Scribd
Upload
33 views

The Writing Process of Scientific Writing Part II

The document provides guidance on the scientific writing process. It recommends starting writing early in the research process rather than leaving it until the end. The methodology and results sections are suggested to write first as they are descriptive. The introduction should detail why the study was done, not what was found. The discussion section interprets the results and places them in context of other literature. Rewriting and proofreading are important parts of the process. Engaging stakeholders early helps focus the research question for relevance.

Uploaded by

Eyuel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
33 views

The Writing Process of Scientific Writing Part II

The document provides guidance on the scientific writing process. It recommends starting writing early in the research process rather than leaving it until the end. The methodology and results sections are suggested to write first as they are descriptive. The introduction should detail why the study was done, not what was found. The discussion section interprets the results and places them in context of other literature. Rewriting and proofreading are important parts of the process. Engaging stakeholders early helps focus the research question for relevance.

Uploaded by

Eyuel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 14

The scientific writing process

Alemayehu N Ayana (Ph.D.)


August, 2019
How to start writing
• On a 1000 mile journey, the hardest thing is
the first step
– Make the first step easy!
– Ideas come while writing
– Scientific writing, like science itself, is an iterative,
incremental process.
How to start writing …

• In some ways, the researcher starts writing the paper


the day the idea is born (Bourne, 2005).
• Writing up can be a lonely and painful experience if it
is all left to the end
• Socially and politically relevant research requires
engagement and iteration
Writing Process
• The methodology is often easiest to write as is
simply descriptive.
• Write the results text next
• This is also descriptive as you simply describe
your data (figures and tables)
– “These data show that something is
higher/faster/larger than something else (p<0.001)”.
• A common error is to add discussion and
interpretation to this section
– This leaves nothing for the discussion section!
Writing Process
• Then write the introduction
– Details why you did the study (not what you
found)
• Then the discussion interprets your
results and places into context with the
literature
– End with a nice ‘take home’ message in the
final paragraph
Writing Process…
• Start with Methods and Results sections
• Connect results with how you got them
• Then connect your interpretation of results
(Discussion) to scientific assumptions or
principles (Theory)
• Connect what you set out to do (Introduction)
to what you found (Conclusion)
Concentration
• Need stretch of several hours
• When time is short: prepare, revise
• Avoid distractions: phone, fb
• Location
- Nothing to distract
• At assigned time: write (not read)
• Do not split the manuscript among the co-
authors
Good Writing

1. Content, accuracy
2. Clarity
3. Precision
4. Logic
5. Order of presentation
Clarity
• Clear, Exact
• Avoid: Ambiguity, inconsistency, vague words
• Concise, Least words
• Strengthen transition between sentences
• Check narrative flow: telling a story, reader
follows from start to end
• Only one idea in a sentence
• Keep short: <20 words
• Long sentences: greater risk of grammatical
error
Simplify
• a majority of = most
• at the present time = now
• give rise to = cause
• in some cases = sometimes
• is defined as = is
• it is believed that = I think
• on the basis of = by
• pooled together = pooled
• subsequent to = after
• with the result that = so that
Use and Misuse of English
• Tense
• Previously published work: present tense
• Your own work: past tense
• Voice
• Active more precise and less wordy than
passive
• Name the agent, even “I” or “we”
• Singulars and plurals
Rewriting

• Secret of writing is rewriting


• Secret of rewriting is re-thinking
• Proofread, proofread, proofread
• Adherence to the style of the journal
Conclusions
• Research communication is an iterative process
• Engaging with stakeholders early in the process helps to
focus and refine the research question(s) to ensure
relevance
• Successful research communication must be targeted to
address the interests and needs of the intended
audience
Thank you

You might also like