DR MUHAMMAD AKLIL ABD RAHIM
aklil@ums.edu.my
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH MEDICINE
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & HEALTH SCIENCES
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH
KRIS Outcome Workshop: Intensive
Pilot Study Writing
22 nd February 2023
HISTORY OF MODERN
SCIENTIFIC PAPER WRITING
BEFORE YOU WRITE A
MANUSCRIPT
WRITING THE MANUSCRIPT
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“Journal of the Learned”
The earliest published academic
journal
First issue on 5th January 1665
(France)
Currently focuses on European
history and premodern literature
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“Philosophical Transactions of
the Royal Society”
Philosophical refers to natural
philosophy,
which
is
the
predecessor of modern science
The earliest published academic
journal devoted to science
First issue on 6th March 1665
(England)
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From 1665
• Letters by single author
• Addressing multiple
subjects
• Experiments are
experiential and presented
in chronological order
1980’s
• Introduction-MethodsResults-Discussion
• IMRAD
Circa 1850’s
• Emergence of organised style of
manuscripts
• “theory-experiment-discussion”
• Gradual decrease of literary style
• Start of editorial rules for
standardisation
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WHAT?
WHY?
WHERE?
A group of general medical
journal editors and
Reference for guidelines
on defining roles of
authors, conflicts of
interest, manuscript
preparation, et cetera
www.icmje.org
representatives of
organizations working
together to improve the
quality of medical science and
its reporting
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Reporting Guidelines
CONSORT,
STARD
STROBE,
PRISMA,
EQUATOR Network
NLM’s
Research
Guidelines
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Reporting
Target Journal
Format of manuscript
Ease of publication
Journal quality
Beall’s List
(https://beallslist.net)
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Authorship
Decide
cetera
the FA,
CA,
anchor,
ICMJE
CRediT (https://credit.niso.org)
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et
Background/Lit Review
Credible sources
Cite recent publications
“Landmark” articles
Cite articles in targeted journal
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Ethical Issues
Fabrication of data
Plagiarism
Manipulation of images
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Which part to write first?
1. Methods
1. Figures & Tables
2. Results
2. Methods
3. Discussion
3. Results
4. Introduction
4. Discussion
5. References
6. Introduction
7. Title
8. Conclusion
Chernik V (2012)
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O’Connor & Holmquist (2009)
Title, abstract, keywords
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
• Title should be clear, brief,
specific, stating the issue
rather than conclusion
• Abstract should be written
last, concise, no need
citations, usually no
abbreviations
• Abstract should be in
present tense except
methods and results
References
Other tips
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Title, abstract, keywords
Introduction
• Straightforward, avoid
excessive wordiness
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
• 1 st paragraph: what is
known
• 2 nd paragraph: what is
unknown
• 3 rd paragraph: rationale,
hypothesis, objectives (why
the study was done)
References
Other tips
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Title, abstract, keywords
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
• To provide readers with
details to replicate the
study
• Three essential elements:
clear presentation of study
design, measurement
parameters to evaluate
purpose of the study, and
statistical analyses
References
Other tips
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Title, abstract, keywords
Introduction
Results
• Organised presentation of
collected data and
statistical analyses
performed
Discussion
• Past tense should be used
Materials and methods
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
Other tips
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• Should include only data
(including negative
findings) but not
background or methods
• Figures and tables should
expand text information
and comprehensible on
their own
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Title, abstract, keywords
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
• Explain meaning of results
• Start with statement of key
findings, relate with study
objectives and current body
of evidence, the study’s
impact on policy and/or
practice, and strengths and
limitations of the study
• Should be in present tense
References
Other tips
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Title, abstract, keywords
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
• Present a concise and clear
“take home” message
avoiding repetition of
concepts already
expressed
• Recommendations should
be addressed if appropriate
• Future studies suggestions
should not be ambiguous
Other tips
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Title, abstract, keywords
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
• List contributors who do not
meet the criteria for
authorship and add a
statement of the type of
assistance
• Don’t forget to declare
conflict of interest (if any)
References
Other tips
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Title, abstract, keywords
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
• Follow the journal’s
formatting instructions
• Avoid using abstracts as
references
• You can ask the
corresponding author for
the full text via e-mail
References
Other tips
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Title, abstract, keywords
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
• Simple sentences with
impeccable grammar is
more desirable than wordy
sentences with
grammatical errors
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
Other tips
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• Structure the methods and
results sections in a
similar manner
• Avoid results overanalysis
and overinterpretation
• ONLY SEND TO ONE
JOURNAL AT A TIME
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1.
Liumbruno GM, Velati C, Pasqualetti P, Franchini M. How to write a scientific manuscript for publication. Blood
Transfusion. 2013 Apr;11(2):217.
2.
Kronick DA. A History of Scientific and Technical Periodicals: the Origins and Development of the Scientific and
Technical Press 1665–1790. 2nd ed. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow; 1976.
3.
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and
Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals [Last accessed on 21/02/2023]. Updated May 2022. Available
at: https://www.icmje.org/icmje-recommendations.pdf
4.
Chernick V. How to get your paper accepted for publication. Paediatr Respir Rev. 2012;13:130–2.
5.
Veness M. Strategies to successfully publish your first manuscript. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol. 2010;54:395–
400.
6.
Wager E. Recognition, reward and responsibility: why the authorship of scientific papers matters. Maturitas.
2009;62:109–12.
7.
O’Connor TR, Holmquist GP. Algorithm for writing a scientific manuscript. Biochem Mol Biol Educ. 2009;37:344–
8.
8.
Johnson TM. Tips on how to write a paper. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;59:1064–9.
9.
McKay M. Strategies to successfully publish your first manuscript [letter] J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol.
2011;55:101–2.
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10. Provenzale JM. Revising a manuscript: ten principles to guide success for publication. AJR Am J Roentgenol.