Different sections are needed in different types of scientific papers (lab reports, literature reviews, systematic reviews, methods papers, research papers, etc.). Projects that overlap with the social sciences or humanities may have different requirements. Generally, however, you'll need to include:
TITLE
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION (Background)
METHODS SECTION (Materials and Methods)
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
| What is a title | What makes a good title? |
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Titles have two functions: to identify the main topic or the message of the paper and to attract readers. The title will be read by many people. Only a few will read the entire paper, therefore all words in the title should be chosen with care. Too short a title is not helpful to the potential reader. Too long a title can sometimes be even less meaningful. Remember a title is not an abstract. Neither is a title a sentence.
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A good title is accurate, complete, and specific. Imagine searching for your paper in PubMed. What words would you use? • Use the fewest possible words that describe the contents of the paper. |
| What is an abstract? | What makes a good abstract? |
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The abstract is a miniature version of your paper. It should present the main story and a few essential details of the paper for readers who only look at the abstract and should serve as a clear preview for readers who read your whole paper. They are usually short (250 words or less). The goal is to communicate:
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A good abstract is specific and selective. Try summarizing each of the sections of your paper in a sentence two. Do the abstract last, so you know exactly what you want to write.
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| What is an introduction? | What makes a good introduction? |
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The introduction tells the reader why you are writing your paper (ie, identifies a gap in the literature) and supplies sufficient background information that the reader can understand and evaluate your project without referring to previous publications on the topic. The goal is to communicate:
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A good introduction is not the same as an abstract. Where the abstract summarizes your paper, the introduction justifies your project and lets readers know what to expect.
• Keep it brief. You conducted an extensive literature review, so that you can give readers just the relevant information. |
| What is a methods section? | What makes a good methods section? |
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Generally a methods section tells the reader how you conducted your project. It is also called "Materials and Methods". The goal is to make your project reproducible.
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A good methods section gives enough detail that another scientist could reproduce or replicate your results. • Use very specific language, similar to a recipe in a cookbook.
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| What is a results section? | What makes a good results section? |
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The results objectively present the data or information that you gathered through your project. The narrative that you write here will point readers to your figures and tables that present your relevant data. Keep in mind that you may be able to include more of your data in an online journal supplement or research data repository.
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A good results section is not the same as the discussion. Present the facts in the results, saving the interpretation for the discussion section. The results section should be written in past tense.
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| What is a discussion section? | What makes a good discussion section? |
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The discussion section is the answer to the question(s) you posed in the introduction section. It is where you interpret your results. You have a lot of flexibility in this section. In addition to your main findings or conclusions, consider:
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A good discussion section should read very differently than the results section. The discussion is where you interpret the project as a whole.
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