5 Steps To Write A Research Paper In A Weekend | EXPLAINED BY PROFESSOR

Summary

In this informative video, David Stuckler from FastTrack shares his secret formula for writing a paper within a weekend. With a decade of experience publishing over 300 peer-reviewed papers and coaching graduate students, he outlines a strategic approach to avoid common pitfalls. He suggests starting with the methods and results, writing the conclusion before the introduction, and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging limitations. His tips aim to streamline the writing process, making it efficient and less daunting. Stuckler also reminds viewers that the first draft doesn't have to be perfect, encouraging them to focus on getting the ideas down before refining the paper.

Takeaways

• 📚 Start with all materials ready: Just like cooking, having all your data and findings prepared before you start writing can prevent confusion.
• 🔍 Write from the inside out: Begin with the methods section to build confidence, followed by results and then the conclusion to avoid getting stuck.
• 📈 Focus on clear and coherent results: Describe your tables, figures, and key findings in a way that tells a clear story to your readers and journal editors.
• 📝 Write the conclusion early: The conclusion has several formulaic components, including a recap of findings, limitations, implications for future research, and policy implications.
• 🚫 Avoid writing the introduction first: The introduction is often the most difficult part and should be written last to ensure it sets the stage for the value your study brings.
• 🔑 Structure your introduction in three parts: Start with the importance of the topic, discuss the weaknesses of previous work, and then introduce your study's contribution.
• 🛠 Don't aim for perfection in the first draft: Focus on getting the ideas down, like climbing a mountain, and refine as you go.
• 👀 Anticipate and address limitations: Use the conclusion to preemptively address potential criticisms by outlining the study's limitations.
• ✍️ Write with the end in mind: Keep the journal's readers and editors in focus while describing your findings and study's value.
• 🚀 Prioritize speed and efficiency: The goal is to write a paper quickly, so focus on strategies that help you avoid getting stuck and move forward.

Q & A

Who is David Stuckler and what does he claim to have accomplished?

David Stuckler is from FastTrack, Grad, and he claims to have published over 300 peer-reviewed papers in top scientific journals and coached hundreds of graduate students on how to do the same.

What is the main topic David Stuckler wants to discuss in the script?

David Stuckler wants to discuss his secret formula for writing a paper quickly, ideally within a weekend.

What is the first step David suggests to prepare for writing a paper?

The first step is to get everything in place, similar to preparing ingredients for cooking, which includes having findings, figures, and tables ready before starting to write.

Why does David advise against writing a paper from start to finish?

Writing from start to finish can lead to getting stuck and is inefficient. Instead, he suggests writing the paper from the inside out, starting with the methods section.

What is the recommended order for writing different sections of a paper according to David?

David recommends starting with the methods, then writing the results, followed by the conclusion, and finally the introduction.

Why does David suggest writing the conclusion before the introduction?

Writing the conclusion first helps to recapitulate findings and set out the limitations, which can fend off reviewer criticisms and is a more formulaic process than writing the introduction.

What are the components of a conclusion according to David's explanation?

The conclusion should include a recapitulation of findings, a statement of limitations, implications for future research, and potential implications for policy interventions or other actions in the field.

How should the introduction of a paper be structured according to David?

The introduction should have a three-part structure: setting the context for the conversation, highlighting the weaknesses of previous work, and explaining the value that the study brings to the field.

What common mistake does David mention that students make while writing their first draft?

A common mistake is striving for perfection in the first draft, which can hinder progress. Instead, the focus should be on getting the ideas down, even if imperfectly, and refining them later.

What metaphor does David use to describe the process of writing a paper?

David uses the metaphor of climbing a mountain to describe the process of writing a paper, where one starts by laying down the basic facts and information (the skeleton) and then refines and polishes the paper as one would ascend a mountain.

What does David offer to those who want more tips and strategies for academic publishing?

David offers more tips and strategies for those interested in publishing fast and accelerating their academic careers, and he invites them to subscribe and check out the links provided.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Mastering the Art of Rapid Academic Writing

David Stuckler from FastTrack,Grad shares his secret formula for writing a paper within a weekend. With a decade of experience publishing over 300 peer-reviewed papers and coaching graduate students, he offers a step-by-step guide to overcome writing barriers. The first step is preparation, akin to cooking, where having all materials ready prevents confusion. The second tip is to avoid writing linearly from start to finish; instead, start with the methods section to build confidence. Next, describe the results, ensuring a coherent story is told through organized tables and figures. The conclusion should follow, which includes a recap of findings, a transparent discussion of limitations, and implications for future research and policy. Lastly, tackle the introduction, which should explain the importance of the topic, the gaps in previous research, and the value your study brings. The process emphasizes that the first draft doesn't have to be perfect, as it will be refined over time.

05:01

🚀 Embracing Imperfection in the Writing Process

Stuckler emphasizes that perfection is the enemy of good work, advocating for an initial draft that may be rough but serves as a foundation. He compares writing to climbing a mountain, where you start by laying down the basic facts and information, creating the paper's skeleton. As you progress, you refine and polish the content. He invites viewers to subscribe for more tips and strategies to accelerate their academic careers and encourages them to check out the links provided for further guidance.

Keywords

💡Preparation

Preparation involves organizing all necessary materials and data before beginning the writing process. In the video, David Stuckler compares it to cooking dinner, emphasizing the importance of having 'onions chopped, tomatoes at the ready, and olive oil ready to go' to avoid confusion and inefficiency.

💡Writing Sequence

Writing sequence refers to the order in which different sections of a paper should be written. Stuckler suggests an unconventional sequence: starting with the methods, then the results, followed by the conclusion, and finally the introduction. This approach helps avoid getting stuck and maintains momentum.

💡Methods Section

The methods section details the procedures and techniques used in the research. Stuckler recommends starting with this section as it is often the easiest to write and provides a confidence boost, allowing for a smoother writing process.

💡Results Section

The results section presents the findings of the research in a clear and organized manner. Stuckler advises writing this section after the methods, focusing on describing the tables and figures to tell a coherent story.

💡Conclusion

The conclusion summarizes the key findings, discusses limitations, and suggests implications for future research or policy. Stuckler outlines a structured approach to writing this section, making it formulaic and easier to complete before tackling the introduction.

💡Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for the paper by explaining the significance of the topic, the gaps in existing research, and the value of the current study. Stuckler suggests writing this section last, as it is often the most challenging and benefits from a clear understanding of the entire paper's content.

💡Limitations

Limitations refer to the constraints and weaknesses of the study. Stuckler emphasizes the importance of addressing these transparently in the conclusion to preempt reviewer criticism and demonstrate awareness of the study's boundaries.

💡Implications

Implications are the broader impacts of the research findings, including recommendations for future research and potential policy interventions. Stuckler advises including these in the conclusion to highlight the relevance and practical applications of the study.

💡Efficiency

Efficiency in the context of writing refers to completing a task quickly and effectively. Stuckler's method aims to streamline the writing process, reducing time spent and overcoming common obstacles faced by graduate students.

💡Perfectionism

Perfectionism is the tendency to strive for flawlessness, which can hinder progress. Stuckler warns against this mindset, encouraging students to produce a rough draft first and refine it later, likening the process to climbing a mountain in stages.

Highlights

David Stuckler from FastTrack shares his secret formula for writing a paper in a weekend.

Stuckler has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers and coached hundreds of graduate students.

The first step is to have all necessary materials ready before starting to write.

Writing should be the last 10% of your project, not started without core findings and data.

Tip two: Avoid writing linearly from start to finish; it can lead to getting stuck.

Write the paper from the inside out, starting with the methods section.

Proceed with results, describing tables, figures, and key findings in a coherent order.

Write the conclusion next, which has a formulaic structure.

The conclusion should recap findings, state limitations, and implications for future research and policy.

Writing the introduction last is recommended as it's often the most challenging.

The introduction should have a three-part structure: importance, weaknesses of previous work, and the value of your study.

Don't aim for perfection in the first pass; focus on getting the paper's skeleton down.

Editing and polishing come after the initial draft is complete.

Stuckler emphasizes that writing doesn't have to be perfect initially.

For more tips on publishing and accelerating academic careers, subscribe and check out the links provided.

Stuckler offers strategies for overcoming barriers to writing papers quickly.

Transcripts

hi this is david stuckler from fasttrack

grad and today i want to share with you

my secret formula of how to write a

paper in as little as a weekend

over the past 10 years i've published

over 300

peer-reviewed papers in top scientific

journals and i've coached hundreds of

graduate students

on how to do the same and i want to

teach you today

how to overcome those barriers that you

may have

to writing a paper fast so stick around

to the very end because i'm going to

share with you some tips that you may

not have ever heard before

so the first step is to get everything

in place it's like cooking dinner you

need to have your onions chopped

your tomatoes at the ready and olive oil

ready to go

if you don't it can lead to confusion

too often

i i see students trying to write the

paper as they go along

thinking it's going to be more efficient

but it's not writing is

the last 10 of your project so don't

even bother starting

if you don't have that heart of your

paper your your findings

your figures your tables ready to go

tip number two and this is incredibly

important

and not everybody knows this so often i

see students

start to write their paper they get

stuck they just stare blankly at the

computer

for hours and the issue is they're

trying to write the paper

from start to finish going linearly

through the introduction

to the methods to the result to the

conclusion that's wrong

that's a mistake and no wonder you're

having problems

instead you want to write the paper from

the inside

out you want to start with the methods

for many of you this is actually the

easiest section to write

it's going to give you confidence

proceeding

that way so start with the methods get

that done

and then move into the results again

this is backwards from how you may have

done it before

but it's going to help you avoid getting

stuck it's going to help you move faster

so those results

you're going to simply describe in order

your tables and figures and your key

findings

make sure that you've organized those to

tell

a clear and coherent story about

what you want to show your readers and

show the editors of the journal

where you're going to send the paper the

next step

the third step is to actually write the

conclusion

so often i i see people try to write the

introduction

that's actually the hardest part and

where you're most likely to encounter

difficulty

write the conclusion next now the

conclusion has

several components that are quite

formulaic so in the first part of the

conclusion

you want to recapitulate your findings

restate

very succinctly what your keep findings

were but don't go into any detail about

them yet that's the first paragraph of

your conclusion

the second paragraph of your conclusion

always

said again always is the limitations and

this is a really great opportunity

for you to fend off reviewer criticisms

by saying i anticipated that i already

knew about that

use these wisely i often like to do says

first second

third fourth just list them out make it

very simple for yourself

you know what those limitations are you

were probably well aware of them they

may have even given you nightmares

before

this is a chance to make them

transparent get them in the open state

those limitations

then what you go into very simple this

is very formulaic

it's down to a science because of this

is

what are the implications for future

research that's some paragraph and sun

right

and then what are the implications if

any for

policy interventions or other action

in your field this may not apply to all

of you

but uh will likely apply to most of the

fields that you're working

finally now you're ready for the

introduction so the introduction

again is is the biggest stumbling block

and it can be quite difficult

but actually it's a lot like the

conclusion and it doesn't need to be as

difficult as we sometimes make it to be

and the introduction is going to have a

three-part structure the first part of

your introduction

you want to set out why are we having

this conversation now

why is your topic so important why do

people care

in your field or even more broadly care

about it

set that up that's your first first

paragraph

second you want to get into what is the

weakness

of what's been done before in this

conversation what's missing

you know what that is you might want to

go and do a quick literature review

to back up those points why the

conversation is important

cite the existing studies have been have

been done before and what's missing from

those

and finally you lead right into your

study the third part of your intro

what is the value that your study is

going to bring to the table how are you

going to plug those gaps

from what's before you really want to

take this opportunity to articulate very

clearly

and succinctly what the value added

of your paper is and

uh finally last important thing

to remember is it doesn't have to be

perfect

this is another uh common error students

make

perfect is the enemy of the good i don't

care if in this first pass you vomit on

the page

and it's just complete excrement don't

worry you're going to clean it up later

think about it like climbing a mountain

as you climb the mountain you slowly

work your way

up to the top and it might be the first

pass of the paper you just

dump facts and information in that's

fine

you've got the skeleton you've got the

bones of the paper together

and then as you continue climbing up

that mountain you're going to

continue to to polish and clean up and

edit

that riding so

listen if you want more tips and

strategies

for how to publish fast and accelerate

your graduate and academic

career click subscribe and check out the

links below

i'll see you then