2_ScientificWriting research method.pptx

How to write sintific research

1. Outline The Research Process Kinds of Scientific Writing Title Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods (Methodology) Results/Discussion Conclusions Acknowledgements

2. Question What is known ? Formulate problem Hypothesis Project plan Experiment Collect data New knowledge Interpretation, conclusion Analyse, Results Scientific paper Introduction Results Discussion Conclusion Materials and Methods Inform others The research process

3. Kinds of Scientific Writing Reports Journal articles Proposals Theses Abstracts Speeches or slide presentations Poster presentations Review papers Chapters Books

4. Common characteristics simplicity precision clarity always honesty Kinds of Scientific Writing

5. Title Informative: describe the subject Specific : differentiate your research from other research Concise: say only what is necessary ( key-word index !!) ‘ Two -part’ title New technologies for constructions: A novel approach Technologies for constructions: A review No numbers (I, II, III …. 1, 2, 3 …)

6. Title Avoid Observations of ... Studies of ... Investigations ... Examinations of ... A note on .... Examples Effects of ... Influence of ... Estimation of ... Prediction of ... Impact of ... Modelling of ... Evidence of ... Control of ... Measurement of ... Use of ...

7. Abstract Is almost any brief account of a longer document Informative abstract/descriptive abstract Abstract of a scientific paper is well structured Extended abstract is much shorter than a full paper

8. Abstract Descriptive abstract Describes the content, needs to be accompanied by the document Is helpful for the reader to decide to read the entire paper Contains too little information and detail that refereed journals expect

9. Abstract Informative abstract (like in paper) It shows the reader very quickly whether the full report is valuable for further study To be extracted from the full paper for separate publication To furnish terminology to help literature search

10. Abstract Informative abstract Short, concise, but completely self-explanatory, often submitted on beforehand Includes: Research objectives, rationale for conducting the research The basic methods used The results and significant conclusions that can be drawn No literature review or discussion; no visuals 200 – 250 words; 3 – 5% of text: one paragraph

11. Abstract Start with motivation or justification State the objective, aim, purpose Summarise essential methods Summarise important results End with important conclusions and impact

12. Introduction Motivate and justify the research Give a state-of-the-art Summarize relevant literature State what has NOT been done Where is the gap in the literature State the objectives or hypothesis What’s the point of this research ?

13. Methodology Give a clear , complete description of all methods used ( Numerical , analytical , statistical , experimental ….) Organize the methods logically , by tasks Use specific and informative language Include enough information, but not more than necessary , so that the research can be repeated

14. Results Summarise and illustrate the findings logically with tables and figures Do not repeat data from the tables or figures in the text Mean yield for A is X and mean weight for B is Y

15. Results Do integrate data with the text Monthly average of wind speed at site A was higher than site B Do not interpret the data or draw conclusions in the ‘ results ’ section

16. Discussion Interpret results Monthly average of wind speed at site A was higher than site B, which means that …, which is consistent with …, which suggests that … Support your conclusions with comparisons and contrasts from the literature Recognize importance of ‘ negative ’ results Describe limitations of your research

17. Conclusion Explain the main results of the research in terms of the objectives Describe what the results mean for the respective discipline Give implications in nonjargon language

18. Acknowledgement General acknowledgement Institution, research project , source of funds Specific acknowledgement Colleagues or technicians Reviewer Dedication

19. References Follow the instructions of the journal ( see website ) (Name, year ) or Name ( number ) Check carefully All references in the text are listed All references listed are in the text

20. Appendix Provides supplemental material numerical examples details of analytical procedures novel computer programmes mathematical proofs

21. Slides taken from: Oswald Van Cleemput, Scientific Communications