How to write and publish a paper? Presented by Han Chen Adopted from: Day, R.A. and Gastel, B. 2006. How to write and publish a scientific paper, Greenwood Press.

A must read Day, R.A. and Gastel, B. 2006. How to write and publish a scientific paper, Greenwood Press This is a must read for all research students (HBSc, MSC, PhD, PDF, and visiting scholars) COOKING BOOK! Why is more important for Chinese students Cooking can learn from good chefs

How long does it take to read the book? I read it within three weeks after work? 2-3 chapters per night before going to bed I still read it occasionally You need a sharpened knife to cut fuels more efficiently (how to say this in Chinese?)

Contents Introduction Methods Results Discussion

Title=one sentence of conclusion Importance Read by many people, a good title attracts readers’ interest It shall highlight what your paper is about, in a broad theoretical and geographical context, describing casual relationships How do others design their titles (Nature, Science, PNAS, Ecology…)?

Authorship The listing of authors should include those, and only those, who actively contributed to the overall design and execution of the experiments Conceived ideas? Conducted experiments? Did analysis, Wrote the paper? – intellectual contributions count “The dilution effect of the multi-author approach adversely affects the real investigators” The balance, which may change with culture, shall be strived!

Abstract Briefly summarizes the main sections of the paper: Introduction, Materials, and Methods, Results, and Discussion Last piece to be written (after you have written all sections) Must meet intended journal format (number ofwords, structure), e.g., Aim, Methods, Results, and Synthesis

Introduction The Introduction of a research paper sets the stage for your scientific argument = Broad context = why Rationale, what is the purpose, why is it important? What is new in your paper? How it is novel?

Introduction: writing guide Global context or theoretical context? Is it still debated (unclear)? Review important literature—let’s see how: classic and most recent—try to use web of science to show you how Construct testable hypotheses Theoretical predictions: Patterns vs. mechanisms Use present tense

Methods-What you did Experimental or sampling design: simple random sampling or completely randomized design vs more sophisticated design (repeated measurements, nest design) Most recent technical methods—lab manual Must be reproducible

Methods: guide The usual order of presentation is chronological Suggested subheadings: Study area, Sampling or Experimental Design, Measurements, & Data Analysis Use very specific, concise language; do not let readers to guess what you did Is your study pseudo-replicated? Most papers are rejected because of the lack of writing clarity for Methods

Pseudo-replication Layer 1 Layer 2 Layer 3 15-yr-old 5-yr-old Spring Summer Fall All statistical models require errors to be independently random—will show you how

Results Summarize the data, emphasizing trends and patterns with your objectives (hypotheses) in mind Refer your tables and figures Results, like Methods, shall be presented in past tense “The compulsion to include everything, leaving nothing out, does not prove that one has unlimited information; it proves that one lacks discrimination (Aaronson 1977) “The fool collects facts; the wise man selects them” (Powell 1888)

Results Concise to the point (hypotheses) The shortest section of your paper if it is preceded by a well-written Materials and Methods section and followed by a well-written Discussion Another section is very easy to write, just telling what you have found

Discussion Purpose: what do your results mean in a broader context (theoretically or globally) Omit wild guesses and irrelevant asides, but provide insightful explanations, which are different from speculations! In Discussion, your verb tense should swing back and forth between present and past

Discussion: Guide Do your results support your hypotheses? Three hypotheses = three paragraphs Results for each paragraph: Are your findings consistent with others? Point out any exceptions or any lack of correlation and define unsettled points. New insights are always beautiful, alternative hypotheses to the ones that have been established Most papers cited in Introduction shall be mentioned here again—settling down “unclear” Summarize your evidence for each conclusion

Discussion-Guide Present the principles, relationships, and generalizations Discuss the theoretical implications of your work, and if applicable, practical applications Can you generalize from your specific findings to other situations? End with more far-reaching predictions, interpretations, and conclusions. How does your work contribute to an understanding of the broader topic? If you can end with a firm statement, giving the reader a satisfying sense of closure

Conclusions Defining scientific truth The reader should not ask “So what?” after reading the Discussion Often, the best you can do is shine a spotlight on one small area of the truth When you describe the meaning of your little bit of truth, do it simply The simplest statements evoke the most wisdom; verbose language and fancy technical words are used to convey shallow thought

Acknowledgments Individuals who helped field work, reviewed the paper Funding sources If your colleague may not agree with some of your central points and it is not good science and not good ethics for you to phrase the Acknowledgments in a way that seemingly denotes endorsement

References Follow the target journal requirement—this is why you need to know where you wish to submit your paper Most manuscripts are rejected more than once! Take advantage of reviewers’ comments and improve your paper. This is a good (but painful sometimes) learning experience! This process makes acceptance enjoyable and worthy of celebration by your professor’s grant money—go for a beer or diner at your taste! Make sure that you learn to use a reference manager database (Endnotes is highly recommended)—All prolific researchers use this this makes revision so much easier and ensures citation accuracy My students have to use Endnote in order to have their manuscripts reviewed by me

Tables Read the target journals to see how other researchers present their tables and follow authors guidelines Table functions are: Table 1. A summary of data briefly (if large data set is analyzed) Statistical results such as ANOVA or Regressions including dependent variable, independent variables, F or T test, model R2, effect (F and P values, partial R2 or eta2) If you have choice to present means in a table or figure, choose figure over table

Figures Read the target journals to see how other researchers present their tables and follow authors guidelines R can produce the most beautiful ones-but learning is steep

More strategies Read English papers (50-100 relevant, best papers) This can be done effectively by properly using ISI Web of Science and Researchgate (https://www.researchgate.net/) Many journals papers can be downloaded from authors web site or requested by an email if your library does not have

Writing How to write a paragraph (Chinese writers are typically very good in this)—Here is a test Write simple sentences that are coherent together into a paragraph Do not start a sentence with authors names (citation). This is reserved for the most impactful source –truly original one