Writing a Scientific Paper

M Ballow, MDDivision of Allergy & Immunology

Department of PediatricsUniversity at Buffalo

Processes to consider before you can write a paper

• Proposal and hypothesis

• Anatomy of a study– Design -

• Clinical study - case control, randomized placebo- controlled, etc

• In vitro experiments

• Animal model

– Statistical considerations - power analysis

Processes to consider before you can write a paper

• Methods - how are you going to collect the data– Supplies, equipment, personnel

• Data collection

• Data analysis

• Now are you ready to write the paper?

Create Displays of the Data.

· Raw Samples/Photographs

· Tables

· Graphs

· Figures

The Data

• Data manager-– Excel spreadsheet– Specialized program with graphing capability

• Prism

Crunch the Data

• Appropriate statistical analysis of the raw data– Computer programs

• Prism, Statview, SSPS, others

– Seek help or consultation

Format for Most Scientific Papers• Title• Authorship/ institutions• Abstract

– Key words– Nonstandard abbreviation

• Introduction• Methods and material• Results• Discussion• Conclusion• Acknowledgments- people, grants, others• References

Write The Methods Section First.

• This is simply a description of what methods you used• “Spell out” detail

– Reagents (source), special equipment– If published elsewhere - reference material

Write The Results Section Second.

This is a description of what you found.

RESULTS:

The text is often quite short.

The data displays are the heart of this section.

Highlight important points with Tables and figures.

Results section

• Divide into subsections to make it easier to understand– Start each subsection with a statement of the

experimental plan– Example -

“Specific mAbs identify CD32 isoforms and CD32a allelic variants by flow cytometry”

Results section

• A picture is worth a “thousand” words– Use tables, figures and pictures (microscopy)

• Use text to pull together the data, tables, graphs, and figures you have created.

Data presentation

• Tables

• Graphs

• Photographs

Table 1. Inhibitory effect of trichostatin A (TSA) on glucocorticoid suppression of interleukin (IL)-8 cytokine release in U937, HUT-78 and Jurkat cells.

IL-8 expression U937 Hut-78 Jurkat

Dex suppression (% max. LPS) 28 ± 3% 43 ± 5% 33 ± 3%Dex suppression (% max. LPS) + TSA 14 ± 4%* 21 ± 9%* 30 ± 15%TA suppression (% max. LPS) 66 ± 9% 55 ± 6% 43 ± 3%TA suppression (% max. LPS) + TSA 23 ± 3%* 15 ± 4%* 10 ± 2%*Dex suppression (% max. TNF-α) 28 ± 4% 20 ± 3% 16 ± 2%Dex suppression (% max. TNF-α) + TSA

21·5 ± 5%* 9 ± 2%* 14 ± 4%TA suppression (% max. TNF-α) 40 ± 4% 42 ± 3% 46 ± 4%TA suppression (% max. TNF-α) + TSA

11 ± 3%* 7 ± 2%* 6·5 ± 2%*

Results are expressed as mean ± SD. *P < 0·05 compared to suppressive effect of steroid alone. Dex: dexamethasone; LPS: lipopolysaccharide; TNF-α: tumour necrosis factor-α.c

Anatomy of a Table

Anatomy of a Figure

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Photomicrograph

DISCUSSION:

· Know the relevant literature.

· Have the articles (not just theabstracts) at your disposal.

· Enter the bibliography into End Note or software of your choice.

Discussion

• The first few paragraphs should highlight new findings/ discovery from your data

• Compare your results with the literature– Be specific– Cite the literature– Be critical but nice/diplomatic

Discussion

• Conclude only that which you have proven with your data.

• Speculate in last paragraph– Diagrams– Make it clear that this is speculation

WRITE THE “INTRODUCTION”

FOURTH.

Introduction• Give enough background (with references) to set

up the importance of your question or hypothesis• Last paragraph

– Briefly state the results– Importance of the results

• Example - “Our findings have important implications for understanding the pathophysiology of disease-mediated by immune complexes and for developing antibody and DC-based therapies------”

WRITE THE ABSTRACT-

FIFTH

Abstract

• Think of it as pulling out (abstracting)the crucial parts from each of the previousSections

• Some Journals have sections within the “abstract” - background- objective- methods- results- conclusion

Write Your Title - Last.

• By now you should know what the core of the paper is.

• Often the title is a phrase or sentence which

encapsulates your conclusion.

“The anti-inflammatory activity of IVIG is mediated through the inhibitory Fc receptor”

The Title and Abstract Are Important

• 10 to 100 people will read your title for every one that reads the abstract.

• 10 to 100 people will read the abstract for every one that reads the paper.

PERSONAL SUGGESTIONS

• Set aside blocks of time to write (2-3 hrs.).

• It helps to briefly outline the section first.

• Once you start writing just let the ideas flow.

• Fix paragraph order, sentence structure and word choice later.

• Do multiple drafts.

STYLE

In scientific writing clarity is the mostimportant thing.

Better to be clear than to befuzzy.

Avoid abbreviation unless they are truly necessary and unless they are standardized in the literature.

DON’T GET DISCOURAGED

• Most papers require multiple drafts before submission

- have a colleague read the manuscript

• Most publications require multiple submissions before acceptance

-decide on a hierarchy of appropriate journals

- be realistic

Summary

Be proud of yourself!