How to Write Scientific Papers

Dr Dipankar Dasgupta MS

How to Write Scientific Papers

Dr Dipankar Dasgupta MS

Types of Scientific Writings

• Editorial

• Original Article• Review Article• Case Reports• Letter to Editor• Personal Views • Special Communication• How I do it? • Abstract • Meta-Analysis

Editorial

An editorial is an article in a journal, newspaper or magazine that expresses the editor's personal bias.

EXAMPLE How to Review an Article. Satish K. Shukla. Indian Journal of Surgery Volume 72 Number 2, 93-96, 2010.

Bariatrics, Metabolic Dysfunction and the Surgeon. Anil Sharma. Indian Journal of Surgery Volume 72, Number 4, 283-284, 2010.

Original ArticleOriginal article is the predominant type of publication for articles.

EXAMPLE•Quality-of-life: A study on patients of carcinoma breast and its pitfalls in Indian society. A.K. Shah and L.S. Vohra. Indian Journal of Surgery Volume 72, Number 2 107-111. Preoperative ultrasound guided needle localisation for non-palpable breast lesions. Kalyan Das. Diptendra Kumar Sarkar, RejaulKarim and Asim Kumar Manna. Indian Journal of Surgery Volume 72, Number 2,2010.

A comprehensive article published after examination of all available published material on a subject.

EXAMPLE

Triple assessment in the diagnosis of breast cancer in Kashmir . Masooda Jan, Javed Ahmed Mattoo, Nazir, Ahmed Salroo and Shahnawaz Ahangar. Indian Journal of Surgery, Volume 72, Number 2,97-103. 2010. Rare cause of intestinal obstruction - Vaginal enterocele. Dharmendra Mehta, Deval, M B Shaam and J K Yadav. Indian Journal of Surgery Volume 72, Number 2, 104-106,2010.

A clinical presentation that is followed by thorough investigations and leads to a diagnosis.

EXAMPLE Primary hyperparathyroidism: A report of two unusual

cases. Sanoop K. Zachariah and P.A. Thomas. Indian Journal of Surgery Volume 72 Number 2,135-137, 2010. •The ileosigmoid knot. Rajaram Burrah, Arun Menon, H. Pathan, R.Ravikanth and Arun Kilpadi. Indian Journal of Surgery Volume 72 Number 2,140-142, 2010.

Is hyperaldosteronism a pathognomonic feature of conn’ssyndrome? R. Nagaraj, K Kuberan, M.S. Senthil Kumar and M. Chandresekaran. Indian Journal of Surgery Volume 72 Number 2,146-148, 2010.

If you are deeply concerned about something you've seen, heard or read, write a passionate point of view to the editor of the journal.

The incidence of soft tissue sarcoma in Daskhina

Kannada: Study in a district government hospital. Bobby V.M. Dasari Indian Journal of Surgery Volume 72 Number 2,146-148, 2010.

Extended pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer. SagarSadhu and Manas Kr Roy. Indian Journal of Surgery Volume 72 Number 2,168-169, 2010.

Opinion essays require a combination of personal and argumentative approach-

EXAMPLE

Hippocratic Oath, 21st Century. Anand Kumar. Indian Journal of Surgery Volume 72 Number 2,171-175, 2010.

A work mostly related to a particular topic.

EXAMPLE FOR INSTITUTION AND SURGEONS

Sir Astley Paston CooperHistory, English Surgeon and Anatomist . Rikki Singhal, Rajinder Pal Singal, Amit Mittal, Sudeep Sangwan and Nidhi Gupta. Indian Journal of Surgery Volume 72 Number 3, 93-96, 2010. (Online first)

ABOUT SURGICAL TECHNIQUES AND INNOVATIONS

Radiographic griding of subcutaneous soft tissue metallic foreign bodies in emergency department. Akhilesh Kr Agarwal, Utpal De, Udita Ray, AnshuAgarwal and Pankaj Singodia. Indian Journal of Surgery Volume 72 Number 2,133-134, 2010.

The economical way to off-load diabetic foot ulcers [Mandakini off-loading device]. Sunil V.Kari. Indian Journal of Surgery Volume 72 Number 2,133-134, 2010.

Brief summary of a research article, thesis, review, conference proceeding or any in-depth analysis of a particular subject. It is a self-contained, short, and powerful statement that describes a larger work.

Comparison of Ligasure Hemorrhoidectomy with Conventional Ferguson’s Hemorrhoidectomy. Rahul Khanna, Seema Khanna, Shilpi Bhadani, Sanjay Singh and Ajay K. KhannaAbstract

Conventional hemorrhoidectomy for grade III and IV hemorrhoids is a tedious procedure associated with significant morbidity and a prolonged convalescence. We compared Ligasure™ hemorrhoidectomy with conventional ‘closed’ Ferguson’s hemorrhoidectomy for the treatment of grade III and IV hemorrhoids…………..

Keywords Hemorrhoidectomy - Ligasure - Ferguson’s

consists of several studies using a quantitative method of combining the results of independent studies drawn from the published literature and synthesizing summaries and conclusions which may be used to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness or plan new studies.

It is often an overview of clinical trials.

EXAMPLEMeta-analysis of laparoscopic and open distal gastrectomy for gastric

carcinoma. Muhammad Ashraf Memon, Shahjahan Khan, Richard Barr and Breda Memon. Surgical Endoscopy Volume 22, Number 8, 1781 – 1789, 2009.

HOUR GLASS STRUCTURE KING STRUCTURE

Title

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusions

Acknowledgements

References

Short, specific but comprehensive

No abbreviations

Should be easy to catalogue

Objective

Design

Setting

Patients and methods

Results

Conclusions

Key words

Word limit

Current status

Highlight the gaps in knowledge which the proposed research will fill.

State what you intend to do and

Give relevent references

Study design

What subjects/animals/specimens or techniques were used?

Reason for selecting the experimental design of the study

Statistical methods used for analysis

Material and Methods - if inanimate specimens have

been used. Numbers

How are they grouped - (cases /controls)

Exclusion and inclusion criteria

Informed consent obtained

Description of technique – confirm validity of the method and results.

Repeat the study to ascertain validity.

Standard technique - give reference with any modifications should be clearly explained

Drug trial – complete description of trial

Statistical methods or statistical package employed for verification of results.

(consult a statistician before starting the study)

Presentation of facts, measurements,

and observations gathered by the author

Start with the results that are easier to interpret

Results should be set out in tables and figures

Main results should be summarised at the beginning of discussion

Mention previous results or that can be compared with the current study.

What gaps in knowledge remain to be filled?

Last paragraph - message of the article

Where further research is needed

Future work

Thank all those who deserve recognition for their contribution - staff and Institutions providing financial support.

1.Articles Vega K., Pina I., Krevisky B. Heart transplantation is associated with an increased risk for pancreaticobiliary disease. Ann Intern Med 1996 Jun 1: 124(11): 980-3

2. Books Phillips SJ, Whisnant JP. Hypertension and stroke. In: Laragh JH, Bremier BM, editors. Hypertension: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. 2nd ed. New York: Raven Press; 1995. P.465-78.

3. Thesis and DissertationKaplan SJ. Post-hospital home health care: the elderly's access and untilizaiion (dissertation]. St. Louis (MO): Washington Univ: 1995.

4. Electronic material Morse SS. Factors in the emergence of infectious disease. EmergInftect Dis [serial online] 1995 Jan-Mar (cited 1996 Jun 5]; 1(1): [24 screens]. Available from URL: http:/www.cdc.gov/ncdod/EID/eid.htm

authors should qualify for authorship

Requirements for Submission of Manuscript -Must Read Instructions to Authors -requirements for submission of manuscripts

Required number of copies/ figures / photos / photographs

Covering letter signed by all co-authors

Approved by all authors and not been submitted else where

Choose an appropriate Journal – ask for favourite journal of your Faculty.

Go through the requirements for submission of manuscripts.

Write simple grammatically correct sentences

Avoid irrelevant details

Show the draft to colleagues – 5 times Rule

Read final draft carefully

No grammatical or typographic mistakes