IMHO, The first and most important step is to come up with a good idea . This can be done by a through literature review to find gaps in the research topic. I agree with @George: it is the idea that matters.

Scientific papers based on experimentation typically include five predominant sections: Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. This structure is a widely accepted approach to writing a research paper, and has specific sections that parallel the scientific method. Following this structure allows the scientist to tell a clear, coherent story in a logical format, essential to effective communication.

IMRAD:

• Introduction - Why was the study undertaken? What was the research question, the tested hypothesis or the purpose of the research?
• Methods - When, where, and how was the study done? What materials were used or who was included in the study groups (patients, etc.)?
• Results - What answer was found to the research question; what did the study find? Was the tested hypothesis true?
• and
• Discussion - What might the answer imply and why does it matter? How does it fit in with what other researchers have found? What are the perspectives for future research?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMRAD

https://facultystaff.richmond.edu/~ggilfoyl/intermediate/writing.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3528086/

Good thinking, good experiment, write well :-) Take it easy.

Dear Roozbeh,

I believe that top-level scientific papers result not only  by going through  by a set of instructions but also from love and dedication towards our work, experience and  help of our colleagues. Last but not the least, good reviewers and editors help to improve our MSS significantly.

Best wishes for a Happy New Year.

Subir.

What is the best strategy or process to write scientific papers?

Think there is no universal or best strategy or process to write scientific papers as requirements are different from one discipline to another and from one journal to another.  Suggest the following:

Dear Roozbeh,

Thanks for this interesting question and the attachments. I particularly appreciated the one by Choi, but I think they are both too long to get across the main points of scientific publication.

A few extra points I would make are:

IMHO, The first and most important step is to come up with a good idea . This can be done by a through literature review to find gaps in the research topic. I agree with @George: it is the idea that matters.

Scientific papers based on experimentation typically include five predominant sections: Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. This structure is a widely accepted approach to writing a research paper, and has specific sections that parallel the scientific method. Following this structure allows the scientist to tell a clear, coherent story in a logical format, essential to effective communication.

IMRAD:

• Introduction - Why was the study undertaken? What was the research question, the tested hypothesis or the purpose of the research?
• Methods - When, where, and how was the study done? What materials were used or who was included in the study groups (patients, etc.)?
• Results - What answer was found to the research question; what did the study find? Was the tested hypothesis true?
• and
• Discussion - What might the answer imply and why does it matter? How does it fit in with what other researchers have found? What are the perspectives for future research?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMRAD

https://facultystaff.richmond.edu/~ggilfoyl/intermediate/writing.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3528086/

If we love our research then the paper will come naturally.

Harshvardhan is perfectly correct. However, I think that no one can escape after cheating. They will be soon caught somewhere in this world.

Happy New Year.

I have never read any strategies on how to write a great publication, but at the same time I have managed to write some publications. I strongly believe that all it matters, is how much time you have spend reading other publications. It is the only way how you can: 1) understand what are the gaps in your research area; 2) become familiar with the writing style and scientific language; 3) perfectly know what would be the best keywords of your future publication and in which journals you should publish; 4) perfectly know, what experimental methods you should choose in your studies [I have seen too many times that students use the very first method they have found, but it doesn't mean it is the most appropriate in their situation].

In general, by reading you become an expert and it is all it matters. But at the same time I believe that it is important to find a person, who could fine-tune the final version of your article.