This document provides guidance on scientific writing and publishing a scientific paper. It discusses that scientific writing aims to communicate new research findings as precisely as possible to peers. A scientific paper is a written report describing original research results that must be the first publication of those results. The standard structure for scientific papers is IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results, And Discussion). Editors play an important role in ensuring proper grammar, style, formatting, and fact-checking for scientific papers.
How to Write & Publish Scientific Papers in 40 Characters
1. How to Write and Publish a
Scientific Paper
Scholarly Editing and Translation
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2. What is scientific writing
Technical writing by scientists
Audience include peers/other scientists
Research →a two-way process
Need to be received ↔to be understood
Communicate new scientific findings
As precisely as possible
Neither literature nor poetry
Clearly stated problem
Precise and accurate conclusion
New knowledge to be shared “for the first time”
Publication = ultimate reward of scientific
research
3. What is a scientific paper
Definition: A written and published report
describing original research results
Criteria: The report must be the first publication of
original research results
Aim: To publish in a journal/other source
document readily available within the scientific
community
4. Origins of scientific writing
Knowledge is lost without written records
Started in the 14th century
First science journal:1665
Evolution shows the trend from Ancient Greece to
the Middle Ages, and finally to the invention of the
printing press
5. IMRAD
IMRAD [Introduction, Methods, Results, and
Discussion]
Highly structured and rigid (originality in the content not
in the form)
Requested by most editors because of simplicity
Most logical method to communicate research results
An easy roadmap for authors – editors – referees –
readers
Introduction (Provides context and rationale for
the study)
Methods (Describes the experimental design and
experimental procedures for the reproducibility of
results)
Results (Summarizes the findings without
interpretation)
And
6. A bird’s eye view
Essential parts of scientific writing include the
following:
Title: Describes concisely the core contents of the
paper with fewest possible words
Abstract: Summarizes the major elements of the
paper, which leaves an impact on the readers;
self-contained
Introduction: Provides context and rationale for
the study
Materials: Describes the experimental design so it
is reproducible
Methods: Describes the experimental procedures
7. A bird’s eye view
Results: Summarizes the findings without
interpretation
Discussion: Interprets the study findings
Summary: Summarizes the findings
Acknowledgement: Gives credit to advisors; to
those who helped in writing/collecting data; and to
those who helped financially
References: Lists all scientific papers, books, and
websites that have been cited
8. Role of editors
To check for grammar
Ensure there are no mis-spelt words
Do away with wordiness/redundant words
Check for style and formatting on the basis of
journal guidelines
Check facts and raise queries with the author
See that all tables/figures/references/appendixes
are cited
check illustrations and captions are correct
9. Editors must have:
Excellent written English, including good spelling
and grammar
A meticulous approach to their work and an eye
for detail
The ability to maintain high-quality work while
meeting tight deadlines
A love of and feel for language.
10. Importance of correct language
Avoid a complex sentence structure
Use simple and clear English
Punctuate the sentences correctly
Always keep in mind that the
paragraph is the essential unit of
thought
Poor experimentation cannot be
masked by brilliant writing. BUT,
poor writing can mask
brilliant experimentation
11. Outline
What is scientific writing
What is a scientific paper
Origins of scientific writing
IMRAD
A bird’s eye view
Role of editors
Importance of correct language
Outline