A guide to backward paper writing for the data sciences.
expert_opinion · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 35510182.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1016/j.patter.2021.100423 and PMC identifier 9058833.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
In this perspective, we outline a set of best practices for the planning, writing, and revision of scientific papers and other forms of professional communication in the data sciences. We propose a backward approach that begins with clearly identifying the scientific and professional goals motivating the work, followed by a purposeful mapping from those goals to each section of a paper. This approach is motivated by the conviction that manuscript writing can be more effective, efficient, creative, and even enjoyable-particularly for early-career researchers-when the overarching goals of the paper and its individual components are clearly mapped out.