Writing a scientific paper. English in scientific communication. Evolution of the scientific paper. What makes a good scientific paper?

Transcription

1 Writing a scientific paper English in scientific communication Evolution of the scientific paper What makes a good scientific paper? Analysis of a highly cited scientific paper

2 J Med Libr Assoc [2005] 93,

3 English language styles Style Scientific english Literary english information per word High Low

4 English style for a scientific paper The best english is that which gives the sense in the fewest short words (Instructions to Authors, Journal of Bacteriology) Grandiloquence has no place in scientific writing (Booth, as cited by Robert Day How to write and publish a scientific paper )

5 A naturalist s life would be a happy one if he had only to observe and never to write. --- Charles Darwin

6 The Keys to acceptance of your scientific manuscript Significance and Novelty (80-90%) Clarity of presentation (10-20%)

7 The modern scientific paper Title Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results (including Figures and Tables) Discussion References

8 Organization of the scientific paper (Robert Day How to write and publish a scientific paper ) What was your problem? - Introduction How did you study the problem? - Materials and Methods What did you find? -Results What do your findings mean? - Discussion

9 Source: Thompson In-Cites 1. (157 Citations) Meylan et al, Cardif is an adaptor protein in the RIG-I antiviral pathway and is targeted by hepatitis C virus Nature 437, (2005) 2. (60 citations) Giovannoni et al, Genome streamlining in a cosmopolitan oceanic bacterium. Science 309, (2005) 3. (45 citations) Haller at al, The interferon response circuit: induction and suppression by pathogenic viruses. Virology 344, (2006)

10 Most cited works in Web of Science as of January ,778 Lowry 1951 J Biol Chem Protein Measurement with the Folin phenol reagent 193,046 Laemmli 1970 Nature Cleavage of structural proteins during assembly of head of bacteriophage T4 117,410 Bradford 1976 Anal Biochem Rapid and sensitive method for quantitation of microgram quantities utilizing principle of protein binding 68,996 Sambrook 1989 Molecular Cloning Lab Manual 62,532 Sanger 1977 PNAS DNA sequencing with chain-terminating inhibitors 54,765 Chomczynski 1987 Anal Biochem Single step method of RNA isolation by acid guanidinium thiocyanate phenol chloroform extraction 47,932 Towbin 1979 PNAS Electrophoretic transfer of proteins from polyacrylamide gels to nitrocellulose sheets - procedure and some applications 36,731 Maniatis 1982 Molecular Cloning 34,869 Folch 1957 J Biol Chem A simple method for the isolation and purification of total lipids from animal tissues

11 50 most highly cited articles Publication Year Number of articles Before Source: ISI Web of Science

12 Top cited journals and articles (source: Thomson) Rank Journal Papers Citations 1. J Biol Chem 59,061 1,761,650 Nagase et al [1999] Matrix Metalloproteinases. J Biol Chem 274, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 29,703 1,382,162 Eisen et al [1998] Cluster analysis and display of genome-wide expression patterns. PNAS 95, Nature 10,947 1,217,027 Banchereau et al [1998] Dendritic cells and the control of immunity. Nature 392, Science 10,296 1,181,938 Venter et al [2001] The sequence of the human genome. Science 291, Physical Rev Letters 32, ,701 Perdew et al [1996] Generalized gradient approximation made simple. Phys Rev Lett 77,

13 Top cited journals and articles (source: Thomson) Rank Journal Papers Citations 6. J Am Chem Soc 27, ,785 Zhao et al [1998] Nonionic triblock..silica structures. JACS 120, Physical Reviews B 52, ,422 Kresse et al [1996] Efficient iterative schemes.set. Phys Rev B 54, Cell 3, ,285 Levine et al [1997] p53 the cellular gatekeeper for growth and division. Cell 88, J Immunology 17, ,931 Hoshino et al [1999] Cutting edge: toll-like receptor 4-deficient mice are hyporesponsive to LPS... J Immunol 162, New Engl J Med 3, ,082 Ross et al [1999] Mechanisms of disease - atherosclerosis - an inflammatory disease. N Engl J Med 340,

14 The modern scientific paper Title Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results (including Figures and Tables) Discussion References

15 The modern scientific paper Where to start? Title Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results (including Figures and Tables) Discussion References

16 The modern scientific paper Where to start? Title Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results (including Figures and Tables) Discussion References

17 The Results Section defines the paper short, clear and concise logical flow (needs transition phrases) avoid discussion keep paragraphs simple (one major idea)

18 The Discussion Section discuss how Results advance current knowledge should be thorough but not repetitive be factual, avoid antagonistic language main role is to establish significance of Results keep paragraphs simple (one major idea)

19 The Introduction Section inform the reader of the problem or focus provide brief state of knowledge provide Objectives and/or Hypothesis main role is to rationalize or set the stage for the study keep paragraphs simple (one major idea)

20 The Abstract state problem summarize results state conclusion and significance

21 Abstract The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene has been localized to the same region to which the Lps locus (endotoxin unresponsive gene locus) is mapped. To examine the role of TLR4 in LPS responsiveness, we have generated mice lacking TLR4. Macrophages and B cells from TLR4-deficient mice did not respond to LPS. All these manifestations were quite similar to those of LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mice. Furthermore, C3H/HeJ mice have, in the cytoplasmic portion of TLR4, a single point mutation of the amino acid that is highly conserved among the IL-1/Toll receptor family. Over expression of wild-type TLR4 but not the mutant TLR4 from C3H/HeJ mice activated NF-kB. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that TLR4 is the gene product that regulates LPS response. Key: - State problem - Summarize results - State conclusion and significance

22 Summary - things to remember organization, organization, organization short, clear and concise language logical flow keep paragraphs simple (one major idea) focus on clear message for significance

23 Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead --- Gene Fowler ( ) The best way to become a successful writer is to read good writing, remember it, and then forget where you remember it from --- Gene Fowler ( )