Writing a Manuscript

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Writing a Manuscript

• Ready to write?
• The Introduction

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• When to start writing?
• Where to start writing?

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Definition Valid Scientific Publication

• The first publication of research results
• In a form whereby peers can repeat the
  experiments and test its conclusions
• Appearing in a primary journal or other source
  document that is readily available within the
  scientific community

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In other words

• Data are consistent, reproducible and complete
  (subjective, may depend upon advisor)
• Study represents significant experimental,
  theoretical or observational extensions of
  knowledge
• Study represents advances in the practical
  application of known principles
• Study takes knowledge of the subject area a step
  further

Taken together, are the outcomes of your study
new, true and meaningful?
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THE FIRST DRAFT

• Your road map
• Science is a story, tell it!
• Start with your figures
• When you do experiments, think in terms of
  figures, tables
• Plan ahead, will I be able to use this image in a
  paper? Why? Why not? Are all the controls here?
  Is the quality sufficient? Is the scope
  sufficient?

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THE FIRST DRAFT

• Give each figure a simple, declarative title in
  the form of a sentence
• Most of the content of the paper should be
  evident by reading these few sentences alone
• When the sentences look like the tell a story, it
  is time to start writing

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Your Project

• The process of writing a manuscript will quickly
  reveal holes in your study and help focus
  future experiments

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THE FIRST DRAFT things to keep in mind

• SoWhats your point?
• Define your bottom line
• Make sure you have one, then repeat it over and
  over-at the end of the abstract, in the
  Introduction, in the Results, and in the
  Discussion

William A. Wells
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THE FIRST DRAFT things to keep in mind

• To uncover your bottom line, ask some questions
• What was the mystery that you wanted to answer at
  the start?
• Have you answered it?
• What got you first excited about this area of
  research?
• Convey the reason for your excitement

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THE FIRST DRAFT things to keep in mind

• It helps to justify the interest of your work
  verbally to someone outside of your field, paying
  attention to what you say
• Your explanation should be compelling on a
  general, conceptual level, not grounded in
  minutiae with which your friend has no
  familiarity (or interest).

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THE FIRST DRAFT things to keep in mind

• Does the reader need help understanding the
  significance of your work?
• If the work addresses mystery X, dont force the
  reader to figure out on their own what that
  mystery you are addressing
• State it explicitly, making clear that it is
  speculation
• Stuffy writing frequently disguises intellectual
  fuzziness

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THE INTRODUCTION

• In parallel with finishing your experiments
  (Results), start writing your Introduction
• A bad beginning makes a bad ending
• Euripides

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THE INTRODUCTION

• What is new?
• Be sure and communicate the state of affairs
  before you started your work, and then after
• Is there a difference? Or have you provided data
  in support of previous ideas

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THE INTRODUCTION

• Why did you do this study? What is the problem
  and why should anyone care?
• Literature search
• Know what has been done before
• Identify the hole(s)
• Who to cite???
• Write early, before experiments done
• Helps shape experimental design
• Continue to edit/modify while experiments are
  ongoing
• The earlier you start the sharper this will be

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THE INTRODUCTION

• Funnel from known/big picture significance of
  field to unknown

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THE INTRODUCTION

• State the general field of interest
• Concisely present what is already known directly
  relevant to your area of study
• Dont mention everything/this will depend on
  journal (unless review or dissertation)
• One to three paragraphs
• Present others findings that will be challenged
  or expanded
• Explain how and support
• Specify the question which the paper addresses,
  and how it does so
• Hypothesis (and experimental approach)

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THE INTRODUCTIONhelpful hints

• Most common beginner mistake keeping reader in
  suspense with Introduction
• Dont keep your reader in suspense, tell them
  what you found
• Reading a scientific article is NOT like reading
  a detective story. We want to know from the start
  that the butler did it

Ratnoff, 1981
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Adherens proteins in human Schlemms canal

• Introduction
• Glaucoma and intraocular pressure (IOP)
• Physiology of IOP
• Intercellular junctions and IOP
• Physiology with respect to intercellular
  junctions
• Types of intercellular junctions in outflow
  pathway
• Morphological evidence
• Reasons why intercellular junctions may
  participate in controlling IOP
• Functional evidence
• Adherens junctions in endothelia control vascular
  permeability
• Physiological correlative
• Aim (hypothesis addressed) of study Adherens
  proteins in SC