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02 WRITING THE RESEARCH PAPER

Dr. Quebral || July 13, 2015

RESEARCH
PROJECTS II

Transcribers: Garcia K, Go KC, Golingan, Gonzales MS, Hamtig

Editors: CC

OUTLINE
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TITLE

Qualities of a Good Scientific Prose

Basic Structure of a Research Paper
Title
Authors
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgements
References
A. Harvard/APA
B. Vancouver/NLM
Tables and Figures
Style and Grammar
Plagiarism
Guidelines for Reporting

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XIII.
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Legend:
Remember
(Exams)

Lecturer

Book

Previous
Trans

Trans
Comm

References:

International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. Recommendations for

the conduct, reporting, editing and publication of scholarly work in medical
journals, 2013 (http://www.icmje.org)
CDC Style Guide, 2003
Citing Medicine: The NLM Style Guide for Authors, Editors, and Publishers
(2nd ed), 2007
Michael Jay Katz. From Research to Manuscript: A Guide to Scientific
Writing. The Netherlands: Springer, 2006

Objectives

To describe the parts of a research paper

To describe the contents of each part of the research paper

To describe important points in writing a scientific paper

QUALITIES OF A GOOD SCIENTIFIC PROSE

Fluency
Clarity
Accuracy
Economy of words
Grace

Attractive, concise, informative

Includes study variables (P, I, C, O, M)
Contains key words of research question
Gives reviewer an idea of what the study is about
It should be shortened up to contain only necessary information
but not too short as to be vague, and not too wordy
It should be formal not dramatic
It is the research question stated in a narrative way
Example
1) The Effect of Exercise on Cognitive Ability
o Very short and vague
o It lacks the population and type of exercise
2) The Effect of Thrice Weekly Taebo on the Cognitive Ability of
First Year BS Physical Therapy Students at the UERMMMCI
College of Allied Rehabilitation Sciences as Measured by
Ravens Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM)
o Very long
o Too much information
o You can do without: frequency of exercise, and the tool
used to measure the cognitive ability
o Instead of putting First Year BS Physical Therapy
Students, you can just put Physical Therapy
Students
o Some medical journals dont want the name of an
institution in the title. You can just put in a Private
Institution
3) The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on the Cognitive Ability of
Physical Therapy Students
o Good title
o Contains population (Physical therapy students), the
intervention (aerobic exercise), and the outcome
(cognitive ability)
AUTHORS

Authorship vs acknowledgement

Corresponding author - name, position, institution, contact details

Listed in order of importance

o The lead author should be listed first
Declaration with signatures of ALL authors
Conforms to journal format

ABSTRACT

BASIC STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH PAPER

IMRAD
o Introduction
o Methods
o Results
o And
o Discussion

UERM format: First name, Middle Initial, Family Name

Mini-version of paper, stand-alone,100-300 words

Page 1 of 5

For our Paper, the abstract should be 200 words

Unstructured or structured
No references, no abbreviations, no tables/figures
Introduction why the study was done, maximum of two
sentences
Methods what was done, how it was done

[RES] 1.02 WRITING THE RESEARCH PAPER Dr. Quebral

o
o
o

o
o
o

Should be included in our Research Paper

Cite most important concepts
Use MeSH terms
Purposes

To capture main topic

To aid in indexing

For easy location

Does not necessarily have to be found in the title
Must be specific
Example:

The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on the Cognitive Ability of

Physical Therapy Students

KEYWORDS: Aerobic Exercise, Cognitive ability, Tae bo

INTRODUCTION

Results what was found

Conclusion conclusion based on findings, maximum of two
sentences
Keywords

Why did we do the study?

Justify (e.g. geographical justification)

Components
o Background information
o Purpose
o Objectives
The Three Paragraph Rule

1-3 paragraphs only. THE SHORTER THE BETTER.

o 1st paragraph: What is the problem?
o 2nd paragraph: Why is it important?
o 3rd paragraph: What solution is proposed?

This paragraph should be linked to the methods and

discussion
Objectives
o General: reflects what the study hopes to accomplish
o Specific: SMART

Should be in the last few sentences of the introduction. It

should be WRITTEN IN THE PAST TENSE.

Sample size computation parameters ( No need to include

the formula)
Operational definitions
o Dependent, independent, confounding and other universal
variables as applied in the study
o NO TEXTBOOK DEFINITIONS!
Data collection, methods and tools
o Describe each step/procedure/phase sequentially, logically
who, what, when, where, how
o Describe randomization/random allocation
o Study arms
o New method, instrument

Describe in sufficient detail; otherwise, cite reference

Cite author or maker of lab equipment

Data Processing and analysis
o Describe manner of data analysis statistical tests, level of
significance
o Cite software/program (licensed)
Ethics approval
1-2 sentences
The study was approved by the ethics committee.
RESULTS

Purpose: to present the main data collected and the observations

made

Analyzed data without discussion

Questions answered
Last part of data should be prelude to discussion
Present data which answers objectives
Present analyzed data, NOT raw data
Do not duplicate presentation
Use appropriate methods or presenting data
Check the accuracy
Be careful with the computation
DISCUSSION

METHODS

Very important!
Written in the PAST TENSE
Components
o What was done?
o How was it done?
o How was the data analyzed?
Study design

1-2 sentences
o Plan of investigation
o Who, what, when, where, and how was the study done
Subject selection
o Source population
o Inclusion, exclusion criteria
o Method of recruitment/sampling
o Ethical considerations

Should be in the active voice and present tense

What do the results mean?
Compact conclusion
Comparison and consistency with other studies
Plausible explanations
Implications
Limitations and caveats
Conclusion
o There should only be one
o Past tense
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Recognize people who contributed to study but do not qualify as

authors

Be specific

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[RES] 1.02 WRITING THE RESEARCH PAPER Dr. Quebral

REFERENCES

APA/Harvard system
o Alphabetical
o In text: McCaffarey and Freeman (2003) conducted the first
study. . .
o McCaffarey R and Freeman E 2003. Effect of music on chronic
osteoarthritic pain in older people. J Adv Nurs 44(5): 517-24
NLM/Vancouver system
o Chronological numbering (citation-sequence)
o In text: McCaffarey and Freeman3 conducted the first study
o 3. McCaffarey R and Freeman E. Effect of music on chronic
osteoarthritic pain in older people. J Adv Nurs 2003; 44(5):
517-24
Journal article
o Weitzman M, Gortmaker S, Sobol A. Maternal smoking and
behavioral problems of children. Pediatrics 1992; 90: 342-9.

Book
o Adams RD, Victor M. Principles of neurology. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 1981.
o Selwyn AP, Braunwald E. Ischemic heart disease. In:
Braunwald E, Isselbacker KJ, Petersdorf RG (editors):
Harrisons principles of internal medicine. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 1987; 975-82.

Journal article in electronic format

o Nyland LJ, Grimmer KA. Is undergraduate physiotherapy
study a risk factor for low back pain? A prevalence study of
LBP in physiotherapy students. Retrieved from:
http://www.Biomed-central.com/1471-2474/4/22. 2003
o Rankin J, Tennant PW, Stothard KJ, et al. Maternal body mass
index and congenital anomaly risk: a cohort study. Int J Obes
(London)[online], 2010, 34(9), pp 1371-1380. [Accessed 27
August 2011]. Available from:
http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20368710.

A.

HARVARD/APA

Macrae MG 2007. Closed claims studies in anesthesia: a literature

review and implications for practice. AANA J 75(4): 266-75.

3.

Matsumoto S, Asai T and Shingu K 2007. Truview video

laryngoscope in patients with difficult airway. Anesth Analg 103:
492.

4.

Rosenblatt WH and Sukhupragarn W 2009. Airway Management.

In: Clinical Anesthesia, 6th ed. Barash PG, Cullen BF, Stoelting RK,
Cahalan MK and Stock MC (editors). Philadelphia: Lippincott,
Williams and Wilkins.

B.

VANCOUVER/NLM

Example:
The Truview EVO2 on the other hand is an optical laryngoscope used
like a conventional laryngoscope. It has a slim, straight laryngoscope
blade that has a tip curved 40 degrees upward. The proximal blade is
fitted with a telescope that can be viewed with the naked eye or an
endoscopic camera head. A lateral port may be connected to an oxygen
source to prevent misting and provides a continuous oxygen source
during intubation.3, 4 According to Barak, Truview offers a better
laryngoscopic view with lesser maximal force and fewer soft tissue
injuries when compared with the Macintosh blade. However, the
duration of intubation was longer.4 Matsumoto also reports of two
cases of failed intubation with Macintosh blade that were successfully
intubated using the Truview.5
2. Macrae MG. Closed claims studies in anesthesia: A literature review
and implications for practice. AANA J Aug 2007; 75(4): 266-75.
3. Rosenblatt WH, Sukhupragarn W. Airway Management. In: Clinical
Anesthesia (6th ed). Barash PG, Cullen BF, Stoelting RK, Cahalan MK,
Stock MC (editors). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2009.
4. Barak M, Philipchuck T, Abecassis P, Katz Y. A comparison of the
Truview blade with the Macintosh blade in adult patients. Anesthesia
2007; 62: 82731.

Example:
The Truview EVO2 on the other hand is an optical laryngoscope used
like a conventional laryngoscope. It has a slim, straight laryngoscope
blade that has a tip curved 40 degrees upward. The proximal blade is
fitted with a telescope that can be viewed with the naked eye or an
endoscopic camera head. A lateral port may be connected to an oxygen
source to prevent misting and provides a continuous oxygen source
during intubation (Rosenblatt, 2009; Barack, 2007). According to Barak,
Truview offers a better laryngoscopic view with lesser maximal force
and fewer soft tissue injuries when compared with the Macintosh
blade. However, the duration of intubation was longer (Barack, 2007).
Matsumoto also reports of two cases of failed intubation with
Macintosh blade that were successfully intubated using the Truview
(Matsumoto, 2007).
1.

2.

5. Matsumoto S, Asai T, Shingu K: Truview video laryngoscope in

patients with difficult airway. Anesth Analg 2007; 103: 492.
TABLES AND FIGURES

Barak M, Philipchuck T, Abecassis P and Katz Y 2007. A comparison

of the Truview blade with the Macintosh blade in adult patients.
Anesthesia 62:82731.
Page 3 of 5

Convey complex ideas simply, clearly & efficiently

Serve a clear purpose
Use proper format
Put in proper place
Focus on the data, not on the design
Relate with text & reference
Identify properly: Title & number, legend
In tables, we use just 3 lines so it will look cleaner. The title is on
top. If its a figure, the title is at the bottom of the figure.

[RES] 1.02 WRITING THE RESEARCH PAPER Dr. Quebral

Malimban E, Malubay JJ, Mamaril ME, etal. A cross-sectional

study of the association between prenatal consultation and
low birth weight in Barangay Dona Imelda, Quezon City.
Health Sciences Journal 2013; 2(1): 1-3

Cacnio MKB, Edquiban HA, Fontamillas TME, et al. The

effectiveness of music therapy in the reduction of low back
pain due to musculoskeletal disorders. Health Sciences
Journal 2013; 2(1): 23-25.

STYLE AND GRAMMAR

Language usage
o Subject-verb agreement
o Tense
o Voice
o Person
o Sentence length/verbosity
o Dangling, misplaced modifiers
Voice
Most scientific writing is in the passive voice. The recipient of
the action is the subject rather than the doer of the action.
The exception would be if you want to emphasize the doer of
the action, you make it in the active voice.
o The patient was examined by the ER patient.
o The ER physician examined the patient.
Dangling, misplaced modifiers
o The patient was brought to the ER and was examined by the
ER physician, still in shock over the accident.
o The patient, still in shock over the accident, was brought to
the ER and examined by the ER physician.

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Verbosity
Cut down sentences.
o Examples:

The sample size was inadequate due to the fact that

there was difficulty in the recruitment of subjects.

Correct: The sample size was inadequate because of

difficulty in recruiting subjects.

The department heads agreed on the implementation of

the new curriculum.

Correct: The department heads agreed to implement the

new curriculum.
Numbers
o Use figures to express numbers 10 and above, and words to
express numbers below 10

Ex. There were five drop outs in the treatment group

and 12 in the control group
o Use figures before units of measurement

Ex. The average length of stay was 4 days

o Use a combination of figure and words to express rounded
large numbers and back-to-back modifiers

Ex. The population of the region was 12 million in 2009

Ex. Three 10 mL blood samples were extracted at hourly

intervals
o Treat ordinal numbers (except percentiles and quartiles) as
you would cardinal numbers

Ex. The third determination was done on the 12th week.

o Use a zero before the decimal point when numbers are less
than 1.
o Use Arabic, not roman, numerals whenever possible
o To form the plural of numbers, whether expressed as figures
or as words, add s or es alone, without an apostrophe
Units of Measure
o Use SI units
o Use standard symbols: kg, dL, cm3
o Put a space between the number and the symbol: 25 kg (no
periods, no plural)
PLAGIARISM
the use of others published and unpublished ideas or words (or
other intellectual property) without attribution or permission, and
presenting them as new and original rather than derived from and
existing source.
Material copied without quotation marks, cited or not
Material quoted but not cited
Passages paraphrased without citing
Passages cited but poorly paraphrased
GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING
CONSORT (CONsolidated Standards Of Reporting Trials)
o http://www.consort-statement.org
o Gives more specific instructions for writing clinical trials
TREND (Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Non
Randomized Designs)
o http://www.trend-statement.org
STARD (STAndards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy)
o http://www.consort-statement.org/stard statement.htm

[RES] 1.02 WRITING THE RESEARCH PAPER Dr. Quebral

STROBE (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational Studies in

Epidemiology)
o http://www.strobe-statement.org
COREQ (COnsolidated Critera for REporting Qualitative Research)
MOOSE (Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology)
o http://www.consortstatement.org/initiatives/MOOSE/moose/pdf
PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and
Meta-Analysis)
o http://www.prisma-statement.org
EQUATOR NETWORK (Source of Guidelines)
o http://www.equator-network.org
o If you are not sure with what you need, go to this site

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