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Preliminary Steps in Writing a Scientific Manuscript
Purpose Statements A purpose-driven study is usually conducted to gather more information about a topic—for example, to characterize a rare disease, to determine the pharmacokinetic properties of an agent, to determine the genetic profile of an organism or tumor, or to describe a novel technique: We studied the systemic absorption and tissue distribution of indole-3-carbinol after oral administration to mice. The purpose statement is based on the need for the study. Studies without a clear hypothesis statement must have a critical need for the information being sought: Studies in mice and cultured cells have shown that restoration of RECK expression inhibits tumor invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. However, the clinical relevance of these findings remains to be fully documented. Here we examined the expression of RECK and 1 of its targets, MMP-9, in colorectal cancer tissue. A purpose-driven study is often 1 that is performed early in a larger project, before the researcher has enough information to form a strong hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to develop a cross-species genetic screen to identify negative regulators of Cdc42p in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. [Future studies will investigate the mechanisms by which Nrflpa, a novel negative regulator identified in this genetic screen, regulates Cdc42p function, subcellular localization, interactions with regulators/effectors, and/or expression levels.] In such a study, an actual hypothesis statement would sound contrived, or awkward. Instead, it is the gap in knowledge that drives the study, with the objective of the study being to fill that gap. Contrived: We hypothesized that a cross-species genetic screen can be developed to identify negative regulators of Cdc42p in S. pombe.
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