intro

Scientific Manuscript Introduction Instructions

Title

  • Begin with a title that accurately captures the essence of the experiment.

  • The title should convey the specifics of the experiments being evaluated.

  • Example of an uninformative title: "Skeletal Muscle Function".

  • Example of an informative title: "The Impact of Stimulant Medications on Heart Rate in Healthy Young Females".

  • Under the title, include:

    • Name of the lab (e.g., Lab 6 - Skeletal Muscle Function).

    • Your name.

    • Your group number (e.g., Group 7).

    • Your lab section (e.g., Monday PM).

Introduction

  • The introduction serves as the foundation for the scientific manuscript, akin to a movie trailer that sets the stage for the reader.

  • It should outline the importance of the research topic and highlight the novel contributions of your study.

  • Key components of the introduction:

    • Broad Importance (The Hook):

    • Start with statements that connect the topic to a broader scientific or societal context.

    • This should illustrate why the reader should be invested in the research.

    • Use quantifiable data and statistics to emphasize the issue at hand.

    • Example: "In 2023, approximately 16.5 million US patients were prescribed stimulant medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; IQVIA Government Solutions, Inc., 2024)."

    • Statistics on misuse should include specifics: "A 2022 survey revealed that 25% of adults using prescription stimulants reported misuse and 9% had prescription stimulant use disorder (PSUD; Han et al. 2025)."

    • Pro Tip: Always opt for showing rather than telling through the use of data.

    • Background Literature:

    • Summarize key findings from existing literature to provide context for the research gap.

    • Focus on established physiology related to the study questions without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary information.

    • Example: "Misuse of stimulant medications can lead to cardiovascular effects such as A, B, C (citation A, citation B, citation C)."

    • This section helps readers understand the physiological responses relevant to the research.

    • Goals and Hypotheses:

    • Clearly state the specific research goals and basic approach.

    • These should logically stem from the aforementioned background literature.

    • Goals can be multi-faceted and should extend the title into explicit research questions.

    • Hypotheses should be specific, directional predictions that can be evaluated in the discussion.

    • Example: "We aimed to evaluate the potential cardiovascular impacts of stimulant medication use in healthy young women by measuring resting heart rate as a proxy for cardiovascular health."

    • Hypothesis Example: "We hypothesized that women taking stimulant medication would exhibit a moderately elevated heart rate compared to those not using such medication."

Optional Introduction Add-On

  • To ensure all elements of the introduction are present, use color coding:

    • Broad Importance – Yellow

    • Background Literature – Orange

    • Specific Research Goals – Green

    • Basic Approach – Pink

    • Hypothesis – Underline, no highlight

References

  • Limitations:

    • References should mainly consist of peer-reviewed journal articles.

    • Scholarly book chapters are acceptable but distinguish these from non-scholarly formats.

    • Avoid using textbooks or material from sources like StatPearls or Wikipedia.

    • Any data from statistical websites should be limited to professional society or government websites.

    • Ensure references are eligible and include full text citations, avoiding paywall articles.

  • APA Formatting:

    • Follow APA format for the reference list by including:

    • Journal articles.

    • Edited book chapters.

    • Government reports.

    • Valid websites (government agency, organizational group author).

    • All references must be alphabetized and accurately formatted regarding italics, capitalization, and punctuation to reflect professionalism.

    • Utilize citation managers like Endnote or Zotero but verify formatting manually.

  • Ensure that every referenced source in-text appears in the reference list and vice versa.

Writing Style

  • General Guidelines:

    • Avoid using direct quotes.

    • Prefer active voice; steer clear of constructions like "It was found that…".

    • Vary tense according to context:

    • Use past tense for previous actions (e.g., "We hypothesized…").

    • Use present tense for established literature (e.g., "Stimulant medications increase neurotransmitters…").

    • Use past tense for contextual references (e.g., "A study found…").

    • Organize writing in a logical sequence within paragraphs for clarity.

    • Practice concise expression to enhance readability, limiting typos and grammatical errors.

Miscellaneous

  • Address all assigned questions listed in the Scientific Manuscript Overview relevant to your topic.

  • Develop unique research goals based on identified gaps but avoid addressing unrelated questions from other materials.

  • Citation Integrity:

    • In-text citations must be included throughout, adhering to APA format.

Avoiding Plagiarism

  • Begin your manuscript early; adequate preparation is essential to avoid plagiarism due to time constraints.

  • Do not cite anything without comprehension as this increases the risk of unintentional plagiarism.

  • Refrain from using AI tools or Grammarly for style editing at this learning stage; focus on original writing development.

  • Never copy and paste from sources; ensure understanding by taking notes instead before verifying accuracy.

Rest is required to Survive: Sleep Deprivation Affects Reaction Times in Critical Tasks

  • In today's fast-paced society, the importance of adequate sleep is often underestimated, yet it plays a vital role in cognitive functions. Research shows that sleep deprivation can lead to significant impairments in reaction times and decision-making processes, which can have severe consequences in high-stakes environments such as healthcare, aviation, and emergency services (Killgore, 2010). Statistical data indicate that sleep-deprived individuals exhibit slower response times in challenging situations, leading to increased risk of errors and accidents. For instance, studies have revealed that individuals with fewer than 6 hours of sleep per night are 2 to 3 times more likely to experience lapses in attention compared to their well-rested counterparts (Lo Et Al, 2016). This highlights the urgent need to address sleep health as a public safety issue, particularly in professions where rapid cognitive response is vital. The growing body of literature underscores the physiological and psychological effects of chronic sleep deprivation, and the gap in our understanding of how varying degrees of sleep loss differentially impact reaction times merits investigation. Our research aims to quantify the effects of sleep deprivation on reaction times among professionals in critical roles, hypothesizing that reduced sleep duration will correlate with slower response times during critical tasks. This study emphasizes both the significance of sleep and the pressing need for effective strategies to mitigate sleep deprivation in work environments where rapid decision-making is essential.

  • Killgore, W.D.S. (2010). Effects of sleep deprivation on cognition. Progress in Brain Research, 185, 105-129.

    • This study reviews the impact of sleep loss on cognitive performance, emphasizing slower reaction times and decision-making deficits.

  • Lo, J.C., Ong, J.L., Leong, R.L., & Gooley, J.J. (2016). Cognitive performance, sleepiness, and mood in partially sleep deprived adolescents: The need for sleep study. Sleep, 39(3), 687-698.

    • This research indicates that less than 6 hours of sleep can severely impair attention and cognitive performance in adolescents, with implications for adults as well.

  • Hirshkowitz, M., Whiton, K., Albert, S. M., Alessi, C., Bruni, O., DonCarlos, L., & Hazen, N. (2015). National Sleep Foundation's sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary. Sleep Health, 1(1), 40-43.

    • This paper provides a guideline about recommended sleep durations to support cognitive functioning and safety.

  • Durmer, J.S., & Dinges, D.F. (2005). Neurocognitive consequences of sleep deprivation. Seminars in Neurology, 25(1), 117-129.

    • This article discusses various studies highlighting the neurocognitive deficits caused by sleep deprivation, particularly in relation to critical tasks.

  • Goel, N., Rastogi, S., & Rao, H. (2013). Sleep deprivation effects on stress responses, cognition, and performance in critical occupations. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 7, 657.

    • This study focuses on the effects of sleep deprivation on performance in high-stakes professions, reinforcing the need for addressing sleep deprivation as a public health concern.