Paper Writing and Abstract Writing Prof. Peih-ying Lu School of Medicine Kaohsiung Medical University
Components of a research paper Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Conclusion
Introduction Components: Study background Importance of nature and context of the problem Concise review of the literature Summarized rationale for the study Purpose of the article/research
Methods Selection and Description of Participants Technical information Statistics
Methods – Components 1 General introduction and overview of the materials and methods/how the research was carried out Subheadings: population analysis, plan for analysis, exposure, outcome, statistical analysis, etc. Sources of materials and equipment used Essential background information Subject selection strategy (inclusions, exclusions, samplings) Subject characteristics (eligibility criteria, final number of participants, etc.)
Methods – Components 2 Specific and precise details about materials and methods (quantities, temperatures, duration, sequence, conditions, locations, sizes, drugs, dosages, chemicals, interventions, etc. ) Decisions on statistical software used, measures of variables (SD, 95% CI, etc.) Indication that appropriate care was taken (human subject approvals) Sufficient detail to allow others to reproduce and verify results Indication of where problems occurred Approval by institutional review board
Results Components: Interpretation of information, evaluation of findings, and summary of all data and statistical tests used for analysis (expanding methodology) General overview of results Reader reviews results in tables, figures, graphs, illustrations, etc.
Results – components 2 Specific/key results in detail, with or without explanations Comparisons with results in other research Comparison(s) with model predictions Possible implications of results Problems with results
Discussion Components - 1 Reviewing previous sections for possible summarizing of general or key results Summarizing existing literature (do not summarize sequentially) Presenting findings as they fit into previous research Interpreting results and putting them into perspective Relationships to existing research
Discussion – components 2 Achievement/contribution (emphasis on new findings and important aspects of study) to the greater scientific community Refining the implications Mechanisms, associations if found / look for consistencies, but explain inconsistencies (if possible) Explanations for data that contradict published work Strengths, weaknesses, limitations, current and future work, applications
Abstract Components: Background, purpose, problem, what the research does Methodology and/or materials, study population, analysis Results, achievement and/or contribution, implications Conclusions, outcome, associations, applications
Abstract 1 The four subheadings Background Methods Results Conclusions
Abstract 1-2
Abstract 2: The one paragraph
Time For