SECTION 1 Scientific Trial Structure Scientific papers are one of the main methods of communicating results to other scientists. In general, papers follow a standard format with different sections of the paper addressing different things. The following table outlines these sections, the rationale behind them and what to put in them. Section of Rationale How to do it Other useful tips Paper Title This is trial thing your audience reads, Include species name if appropriate often written last the title is a very concise yet accurate try to include the main finding if not necessary to capitalise every word summary of your investigation. This is possible with so many papers in existence, the to get your reader interested. be precise, one sentence only often scientists will only read work ‘hook’ (sometimes two statements separated directly relevant to them as indicated by : , or a question and statement) See by the title examples below. Abstract The abstract is a short summary of your A good abstract includes: often written towards the end (ideally investigation, often a paragraph to ½ a objective of study/research question the abstract can almost be composed page of writing and must make sense to study design: very brief mention of the first sentence of each someone who has not read your paper. results: main findings and/or trends paragraph in your paper) Readers will typically read this before the conclusions: include major conclusions do not include in-text citations here whole paper and will often decide to read you made. the paper based on the abstract. The goal is to entice the reader in order to have as many other scientists aware of your work as possible. Introduction The introduction is where you set the A good introduction includes: do not include any references to null scene for your reader, and provide enough background information that or alternative (statistical) hypotheses context and rationale for your study, your reader can understand why the include in-text citations here: providing sufficient background so the study was performed explanations of theoretical reader can understand what you did, why background or references to other you did it, and why it is relevant. literature MUST be cited in the text
SECTION 1 Scientific Structure Scientific papers are one of the main methods of communicating results to other scientists. In general, papers follow a standard format with different sections of the paper addressing different things. The following table outlines these sections, the rationale behind them and what to put in them. Section of Paper Rationale How to do it Other useful tips Title This is thing your audience reads, the title is a very concise yet accurate summary of your investigation. This is the ‘hook’ to get your reader interested. Include species name if appropriate try to include the main finding if possible be precise, one sentence only (sometimes two statements separated by : , or a question and statement) See examples below. often written last not necessary to capitalise every word with so many papers in existence, often scientists will only read work directly relevant to them as indicated by the title Abstract The abstract is a short summary of your investigation, often a paragraph to ½ a page of writing and must make sense to someone who has not read your paper. Readers will typically read this before the whole paper and will often decide to read the paper based on the abstract. The goal is to entice the reader in order to have as many other scientists aware of your work as possible. A good abstract includes: objective of study/research question study design: very brief mention results: main findings and/or trends conclusions: include major conclusions you made. often written towards the end (ideally the abstract can almost be composed of the first sentence of each paragraph in your paper) do not include in-text citations here Introduction The introduction is where you set the scene for your reader, and provide context and rationale for your study, providing sufficient background so the reader can understand what you did, why you did it, and why it is relevant. A good introduction includes: enough background information that your reader can understand why the study was performed do not include any references to null or alternative (statistical) hypotheses include in-text citations here: explanations of theoretical background or references to other literature MUST be cited in the text trial Trial
Conventions_BIOL140-Teaching-Retreat-2.docx