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[交流] [转帖]How to Write and Structure Your Manuscript

How to Write and Structure Your Manuscript
Patricia K Sonsalla, Ph.D.
UMDNJ-RWJ Medical School Piscataway, NJ

REFERENCES:
How to Write and Revise a Scientific Paper, Kim E. Barrett
The Elements of Style, William Strunk, Jr. (www.bartleby.com/index.html)

I.    Select the journal and follow guidelines. Guidelines provide authors with what is expected in manuscripts. Review published papers for style and form.

II.    Prepare outline of paper. What are major points to be made in each section?

III.    Title
A. Be as specific as possible. The title is a key element that describes the content of the paper.

Role for Dopamine in Neuronal Damage Produced by Malonate

Role for Dopamine in Malonate-Induced Damage In Vivo in Striatum and In Vitro in Mesencephalic Cultures

Dopamine Contributes to Neuronal Damage Produced by Malonate in Mouse Striatum and in Mesencephalic Cultures

IV. Abstract
A. The abstract is the "window" to revealing contents of paper.
B. Medline and other search programs provide easy access to abstracts. The contents of the abstract will determine whether a reader will actually read the paper. Thus, it is important that the abstract contain all key findings within the space allowed.
C. Abstract should include the following:
1. Background: 1-3 sentences
2. Hypothesis/purpose of studies: I sentence
3. Model systems used (e.g., rat, mouse)
4. Methods - general (e.g., acute vs. chronic treatment; do not provide specifics)
5. Results: Provide as complete a summary of the findings as possible but avoid presenting actual data values (space limitations).
6. Statement as to significance

V.    Background
A. Provide brief review of pertinent literature and cite relevant findings that led to studies. Be careful not to exclude relevant findings by other investigators.
B. Discuss unknowns that remain to be determined or controversies that exist in the literature. Controversial findings need to be addressed (Background or Discussion). Present controversial findings in the Introduction if they are key to rationale for studies.
C. Why was the study undertaken? State hypothesis or purpose of studies.

VI. Materials/Methods
A. Provide sufficient details so that another investigator can repeat your experiments.
B. Avoid detailed reiteration of published procedures but describe any modifications.
C. Provide source of materials and make-up of non-standardized solutions (e.g., drugs).
D. Provide information on statistical analysis. Are they appropriate?
E. Presentation of data (here or in figure legends/tables). Is variation in SD or SEM? If SEM, need to provide number of observations in each group.

VII. Results
A. Present findings in a logical progression through the experimental process. Tell a story; this does not necessarily mean that findings will be presented in the chronological order in which they were performed.
B. Provide sufficient interpretation of data to lead the reader from one concept to the next but leave detailed analysis for the Discussion section.
C. Avoid duplication of information particularly of data within text, figures or tables, or in figure legends.
D. Save comparison of findings from studies to those of others for Discussion section.

VIII. Discussion
A. Avoid simple reiteration of background information - place discussion in context of background. Discuss how your results advance knowledge in the area.
B. Avoid reiteration of results. Discuss results as to interpretations and conclusions based on findings. Speculation is okay, but avoid excessive speculation.
C. Generally, it may be helpful to structure the discussion section to parallel presentation of results. Initiate with introductory paragraph that restates the purpose of studies? Provide overview of findings with brief mention of significance?
D. Discuss significance of findings (last paragraph?).

IX.    References
A. Limit number of citations.
B. Use of reviews vs original papers.
C. Avoid excessive self-citations to the exclusion of others.
D. Check references for accuracy.

X.    Order of Writing
A. Abstract, background, results, discussion?
B. Results, background, discussion, abstract?
C. Results, discussion, background, abstract?

XI.    Writing Style
A.  Organization of paragraphs. Use one paragraph per topic. Begin each paragraph with a general sentence. The structure should resemble an "hourglass" where the content goes from general to specifics to conclusion statement that conforms with first sentence. Does new paragraph link with previous? May need an introductory sentence that provides link.
Example: The impairment of energy metabolism by inhibitors of succinate dehydrogenase ... imposes a metabolic stress on multiple neuronal populations. The infusion of malonate, a reversible inhibitor of SDH, into the stfiatum of animals causes ... degeneration of DA and GABA neurons. Moreover, the exposure of rat embryonic mesencephalic cultures to malonate results in damage to both DA and GABA neurons. These observations indicate that a metabolic stress imposed by impairment of energy metabolism can cause degeneration of both DA and GABA neurons.

B.  Write simply and directly; omit needless words. Avoid run-on sentences. Example: The identification of DA release is particularly relevant because of accumulating evidence which suggests that this neurotransmitter may act as an endogenous neurotoxin and contribute to the pathology of PD, HD and ischemia-induced damage in the striatum (ref).
vs.
Endogenous DA may become toxic under various pathological conditions as seen in PD, HD or stroke (re)g. In ischemia models, striatal DA is released from the nerve terminals into the extracellular space. Furthermore, infusion of DA into the striatum, which mimics an increase in extracellular DA, causes neuronal damage. These observations suggest that increased extracellular DA may be detrimental in various pathological conditions.

C.  Use active rather than passive voice.
Example: Smith and colleagues have reported that drug X produced its effects ... vs. Drug X produces... (Smith et al.).

Example: Our studies have demonstrated that... vs. We demonstrate that...

D. Avoid use of noun strings.
Example: The malonate dopamine toxicity ... vs. The toxicity of malonate to dopaminergic neurons...

E.  Use verbs rather than noun forms of verbs.
Examples: My suggestion is that the discussion of the issues ... vs. I suggest that we discuss the issues...
Our conclusion is that the impairment of renal function by the drug is due to ... vs. We conclude that the drug impairs renal function by actions...
This study was a further investigation of the phenomena that Drug X produces ... vs. We further investigated whether Drug X…

F. Avoid excessive use of abbreviations.

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