Post on 21-Apr-2020
DOs and DON'Ts in Scientific Writing
November 10th 2017
Lukas Reisenhofer; Hannes Tumfart
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Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
Content
DOs & DON‘Ts regarding:
Title
Abstract
Introduction
Results
Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Figures
DOs & DON‘Ts in general
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November 10th 2017
Title
not too long
reflect main topic
provoke interest
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November 10th 2017
https://wajahatabbassi.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/paper.jpg
Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
Abstract
brief summary
what, why, when, where, how, main results, conclusion
impersonal form of writing:
Don't: I (We) found….
Do: It was found….
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November 10th 2017
https://www.wikihow.com
Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
Introduction
begin: general discourse of the scientific issue(s)
proceed from the general to the particular
end: clearly state the scientific aims
do not pre-empt any results here
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November 10th 2017 Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
Results
present your results in logical order
figures should be standardized in format, letter fonts etc.
do not overload figures with unnecessary information
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November 10th 2017 Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
Discussion
the results should be discussed
point by point
concentrate on the central issue(s)
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November 10th 2017 Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
Conclusions
highlight what is new
and the implications
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November 10th 2017 Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
Acknowledgements
persons, institutions, sponsors
everyone who deserves your gratitude
express your appreciation to the peer reviewers
and editors, often taken for granted
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November 10th 2017 Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
References
every citation
in the text, in figure captions, on figures in tables etc.
should be contained in the reference list and vice versa
strictly follow the required format
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November 10th 2017 Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
Figures
design carefully (use space economically)
ensure color schemes are
compatible and clearly
distinguishable
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November 10th 2017
https://www.wikihow.com
Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
DOs & DON‘Ts in general
DO NOT
plagiarize
take for granted that the
spell check on your computer is accurate
DO
reference whenever you say/write
something that is not your own
check spelling, grammar and
punctuation etcetera.
Proofread and use a dictionary.
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November 10th 2017 Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
DOs & DON‘Ts in general
AVOID
slang, jargon, or sexist language
shortened verb forms such as
they're, isn’t, can't.
conversational openings such as Well, you see,
Yes…, Let's move on.
USE
formal language
full verb form instead, e.g. they
are, is not, cannot
appropriate connectors and introductory
phrases
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November 10th 2017 Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
DOs & DON‘Ts in general
AVOID
I think James (2008) believes that global
warming will…
personal pronouns e.g.
I, you, we
We think that you should be able to compete.
assumptions or
giving your opinion
USE
James (2008) believes that global warming will…
non-personal ones, e.g.
It should be possible for everyone to compete.
objectiveness
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November 10th 2017 Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
DOs & DON‘Ts in general
AVOID
posing (direct) questions in
the running text
Can carbon emissions be reduced?
mixing words and numbers
unsystematically
DO
convert questions into statements
The possibility of carbon emissions being
reduced is questionable.
use words for numbers
for nine and below
and numbers
for 10 and above.
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November 10th 2017
nine, eight …10, 11 …
Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
Sources
https://www.elsevier.com
https://www.researchgate.net
http://awelu.srv.lu.se/grammar-and-words
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November 10th 2017
Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D
Thank you for your attention
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November 10th 2017 Reisenhofer, Tumfart Subject D