Scientific Writing

What to include:

• Usually includes 4 sections:  (corresponds with each of the paper sections) 
  • Background/Objectives: include the hypothesis
  • Methods: Briefly explain the type of study, sample/population size and description, the design, and any particular techniques for data collection and analysis
  • Results: Essential data, including statistically significant data (use # & %)
  • Conclusions: Summarize interpretations of results and explain if hypothesis was supported or rejected

Tips:

• Be concise!
• Emphasize the methods and results
• Do not copy the introduction
• Only include data that is included in the paper
• Write the abstract last
• Avoid jargon and ambiguity
• Should stand-alone

Additional resources:
Fisher, W.E. (2005) Abstract Writing. Journal of Surgical Research. 128(2):162-4. PubMed ID: 16165161

Mott, S. (2014). The process of writing an abstract. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 29(4), 383-385. PubMed ID: 24855958

Peh, W.C. and Ng, K.H. (2008) Abstract and keywords. Singapore Medical Journal. 49(9): 664-6. PubMed ID: 18830537

What to include:

• Review the literature
  • How does your study fit into what has been done
  • Explain evidence using limited # of references
• Discuss the problem/question
  • Why is it important
  • How does it relate to previous research
• State hypothesis at the end

Tips:

• Use present tense
• Be succinct
• Clearly state objectives
• Explain important work done

Additional resources:
Annesley, T. M. (2010) "It was a cold and rainy night": set the scene with a good introduction. Clinical Chemistry. 56(5):708-13. PubMed ID: 20207764
Peh, W.C. and Ng, K.H. (2008) Writing the introduction. Singapore Medical Journal. 49(10):756-8. PubMed ID: 18946606 

What to include:

• Outline the design of experiment
  • What was done
• Describe materials or subjects
  • Include characteristics
  • Describe recruitment, participation, withdrawal, etc.
• Describe data collected and methods used for collection
  • Type of study (RCT, cohort, case-controlled, etc.)
  • Equipment used
  • Measurements made
  • Time-line
• Describe statistical analysis
  • Usually the final paragraph

Tips:

• Include enough details so others can duplicate study
• Use past tense
• Be direct and precise
• Include any preliminary results
• Ask for help from a statistician to write description of statistical analysis
• Be systematic

Additional resources:
Lallet, R. H. (2004) How to write the methods section of a research paper. Respiratory Care. 49(10): 1229-32. PubMed ID: 15447808
Ng, K.H. and Peh, W.C. (2008) Writing the materials and methods. Singapore Medical Journal. 49(11): 856-9. PubMed ID: 19037549

What to include:

• Describe study sample demographics
• Present the data
  • Include statistical significance and the statistical test used
  • Use tables and figures when appropriate

Tips:

• Use past tense
• Present in a logical sequence
• Facts only - no citations or interpretations
• Tables & figures 
  • Should stand alone (not need written descriptions to be understood)
  • Include title, legend, and axes labels
• Include raw numbers with percentages
• Watch wording
  • General phrases (significance, show trend, etc. should be used with caution)
  • Data is plural ("Our data are" is correct, "Our data is" is in-correct)

Additional resources:
Ng, K.H and Peh, W.C. (2008) Writing the results. Singapore Medical Journal. 49(12):967-9. PubMed ID: 19122944
Streiner, D.L. (2007) A shortcut to rejection: how not to write the results section of a paper. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 52(6):385-9. PubMed ID: 17696025

What to include:

• Relate major findings to your hypothesis
  • Did you reject your null hypothesis?
• Include a focused review of literature in relation to results
• Interpret the results
  • Explain meaning of statistical findings
  • Explain importance/relevance 
  • Include all possible explanations
• Discuss possible limitations of study
• Suggest future work that could be done

Tips:

• Use past tense to describe your study and present tense to describe established knowledge from literature
• Don't criticize other studies, contrast it with your work
• Don't make conclusions not supported by your results
• Stay focused and concise
• Include key, relevant references
• It is considered good manners to include an acknowledgements section

Additional resources:
Annesley, T. M. (2010) The discussion section: your closing argument. Clinical Chemistry. 56(11):1671-4. PubMed ID: 20833779
Ng, K.H. and Peh, W.C. (2009) Writing the discussion. Singapore Medical Journal. 50(5):458-61. PubMed ID: 19495512

Tables & Figures:
Durbin, C. G. (2004) Effective use of tables and figures in abstracts, presentations, and papers. Respiratory Care. 49(10): 1233-7. PubMed ID: 15447809
Ng, K. H. and Peh, W.C.G. (2009) Preparing effective tables. Singapore Medical Journal. (50)2: 117-9. PubMed ID: 19296024

Statistics:
Ng, K. H. and Peh, W.C.G. (2009) Presenting the statistical results. Singapore Medical Journal. (50)1: 11-4. PubMed ID: 19224078

References:
Peh, W.C.G. and Ng, K. H. (2009) Preparing the references. Singapore Medical Journal. (50)7: 11-4. PubMed ID: 19644619