Article Writing.ppt
- 1. Article Writing پزشكي مهندسيدانشکده By: Fereshteh Lagzi Motahareh Moghtadaei Nafiseh Erfanian Saeedi Sara Ranjbar
- 2. Introduction Pushing back the frontiers of science Spreading abroad
- 3. Introduction First Journals published in 1665 : Journal des sçavans Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society 1665
- 4. Presentation Agenda Principles of writing Types of Articles General Structure of a Research Paper Writing for a Journal in Biomedical Engineering Submission
- 6. Principles of Writing • Unity • Coherence • Support • Effective Paragraphs • Word choice
- 7. Unity If you advance a single point and stick to that point, You will have unity in your paper.
- 8. Unity To achieve unity is to have all the details in your paper related to your thesis. Goal
- 9. Unity To achieve unity is to have all the details in your paper related to your thesis. Goal Goal
- 10. Unity Unity is important in: paragraph level paper level A paragraph is unified when all of its sentences work towards the same end. An essay is unified when all of the paragraphs illustrate, clarify, explain, support and/or address the idea expressed in the essay's thesis statement.
- 11. Coherence Isaac Watts: “It was a saying of the ancients, ‘Truth lies in a well;’ and to carry on this metaphor, we may justly say that logic does supply us with steps, whereby we may go down to reach the water.”
- 12. Coherence If we are writing to entertain readers may just give up if they find our writing hard to follow they may have no choice but to struggle for comprehension our message may be lost
- 13. Coherence A Key Question is: does what we’ve written approach the subject in a logical way?
- 14. Coherence Common mistakes: • trying to force pieces together confusion e.g: “The women loved to cook, and there were three of them.” • no relationship exists between two parts of a sentence confusion e.g: “The women loved to cook, and the sky was very dark that day.”
- 15. Coherence methods can be used to organize our writing chronological order problem and solution cause and effect topical arrangement
- 16. Support If you support the point with specific evidence, You will have support in your paper.
- 23. Effective Paragraphs 1. A topic sentence A main idea is expressed, often as a generalisation 2. An explanatory sentence The meaning of the generalisation is elaborated on and explained 3. An illustration The application of the generalisation is shown by example 4. A conclusion This rounds off the points made in the paragraph and lead into the following paragraph
- 24. Word choice Rudyard Kipling: “Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” Joseph Joubert: “Words, like glass, obscure when they do not aid vision.”
- 25. Word choice Word choice involves several considerations: 1. Grammar 2. Simplicity & Variety 3. expressions with double meanings 4. sentence length
- 27. Types of Articles 1- general IMRAD scheme 2- Types of Articles 3- Research Poster
- 28. general IMRAD scheme Introduction, Methods, Results And Discussion IMRAD recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) 1978
- 29. general IMRAD scheme Abstract: a one-to-four-paragraph summary of the paper. Introduction: describes the background for the research Materials and methods: provides specific details Results: describes the outcome Discussion: describes implications of the research Conclusion: places the research in context and describes avenues for further exploration.
- 30. Types of Articles Research Notes Review Articles Miniature Articles Supplemental Articles Letters Research Papers Types of Journal Articles
- 31. Letters Letters (also called communications, and not to be confused with letters to the editor) are short descriptions of important current research findings which are usually fast-tracked for immediate publication because they are considered urgent.
- 33. Supplemental Articles Supplemental articles contain a large volume of tabular data that is the result of current research and may be dozens or hundreds of pages with mostly numerical data. Some journals now only publish this data electronically on the internet.
- 34. Miniature Articles The concise article format (limited to four journal pages including references and figures) permits the editorial board to process papers rapidly and enables the reader to learn about new results and developments efficiently.
- 35. Review Articles Review articles do not cover original research but rather accumulate the results of many different articles on a particular topic into a coherent narrative about the state of the art in that field. Examples of reviews 'Nature Reviews' ‘Critical Review in Biomedical Engineering’
- 36. Review Articles Review articles include: Abstract Introduction, Main body, references.
- 37. Research notes Research notes are short descriptions of current research findings which are considered less urgent or important than Letters.
- 38. Research Papers Articles are usually between five and twenty pages and are a complete descriptions of current original research finding, but there are considerable variations between scientific fields and journals
- 39. Research Poster
- 40. Research Poster Posters are typically shown during conferences, either as a complement to a talk or scientific paper, or as a publication. They can be a good introduction to a new piece of research before the paper is published. Poster presentations are often not peer-reviewed, but can instead be submitted, meaning that as many as can fit will be accepted.
- 41. Writing the manuscript The hardest part is getting started
- 42. You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. Get going!
- 43. General Structure Title Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Acknowledgements References
- 44. Write in what order? Title Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Acknowledgements References
- 45. Methods and materials Demonstrates the reliability of results. Best to begin writing when experiments still in progress. Should be detailed enough so results can be repeated by others. Include animal/human use approval information. Make adequate reference to accepted methods and identify differences. If any of your methods is fully described in a previous publication cite that. Mathematical equations and statistical tests are considered mathematical methods . (last paragraph)
- 46. Methods and materials Do not mention unnecessary details. it is unnecessary to write: “We poured N-free fertilizer solution into a graduated cylinder until the bottom of the meniscus was at the 30 ml line. We poured the fertilizer onto the top of the soil in a pot and then repeated this procedure 24 times.” Rather, you would assume that the scientist knows how to measure and add liquids to pots and write: “We added 30 ml of N-free fertilizer to each of 24 pots.”
- 47. Methods and materials Explain why each procedure was done Difficult to understand: First, I removed the frog muscle and then I poured ringer’s solution on it. Next, I attached it to the kymograph. Improved: I removed the frog muscle and poured Ringer’s solution on it to prevent it from drying out. I then attached the muscle to the kymograph in order to determine the minimum voltage required for contraction.
- 48. Methods and materials Subsections: 1. participants 2. apparatus (or materials) 3. procedure
- 49. Participants • Should be adequately described and should be representative. • The importance: – assessing the results – generalizing the findings – making comparisons in replications – literature reviews – secondary data analysis.
- 50. Participants • Major demographic characteristics should be reported: – sex and age – racial and ethnic designation – national origin – level of education – health status – language use
- 51. Apparatus • The function of the apparatus or materials used in the experiment • equipment obtained from a commercial supplier: – The model number of the equipment – The supplier's name and location • Complex or custom-made equipment: – Drawing – Photograph
- 52. Procedure • Summarize: – Instructions to the participants – Formation of the groups – Specific experimental manipulations • Describe: – control features in the design
- 53. Methods and materials Some examples of the titles of methods section:
- 54. Methods and materials (a good example)
- 55. Results Briefly repeating protocols can be effective Present the results of the experiment but not interpret their meaning. Do not over discuss results. It is not necessary to describe every step of your statistical analyses. e.g.: Just say something like: "Honeybees did not use the flowers in proportion to their availability (X2 = 7.9, p<0.05, d.f.= 4, chi-square test)."
- 56. Results Present main findings referring to tables/figures. Example: – Incorrect: The results are given in Figure 1. – Correct: Temperature was directly proportional to metabolic rate (Fig. 1).
- 57. Results "Nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased soy bean total biomass (p=0.05) regardless of the presence or absence of Rhizobium (Table 1).“ The sentence above is well written because: • The result of adding nitrogen is stated concisely • The word significantly is accompanied by the statistical probability level (p=0.05) • The scientific name Rhizobium is italicized • The reader is referred to a table where the data to support the statement can be found.
- 58. Tables and Figures • Straight forward and concise • Do not include the same data in both a table and a figure • Present the data in a table unless there is visual information that can be gained by using a figure. • A figure is useful for reporting: • a regression analysis (line graph), • comparing the several treatment levels (bar graph with error bars). • Avoid using figures that show too many variables or trends at once.
- 59. Tables and Figures • A table's legend appears above it. • A figure's legend appears below it. • Describe how the data were manipulated in a legend not in the text. • Each figure or table included in the paper should be referred.
- 61. Tables and Figures The good features of Table 1 are: (i) The legend explains key details. (ii) It is clear. (iii) It explains the meaning of unusual abbreviations.
- 63. Introduction • Importance/necessity of study • Write this section in the past or present tense, never in the future. – Avoid expressions like "This study will examine • this section should contain: 1. Current state of knowledge or understanding at the beginning of the investigation (background); 2. A statement of the purpose; 3. hypothesis/hypotheses and predictions.
- 64. Back ground • Introduce the reader to your research, not summarize and evaluate all past literature on the subject. • Save other studies you may be tempted to discuss for the Discussion, where they become a powerful tool for comparing and interpreting your results.
- 65. Statement of purpose • Expresses the central question you are asking and thus presents the variable you are investigating. • e.g.: – This study investigates the relationship between tree density and fruit size. – The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of enzyme concentration on the reaction rate of ....
- 66. Hypothesis • The explanation you are proposing for certain observations. • It should be accompanied by a prediction of results. • e.g.: – If competition lowers reproductive output, then fruit size should be smaller when tree density increases.
- 67. Introduction • Some editors think that: The principal results and conclusions should be summarized in the Introduction. • Most biologists disagree, arguing that such a summary appears in the abstract and should not be repeated in the Introduction. – Don’t repeat abstract in introduction – Don’t repeat introduction in discussion
- 68. Introduction • Rules for citation in text: – Use authors last names • "Smith (1983) found that N-fixing plants could be infected by several different species of Rhizobium." – If there are more than two authors, the last name of the 1st author is given followed by the abbreviation et al . • "Walnut trees are known to be allelopathic (Smith 1949, Bond et al. 1955, Jones and Green 1963)." – sources are ordered by publication date.
- 69. An example for the 1st paragraph:
- 70. An example for the final paragraph:
- 71. Discussion • analyze the data and relate them to other studies. • The Discussion should contain at least: 1. The relationship between the results and the original hypothesis. 2. An integration of your results with those of previous studies . 3. Possible explanations for unexpected results and observations.
- 72. Discussion • Trends that are not statistically significant can still be discussed. • Avoid redundancy between the Results and the Discussion section. • End the Discussion with a summary of the principal points you want the reader to remember. • Do not end with: – the tired cliche’ that "this problem needs more study." – What you wish you had done..
- 74. References • Relevant and recent • Be highly selective • Read the references • Do not misquote • Use correct style for journal
- 75. Abstract • Critical part of paper • State main objective • Summarize most important results • Avoid acronyms and mathematical symbols Write and rewrite until flawless!!
- 76. Abstract Two examples of well-written abstracts
- 77. Abstract
- 78. Abstract Both abstracts: Tell the reader what to expect Summarize important contribution Entice the reader to look further Have no detailed quantitative results
- 79. Title • Determines whether paper gets read • Uses keywords that researchers in a particular field will recognize • Avoid long title (see journal rules) and abbreviations
- 80. Title Not designed to catch the reader's fancy!
- 81. Process of Research Completion of research Preparation of manuscript Submission of manuscript Review Decision Revision Resubmission Re-review Acceptance Publication Rejection Rejection
- 82. Writing for Journals in Biomedical Engineering
- 83. Biomedical Engineering is an example of a field where new technology and rapid application of new ideas creates a competitive, fast-paced environment.
- 84. It is important to publish often to be regarded as a source of good science and creative ideas
- 85. Common Difficulties • Poor English skills • Lack of publishing experience • Multidisciplinary nature of Biomedical Engineering (comprised of Engineers, Scientist, and Physicians )
- 86. Style and jargon used in Biomedical Engineering is markedly different from what is found in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Biotechnology journals.
- 87. Academic Writing Interview Dr. Richard Komistek (Director of Rocky Mountain Musculoskeletal Research Laboratory, Denver Colorado) and Dr. Reed Ayers (Professor at Colorado School of Mines, Golden Colorado) answer: How to construct a well-written article for publication in the Biomedical Engineering discipline…
- 88. Academic Writing Interview Is there a difference between publishing in other disciplines of engineering than in Biomedical Engineering? If so, what are they?
- 89. Your audience selection is very important !
- 90. Academic Writing Interview What problems do students you have advised typically have when constructing papers?
- 92. Academic Writing Interview How can an article be made more interesting without making the science less important?
- 93. Write a very strong abstract !
- 94. Academic Writing Interview Are there any style tips you give your students when it comes time to publish?
- 95. LOVE YOUR DATA !!
- 96. Journals Choosing the right journal Aims and scope Types of articles Current hot topics Readership Impact Factor Immediacy Index
- 97. Some Useful Journals.. IEEE transaction on biomedical engineering IEEE transaction on medical imaging IEEE transaction on signal processing IEEE transaction on image processing Journal of neuroscience methods Neuroscience Cybernetics and systems Biomedical signal processing and control Chaos, Solitons & Fractals Magnetic resonance imaging Neural networks Neurocomputing Fuzzy sets and systems Brain research Journal of bioengineering and biomembranes
- 98. Revision before Submission Why revision is important?
- 99. Is your paper worth other’s time?
- 100. Cover letter • Your name • Editor name(s) • Desired Reviewers • Originality of submission
- 101. Typical reviewer Read the guide for authors for God’s sake!!!
- 102. Reasons for early rejection • Limited interest of paper • Routine application of a well-known method • No novelty • Failure to meet submission requirements • Incomplete coverage of literature • Unacceptably poor English
- 103. Rejection : not the end of the world
- 104. Ethical issues
- 105. If there is plagiarism or other ethical problems, the corresponding author cannot hide behind or remain innocent. Multiple submission You should not send your manuscript to a second journal UNTIL you receive the FINAL DECISION OF THE FIRST JOURNAL Redundant Publication Plagiarism = theft Data Fabrication Improper use of humananimal in research Improper author contribution Two or more papers without full cross reference share the same hypothesis, Data, Analysis or conclusion
- 106. What gets you accepted? • Attention to details • Check and double check your work • Consider the reviews • English must be as good as possible • Presentation is important • Take your time with revision • Acknowledge those who have helped you • New, original and previously unpublished • Critically evaluate your own manuscript • Ethical rules must be obeyed ACCEPTANCE
- 107. Acknowledgement Special Thanks to Dr.Towhidkhah & Many Thanks to Ms.Babaee
- 108. Good luck!!
- 109. References 1- Scott A. Socolofsky, How to write a research journal article in engineering and science 2- Mark Dace, Writing for Publication in Biomedical Engineering 3- How to Write a Paper Mike Ashby Engineering Department, University of Cambridge, Cambridge 6rd Edition, April 2005 4-How to Write a World Class Paper From title to references From submission to revision
- 110. References 5- How to Get Published in LIS Journals:A Practical Guide Elsevier library connect-partnering with the library community 6- How to write a research journal article in engineering and science By Scott A. Socolofsky 7- How to Publish a Good Article and to Reject a Bad One. Notes of a Reviewer A. L. Fradkov 8- Day, RA. “How to write and publish a scientific paper,” 5th edition, Oryx Press, 1998.
- 111. References 9- Fischer BA, Zigmond MJ. “Components of a research article.” 10- Marshal GS. “Writing a peer reviewed article.” http://dor.umc.edu/ARCHIVES/GMarshallPublishingarticle .ppt 11- Hall, JE. “Writing research papers (and getting them published)” http://dor.umc.edu/ARCHIVES/GMarshallPublishingarti cle.ppt 12- Benos, D., Reich, M. “Peer review and publication in APS journals.”