How to write a manuscript Dr.

Wilson
Springer Author Academy (can create account and take courses)
academy.springer.com

Recommended order to write

Title (first draft)
Introduction (first draft)
Materials and methods (as you collect results)
Results (as you collect results)
Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion
(Decide target journal)
Title
Abstract

Title

Use different sections of a manuscript to tell a story

Convey main points, highlight importance, be concise, attract readers
Dont settle: Refine Improve Tweak

Intro

Well-balanced
o Cite studies with conflicting results
o Current: aim to cite studies than are not more than 10 years
o Relevant: the studies tht you cite should be strongly related to your
research question
Find relevant papers based on original research in peer-reviewed scientific
journal
o Thorough research using Web of Scholar, Google Scholar, PubMed
o Dont use old and obscure references.
o Cite papers with good impact factors (check Google Scholar for citation
count)
o Look up and read

i)
References in the reference list
ii)
Article that cite this relevant article
iii)
Other articles by the same authors of this relevant article
Do not write literature review in Introduction, but cite reviews where readers
can find more info if they want it.
Intro should include:
o Background
o Statement of problem
o Purpose
o Aim and what was done
o (Some may include some results and conclusion but might be
inappropriate for us for now)

Materials and methods

Use subheadings
Describe what you did in past tense.
Describe new method in enough detail.
Describe established method briefly, and cite the references.
State all statistical tests and parameters.
Tell a story.
Ok to use I did/ we did (old-fashioned thinking to avoid using this, but still
have to check for instructions from the journal)
Results
Do not interpret the results/discuss implications. Just state the results.
Can use subheadings that are same to Materials and Methods.
In logical order.
Use text to summarize what the reader will find in tables, figures or mention
one or two most important points.
Make an effort with figures. Can be artistic with the design.
Every figure should be cited in the text and in order.
Discussion
Compare with other studies.
Mention any inconclusive results and explain them as best as you can. May
suggest additional experiments.
Describe limitations show that you considered your experiment
weaknesses.
Use suggests and may.
Restate main findings
Future research plans
Link back to your introduction.
Dont make discussion too broad, focus on main take home messages from
your results.
Acknowledgements

Check format

References
Failure to sufficiently cite other work can reduce publication chances.
Dont overdo it.
Establish the origin of ideas.
Justify claims.
Connect with other research.
Provide context for your work.
Show there is interest in your field of research.
Format correctly. Check author guidelines. If you dont do it, who is? Show
responsibility. Your paper will simply be rejected.
There are tools like Endnote, but may not be perfect. Still have to check.

Check (correct the paper)

Check Global
o Sequence has logical progression.
Check Paragraph
o Has coherent topic sentence support the topic sequence in each
paragraph, do the other sentences have logical and smooth transitions
between paragraph.
Check Line
o Consistent and correct use of terminology
o Can you change a passive verb construction to an active verb.
o Eliminate superfluous lead phrase (redundant phrase).
o Remove all colloquial language (slang, phrases).
o Check for redundancy (places you repeat what you said).
o Read each sentence for clarity and brevity. Can you say the same thing
with fewer words?
o Read the line aloud to find those quirky sentences that you wrote
while half asleep.
Check General
o Sources cited correctly.
o Check for completeness (in text and references) and correct format.
o Run spell check to find typographical errors, spelling and grammatical
errors (US vs UK English).
o Check main headings and subheadings for proper case & placement.
o Treat a friend a meal to check it.
Dont
Write too much
Repeat yourself
Cite Wikipedia/Websites
Use old and obscure references (references should be from good journals and
have been cited before).
Submit a paper full of spelling and grammatical errors.

Do
Read over your paper carefully (many many times, ~ 30). Read once a day
for a month to see what you can improve.
If struggle with English, ask someone good at it to help correct your writing.

To learn more, visit the Springer Author Academy. (Choose journal, authorship
and submitting paper)

Check maximum word limit for thesis/paper.

Peer-reviewed can be long (> 1 year)

Start to write earlier.

Title
o Purpose and a topic, add method (if possible)
o Dont use obscure words! (eg. Study on, analysis of)
Abstract
o Structured abstracts
o Intro, methods, results, conclusion, significance of study)
Intro
o Why I did: Objectives, short history of research (other studies in the
region)
o Avoid No one examine this study in this country .. (this is not good!)
o Mention the significance of this stuy
Methods
o How I did (in past tense)
Results
o What I found (in past tense)
Discussion
o What I mean: Significance of the results
o Have to differentiate our study from the previous studies. Our new
findings are
o Paragraph 1: First describe the summary of our results and important
findings
o Paragraph 2: Compare our data with related/different studies.
o Paragraph 3: Finally, we conclude our findings are significant.
o We do not preach at the end of our article. Eg. People should
understand our important findings (not good!)
Acknowledgements
References

One-word-one-meaning
Accurate word (specific), not use general word
Eg. (Good): a 15-meter-tall tower; (Bad) : a tall tower; (Good) Five females
examined; (Bad) Females were examined.
Find accurate words used by researchers and prestigious institutions

One-sentence-one-idea
Long sentence (50-60 words) should be divided into 2 sentences.

One paragraph, one topic

Paragraph: 3 parts: Intro, body & conclusion
Write strong, accurate sentences (use active sentences usually)
Eg.1 The switch controls the current (5 words)
Eg.2 Control of the switch is provided by the switch (9 words)

Abbreviation
Spell it out the first time, later on can use abbreviationseg. WHO

Spell out 1 to 9 as one, two, three nine

Over 10, use Arabic figure (10,11..100, 1000)
Numbers in front of sentence should be spelt out (eg..Twenty one
people..)

Ethics
o Write our new findings, cannot use already published data
o Can use our data in Master/PhD thesis published in our university
o Have to keep our data in our notes long after the articles have been
published. Supervisor has to check the students data frequently
o When cite sentences, can only write several words. We have to
write the cited articles. Do not copy paste from other
researchers articles. Other people can easily check on the web.