HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER

Full Unequivocal Data SetFocusCareful PlanningOrganizationAttention to DetailCommunication with Colleagues

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER

FALLACY: It’s only the number of papers that count

FACT: One good detailed paper ina prestigious journal is worth far more than smaller component

papersin lesser journals!

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER

AUTHORSHIPBefore Starting to Write, Define the Following:

A) Who will be coauthorsB) Who only will be acknowledgedC) Order of authors

POTENTIAL PROBLEMSA) Senior Authorship/IndependenceB) Co-contributing 1st and 2nd Authors

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

ShortDescription of major conclusion

● Running TitleNot longer than SPECSInclude words from titleNo unusual abbreviations

● Authors’ NamesCheck 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 don’t begin a sentence with an abbreviation

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER

ABSTRACT/SUMMARY● “Is the entire paper worth reading?”● A brief account of paper’s 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● DON’T MAKE INTRO TOO LONG!!● Don’t 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

● Don’t 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● Don’t 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 PAPERHOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPER

FIGURES/LEGENDS● Focus on key points● Don’t 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 Reviewer’s comment in letter immediately above your response

● Make sure pagination of initial and revision are synchronous and differences stated

● Don’t try to “muscle” the Reviewer!

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PAPERCOMMON 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