What Is a Scientific Paper

This blog comprises more points from How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper, 9th edition (2022). This time we present the points from from Chapter 4, “What Is a Scientific Paper”.

Three points from this chapter: 

(1) In the late 1960s, the Council of Biology Editors (now the Council of Science Editors) carefully defined a “primary publication” (basically, a scientific paper). It noted that such a publication is “the first disclosure containing sufficient information to enable peers (1) to assess observations, (2) to repeat experiments, and (3) to evaluate intellectual processes.”   

(2) Scientific papers commonly have the IMRAD structure: introduction, methods, results, and discussion. Variants of this structure also exist. In one variant, there is a combined results and discussion section, with both types of content interspersed. In another variant, the methods section is at the end. Authors generally should use the structure that is standard in their field or target journal.  
 
(3) A paper in the IMRAD format resembles an hourglass in structure. It begins broadly, with background information. Then, in the methods and results sections, it focuses on the current research. Finally, in the discussion, it broadens out to place the findings in context. (More about  shapes of some sections will appear later in this series of posts.) 

Looking forward to providing some points from other chapters next time!

Barbara Gastel, MD, is professor of integrative biosciences and medical humanities at Texas A&M University, College Station, USA, where she coordinates the graduate program in science communication.

This series of posts originally appeared on Professor Barbara Gastel's LinkedIn page.

How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper, by Barbara Gastel and Robert A Day, is available in paperback, hardback and Kindle format.