How to Write a Paper in a Weekend (By Prof. Pete Carr)

Summary

Professor Carr from the University of Minnesota shares insights on writing research papers, emphasizing the importance of a first draft without perfection. He suggests reviewing notes, updating literature searches, and identifying the audience. Carr recommends starting with the experimental section, followed by results and discussion, and saving the introduction for last. He stresses the necessity of clear, concise editing and proper reference formatting, concluding with the value of writing in scientific communication.

Takeaways

• 📚 Review your notes and renew your literature search before starting to write to ensure you're up to date with relevant research.
• 👥 Determine your audience and the purpose of your paper to tailor your writing style and content appropriately.
• 📝 Understand the 'big picture' of writing a research paper, focusing on creating a complete first draft rather than a perfect one.
• 🚫 Resist the urge to procrastinate and begin writing to overcome one of the biggest challenges in writing a research paper.
• 📋 Start with an outline to structure your paper and make the writing process more manageable and organized.
• 🔬 Write the experimental section first as it's usually the easiest part, being familiar with the process and results.
• 📊 Follow with results and discussion, using your outline to guide the flow of your writing.
• 🚫 Avoid writing the introduction first, as it's typically the most difficult part and can lead to further procrastination.
• ✍️ Edit for clarity, conciseness, and coherence in the second stage, focusing on the accuracy and logic of your scientific arguments.
• 📝 Write conclusions in a numbered format to clearly separate and highlight the contributions of your work.
• 🔍 Collect exact references only after the manuscript is nearly finished to maintain the flow of writing and ensure accuracy.
• 📘 Always review the manuscript requirements for the target journal to avoid rejection based on non-compliance.
• 📚 Read classic books and papers on writing research papers to improve your skills and avoid common mistakes.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Professor Carr's talk?

The main focus of Professor Carr's talk is on how to produce a first draft of a research paper and make the writing process enjoyable and productive.

Why is it important to review one's own notes and renew the literature search before writing a research paper?

Reviewing notes and renewing the literature search is important to ensure that the paper is well-informed and up-to-date with the current state of research in the field.

What is the significance of determining the audience of a research paper before starting to write?

Determining the audience helps in tailoring the content, style, and complexity of the paper to suit the readers' understanding and expectations, which is crucial for effective communication of research findings.

Why should the introduction of a research paper not be written first according to Professor Carr's algorithm?

The introduction is often the hardest part of the paper to write and starting with it can lead to procrastination. It's more efficient to begin with sections that are easier to write, like the experimental procedures, to build momentum.

What role do the reviewers play in the publication process of a research paper?

Reviewers act as gatekeepers, assessing the quality and relevance of the research. Addressing their potential concerns in the first draft can increase the chances of the paper being accepted for publication.

Why is it advised to resist the temptation to correct mistakes while producing the first draft?

Correcting mistakes during the first draft can interrupt the creative flow and delay the completion of the draft. The focus should be on producing a complete draft, with editing and refinement happening in a separate stage.

What is the purpose of creating an outline before writing a research paper?

An outline helps organize the paper's structure and ensures that the writing process is logical and coherent. It also allows for easy resumption of work if the writing is interrupted.

What is the recommended order of writing sections in a research paper according to Professor Carr's advice?

The recommended order is to start with the experimental section, followed by results and discussion, and then return to write the introduction and conclusion last.

Why is it important to write conclusions in a numbered format according to the transcript?

Numbering conclusions makes them clear and easy to distinguish from one another, which helps readers understand the contributions of the work more effectively.

What should be the last step in the writing process according to Professor Carr's algorithm?

The last step should be collecting the exact references needed for the paper to support the claims and findings presented, ensuring that reviewers and readers can easily find the information.

What advice does Professor Carr give regarding the final stages of writing a research paper?

Professor Carr advises to focus on converting the draft into clear, concise, and coherent English, ensuring the scientific content is correct, and to always review the manuscript requirements for the target journal.