How to Write and Illustrate a Scientific Paper
Björn Gustavii
Language: English
Pages: 170
ISBN: B00GC36NH8
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
This second edition of How to Write and Illustrate a Scientific Paper will help both first-time writers and more experienced authors, in all biological and medical disciplines, to present their results effectively. Whilst retaining the easy-to-read and well-structured approach of the previous edition, it has been broadened to include comprehensive advice on writing compilation theses for doctoral degrees, and a detailed description of preparing case reports. Illustrations, particularly graphs, are discussed in detail, with poor examples redrawn for comparison. The reader is offered advice on how to present the paper, where and how to submit the manuscript, and finally, how to correct the proofs. Examples of both good and bad writing, selected from actual journal articles, illustrate the author's advice - which has been developed through his extensive teaching experience - in this accessible and informative guide.
participants, “But if we ask the subjects they might say no” (Holmes 1997). That’s right. When patients have a free choice, few studies have a consent rate of 100 percent. So, if you are writing the often seen 64 How to Write and Illustrate a Scientific Paper construction “All patients gave informed consent,” give it a second look. Probably you are referring only to those patients who had already been enrolled in the study. If that is the case, say so. If, on the other hand, you are referring
2001). Methods 67 14 Results As the reporting of the randomized controlled trial covers most aspects of the principles of scientific writing, I have used it as a model for this chapter. This approach spares us tedious repetition. The chapter therefore has two parts: the flow of participants and their follow-up; and the outcome of the study. Participant flow and follow-up Figure 14.1 Trial profile. (Reproduced, with permission, from K. Sliwa, D. Skudicky, G. Candy, T. Wisenbaugh, P. Sareli,
Randomised investigation of effects of pentoxifylline on left-ventricular performance in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, The Lancet 1988; 351(9109):1091–3, © The Lancet Ltd.) 68 How to Write and Illustrate a Scientific Paper This seemingly fine flow chart (14.1) would have been even more informative if it had included two additional boxes above the first one, giving the numbers of patients screened and excluded. Here is part of a flow chart with such information. Figure 14.2 Part of a flow
Gill 1983) shows unused sequences from Chaplin’s productions. Some of them are far funnier than those actually included in the final versions of his films. Why were they excluded? Chaplin gives the answer in his autobiography (Chaplin 1973). “If a gag interfered with the logic of events, no matter how funny it was, I would not use it.” You are thus recommended to do as Chaplin did and resist the urge to include every item of evidence obtained. In other words, do not include observations that depart
from the main theme – no matter how interesting these may seem to be (you will probably find space for them elsewhere, or they could give rise to hypotheses to be tested in future studies). However, if such information cries out to be mentioned, you can insert it parenthetically – as I did in the previous sentence. Researchers are often short of time. I once heard of a scientist who only had time to read papers while driving to work! That is one reason for keeping a paper short; another is that