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Scientific Writing and Referencing

Objectives

What will I learn:

  • How to write a scientific report
  • The structure of a scientific report
  • How to reference

Introduction

Writing scientifically is writing precisely and clearly. Scientific writing is concerned with the recording of measurements and the results of observations. Writing precisely therefore means the complete absence of words such as “almost” or “very” in the description of events. Instead you should use precise descriptions such as “98.2% complete”. A good hint is to make sure that every word counts and that no word is unnecessary. This is good advice in all writing but particularly in scientific writing where the writing is concerned with measurements, observations, and the conveying of quantitative or qualitative results.

Scientific Writing

The major aspect of scientific writing is to report new results that are found using the scientific method and then to disseminate those results to a wider audience. While this module is not an instructional piece on the scientific method that process is used in scientific writing.

There are two main parts to scientific writing: the writing itself, and the structure of the document. This module provides a few tips about both.

  1. Writing to a scientific level
  2. Writing to a structure

[Adapted from Fresno]

Writing to a scientific level

This material has been taken from a short video clip from Fresno. For more detail, please view the video which is included below, titled, "Scientific Writing Tips".

What is scientific writing?

Experts communicating through the written word with other experts or as experts to a non-technical or non-scientific audience

[see Kathy Kieva - as cited in Fresno]

The ABC's of scientific writing:

  • Accurate
  • Brief
  • Clear

Please watch the video in the conclusion for more detail.

Writing to a structure

Your writing will need to show that you have followed the scientific method. Scientific writing therefore follows a rigid structure that demonstrates that the scientific method has been followed. A structure of a scientific report is as follows:

Abstract: The abstract is an important part of any scientific report. An abstract summarises the final report, by highlighting the research questions and what findings were found. In many ways the abstract is like an executive summary on a business report written for the busy executive who may not have time to read the whole report but instead wants the most important bits up-front.

Introduction: In the introduction the researcher introduces the topic, and defines the scope and limitations of the report. The introduction also defines the research question or hypothesis that is being explored. Basically the introduction sets the tone for the rest of the paper by identifying the problem you plan to address. In scientific reports the introduction also contains a summary of other research done to date (in other non-scientific reports this would form a literature review). However this does not need to contain an entire history of the field. When referencing, always follow the particular standard of your university or place you will be publishing the report. For further information on referencing standards please review our “Referencing” module below:

Materials and Methods (may also be called ‘Method’): Usually the most straightforward piece to write. Here you would describe the materials you used, the people involved and the details of any experiments conducted – what method you used. The main aim is to demonstrate that your research abides by the scientific method. A well described methods section means that another researcher could easily duplicate your work just by reading the materials and methods section. In chronological order, clearly detail the steps you took in your experiment or observations, including the equipment used (model etc.).

Results: The results, as the name indicates, is where you present your findings and summarise the data that has derived from your research. This section should focus on the data and what results come out of the data without any interpretation (that comes in the next section). By focusing objectively on the results the reader can form an opinion from the data presented. For example you may write:

On Day 3 the fish population had declined by 12.5% with the residual population exhibiting signs of distress.

In the results section you would most likely make use of tables for the display of data.

Discussion and Conclusion: The discussion section requires the most thought and consideration. In this section you are telling the story of the outcome of your research and weaving the previous sections into the narrative. You would interpret the results with reference to other research works in the field. For example:

The 12.5% decline in the fish population corresponds with other research by Coleridge (2016).

Basically you are asking how well your results conform with other research or whether there is a significant difference that should be explored. Here you would refer back to the research question and explore whether it has been answered.

The conclusion usually forms a part of the discussion (although it may be in a section on its own). In the conclusion you state the significance of the research and flag any further research questions or directions that come out of the current research. You might also highlight any limitations of the research.

Recap

Conforming to the required structure of a research report will help ensure that your findings are taken seriously. It will also highlight that you have followed the scientific method. Writing scientifically reflects that you have followed the scientific method.

For a summary of this module this 3 min YouTube video has further insights into scientific writing:

Scientific Writing Tips | 3:01 mins

An excellent book on scientific writing you should read is Day and Gastel (2012), this text provides a good summary of this module and was relied upon by the author.

ACTIVITY

Read the module on referencing (see the link above).

For further information have a read of this article from the Writing Center (note: this is American spelling) and post any questions you may have in the discussion section on MyLO. You can do this by hitting the button below.

References

Day, R & Gastel, B, 2012, How to write and publish a scientific paper, 7th edn, Cambridge University Press, UK.

PowToon - Scientific Writing Tips

Writing Centre Tips

Developed for the P&P Program for the Associate Degrees, University College, Robert Lewis, 16 February 2018

Credits:

Created with images by qimono - "water drop droplet liquid mirror science reflection" • Hans - "display dummy doll human" • qimono - "water drop droplet liquid mirror science reflection" • pikabum - "book science polish poland culture read words"

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