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1
Strategy and Tips forWriting a High Quality ResearchPaper
Presented by:Mary Nishikawa, MA, ELS
Editor and Trainer, AcademiaCactus Communications K.K.
Lecturer Introduction
2
Understanding the concerns researchers andacademics have and helping them publish intop SCI journals such as Science and Cell
Board Certified EditorTrainer, AcademiaOver 25 years of experience in the review,editing, and rewriting of biomedicalresearch reports
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Aims of seminar
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• Pay attention to key sections for getting published
• Write a high quality paper, by knowing
– What to include and leave out in theintroduction, methods, results and discussionsections
You will learn how to
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You will learnWhat to includeand leave out
of your paper
3
5
The title
What to include
The study type, method, or technique
Main subject
Main verb, if the title is describing results
Titles should include
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4
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The title
What to leave out!
8
Common error:Unessential wordsincluded, essential wordsmissing in a title!
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Scenario 1
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A few remarks on the ICborder-area trade andconditions related to theprogression of the ICborder trade
What’s the problem?
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Includes an acronym
Repeats words orphrases
Includes non essentialphrases
Uses wordy phrases
A few remarks on the ICborder-area trade andconditions related to theprogression of the ICborder trade
6
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Write out acronym “IC”
Delete repetitive word: “bordertrade”
Delete non essential phrase: “Afew remarks on”
Revise wordy phrase “related tothe progression of ” to“progress”
Add method
A few remarks on the ICborder-area trade andconditions related to theprogression of the ICborder trade
Solution Original
ImprovedRecent progress of India-China border trade: A surveyof world economists
Scenario 2
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Assessing the effect of Xon the cardiac musclesof the white-headedcapuchin monkeyCebus capucinus
What’s the problem?
7
13
Includes a non essentialphrase “assessing theeffect of
Includes two words thatmean the same thing
Assessing the effect of Xon the cardiac musclesof the white-headedcapuchin monkeyCebus capucinus
Scenario 2
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Revising wordy phrase“Assessing the effect of” to“induces”
Delete word with samemeaning: “white-headedcapuchin monkey ”
Assessing the effect of X onthe cardiac musclesof the white-headedcapuchin monkeyCebus capucinus
Solution Original
ImprovedX induces cardiac musclecontraction inCebus capucinus
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Indicate the studytype, method, ortechnique
Find the main subject
Include essential words(even articles!)
remove unessentialones
Titles
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Now what wasthat?
Remember…
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Introduction
What to include
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An Introduction
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• Gives the reader background information
• Explains the context of the work
• States the aim or hypothesis
• Sometimes includes a summary of key outcomes
Read and follow the journal’s manuscript guidelines.
Introduction: One possible style
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1. Provide general information orestablish the field
2. Develop the research questionor problem
3. State researcher’s objective
4. List achievements or describeorganization of paper
Background
Aim
Overview
Context
General
Expansion oftopic
Specific
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Verb tenses when writing
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Context
Background
Aim or hypothesis
When reporting facts or general information
• DNA is the code of life.
• “In industrialized countries, approximately 5-15% of
families experience food insecurity.”doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0052615
• “The common cold is the most widespread viral
infection in humans.” Ludwig et al. Respiratory Research 2013, 14:124
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Use the present tense
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When reporting facts or general information
• “Currently, there is no single standard method for
measuring the surface permeability …” DOI:
10.1080/21650020.2014.893200
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Use the present tense
When explaining what a “thing” does
• The computer model provides
• The formula assesses
• This report describes
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Use the present tense
12
When informing your readers
• Prior research has shown…
• “A number of studies have used surface infiltrationtesting to quantify the hydrologic performance ofpermeable pavement systems.” DOI: 10.1080/21650020.2014.893200
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Use the present perfect tense
When informing your readers
• Prior research has shown…
• “Recent research has examined lighting variables of
color temperature, and illumination for affecting sleep,
mood, focus, motivation, concentration, and work and
school performance.” DOI: 10.1177/2158244012445585
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Use the present perfect tense
13
When informing your readers
“…several authors have suggested that training is most
extensive only in establishments which operate in complex
market environments (Rowden &Conine, 2005; Sahinidis
& Bouris, 2008).”DOI: 10.1177/2158244011433338
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The cited author’s interpretation is in the present tense!
Use the present perfect tense
When informing your readers
Past studies [1-3] have reported that not only maternal
diabetes but also slight glucose intolerance are a risk
factor for developing fetal overgrowth.”Kabeya Y et al. PLoS ONE 8(12): e84542. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0084542.
Use the present perfect tense
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The cited author’s interpretation is in the present tense!
14
When you are comparing your results withthose of past studies
• Smith et al. found that… but we found…
• We reported on this same subject, but it was a pilot
study.
• Past research linking … to … was mostly based on…
but ours was…
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Use the past tense
When citing past studies and reporting theirinterpretations in the present tense
“A study by Ott (1976) revealed that cool white
fluorescent lighting in classrooms can drastically improve
the behavior of student who are hyperactive or have
learning disadvantages.“ DOI: 10.1177/2158244012445585
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The cited author’s interpretation is in the present tense!
Use the past tense
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When citing past studies and reporting theirinterpretations in the present tense
“Adolescents, on average, engage in more reckless
behavior than do individuals of other ages” and are
“biologically driven” to risk taking, including criminal
offending, declared Steinberg (2007, p.56). DOI:
10.1177/2158244015573359
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The cited author’s interpretation is in the present tense!
Use the past tense
When stating an aim or hypothesis
• In the present study, we tested the hypothesis…
• The current study tests…
• We investigated the role of …
• This study investigates the role of…
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Use the past or present tense
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When stating an aim or hypothesis
• The objective of the current study was to evaluate an
artificial lighting system for four discrete settings
(focus, energy, calm, and normal) designed for the
classroom environment. DOI: 10.1177/2158244012445585
31
Use the past or present tense
When stating an aim or hypothesis
• This study attempts to fill this literature gap by
extending the previous analyses of age–poverty
interactions to examine one of the most serious forms
of alleged “adolescent risk taking”: homicides,
especially by firearms. DOI: 10.1177/2158244015573359
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Use the past or present tense
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When writing about proposed mechanismsdescribed in past research• … and …. may have common causes
• … may independently predict …
• ... may point to …
• … may indicate…
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Use a modal
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Introduction
What to leave out!
18
35
Common error:“Borrowing”words of others
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Plagiarismtroubles!
You think you can
“Reuse” words from
another paper, as long
as you cite the paper
19
37
Paraphrase text
Cite paper
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• Para (altered) phrase (way ofspeaking or writing
• You do not use the samesentence structure
• You may use some of the samewords, but not others
• You can make the sentencesimpler or more complex
What’s aparaphrase?
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“Pregnancy is commonly recognized
as a state of physiological and
temporary insulin resistance.”
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Avoid plagiarism!
It is well known that some women
develop temporary insulin resistance
during pregnancy, which is called
gestational diabetes.
Original Paraphrased
Kabeya Y et al. PLoS ONE 8(12): e84542.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0084542.
How can we avoid plagiarizing text?
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Read and catalog references
• Read and identify original content withquote marks “….”
• Try summarizing or paraphrasing
• Organize notes in a citation manager,database, excel sheet or on index cards
• Check sentence online in Google Scholar– http://scholar.google.com/
21
サービス内容
• 剽窃検知ソフト、PlagScanを使い、すでに出版されてた380万以上の学術記事、
書籍、議事録との類似性を比較します。
• エディテージの出版専門家が検索結果をレポートでお知らせ。万が一剽窃の疑
いが掛かる可能性のある箇所があれば指摘し、修正をご提案します。
Get help checking plagiarism!
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http://www.editage.jp/publication-support/plagiarism-check/
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Common error:Unessential wordsincluded, essentialwords missing in theaim or hypothesis
22
The hypotheses in this study
specifically address the relationship
between employees with training
experiences who have positive
attitudes about training (training
attitudes) and those positive
training attitudes are perceived to
improve job proficiency. (33 words)
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What’s the problem?
Sage Open 1-13 ©Debra L. Truitt 2011;DOI: 10.1177/215824401143338
The hypotheses in this study
specifically address the relationship
between employees with training
experiences who have positive
attitudes about training (training
attitudes) and those positive
training attitudes are perceived to
improve job proficiency. (33 words)
44
Repetition ofwords
Missing anessential word
Sage Open 1-13 ©Debra L. Truitt 2011;DOI: 10.1177/215824401143338
23
Revise aim or hypothesis
45
Delete repetitive words
Reduce the word count
by identifying the main subject the main verb expressing
the projected outcome
Add essentials words, if
they are missing
46
Solution 1 ProblemThe hypotheses in this study
specifically address the relationship
between employees with training
experiences who have positive
attitudes about training (training
attitudes) and those positive
training attitudes are perceived to
improve job proficiency. (33 words)
In this study, it is hypothesized that
employees who have positive
attitudes about their recent training
will report that they are proficient on
the job. (24 words)
Sage Open 1-13 ©Debra L. Truitt 2011;DOI: 10.1177/215824401143338
24
• Writing a clearand conciseobjective is agreat start to
• A great ending!
47
Remember…
Check the originality ofyour sentences
Include all the words youneed and try not torepeat!
48
Now what wasthat?
Remember, in the introduction
25
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Methods section
What to include
Methods
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• Include enough information, but not toomuch
─ Study design and subjects
─ Materials
─ Procedures
─ Methods of analysis
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Methods
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• Provide details in supplements
• Cite and paraphrase orsummarize previously publishedmethods, including your own
Read and follow the journal’s manuscript guidelines
Verb tenses when writing
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Methods
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• “Normal lighting consisted of 500 lux with a
temperature of 3500 K...” DOI: 10.1177/2158244012445585
• “Students participated in either treatment or normally
lit classrooms.” DOI: 10.1177/2158244012445585
Past tense in methods – active voice
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• “Student motivation was evaluated with an
instrument adapted from Pintrich and DeGroot
(1990)…” DOI: 10.1177/2158244012445585
Past tense in methods – Passive voice
54
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Describing one’s own methods
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“The procedure forharvesting cells is asfollows: 1…., 2… , 3….”Description published inElsevier journal (copyrightholder)
“The procedure forharvesting cells is asfollows: 1…., 2… , 3….”Submission to Blackwell-Wiley journal
What’s the problem?
Moreplagiarismtroubles!
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Reusing the wording of
one’s own methods
from a previously
published report
30
Avoid plagiarizing your own words!
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Paraphrase
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Paraphrased
“ We followed theprocedure for harvestingcells as described earlier.1
In summary, the stepsinvolved a …., b… , andc….” Submission to Wiley-Blackwell journal
Original
“The procedure forharvesting cells wasas follows: 1…., 2… ,3….” Descriptionpublished in Elsevierjournal (copyrightholder)
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Describe proceduresconcisely
Provide details insupplements
Use nonproprietary names Provide source of
materials Get help checking
plagiarism!
Methods
Now what wasthat?
Remember…
61
Describe proceduresconcisely
Provide details insupplements
Use nonproprietarynames
Provide source ofmaterials
Methods
Now what wasthat?
Remember…
62
32
63
Results section
What to include
1. Study design andsubjects
2. Materials
3. Procedures
4. Methods of analysis
Methods “guide” Results
1. Study conducted asplanned?Subjects participatedas planned?
2. Materials used asplanned?
3. Procedure followedas planned?
4. Methods of analysis,followed as planned?
64
33
Results = Just the facts!
65
Report data in one place
Table,
or Text
Figure
And leave the interpretationfor the Discussion PLOS Clinical Trials (2006) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pctr.0010022
66
Results: Verb tense
Past tense – findingsWe found that high bloodpressure predicted an earlydeath…
35
Figures
69
Sage Open (2011) DOI: 10.1177/2158244011433338
The sample of this study wascomposed of 63.4% womenand 36.6% men (see Fig. 1).
Male FemaleGender of participants
Perc
enta
ge
60.0%
Figure1.
0%
20.0%
40.0%
Gender
What’s the problem?
Figures
70
The sample of this study wascomposed of 63.4% womenand 36.6% men (see Fig. 1).
Male FemaleGender of participants
Perc
enta
ge
60.0%
Figure1.
0%
20.0%
40.0%
Gender
A bar graph isused to plotone data type
Data arepresented inboth the textand figure
Sage Open (2011) DOI: 10.1177/2158244011433338
36
Remember, when using figures…
71
Make sure you selectthe ones you reallyneed
When figures areoptional, place data intable or describe in text
Figure, table, or text?
72
• OR
“Of the 237 study participants,150 were women (63.4%)”
• BUT NOT BOTH!
Table 1. Baseline demographiccharacteristics (n=237)
Sex (female) 150 (63.4 %)
Problem Solution
The sample of this study wascomposed of 63.4% womenand 36.6% men (see Fig. 1).
Sage Open (2011) DOI: 10.1177/2158244011433338
Male FemaleGender of participants
Perc
enta
ge
60.0%
Figure1.
0%
20.0%
40.0%
Gender
37
73
Common error:Incomplete tables
74
Sage Open ©Druckman and Greene 2013;DOI: 10.1177/2158244013492781
Table I: Rates of Joining the Newly Formed Section during Phase I, by Experimental Condition
Condition N Joined % change e-mailed % emailedImpersonal 93 5 5.38 1 1.08
Personalized 93 19 20.43 27 29.03Pressure 94 29 30.85 20 21.28
Total 280 53 18.93 48 17.14
What’s the problem?
38
75
Problem
Word “Condition” andphrase “% e-mailed” arevague
Missing footer
Title is vague
N” is not explained
“Numbers in 2 columnshave no units
Table I: Rates of Joining the Newly Formed Section during Phase I, by Experimental Condition
Condition N Joined % change e-mailed % emailedImpersonal 93 5 5.38 1 1.08
Personalized 93 19 20.43 27 29.03Pressure 94 29 30.85 20 21.28
Total 280 53 18.93 48 17.14Sage Open ©Druckman and Greene 2013;DOI: 10.1177/2158244013492781
Remember, when creating tables…
76
Use specific wordingin titles
Identify allabbreviations andacronyms
Add a footer with abrief description ofstudy, and methodsof analysis, ifapplicable
39
77
ProblemTable I. Rates of Joining the Newly Formed Section during Phase I, by Experimental Condition.
Condition N Joined % change e-mailed % emailedImpersonal 93 5 5.38 1 1.08
Personalized 93 19 20.43 27 29.03Pressure 94 29 30.85 20 21.28
Total 280 53 18.93 48 17.14
E-mail type* N† sentan email
N†
Joining (%)N† replyingby e-mail (%)
Impersonal 93 5 (5.38) 1 (1.08)Personal 93 19 (20.43) 27 (29.03)Pressure 94 29 (30.85) 20 (21.28)
Total 280 53 (18.93) 48 (17.14)
78
Solution
Table I. Rates of joining the newly formed professional group duringthe first round of an e-mail drive, according to type of e-mail sent.
*Impersonal, “Dear colleague”; personal, “Dear Name of Person”; andPressure, “Dear Name of person” plus pressure message: “The section willonly succeed with a sufficient number of members”;†N =number of people.
Title includesspecificinformation
N is identifiedas number ofpeople in footer
E-mail typesare described inthe footer
40
Report data in one place,table, figure or text
Remove unnecessaryfigures and place data intable or text
Don’t forget units,identify acronyms, andplace details in footer
Remember, when writing results…
79
Now what wasthat?
80
Discussion section
What to include
41
The discussion
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• Interprets key findings• Considers possible mechanisms, if applicable
• Relates key findings to previous research
• States limitations or unexpected findings
• Describes implications and generalizability offindings
Adapted from CONSORT 2010 Explanation and ElaborationBMJ 2010;340:c869. Annals of Internal Medicine recommendation.
82
Discussion: Verb tense
Present tense – conclusionWe can conclude that men withhigh blood pressure have a 10%higher risk of CV disease…
43
85
“This study clearly demonstrates
that it is possible to significantly
influence consumers' Internet
shopping habits ...”
Interpretation matches results?
PLOS Clinical Trials (2006)DOI: 10.1371/journal.pctr.0010022
What’s the problem?
“This study clearly demonstrates
that it is possible to significantly
influence consumers' Internet
shopping habits ...”
Interpretation matches results?
“This study demonstrates that
it is possible to influence
consumers' Internet shopping
habits ...”
86
PLOS Clinical Trials (2006)DOI: 10.1371/journal.pctr.0010022
Original Improved
44
When interpreting results
87
All research haslimitations, sowords such as“clearly” are notappropriate
Reserve the word“significantly” forstatisticalsignificance
The interpretationmust match theresults
Now what wasthat?
88
Remember, when writing the discussion…
45
89
You have learnedWhat to includeand leave out
of your paper
• Foote MA. The proof of the pudding. How to report resultsand write a good discussion. Chest 2008;135:866-868.
• Foote MA. How to make a proper introduction. Chest2007;130:1935-1937.
• Zeiger M. Essentials of Writing Biomedical ResearchPapers. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2000.
• CONSORT 2010 Explanation and Elaboration. BMJ2010;340:c869.
References
90
46
Contact Details
91
Mary Nishikawa, MA, ELSBoard Certified Editor in the Life SciencesTrainer in Academic Communications
nishikawa@cactus.co.jptraining@editage.com
Tel: 03-5542-1950 Fax: 03-4496-4557URL: www.editage.jp www.cactus.co.jp
Dr. EddyTM personifies our efforts to support authors with good publication practices.He can be found at Editage Insights Japan http://www.editage.jp/insights/
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