How to Prepare the Title and List the Authors and Addresses

Here, as promised, are some points from another two chapters of How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper, 9th edition. This week I’m sharing points from Chapter 7, which is titled “How to Prepare the Title” and Chapter 8, “How to List the Authors and Addresses". 

A good title can be defined as the fewest possible words that adequately describe the contents of the paper.

Three points from Chapter 7, "How to Prepare the Title"

(1) A good title can be defined as “the fewest possible words that adequately describe the contents of the paper.” The title of a scientific paper should be straightforward and clear. Do not sacrifice clarity in an attempt to be witty. 
 
(2) Some journals ask authors to provide both the full title of their paper and a shortened version. In the published article, the shortened version (sometimes called a “running title”) appears at the top of alternating pages. 
 
(3) Because journal titles often appear without the full articles, they generally should not include abbreviations. Only abbreviations widely known to readers might be acceptable. 

Three points from Chapter 8, "How to List the Authors and Addresses"
 
(1) The authors of a scientific paper should be the people who made substantial intellectual contributions to the research. As well as receiving credit for the work, the authors must take responsibility for it. 
 
(2) An ORCID identifier (https://orcid.org/) is a persistent researcher identification number that each researcher can obtain. Many journals and funding sources ask authors to provide ORCID identifiers. ORCID identifiers distinguish different researchers with the same name from each other. Also, ORCID identifiers remain the same even if researchers change their names. 
 
(3) If you did research at one institution but then moved to another, which affiliation should you list on the paper(s) reporting the research? You should list the institution where the research was done. Your current affiliation should appear in a footnote. 

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.