The most common question you might have about how to write a scientific paper is, “How do I structure my article?” The answer lies in how you write your article. Scientific articles are structured to guide readers through the research. The most common structure is IMRaD (Information, Measurement, Research, and Development), which dictates what you write and how in-depth you write. Here are some tips on structuring your article:
Figures and tables are the backbone of a scientific paper
A scientific paper would not be complete without figures and tables. A table can provide a detailed description of the results. Usually, tables and figures should be typed in double-spaced, Arabic numerals format. When referencing a table or figure, authors should use capitalization to make it easier for readers to understand. They should be formatted as separate pages, if possible.
To submit your figures and tables, you must have high-quality prints of each figure and table. You must label the print only on the back. The editorial office will scan your figures at the right size and upload them to the manuscript. However, this will delay the processing of your manuscript. To submit high-quality prints of your figures, you may consult the IT department of your institution for help. For any questions or concerns regarding the art quality, please contact the editorial office of your journal.
Materials and methods section should be interesting
The Materials and Methods section of a scientific paper should contain detailed information about the experiments you conducted. Its purpose is to ensure the credibility of your research. Therefore, materials and procedures should be appropriate, valid, and reproducible. Moreover, it should be organized and presented in an interesting way to entice the reader. In addition, the Materials and Methods section should include all details needed for replicability of the experiments.
The Materials and Methods section of a scientific paper should tell a story. The research methods should be explained in a chronological manner, so that the reader can retrace the development of the study. It may begin with the study setting, number of patients or subjects, and the design of the experiment. Next, it should describe the methods used to collect the data. After this, the paper should explain the results obtained and the implications of the findings.
Discussion should summarize existing knowledge on the topic
In your paper, the discussion section should summarize the findings of your research. Your findings should be supported by references from previous studies. Your ideas should be critical, evaluations of the findings and learning points should be included in each paragraph. If your study was original, it may be cited in other sources. The Discussion section should not be more than seven or eight paragraphs. Do not go beyond 200 words per paragraph. You can break it up into 3 paragraphs.
Avoid slang
One of the most important guidelines for writers when it comes to the use of slang is that you should never use idiomatic expressions or slang words. Slang can be confusing for those outside of your field. In addition, the language used by authors in certain cultures is often regional, so it might cause some confusion to readers who do not speak the language. Therefore, when writing a scientific paper, it is wise to avoid using slang terms.
In addition to avoiding slang when writing a scientific paper, scientists should avoid using colloquial diction. This type of language is highly informal and often comes and goes quickly. Slang terms are vivid and expressive, but they are best left out of academic writing. You should also avoid using abbreviated versions of words and overuse of short sentences, as these words and expressions tend to convey an informal tone.
Avoid unspecific expressions
In writing a scientific paper, you should avoid using nonspecific expressions such as “very cold” and “super” because they imply nothing in particular. Also, avoid using vague words like “very” and “very hot”. Such terms can mean different things to different people and can make your paper unreadable. You should make sure to write in precise terms and avoid using “very” as a key term.
Species names, complex drug names, numerical exponents, and unspecified units should be avoided in journal articles. Also, avoid adverbs and obvious conjunctions, since they add nothing to the meaning of the sentence. Scientific names of studied organisms should be capitalized and italicized. You should also wrap the title of your paper within fifty to one hundred characters, because shorter titles get cited more often.
Avoid omitting crucial information from the methods section
The methods section of a scientific paper should contain the experimental procedures and techniques you used. Using block flow diagrams is a great way to explain how you did the experiment. However, if you leave out details, your research may not be accepted. You must follow the guidelines provided by the target journal. Alternatively, you can consult the style guidelines published by the American Psychological Association for writing the methods section of a scientific paper.
There are some common pitfalls in presenting data, and omitting data from this section is a huge no-no. For example, if you have multiple data points and figures in your paper, you may want to omit the data if they do not have direct relevance to the topic of the paper. Nonetheless, it is common to report interesting incidental findings that you are not particularly interested in discussing in your results section.