Four common fatal mistakes when writing a paper: No. 2

My many years of editing experience have led me to identify four very common and unfortunately fatal mistakes that scientists and physicians make when they write their paper. These mistakes are so serious that you risk immediate rejection if you make even just one of them. Here I will describe one of these mistakes and show how you can avoid it.

FATAL MISTAKE 2: Unclear what the study adds to the body of knowledge 

Example: study in human cadavers that examined the ability of a new rod and screw system to fuse lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5).

Introduction: describes the reasons for lumbar fusion. Does not mention other lumbar fusion methods.

Results: new system stably fuses L2 to L3, not so good with other pairs or more extensive fusions.

Discussion: discusses at length how to improve the system to make it more useful. No mention of how new system could compare to other existing systems.

HOW NOVEL IS THE NEW SYSTEM? WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD TO THE FIELD?

Why is this a serious error?

Because papers should be written for a general audience and even specialists in the field will want some discussion about existing modalities.

How can you avoid this mistake?

After writing your paper, ask yourself: have I made clear how my study adds to the field in:

Abstract

Introduction

Discussion

Collect the texts on background on one page. Do these texts clearly present how the paper adds to the field?