Scientific Manuscript Writing – Structure
For those of you
struggling to write a manuscript for scientific publications, let’s be clear
about the structure of manuscript writing. Most journals require that we follow
what is called the IMRaD format. Here’s what it means:
I – Introduction
M – Methodology (or
Materials & Methods)
R – Results and
D – Discussion
Beyond this, however,
there is an accepted norm in the way manuscripts are written for scientific
publication, especially within the STEMM fields (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine) and its related disciplines.
Scientific publications
are expected to push the boundaries of the known and extend our knowledge into
the unknown. With this in mind, any good piece of scientific writing is
expected to cover the PAST and PRESENT while establishing sneak
glimpses of how the expected FUTURE may look like within reason.
Tying this to the 6W’s
(WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHEN, WHO and HOW), this is what a decent manuscript is
expected to look like:
Introduction
– WHAT? WHY? WHEN? (in relation to the past of a problem, i.e. its
background)
Methodology
– WHO? WHEN? WHERE? HOW? (in relation to the present)
Results
– WHAT? (in relation to the present)
Discussion
– WHY? (in relation to the present) HOW? (in relation to the present and
predictable future) WHY NOT? (limitations)
Finally, it is always recommended that a short, clear and concise summary of the study be outlined in a separate section called CONCLUSION as well.
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