How to Write and Publish a Scientific

Paper
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What is scientific writing

Technical writing by scientists
Audience include peers/other scientists

Research a two-way process

Need to be received to be understood
Communicate new scientific findings
As precisely as possible
Neither literature nor poetry
Clearly stated problem
Precise and accurate conclusion
New knowledge to be shared for the first time
Publication = ultimate reward of scientific research

What is a scientific paper

Definition: A written and published report describing

original research results

Criteria: The report must be the first publication of original
research results
Aim: To publish in a journal/other source document readily
available within the scientific community

Origins of scientific writing

Knowledge is lost without written records
Started in the 14th century
First science journal:1665
Evolution shows the trend from Ancient Greece to the Middle
Ages, and finally to the invention of the printing press

IMRAD
IMRAD [Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion]
Highly structured and rigid (originality in the content not in the
form)
Requested by most editors because of simplicity
Most logical method to communicate research results
An easy roadmap for authors editors referees readers
Introduction (Provides context and rationale for the study)
Methods (Describes the experimental design and

experimental procedures for the reproducibility of results)

Results (Summarizes the findings without interpretation)
And
Discussion (Interprets the study findings)

A birds eye view

Essential parts of scientific writing include the
following:
Title: Describes concisely the core contents of the paper with
fewest possible words
Abstract: Summarizes the major elements of the paper,
which leaves an impact on the readers; self-contained
Introduction: Provides context and rationale for the study
Materials: Describes the experimental design so it is
reproducible
Methods: Describes the experimental procedures

A birds eye view

Results: Summarizes the findings without interpretation

Discussion: Interprets the study findings

Summary: Summarizes the findings

Acknowledgement: Gives credit to advisors; to those who

helped in writing/collecting data; and to those who helped

financially
References: Lists all scientific papers, books, and websites
that have been cited

Role of editors
To check for grammar

Ensure there are no mis-spelt words

Do away with wordiness/redundant words

Check for style and formatting on the basis of journal

guidelines
Check facts and raise queries with the author
See that all tables/figures/references/appendixes are cited
check illustrations and captions are correct

Editors must have:

Excellent written English, including good spelling and

grammar
A meticulous approach to their work and an eye for detail
The ability to maintain high-quality work while meeting tight
deadlines
A love of and feel for language.

Importance of correct language

Avoid a complex sentence structure
Use simple and clear English
Punctuate the sentences correctly

Always keep in mind that the

paragraph is the essential unit of

thought
Poor experimentation cannot be
masked by brilliant writing. BUT,
poor writing can mask
brilliant experimentation

Outline
What is scientific writing

What is a scientific paper

Origins of scientific writing

IMRAD
A birds eye view

Role of editors
Importance of correct language
Outline