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Writing and Publishing Scientific Articles
Inappropriate substitutes for purpose statements We performed Monte Carlo simulations with electron intraoperative radiotherapy cones of various internal radii, lengths, and materials irradiated by available electron beam energies. [states how the study was done but not why]
Good purpose statements
Good conclusions
This study was performed to optimize the geometry of the ring inside the electron intraoperative radiotherapy cone (EIORC) so that its effects on the extent of the treatment volume are minimal.
The optimal ring position is about 10 cm from the bottom of the EIORC, regardless of the EIORC material, geometry, or electron energy.
Together, the hypothesis/purpose and conclusion statements represent a paper at its most fundamental level, and together, they should contain all the information needed for the title. (After you have completed your research, try to draft a 1-sentence conclusion, relating it to the hypothesis you have been examining.) Keeping your hypothesis or purpose statement in mind while you research and write your paper will help you stay focused By clarifying the message of your paper. By limiting the references and data you assemble to only what is relevant.
Activity 1 Writing Your Hypothesis or Purpose Statement
Write a draft of your hypothesis statement or purpose statement. Some of these statements will be reviewed in class. Your statement will be used later in the workshop. After the workshop, keep it where you can easily refer to it throughout your research and as you begin to write your paper.
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