the anatomy of a research paper

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Scientists all over the world, in laboratories and in the field, work hard every day. They spend countless hours trying to find answers to research questions. Often this all leads up to an "ah-ha!" (or a "that's strange...") moment, when they discover something interesting or something that can change what we know about science.

But once they've made a discovery, what happens? Does the whole world automatically know about their work? Of course not — that would be too easy. In order to spread news of their findings, scientists have to write and publish articles that outline what they did and what they found.

When scientists write these papers, they don't usually write them for the public. Instead, they write them for other scientists. So, if you aren't a scientist, how might you figure out what's in a paper?

How to Read a Scientific Paper

Below, we've mapped out the "gross anatomy" of an article — basically an overview of what goes where in a paper. After you know the basics of what you can expect to find in a scientific article, take a shot at reading one on our Article Dissection page. Together these sections provide tips you can use when reading a scientific paper.

Just like you have a name, so does every research paper that is published. Usually the title offers a general idea of the subject of the paper. Sometimes it will also include information on what the scientists found. Show me an example | 1 |

Give credit where credit is due. People that made a large contribution to the project usually end up as an author. If there is more than one author, they are called co-authors. Sometimes, when a lot of people are involved, this makes for a very long list of authors. Show me an example | 1 |

Author affiliations

It may seem odd, but scientists aren't the only ones involved in the completion of a study. Often times the university or institution where the study was completed also had an important role, in providing funds for the work, for example. The universities or institutions that sponsored the work are usually listed under the authors' names. To see which author came from what institution, you can usually match the numbers or symbols listed next to the author and institution names.

The abstract is a one paragraph summary of the most important parts of the article. Reading the abstract is a good way to figure out if you are interested in reading the rest of the paper. Abstracts can also have a ton of information though, so they can sometimes be difficult to read. Show me an example | 1 |

Author Summary

Certain journals like to have the authors of the article write a simplified version of the abstract. This is often written for non-scientists or scientists from other fields. If an article has an author summary, it might be good to read it before you read the abstract. Show me an example | 1 |

Introduction

Background is very important. If you're trying to learn about a specific lizard, for example, it would be useful to know where the lizard species lives, what it eats, and what kind of behaviors it might show. The introduction of a paper is where the scientists give you all of the relevant background information so you can better understand the study. Show me an example| 1 |

Materials and Methods

It would be great if scientific information would magically appear. But it doesn't. Instead, it takes days, months, or years to carry out experiments for a study. In the materials and methods section, the scientists explain exactly how they did their study. It is kind of a "how to" or "DIY" for other scientists. Because of the complicated nature of some studies, the materials and methods section can sometimes be the toughest part of the paper to read.

But this section can also give you the best idea of how research is done.  Show me an example | 1 |

Results (with figures and tables)

Do you ever listen to an overly long story and wish that the storyteller would just get to the point? If you do, the results section will probably be your favorite. This is the heart of the paper, where the scientists tell you exactly what they found. This is usually where you will also find the figures and tables, though some papers put all the figures at the very end. A lot of results are pretty raw data (meaning the data hasn't been interpreted). Interpretation is saved for the next section. Show me an example | 1 |

If you read the results section, you probably take in a lot of numbers, some useful graphs, and you have a good idea of what was found overall. But what does any of it mean? Are the findings important? These questions are answered in the discussion section. Here, scientists present what they learned from the study and what effect the new information will have on science. They also discuss any problems with the experiment in this section. There is one thing to be wary of when reading the discussion...sometimes data can be interpreted in different ways. The interpretation presented in a discussion is not always the only interpretation possible. This is why the discussion section is kept separate from the results section. Show me an example | 1 |

Some journal articles have a conclusion section,  which is basically a summary of the study that is really heavy on findings and what those findings mean. If you want the quick version of what impact the study will have on science, look for a conclusions section. Show me an example | 1 |

Acknowledgments

Some studies involve many, many people that contribute, sometimes in relatively small ways. If someone helps out but didn't do enough to be an author on a paper, they still get credit for their work by being listed in the acknowledgments section. Show me an example | 1 |

Author Contributions

While an author list tells us which people were most important to completing a study, it doesn't tell us what each author contributed to the process. Some journals don't include an author contributions section, but when they do, they list which author did what during the study. Show me an example | 1 |

You may have heard the phrase that things "do not exist in vacuums." The reference section is proof of that idea. Throughout the entire paper, scientists used other published information to help give you background on their work, to explain why they used certain methods, or to compare their findings to others. The references section is where all those other published studies are listed. As you read through an article,  you will often see either tiny numbers in superscript or last names in parentheses at the end of some sentences. These are cues that link you to specific published articles that are all listed in the reference section. This section is especially helpful if you want to get more information related to the article you are reading. Show me an example | 1 |

Supplementary Materials

Some studies produce a lot of important information that the scientists want to share with the world. Yet, if you want someone to read a journal article, it can only be so long. Sometimes, if there is too much information for too little of an article, information that can be considered "extra" is listed in a different section of supplementary materials.

Read more about: Anatomy of an Article

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• Article: Anatomy of an Article
• Author(s): Karla Moeller
• Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
• Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
• Date published: June 12, 2014
• Date accessed: November 9, 2023
• Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/anatomy-of-an-article

Karla Moeller. (2014, June 12). Anatomy of an Article. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved November 9, 2023 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/anatomy-of-an-article

Chicago Manual of Style

Karla Moeller. "Anatomy of an Article". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 12 June, 2014. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/anatomy-of-an-article

MLA 2017 Style

Karla Moeller. "Anatomy of an Article". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 12 Jun 2014. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 9 Nov 2023. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/anatomy-of-an-article

More than just highlighting text, reading a scientific paper requires skills in reading and dissecting the story.

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Writing, editing, and publishing the paper is the last step in the research process. The paper tells the story of the project from inception, through the data-collection process, statistical analysis, and discussion of the results. Novice authors often struggle with writing and often find themselves with either nothing on paper or a weighty version of random thoughts. The process of writing the paper should be analogous to the research process. This article describes and provides a template for the essential sections and features of a scientific report (structured abstract, introduction, hypothesis, methods, results, discussion, and conclusions), describes authorship guidelines that have been established by professional societies, and discusses the importance of adequate and correct references.

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• Correspondence: Richard D Branson MSc RRT FAARC, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML #0558, Cincinnati OH 45267-0558. E-mail: richard.branson{at}uc.edu .
• Copyright © 2004 by Daedalus Enterprises Inc.

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Anatomy and physiology of a scientific paper

Affiliation.

• 1 Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• PMID: 30505170
• PMCID: PMC6252020
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2018.01.004

Writing and publishing a scientific paper in academic journals is a highly competitive, time-consuming stepwise process. The road to scientific writing and publication is rarely straightforward. Scientific writing has uniform format, which is perplexing for the novice science writers due to its inflexible anatomy (structure) and physiology (functions). Many obstacles are allied with the scientific writing path which can be minimized by applying some simple guidelines and practices. The scientific papers have an almost similar format but, original articles are divided into distinct sections and each segment contains a specific type of information. The basic anatomy of scientific papers is mainly comprised of the structure of the various components of a scientific paper, including title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, acknowledgments and references. However, the physiology of a scientific paper is difficult to understand. Early career researchers and trainees may be less familiar with the various components of scientific papers. In this study, we applied an observational approach to describe the essential steps to facilitate the readers and writers to understand the basic characteristics, anatomy and physiology of writing the various sections of a scientific paper for an academic science journal.

Keywords: Paper structure, writing tips; Publication process; Scientific paper writing.

Publication types

Anatomy of a Scholarly Article

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Presented here are the first and last pages of a scholarly article. Click on the highlighted areas of the article to learn about clues to look for when identifying scholarly articles.

The title of a scholarly article is generally (but not always) an extremely brief summary of the article's contents. It will usually contain technical terms related to the research presented.

The abstract is a brief summary of the contents of the article, usually under 250 words. It will contain a description of the problem and problem setting; an outline of the study, experiment, or argument; and a summary of the conclusions or findings. It is provided so that readers examining the article can decide quickly whether the article meets their needs.

Scholarly articles frequently contain charts, graphs, equations, and statistical data related to the research. Pictures are rare unless they relate directly to the research presented in the article.

The body of an article is usually presented in sections, including an introduction , a literature review , one or more sections describing and analyzing the argument , experiment or study . Scientific research articles typically include separate sections addressing the Methods and Results of the experiment, and a Discussion of the research findings. Articles typically close with a conclusion summarizing the findings. The parts of the article may or may not be labeled, and two or more sections may be combined in a single part of the text. The text itself is typically highly technical, and assumes a familiarity with the topic. Jargon , abbreviations , and technical terms are used without definition.

A scholarly article will end with a conclusion , where the authors summarize the results of their research. The authors may also discuss how their findings relate to other scholarship, or encourage other researchers to extend or follow up on their work.

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Anatomy of a Research Paper: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted by admin | Aug 14, 2023 | Africa , America , Asia , Australia and Oceania , Blog , Continent , Europe | 0 |

A well-structured research paper is a cornerstone of scholarly communication, allowing researchers to share their findings, insights, and contributions with the global academic community. Each section of a research paper serves a distinct purpose, contributing to the overall understanding of the research process and its outcomes. In this article, we will delve into the anatomy of a research paper and explore the key components of each section.

1. Abstract

The abstract serves as a concise summary of the entire research paper. It provides a snapshot of the research problem, the methodology used, the main findings, and their implications. An effective abstract should be clear, concise, and engaging, allowing readers to quickly grasp the essence of the paper. It typically ranges from 150 to 250 words and should include essential keywords that reflect the paper’s subject matter.

2. Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for the research by providing context, outlining the research problem, and stating the research objectives or questions. It also presents the significance of the study, explaining why the research is important and how it contributes to existing knowledge. The introduction should establish a logical and compelling narrative that guides the reader toward understanding the research’s purpose and relevance.

3. Literature Review

The literature review critically examines previous research and scholarly works related to the research topic. This section demonstrates the researcher’s understanding of the field, identifies gaps in existing knowledge, and justifies the need for the current study. It showcases the evolution of ideas, theories, and methodologies that have led to the research question. The literature review is crucial for situating the study within the broader academic discourse.

4. Methodology

The methodology section details the research design, methods, and techniques used to collect and analyze data. It explains how the research question was approached and answered. This section should be comprehensive enough for other researchers to replicate the study if desired. It encompasses aspects like research approach, data collection methods, sampling techniques, and statistical tools employed.

In the results section, the researcher presents the factual outcomes of the study without interpretation or analysis. This often involves the presentation of data in the form of tables, figures, or descriptive text. Clarity and organization are key in this section, as the data should be easily interpretable, allowing readers to understand the patterns and trends that emerged from the research.

6. Discussion

The discussion section interprets the results, relates them to the research question, and explores their implications. Researchers analyze the findings in the context of existing literature and explain how they contribute to a deeper understanding of the topic. Strengths and limitations of the study are addressed, and potential sources of bias or error are acknowledged. This section should also identify avenues for further research and theoretical or practical implications.

7. Conclusion

The conclusion encapsulates the main takeaways of the research and reiterates how they address the research objectives or questions. It provides a concise summary of the findings and their significance. The conclusion should connect back to the introduction, demonstrating how the research has fulfilled its purpose and contributed to the field.

8. Acknowledgement

In the acknowledgment section, researchers express gratitude to individuals, institutions, or funding sources that supported or contributed to the study. This section provides an opportunity to recognize the efforts of those who have assisted in various aspects of the research process.

9. References

The references section lists all the sources cited in the research paper. This allows readers to locate and verify the information presented in the paper. Proper citation and adherence to a specific citation style (such as APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) are essential in maintaining academic integrity and giving credit to the original authors.

In conclusion, a research paper is a meticulously crafted document that follows a specific structure to effectively communicate research findings and insights. Each section plays a vital role in guiding the reader through the research journey, from understanding the problem to drawing conclusions. A well-organized and well-written research paper enhances the dissemination of knowledge and contributes to the advancement of scholarly discourse.

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139 Anatomy Research Topics: Original List 2023

This article provides a listicle of anatomy research topics for students and researchers within academia. The purpose is to assist students in choosing topics in this discipline without going through the hassle of developing a research topic from scratch. As a branch of biology, anatomy studies the structure and the function of organisms and their parts, this is also the same for physiology; they are related disciplines which is why both subjects are usually taught together. The discipline of anatomy, just like physiology, provides basic knowledge about the human body and how it responds and adapts to everyday activity. With anatomy and physiology, one gets to learn about both the human body’s theoretical concepts and practical functions. So many research works can come out through the discipline. Therefore, while writing a research paper on anatomy, you will need to know how to source and prepare a good research paper.

Structure of an Anatomy Research Paper

This section provides guidelines on effectively and efficiently arranging ideas, topics, subtopics to make for a coherent and accurate presentation when preparing your anatomy research paper. The following are notable structures patterns to follow:

Abstract An abstract is an important aspect when it comes to research writing. It is majorly required that it is included in your essay or research. In writing an abstract, the student is expected to briefly summarize the major information of the research paper as a brief that enables the readers to ascertain the purpose of the paper easily. The abstract appears at the beginning of a research essay. Introduction The introduction comes up at the beginning section of the essay or research paper. Just as its name implies, it introduces the paper, stating its purpose, goals, and objectives. The introductory part of an essay further describes its scope and summarizes it. Body The body of an essay is also an important part of a research paper. In this section, the student is expected to comprehensively collect and arrange collected data to intrigue the readers’ interest. It is also expected to be organized logically and partitioned into sections, using headings and subheadings to make for a chronological build-up. Students are expected to examine data relevant to their research and quote sources accurately within the body through in-text citations. Conclusion Every research paper has a concluding part in the essay. The essence of a conclusion is to restate the main topic. The conclusion reminds the reader of the basics of the research essay and reiterates the most important points in your essay. It also summarizes, demonstrates, and introduces possible expanded ways about the research problems. Reference List Every properly written research paper must have a reference list, what is contained here are all the sources cited in the course of the research, and it usually appears at the end of the paper. It provides the necessary information on locating and retrieving cited sources in the text.

The reference list is often written in alphabetical order while following the reference style approved by your college professor of the discipline. For anatomy, the preferred reference style is the APA (American Psychological Association) reference style.

No matter what research topic you’ve choose, our professional writers ready to write a research paper for you . Hire research paper writing services to buy a research paper online .

Characteristics of a Well Written Anatomy Research Essay

Certain criteria determine a well-written research essay. A well-written anatomy research essay has some major characteristics. The following are great tips to consider to achieve this feat. They include:

Clear Grammar The application of language and the use of diction must be rich and concise. When the grammatical constructions applied are difficult, your work becomes too difficult to comprehend easily, which defeats the purpose of the essay. It is therefore advisable that you communicate in simple language. Conciseness  Conciseness involves the ability to communicate complete information about your research topic in as few words as possible. Your sentences should not contain unnecessary words, sentences, etc. but should be brief and to the point. Depths and Arguments  The arguments employed in your research writing must be intellectually deep. When writing your research essay, your argument has to be solid, and in doing this, you will be able to make your essay an engaging one. This, therefore, is a measure most readers often look out for. Clear Structure Every research work must be structured chronologically to convey clear meaning.

As a student, you are not expected to arrange your thoughts disjointedly; rather, you are expected to follow the proper model that your college professor or field has approved for the study. However if you don’t enjoy spending all your free time with textbooks, use the opportunity to buy custom term paper and go have fun with your friends.

Interesting Anatomy Topics for Every Student

There are several anatomy paper topics to be written on. The discipline is an interesting one that extends to various topics related to the mechanisms of living things. Below are topics in the field of anatomy that will enable students to choose their research paper topics easily.

• A study of the component and organization of the human body
• The skeletal and muscular structure of the body
• Human reproductive system
• Study of Genetics and Heredity in humans
• Study of the different body systems in humans and animals
• A comprehensive study of the DNA and its location within the human body
• The molecular formation process in the body
• How the human body maintains homeostasis
• Structural arrangement of organs within the human body
• A study of the hearing mechanism of animals
•  The human body as a good conductor of heat: discuss
• A study on the correlation of menstruation and puberty
• Chromosome component in the human body
• Examine the components of the Ligament, Tendon, and Cartilage
• An overview of the make-up of the human skeletal system
• An analysis of the skeletal system and the calcium level within the human body
• Components of the animal anatomy
• Lymphocytes and the body defense mechanism
• The challenge of chemotherapy on lymphocytes
• A comprehensive study of leukocytes and lymphocytes.

Anatomy and Physiology Topics for Research Papers

One important thing to note is that anatomy and physiology are closely associated disciplines, and they both look into the structure of the human body. There are so many anatomy and physiology research topics to write on. Here are some topics to look into for your next research paper:

• The narrowing of the arteries, increase in blood pressure, and decrease in blood flow
• A comparative study of the human and animal vertebrae
• Components of the human heart and the heart valve
• Process of alcohol breakdown within the body
• Symptoms and the resulting causes of blood clot
• Study of pulmonary embolism in the chest region
• Connection between arteries, veins, and the capillaries
• Purpose and function of AST/ALT blood test
• A study of the circulatory system and the human lungs
• Relationship between the circulatory and respiratory system
• Effect of lack of salt and calcium load on the human body
• Health challenges associated with smoking
• A study of the remote causes of heart diseases
• A comparative study of heart and lung diseases
• A study of the blood flow level in diabetic patients
• Lactose intolerance in middle-aged women and its causes
• Functions and importance of the Articular and Muscular body systems
• A study of the reproductive system pattern in animals
• An analysis of the human cardiovascular system
• Examine the skeletal components of reptiles
• Study of the human body activities
• Unhealthy dietary consumption and effects on the human body
• A comparative study of head and neck anatomy
• Study of the lower and upper limb
• Reproduction: fertility growth in animals
• Effect of the use of contraceptives in women
• Study of the cardiovascular responses in diabetic patients
• Causes of lactose intolerance in human beings
• Chromosome components in animals.

Human Anatomy Essay Topics for College Students

While looking for anatomy topics for research, always remember that anatomy is divided into human anatomy and animal anatomy. From this information, you can choose which of them to focus your study on. Here are some topics in human anatomy for your research essay.

• Influence of metabolism on human reproduction
• DNA structure in the human body
• Chromosome component and formation within the human body
• Hormonal effects on human growth and development
• The digestive system process in the human body
• The connection of the human digestive, circulatory and endocrine system
• A study on the development stage of soft tissues
• Importance of sleep to the human body
• Hereditary components of the human body
• Effect of antibiotics in the human body
• Study of the performance of the central nervous system
• Human pain receptors and their location within the body
• The interrelation between blood type and character
• Effect of heredity on the human body
• Pain receptor: a study of the human ability to absorb pain
• The sensitivity of the human skin
• Study of reflex action in humans
• Examine the concept of genetic engineering in the human body
• Major functions of the male and female brain
• Acne and treatment solutions.

Engaging Physiology Research Paper Topics for Students

As a closely related discipline to anatomy, here are some physiology research paper topics for your research paper.

• Problem of eating disorders in the human body.
• Research on the temperature and exercise on limb blood flow in man.
• Study of blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rates in older people.
• Causes of lactose intolerance in people
• A study of the challenges of speech passage during a Talk Test response
• The resulting challenges of global warming in animals
• How climate change affects animal’s productivity
• A study of the peculiarities in certain wild animals
• Health effects of drugs on the human body.
• Health effects of dehydration in humans
• Weather as a tool for disrupting physiological processes.
• Vitamins as a one-way cure to health challenges.
• Causes of cardiovascular illness
• Blood pressure changes during the menstrual cycle of older women.
• Dietary habits and their effects on the human body.
• Stress: disease patterns and psychological stress in hypertensive men.
• A study of the life cycle in amphibians
• Importance of the heart in transfusing blood
• What are the reasons for the increased death rate in wild animals in bonds?
• The use and importance of anesthetics for animals.

Creative Anatomy and Physiology Paper Topics for Students

Below are some other research paper topics in anatomy and physiology that students could choose for their next research papers or assignments.

• Exercises as a tool for redeeming the human body.
• The impact of climate change on marine animals.
• Effects of pollution on the nutritional status of infants.
• Lactose intolerance in young adults: a case study.
• Adapting to cold temperatures: a study on changes in the human body.
• Why are physical exercises crucially important for the psychological development of young children?
• The effect of excessive blood pressure on human beings.
• Importance of physiotherapy to athletes
• Negative effects of going through physical rehabilitation without the assistance of a physiotherapist
• Outdoor physical exercises to reduce anxiety
• A study of how physical exercise can manage depression
• The dangers of muscle sprains in athletes
• Best cure procedures for muscle sprains for everyone
• In-depth analysis of the effect of excessive consumption of caffeine on athletes
• Ways to prevent muscle fiber destruction during exercise
• Importance of engaging in physical exercise to the mental health
• A study of how physical exercise alleviates autism symptoms
• Can young people develop early-stage cardiovascular illness?
• The use and importance of anesthetics for animals
• A study of the types of parasites and illnesses that affect animals
• A study of the various types of parasites and illnesses they cause
• Importance of cognitive assessment in athletes during physical exercise
• Exercise physiology for disabled people
• The use of placement support and supervision during clinical exercise physiology
• Physical exercise and clinical physiology
• How athletes can increase their body metabolism
• The study of aggressiveness and physical exercise
• Best ways to introduce physical effects therapy for athletes.

Anatomy Project Ideas for College Research

As a college student, here are some interesting anatomy project ideas you can consider for your next research paper:

• Clinical trial on diabetes in lab rats
• Effect of high caffeine intake
• Health benefits of fresh stem juice
• Sugar level detection in soda drinks
• Study of the human heart circulation system
• Project on a human breathing machine
• A designed human nervous system model
• An excretory system project development
• Acne solution: development of a cream solution for acne
• Detection of the cause of heart failure in humans.

Great Anatomy And Physiology Project Ideas for Research

If you are looking for good anatomy and physiology project ideas as a student, we have provided for you some topics to consider:

• A spinal cord development project
• Heart and circulatory system development project
• PowerPoint presentation project on the excretory system
• Clinical trial on albino rabbits
• A study of weather impact on mood
• Sleep defects and how it affects the human body
• Human heart rate response to exercise and long stretches
• Effect of fear on human blood pressure
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• Study of the color effect on human mood.

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Anatomy and physiology of a scientific paper

Writing and publishing a scientific paper in academic journals is a highly competitive, time-consuming stepwise process. The road to scientific writing and publication is rarely straightforward. Scientific writing has uniform format, which is perplexing for the novice science writers due to its inflexible anatomy (structure) and physiology (functions). Many obstacles are allied with the scientific writing path which can be minimized by applying some simple guidelines and practices. The scientific papers have an almost similar format but, original articles are divided into distinct sections and each segment contains a specific type of information. The basic anatomy of scientific papers is mainly comprised of the structure of the various components of a scientific paper, including title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, acknowledgments and references. However, the physiology of a scientific paper is difficult to understand. Early career researchers and trainees may be less familiar with the various components of scientific papers. In this study, we applied an observational approach to describe the essential steps to facilitate the readers and writers to understand the basic characteristics, anatomy and physiology of writing the various sections of a scientific paper for an academic science journal.

Many young physicians and researchers are interested in a career as an academic scientist and want to be a writer, but they must understand that scientific writing is a challenge and a life of science is also a life of writing ( McDonnell, 2017 ). Writing research papers mainly is centered on the structure (Anatomy) and functional descriptions of the various sections (Physiology). The standard paper structure, including introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusions is not only enough to keep track, but even with those sections, there is still enough freedom to get stuck in writing cul-de-sacs ( McDonnell, 2017 ).

Writing and publishing a research paper is a common dilemma faced by most of the researchers ( Bajwa and Sawhney, 2016 ). Scientific writing is a red-hot issue among the medical community due to its increasing academic and professional demands. A well written scientific manuscript is the daydream of authors, reviewers, editors and readers. The ability of framing an appropriate manuscript can be attained by adopting certain basic rules and techniques besides knowledge and skills. Best patient care is based on the preeminent available scientific evidence. Writing and publishing a scientific paper is a prerequisite for science and is an indicator of the merits of a scientist. Scientific paper writing skill is usually adopted with learning by doing and formal training ( Auvinen, 2015 ). The purpose of this article is to highlight all the desirable anatomical and physiological features which would be kept in consideration while preparing and writing a scientific manuscript. Before discussing the various contents of the anatomy and physiology of a scientific paper, it is essential to know the prerequisites of a scientific paper and why researchers publish.

1. Prerequisites of scientific paper

Before boarding on the task of writing, it is essential to carefully consider the certain prerequisites that make the manuscript better ( Kotz and Cals, 2013 ). A well-designed study is easier to write, before being convinced of the merit of an idea for research objectives, vigorously review the available literature to ensure the originality and identify the lacunae in the current knowledge on the subject. In an original article, the contents of the manuscript revolves around the data, hence, it is imperative to know the data and findings thoroughly. The authorship should be settled as early as possible ( Menezes et al., 2006 , Marco and Schmidt, 2004 ). It is also essential to select the appropriate journal where the manuscript has a reasonable chance, depending on the scope of the journal, originality of the idea, quality of evidence and the importance of findings ( Sengupta et al., 2014 ). Choosing the scientific journal for the prospective manuscript is a difficult decision, however, select the journal before starting to write the manuscript. Although, this choice is influenced by many factors, matching the journal's readership, journal's visibility, indexing, frequency of publication, acceptance rate and publication expenses involved ( Bavdekar and Save, 2015 ). The “instructions to authors” section usually provides guidelines that differ from one journal to another. It is also essential that authors adhere to the general guidelines of a journal before putting a pen on a paper.

2. Why researchers publish

Writing and publishing a scientific paper in a peer reviewed academic journals are an imperative ingredient of research laterally with a professional career enhancing advantages and significant amount of personal satisfaction ( Meo and Al-Saadi, 2007 ). Scientific publications are essential to share the ideas globally, enhance academic career, represents an opportunity to communicate their experience and provide a platform for a personal contribution to the knowledge of the science. The dissemination of ideas in the scientific community is a landmark for progress ( Picardi, 2016 ). Scientific writing brings the science and scientists closer to the clinicians and bring benefit to the people ( Normando, 2016 ).

Scientific publications are the golden eggs of an academic career, disseminate knowledge, boost the research profile and career progression. It encourages the discussion within the professional community and develop the high academic foundation. Considering the significance of why researchers publish, we established a pyramid called “SULTAN’S” pyramid ( Fig. 1 ). In this pyramid, we highlight that researchers publish their research findings for their study requirements, hiring, promotions, grants, long-term sustainability, getting top rank positions, advancement in policies and name and fame among the science community ( Fig. 1 ).

SULTAN’S pyramid: Why researchers publish.

3. Title of the scientific paper

The title of the scientific paper is an incredibly important component of an article, as this is the first part of the article that an editor, reviewer and reader reads to understand the contents of the scientific paper. Title must be easy to understand and catalogue and has a good taste to fascinate the readers ( Meo and Al-Saadi, 2007 ) ( Fig. 2 ). The title should be concise, specific and convey the main idea with maximum information available on a subject ( Grant, 2013 ).

MEO’S Fish Bone Model: Basic components of a scientific paper.

Title must contain the primary key words describing the work presented and reflect the entire core contents of the manuscript. A good title is like an honest advertisement, fascinating the readers of the manuscript while a poor title is like a quarantine sign the readers read and then hurry away ( Meo and Al-Saadi, 2007 ). Title must be simple, easy to understand, not so technical that only the authorities understand. The title should be short, unambiguous, without abbreviations and contain an adequate description of the entire work without any biased picture ( Meo and Al-Saadi, 2007 ) ( Fig. 2 ).

4. Abstract of the scientific paper

The abstract is the most important part of the manuscript, beside the title readers frequently read the abstract ( Bavdekar and Gogtay, 2015 ). Abstract play multiple functions in the dissemination of intellectual knowledge. A brief and meaningful abstract serves as a resume for the manuscript ( Goodman et al., 2016 ). The abstract of the scientific paper is the first part of the paper that a potential editor and reviewer appraise during the submission of the manuscript and readers appreciate when they search through electronic databases. The attractive abstract sets the tone for the entire paper and develops an interest in readers to peruse the contents of the paper. It is therefore the responsibility of the author to ensure that the abstract is appropriately representing the whole paper.

The abstract should be written according to the guidelines of the journal and preferable to restrict the word limit approximately 150–250 ( Gambescia, 2013 ). No reference should be cited in the abstract section of the manuscript. The abstract summarizes the main information from all the sections of the manuscript using structured summary of the background, methods, results and conclusions. In the abstract section the author should answer the fundamental questions [i] Why did we start. [ii] What did we do. [iii] What did we find. [iv] What does it mean. These form the basis of introduction, methods, results and conclusions ( Ogrinc et al., 2016 ). The abstract facilitates the readers to select whether they want to read the entire paper or move onward. Therefore, provide enough principal information to make the abstract valuable to reference the work. Although abstract is the first part of the paper, it must be written last since it will summarize the whole paper. For composing the abstract, take the main sentences from each section and put them in order which summarizes the paper. Once you have the complete abstract, make sure that the information in the abstract completely agrees with what is written in the paper and also confirm that the information appearing in the abstract actually appears in the body of the paper. The abstract must contain general qualities as discussed in Table 1 .

Characteristics of various components of a research article.

5. Introduction of the scientific paper

The introduction part of the scientific paper is an essential to tell the readers why the author (s) conducted the study. It is an essential to discuss the relevant primary research literature and summarize the current understanding of the problems which are being investigated. State the purpose of the work in the form of a hypothesis, questions, problems investigated and briefly explain the rationale and approach. The introduction section must answer the questions [i] What was being studied? [ii] What was the important question? [iii] What did we know about it before? [iv] and how does this study advance knowledge? Identify the key topics that the study deals with and introduce them within 4–5 paragraphs. In the first paragraph, describe the magnitude of the problem followed by a brief description of current knowledge and gaps that exist in the literature ( Cals and Kotz, 2013 ).

The anatomy of the introduction section can be believed as an inverted triangle and narrowed down as a funnel shaped approach from a general overview of the subject to the specific question the study addresses. The broadest part at the top represent the most general information and focus down to specific problems. Shape the information to present the wide-ranging aspects of the subject early in the introduction, then narrow toward the more specific information that provides context, finally arriving at the statement of purpose and rationale.

The physiology of the introduction section of the manuscript is to start by clearly identifying the subject area of interest and in the first few sentences focused directly on the topic at the appropriate level. The primary subject matter should be discussed quickly without losing focus or discussing information that is too general. Moreover, state the purpose and or hypothesis that were investigated and place the statement of purpose at the end of the introduction section.

6. Methods section of the scientific paper

The methods section is usually the most important section in the scientific paper. This section should always be very clear with statistical and a power analysis ( Wang et al., 2017 ) ( Fig. 2 ). Preferably, the method section should be in detail to allow the other researcher to replicate the work. Start the method with explaining the overall strategy of the methods; discuss a series of methodology events in detail. Method contain detailed information to facilitate the reader to understand what was done, where was it done, and how was it done. The information should ideally be available in the methods section of a scientific paper about the study design, settings, biological features of control, exposed or treatment groups and variables measured. It is also essential to discuss the age, height, weight, gender, ethnicity, educational and socioeconomic status if the study is based on the human model. Moreover, provide information about study protocol, inclusion and exclusion criteria, sample size and grouping, data collection and replication, pre-experiment, experimental handling, measurements and procedures detail, and how the findings were summarized in means, percent, SD, SEM, 95%, etc. In addition, it is necessary to discuss the statistical software used, data computed, analyzed and probability developed ( Fig. 2 ).

7. Result section of the scientific paper

The results section is the highly essential part of the scientific paper and nothing should compromise its range and quality. The readers learn about the outcomes of the study. The results section should therefore contain much detail about the findings. In a good scientific paper, it is essential to provide key findings in a logical progression, report both positive and negative results, organize the results around tables and figures, provide nature of differences, relationship and magnitude of the findings with enough interpretation. Provide appropriate measurement units, use the word “significant” and “non-significant” accordingly and avoid lengthy analysis and duplication of information in the result section. All figures, tables, graphs, charts, photographs must be readable and of good quality. Provide a brief descriptive title to each table and figure with number to figures and tables such as 1, 2, 3, 4 and provide the main points of the figures and tables in the text.

8. Discussion section of the scientific paper

The discussion section of the scientific paper is often considered the most important part of a research paper since it provides effective solutions to the issues based on the logical synthesis of the findings and formulates more profound understanding of the research problem. The main objective of the discussion section of the scientific paper is to describe the meaning of the results to the reader and interpret the finding. The discussion should start with major findings of the study ( Vitse and Poland, 2017 ) provides answers to testable hypotheses relevant to existing knowledge. Discuss the results with the findings of others and refer to the findings in order to support your interpretations. Moreover, it is essential to discuss contradictory findings with an alternative explanation and never discuss prior work without reference. Point out where further gaps in knowledge could usefully be filled and discuss study strengths and limitations.

The anatomy of the discussion should be as an inverted pyramid. Organize the discussion from the general to the specific and link the findings to the literature. There should be 6–8 paragraphs, the first paragraph stating major findings, why the findings are essential, and provide answers to testable hypotheses relevant to existing knowledge. The middle paragraphs consist of 4–6 paragraphs relating the findings to those of similar studies, supporting your findings, which strengthens the importance of your study results.

Discuss the results with the findings of other researchers, analyze any unexpected findings and briefly interpret why it appeared. Provide alternative explanations of the findings in contradictory literature and provide reliable reasons with standard references. Refer the readers to the figures or tables to enhance the interpretation of the data. The last 1–2 paragraphs point out where further gaps in knowledge could usefully be filled instead of “further research is needed”. Before concluding the discussion, identify study’s potential strengths and limitations ( Hess, 2004 ).

9. Conclusion section of the scientific paper

The conclusion is the most important component of the scientific paper that readers always want to remember. The first sentence of the conclusion section should be very clear with principal findings that should be considered the take-home message. The conclusion section is always at the end of the discussion and requires a separate heading. In conclusion, provide clear scientific justification for the work and indicate uses and extensions if appropriate. The conclusion section also provides suggestions for future experiments. Practice change if appropriate and provide pleasant ending with reader’s utmost satisfaction.

10. Acknowledgment section of the scientific paper

Conducting a research and writing of scientific paper needs support from institutions, friends and fellows. It is essential to acknowledge those who help you in this journey. Receiving any assistance in intellectual thoughts, designing, carrying out the study, received materials, typing and reviewing the manuscript, must acknowledge their assistance and their services. Funding agencies require acknowledgments along with the specific grant number that supported the work. Acknowledgment section is optional, always brief and never flowery. The best place of the acknowledgment section is between the discussion and the bibliography.

11. Reference of the scientific paper

It is essential to appropriately cite the references in text and bibliography section of the research papers in order to acknowledge the sources and provide credit and validity to the arguments. Support the manuscript with novel references from leading science journals to enhance the validity and reliability of the work. In the text, cite all the scientific publications on which work is based, do not over-inflate the writing with too many references. In an original article 25–30 references are sufficient to provide the best scientific coverage to the manuscript. Avoid excessive self-citations, citations of publications from the same region, unpublished observations, publications which are not peer reviewed and grey literature. There are a number of different tools to manage references, but few are very popular and easy to manage such as EndNote Web, Mendeley, Zotero. Most of the science journals mainly follow the following format: Author (s); name of the journal, year of publication, volume number, page numbers. If the references are from books without editors state author (s) chapter title, book title, edition number, publisher, place of publication, year, volume number and pagination, while for books with editors: author (s), chapter title, book title, edition number, editor (s), edition, publisher, place of publication, year, volume number and pagination.

12. Conclusion

To understand the anatomy and physiology of scientific paper novice writers must understand the basic characteristics, design and functions of writing the various sections of a scientific paper. They must have a mentor and work on writing as a team, the authors can gain self-efficacy, manuscripts could be improved, thoughts and writings can be clarified. Scientific paper writing skills would be improved during an individual's training, facilitated by short and intensive courses that would cover the basic facts about scientific paper writing. Such courses would be ideally delivered by experienced faculty, science writers, especially the editors of the academic journals.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the College of Medicine, Research Centre, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for supporting the work.

Peer review under responsibility of King Saud University.

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