define symbols/abbreviations in legends Label axes Use same units as in text Photo authenticity (in view of recent scandal) Obtain permission for use of previously published material
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
SUBMISSION Address letter to Editor Describe paper in 3-4 sentences Why it is appropriate to this journal If allowable, suggest reviewers Define any competitors who you feel would give unfair review Signatures of all coauthors on statement of authenticity/responsibility
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
RESPONSE LETTER WITH REVISION Segregate responses to Editor and each reviewer Repeat responses to each reviewer even if already responded to another Respond to each comment (consider numbering) Start with polite intro to each reviewer: We are grateful to reviewer A for useful comments .... Consider placing Reviewers comment in letter immediately above your response Make sure pagination of initial and revision are synchronous and differences stated Dont try to muscle the Reviewer!
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
COMMON MISTAKES Failure to follow instructions Too many fonts on the title page Inconsistent formatting in the body of the manuscript Errors in the punctuation of references in the List of References Failure to indicate the variability and/or reproducibility of results Results that are given to a degree of accuracy that far exceeds the accuracy of measurements Graphs and histograms without indications of standard deviations
From Korner, AM. Guide to Publishing a Scientific Paper
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER
Outline Key Aspects of Paper! Introduction Method Results Conclusion Review with Senior Author and Key Collaborators Write First Draft Review with Senior Author/Key Authors Review Subsequent Drafts Penultimate Draft Sent to all Co-Authors