ING Lecture I

Dissemination of
research results
Alexandru Lucian CURTU
Uni Braşov 1
Objective
 How to disseminate your research
results
 How to write a scientific article
 How to do a presentation of your research results
Uni Braşov 2
Evaluation
 During the seminar
 Oral presentation
 State-of-the-art
 Research objectives
 Plan for dissemination
Uni Braşov 3
Dissemination of
research results is
essential!
Publish or perish!
Uni Braşov 4
Why to publish?
 To make our ideas, research results

accessible to:
 Scientific community
 Decision makers
 General public
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What kind of data?
 Original data never published before
 Shall you publish data already included in

abstracts for a conference (either poster or
oral presentation)?
 Yes, if you did no publish a paper in the

conference proceedings volume
Uni Braşov 6
Scientific papers
”Irrespective the type

of paper your work
should not embarrass
you!!!”
Strîmbu B – Oregon
State University
7
What journal?
 Send your paper to the right journal!
 Preliminary list at the beginning!
 Before you start writing

 Who are the readers
 Where have been published similar studies?
 Discuss with your peers
Uni Braşov 8
Before writing
 establish the main point(s) that to be

conveyed in the paper
 if too many points = the main message is

likely to be lost
 Who are the authors?
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Authors
 the identity and sequence of authors
 The first author is with the primary

intellectual contribution
 PhD student (for example)
 The last author is the supervisor (for example)
--- MAJOR difference between disciplines ----
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Before writing
 Select the journal
 Several things are important
 To determine the overall approach taken to

introduce the ideas under study
 To discuss the implications of the research
 The length and format of the manuscript, the

number and nature of the figures and tables
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General paper structure
 Title
 Abstract
 Keywords
 Main body
 Introduction
 Material and methods
 Results
 Discussion
 Conclusion
 Acknowledgements
 References
 Appendixes/ Supplemental materials
12
Surprise!
 to some first-time writers that the

components of scientific papers are not
most easily written in the order in which
they appear in print
 When you start, you have already the the

main ideas in hand
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Recommendation
 The manuscript as a whole is largely
guided by the available data
 First: try to articulate the purpose or

objectives of the paper as primary
questions or hypotheses (i.e., a clear
possible answer to a research question)
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Research question
 Always state the question in the present
tense and what was done to answer it in
the past tense
 To determine whether X is effective in Y,

we conducted a double-blind, placebo-
controlled study in ….
15
Exemple - objective
 The objectives of this study were: (1) To

measure .... […]; and (2) To evaluate the
effects of […]
 Our objective in this study was to evaluate

......
16
Further steps
 Organize figures and tables
 the Results section then follows fairly

directly from the presentation of the data in
the figures and tables
 it will become clear what information

needs to be included in the Materials and
methods
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Further steps
 The information included in the Results
also constrains the interpretations
presented in the Discussion.
 as well as the background information that

is pertinent to the Introduction.
 The abstract and title should be written

last
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How to write, recommendation:
 Question(s) – last
 Title paragraph in Introduction
 Abstract  Results (Fig. and Tables)
 Introduction  Results – text
 Materials  Materials and methods
and methods
 Discussion
 Results
 The rest of the
 Discussion Introduction
 Abstract and title
Uni Braşov 19
Figures and tables (Results)
 Figures and tables are used to support the
main point(s) of the manuscript
 Guide the writing of the text (use PAST

TENSE)
 Figures should be as clear and illustrative

as possible
Uni Braşov 20
Charts and Figures
Ogaya and Penuelas Fang and Strimbu

Forestry Remote Sensing
Writing Science Brasov 2018 21
Figures and tables (Results)
 Many readers only glance at the figures and
tables
 Self-contained, with all relevant information

included in the captions or footnotes
 The text of the results follows directly from

the data presented, and does not include
finer points of interpretation
Uni Braşov 22
Materials and methods
 Provide sufficient detail, both
methodologically and statistically, for
others to repeat the work.
 How you will answer / solve the problem
stated in the objective(s)?
 Study area / Object of the study
 Define variables
 Only tools / techniques
23
Materials and methods
 May include subsections (e.g. Statistical
data analysis)
 Use PAST TENSE
 References YES
 Figures and tables may be included

Uni Braşov 24
Discussion
 a return to the original objectives and
hypotheses
 serves to interpret the results and place
them in a broader context by discussing
related studies
 to present some of the implications of the
work
 avoid extensive speculation that is
unsupported by your data
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Discussion
 Begin by stating the answer to the

question
 In exactly the same way that you asked it
Sursa: Effective Scientific and Technical Writing - Jane

Fraser Associates 2009
Uni Braşov 26
Example
 Introduction: We conducted a double-
blind, placebo-controlled study to compare
inhaled thingerol, 50 g b.d., to inhaled
wotsiterol, 200 mg q.i.d., in the control of
nocturnal symptoms in asthma.
 Discussion: This double-blind,
placebocontrolled study shows that
inhaled thingerol, 50 g b.d., is more
effective than wotsiterol,200 mg q.i.d., in
controlling the nocturnal symptoms of
asthma. Fraser Associates 2009
Uni Braşov 27
Discussion
 use a mixture of past and present tenses
in the discussion. You should use the
present tense for the answer. Use the past
tense for your results and those of others,
but present tense for established fact.
 Smith et al. found that X is associated with

Y, but our results suggest that this is not
the case. We found that X was only
correlated with Z. Sursa: EffectiveFraser
Scientific and Technical Writing - Jane
Associates 2009
Uni Braşov 28
Discussion
 May include subsections
 Include limitations of your study
 Conclusions – 1-2 paragraphs
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Discussion
 Poor Discussion – rejection of your
manuscript
 The discussion acts like a dialogue with

the interested reader
 As one reviewer said: "if authors do not

know what their own results mean, it is not
my job to tell them."
Uni Braşov 30
Checklist for Discussion
 Is the Discussion:
 Logical and succinct?
 Well-referenced (two few and not too many)?
 Accurate and fair regarding other studies’
findings?
 An interpretation rather than a restatement of the
Results?
 Free of vague or unsubstantiated statements?
 Frank in acknowledging limitations?
 Able to explain most anomalies?
Source: Source: 2009 Jane Fraser Associates
31
Conclusions
 Nothing new - briefly restate the answer
at the end (although repetitious)
 Use a different wording to that with which

you began the Discussion, to make it more
interesting for the reader
 A summary of the major findings (and

implications)
Scientific writing - Discussion
 Be cautious…
 Very little is incontrovertible in science. It
is accepted to use qualifying words such
as:
 may be
 might be
 could be
 Probably, possibly
 …but not excessively so

Uni Braşov 33
Introduction
 The function of an introduction is to

present the question being asked
 place it in the context of what is already

known about the topic and what is the
problem with the known (Why the study is
needed?)
34
Suggestion
 The two paragraphs

 First paragraph: trigger interest
 Last paragraph: State the objective(s) of the
paper
 Intermediate paragraphs:
 Critical literature review (in brief)
 Work needed to be carried out
35
Literature review
 Follow supervisor’ instructions
 Search for keywords
 Where?
 International database (e.g. Web of Science,

Scopus)
36
Introduction – a perspective
 Begin the Introduction with what is known
 Move on to what is not known (or a

problem with the known)
 End the introduction by stating the

objective (question)
37
Introduction
 No figures and tables
 No subsections
 References
 Methodological aspects (only if very

relevant)
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Scientific writing -
Introduction
 Use the present tense for generalizations
 Use a past/present combination for

specific findings that are now established
fact

Uni Braşov 39
Scientific writing -
Introduction
 Generalization: Repetitive strain injury
(RSI) is [present tense] one of the
commonest complications of writing a thesis
(citation)
 Specific finding: The Postgraduate Writer’s

Trial has shown [past tense] that use of a
wrist rest reduces [present tense] the risk
of RSI (citation).
40
Scientific writing - Introduction
 Use the past tense for specific findings
with which you are about to take issue
 It is acceptable to use the past tense for

specific findings of others that are not
considered established fact.

Uni Braşov 41
Scientific writing - Introduction
 Ionescu and Popescu reported [past

tense] that the moon was made of green
cheese (citation). However, other studies
have not confirmed this finding (citation).

Uni Braşov 42
Checklist for introduction
 Does the Introduction:
 Identify a gap in scientific knowledge?
 Show why the study was necessary?
 State the question clearly?
 Briefly summarize the approach?
 Show what is new and important about the

study?
 ‘Sell’ the study?

43
References
 Check Instructions for authors
 Software packages
 Examples: Endnote, Mendeley, Zotero,

BibTeX, Ref Man
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Abstract
 the most important section of the paper
because many people limit most of their
reading to abstracts
 summarize the key findings of the paper

and clearly articulate what is novel and
important about the work
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Abstract
 Introduction: one-two sentence(s)

 Objective
 Methods – only if special
 Results and Conclusions ˃50% of the text
 Implications
46
Does the abstract
 Briefly establish context, if space allows?

 State the main question you set out to
answer?
 State the most important results in logical
order?
 State the main conclusion (the answer to
the question)?
Uni Braşov 47
Does the abstract
 Give adequate data to support the
conclusion?
 State any important implications
(optional)?
 Give a good overall impression - is the
study well-conducted, interesting?
Uni Braşov 48
Keywords
 Very important for indexing by
International Databases (e.g. WoS)
 Include the keywords that readers will be

searching for
 Think about which words your target

readers will be looking for
49
Title
 Concise, informative, not too long
 It is possible to include the main result or

conclusion
 Could be the research question
Uni Braşov 50
Title - exemples
THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON
GERMINATION OF SPRUCE
DOES TEMPERATURE AFFECT GERMINATION

OF SPRUCE?
TEMPERATURE AND SPRUCE GERMINATION:

IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN HEALTH
HIGH TEMPERATURES REDUCE

GERMINATION OF SPRUCE
51
Acknowledgments
 granting agencies and those individuals
who substantially improved the research at
any stage (from providing access to
equipment or field sites to revising the
manuscript).
 Be as generous as possible
52
Recommendations
 Read the manuscript at least 3 times (5
realistic) – many drafts
 Ask colleagues for help
 Do not add more info than needed The

reader is NOT YOU!
53
Take-away message
 When writing a manuscript the authors
have already the main ideas
 The order in which you may write:

 Objectives of the paper (last part of introduction)
 Results (organize figures and tables)
 Results text
 Materials and methods
 Discussion and Introduction (the rest of it)
 Abstract, title and keywords
54
Take-away message
 Writing of scientific articles is not an easy
process
 It is helpful to work from an outline
 "Many people have trouble writing from an
outline, or even writing the outline itself. To
them, we relay the sage advice of an
anonymous neuroscientists/musician: (1)
write drunk, and (2) edit sober.“
Harley CDG et al. P.78 bulletin of the ecological society of america.
Uni Braşov 55
Thank you for your
attention!
Uni Braşov 56

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Dissemination of

Alexandru Lucian CURTU

 How to write a scientific article

 How to do a presentation of your research results

 During the seminar

 Plan for dissemination

 To make our ideas, research results

 Shall you publish data already included in

 Yes, if you did no publish a paper in the

”Irrespective the type

 Send your paper to the right journal!

 Preliminary list at the beginning!

 Before you start writing

 Where have been published similar studies?

 Discuss with your peers

 establish the main point(s) that to be

 if too many points = the main message is

 Who are the authors?

 the identity and sequence of authors

 The first author is with the primary

--- MAJOR difference between disciplines ----

 Several things are important

 To determine the overall approach taken to

 The length and format of the manuscript, the

 to some first-time writers that the

 When you start, you have already the the

 First: try to articulate the purpose or

 To determine whether X is effective in Y,

 The objectives of this study were: (1) To

 Our objective in this study was to evaluate

 the Results section then follows fairly

 it will become clear what information

 as well as the background information that

 The abstract and title should be written

 Guide the writing of the text (use PAST

 Figures should be as clear and illustrative

Ogaya and Penuelas Fang and Strimbu

 Self-contained, with all relevant information

 The text of the results follows directly from

 Use PAST TENSE

 Figures and tables may be included

 Begin by stating the answer to the

 In exactly the same way that you asked it

Sursa: Effective Scientific and Technical Writing - Jane

 Smith et al. found that X is associated with

 May include subsections

 Include limitations of your study

 Conclusions – 1-2 paragraphs

 The discussion acts like a dialogue with

 As one reviewer said: "if authors do not

 Well-referenced (two few and not too many)?

 Accurate and fair regarding other studies’

 Frank in acknowledging limitations?

 Able to explain most anomalies?

Source: Source: 2009 Jane Fraser Associates

 Use a different wording to that with which

 A summary of the major findings (and

 …but not excessively so

 The function of an introduction is to

 place it in the context of what is already

 The two paragraphs

 Search for keywords

 International database (e.g. Web of Science,