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 how 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 FUTURE may be expected to 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? (about the past of a problem, i.e. its background)
Methodology – WHO? WHEN? WHERE? HOW? (about the present)
Results – WHAT? (about the present)
Discussion – WHY? (about the present) HOW? (about 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.