ME301 Biomedical Engineering

Spring 2004

Prof. JC Iatridis

Anatomy of a research paper

· Abstract should be a synthesis of the most important messages from the paper.

· Introduction should be short with brief statement of significance, brief description of what was done, and a final paragraph that states the specific hypotheses and/or aims of the study. The last paragraph of the introduction should then organize the methods, results, and discussion.

· Methods should follow the aims of the paper and be complete enough to allow another researcher to repeat the study. Methods sections, however, are typically quite brief citing other work if it has been done before.

· Results should concisely state the most important finding followed by lesser important findings.

· Discussion. The first paragraph of the discussion should address whether or not the hypotheses were supported or rejected based on the results. Discussion should have a paragraph describing the limitations. Discussion should also compare results with others in the literature. Final paragraph of the discussion is often the conclusions stating take-home message and the implications of the study.