Writing the Scientific Article

       Review the Honor Code Guidelines for BIOS 311.

• A single lab paper in the style of a journal article submitted for publication is due TWO WEEKS after the last day of laboratory class. Drafts of each stage of the paper will be evaluated during the course and must be turned in with the final paper.

       o Do not worry about "perfection" with your FIRST ROUGH DRAFTS; you need something to work with, and that is why it's called a "rough draft."

       o The only way to have something to revise is to write something down in the first place.

       o The two main reasons I require you to write drafts of each section are

       1) making you write something each week prevents your waiting until the night before the final paper is due to start writing

       2) turning in a draft each week lets me give you feedback on each section and allows you time to revise your work for the final paper

       • NOTE: Submit all work in its final form (i.e., NOT handwritten, on a computer disk, as an attachment, or in an e-mail message).

       • For your own protection, I will make a copy of your final paper to keep on file. When you submit your final paper, please put your work loosely in a folder with pockets (not the kind with 3-rings); do NOT use staples or paper clips.

       • Please review my grading criteria and checklist for the final paper.

The scientific paper is traditionally divided into four sections: introduction, materials and methods, results, and discussion. These sections are typically completed through an iterative process because no single section can be written without consideration of another. The introduction is compiled from reference material and reflects the thought processes or lines of reason that lead you to perform experiments in the laboratory. The remainder of the paper is constructed concurrently as the experiment is constructed and planned. In the final draft the organization of the materials and methods section is coordinated with the results section. The results section presents pertinent data in nearly chronological order and directs the reader along the same mental paths through the data that you took in solving the problem. The discussion section provides interpretation of the data and projections as to the meaning of the results. The use of good references throughout the paper gives the work credibility by demonstrating an awareness of previous works.

       Writing a scientific article is not an easy task no matter how simple the actual experiment or concept. Practice, good planning, and organized record keeping are the only means to simplify the process.

       Introduction

       The Introduction should "introduce" the paper. The reader should be presented with enough background information to be able to understand and evaluate the purpose of your study without having to refer to other works. The rationale for the study should be presented. Provide salient references but avoid trying to make an exhaustive review of the topic.

       In the introduction, define the problem clearly. If the problem is not stated in a reasonable, understandable way, the reader will have no interest in your solution. Follow with some review of the literature to allow the reader to understand why the study is necessary and how you attempted to resolve it. Talk in general terms about techniques used to solve the problem, if necessary, but do not present any specifics about the protocols here. The final portion should be the statement of the principal results.

       • Present the nature and the scope of the problem investigated.

       • Provide enough background to orient the reader and justify the study.

       • State the goal/objectives and method of the investigation.

       • Briefly state the principal results of the investigation.

       Experimental Procedures (Materials and Methods)

       This section should be the easiest to write if you have good notebook skills. A wel

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