Writing an original research paperPart one: Important considerations

Amin Bredan, PhD, Editor

Department of Biomedical Molecular BiologyGhent University

and

Department for Molecular Biomedical ResearchFlanders Institute of Biotechnology

Belgium

The original research article

It is not just a presentation of work carried out

It reports research reaching conclusions supported by evidence

It is a well-documented argument for a particular finding or observation

The argument is supported by the results (and the literature) The literature should be used only to:

support argument or counter-argument facilitate understanding

Structure of a research articletwo styles

Divided into sections depending on topic Less common Used in journals Science, Nature etc.

Structured Most common IMRAD (Intro, M&M, Results, Discussion) Some variations on IMRAD exist

Not IMRAD

IMRAD structure

Title

Authors and their affiliation

Summary / Abstract

Introduction

Material and methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Acknowlegement

References

IMRAD structure

Title

Authors and their affiliation

Summary / Abstract

Introduction

Material and methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Acknowledgement

References

Conclusion frequently at end of discussion

IMRAD structure

Title

Authors and their affiliation

Summary / Abstract

Introduction

Material and methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Acknowledgement

References

Results and discussion may be combined

IMRAD structure

Title

Authors and their affiliation

Summary / Abstract

Introduction

Material and methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Acknowledgment

References

Some journals place methods after results and discussion

Authorship

To qualify as an author one must meet three conditions

1. substantial contributions to one of the following:- conception and design- acquisition of data- analysis and interpretation

2. drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content

3. final approval of the version to be published

Just being the boss does not qualify one to be an author

Title

The most important single sentence

Accurately represents the contents

Determines whether a reader goes on to read abstract

Abstract / Summarya minipaper lacking discussion and references

Provides brief background

States aims

Indicates methodology

States important results

States main conclusion

What should NOT be in the abstract

Literature references

Reference to figures or tables

Uncommon abbreviations

Discussion of results

Information not in main text

The introduction

Provide background The problem and its significance Rationale for the research

State aims Brief but specific

Strategy for writing introduction

Make a plan: start, development, rounding up

Summarize what is known

Point to gaps in knowledge

Discuss hypotheses and mechanisms

Go from general to specific issues

Logical development towards your topic

Avoid repetition and plagiarism

Refining the introduction

Does it cover the area?

Does it include irrelevant issues?

Is it putting much emphasis where it is not needed?

Is it placing little emphasis on important issues?

Does it clearly show the gap in knowledge that your results help to fill?

Are the aims clearly stated?

Materials and methods

Enough details to repeat experiments

No explanations of the obvious

Methods obtained from the literature: give the reference and provide a brief summary of the procedure

Refining material and methods

Are all sources of material mentioned?

Are all details of experimental conditions specified?

Are experimental procedures explained clearly?

Are the statistical methods given?

Is ethical approval, where relevant, mentioned?

Is there any unnecessary redundancy?

Can this section be shortened without losing essential information?

Results

Are the results properly introduced to orient the reader?

Can the figures and tables be understood on their own?

Does the text accurately reflect what is in figures and tables?

Does the text properly highlight the most important data in the figures and tables?

Is the text clear and brief?

Refining discussion

Are the results briefly summarized?

Is there sufficient interpretation of the results and how they fit in with current knowledge?

If a mechanism is involved, is it discussed?

Is there explanation of the significance of the findings?

Is there discussion of studies reporting results that conflict with yours?

Is the literature relevant and up to date?

Conclusion

Do the results justify the conclusion?

Is the conclusion deficient in providing only a summary of the results?

Is the conclusion defective in being over-generalized?

Is the indication of potentially fruitful future research specific enough?

Choice of references

Quality is important rather than quantity

Relevant

Up-to-date

Use reviews ONLY for general issues

Working just from abstracts leads to errors: read the papers

Check reference list

Accurate in content

Formatted according to journal style Full stops, commas, semicolons, spaces, and abbreviations

of journal names and/or author list are all important

This is the full responsibility of authors

Endnote or Reference Manager has become essential

Plagiarism

Copying text from another source is considered plagiarism EVEN WHEN THE REFERENCE IS CITED

Journals use software to detect plagiarism

Do not copy-paste even single sentences

Use your own words