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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of the Results section in a research paper?
What is the primary purpose of the Results section in a research paper?
What is typically included in the Methods and Materials section of a research paper?
What is typically included in the Methods and Materials section of a research paper?
What is a characteristic of the Discussion section in a research paper?
What is a characteristic of the Discussion section in a research paper?
What is typically included in the standard features of a research article?
What is typically included in the standard features of a research article?
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What is the purpose of the Acknowledgements section in a research article?
What is the purpose of the Acknowledgements section in a research article?
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What is the primary purpose of the Abstract in a scientific paper?
What is the primary purpose of the Abstract in a scientific paper?
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What should be excluded from the Abstract?
What should be excluded from the Abstract?
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What is the primary purpose of the Introduction section in a scientific paper?
What is the primary purpose of the Introduction section in a scientific paper?
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What should be included in the Methods and Materials section?
What should be included in the Methods and Materials section?
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When is the Abstract typically written?
When is the Abstract typically written?
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Study Notes
Writing a Scientific Paper: Key Elements
The Abstract
- A brief summary of the main sections of the paper: Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion (IMRAD)
- Short, generally around 250 words
- A single paragraph unless structured
- Should not include tables, figures, acronyms, abbreviations, literature review, or information not included in the document
- Written last, but read first
The Introduction
- Provides background information and context about the topic
- Defines the problem and the rational for the research
- Reviews the literature
- Identifies the gap (unique and unaddressed aspects) of the topic
- Generally states or introduces the methodology (e.g., qualitative or quantitative)
Methods and Materials
- Defines, explains, and defends (if necessary) experimental methods, including recruitment and selection
- Provides sufficient detail to allow replication
- Uses generic names or non-proprietary names of materials
- Identifies animals, plants, and micro-organisms by genus, species, and strain
- Includes important biographical information (e.g., race, gender, age) for cell donors
- May include figures, flow charts, and diagrams
- Includes where ethics review was obtained
The Results
- The most important part of the paper
- Gives the reader information needed to understand the data
- Clear and concise as possible
- Uses tables to summarize the results, if possible
The Discussion
- Clear, assertive, and forthright
- Compares results with previously-published work
- States the theoretical implications of the work and contribution of the research
- States conclusions
- Admits limitations of the research or unexpected problems encountered
- Suggests areas for future research
Other Standard Features
- Names of authors with affiliations
- Contact information for the corresponding author
- List of keywords
- Date article was received, accepted, and published online
- Suggested citation
- DOI (Digital Object Identifier) of the article
- Funding information
- Statement of competing interest
- Acknowledgements: Thanks to persons who assisted with research or whose contribution is appreciated
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Description
Learn about the essential components of a scientific paper, including the abstract, introduction, and more. Understand the purpose and characteristics of each section.
