How to Write a Research Paper
HOW TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE RESEARCH PAPER
• Getting ready with data • First draft • Structure of a scientific paper • Selecting a journal • Submission • Revision and galley proof
Disclaimer: The suggestions and remarks in this presentation are based on personal research experience. Research practices and approaches vary. Exercise your own judgment regarding the suitability of the content. –P. Kamat
Getting ready with data
Gather all important data, analyses, plots and tables Organize results so that they follow a logical sequence (this may or may not be in the order of experiments conducted) Consolidate data plots and create figures for the manuscript (Limit the number of total figures (6-8 is usually a good number). Include additional data, multimedia in the Supporting Information.) Discuss the data with your advisor and note down important points
Important: KNOW the focus of your paper It takes a wise man to know whether he has found a ROPE or LOST A MULE.
- Anonymous quote
?
First draft
Identify two or three important findings emerging from the experiments. Make them the central theme of the article. Note good and bad writing styles in the literature. Some are simple and easy to follow, some are just too complex. Note the readership of the journal that you are considering to publish your work Prepare figures, schemes and tables in a professional manner (Pay attention to quantification of data accuracy, significant digits, error bars,)
0.001 0.00100 1x10-3 -- one sig fig 1.00x10-3 -- three sig figs
Structure of a scientific paper
Title Abstract
TOC Graphics
Introduction
Experimental Section
(Some papers require this section to be at the end)
Results and Discussion Conclusions Acknowledgments References Supporting Information
Title
Compose a title that is simple, attractive and accurately reflects the investigation -Phrases to avoid: Investigation, Study, Novel, Facile etc. - Avoid Acronyms that are known only to specialized
• Getting ready with data • First draft • Structure of a scientific paper • Selecting a journal • Submission • Revision and galley proof
Disclaimer: The suggestions and remarks in this presentation are based on personal research experience. Research practices and approaches vary. Exercise your own judgment regarding the suitability of the content. –P. Kamat
Getting ready with data
Gather all important data, analyses, plots and tables Organize results so that they follow a logical sequence (this may or may not be in the order of experiments conducted) Consolidate data plots and create figures for the manuscript (Limit the number of total figures (6-8 is usually a good number). Include additional data, multimedia in the Supporting Information.) Discuss the data with your advisor and note down important points
Important: KNOW the focus of your paper It takes a wise man to know whether he has found a ROPE or LOST A MULE.
- Anonymous quote
?
First draft
Identify two or three important findings emerging from the experiments. Make them the central theme of the article. Note good and bad writing styles in the literature. Some are simple and easy to follow, some are just too complex. Note the readership of the journal that you are considering to publish your work Prepare figures, schemes and tables in a professional manner (Pay attention to quantification of data accuracy, significant digits, error bars,)
0.001 0.00100 1x10-3 -- one sig fig 1.00x10-3 -- three sig figs
Structure of a scientific paper
Title Abstract
TOC Graphics
Introduction
Experimental Section
(Some papers require this section to be at the end)
Results and Discussion Conclusions Acknowledgments References Supporting Information
Title
Compose a title that is simple, attractive and accurately reflects the investigation -Phrases to avoid: Investigation, Study, Novel, Facile etc. - Avoid Acronyms that are known only to specialized
References: IF(2008) = No Ten characteristics of an incredibly dull paper Sand-Jenson in Oikos 2007, 116 723 (C&E News Sept 10, 2007)