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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Research Methodology for purpose of writing and for different styles

Writing for academic purpose

Why write up your work?
  • part of training process of any researcher
  • good academic practice
  • communication between you and the 
    • Guide
    • industrial sponsor (Research Report)
    • other researchers (Abstract, Poster, Publication etc.)
  • get feedback on your work
  • make your claims
  • become known to other researchers
  • peer-reviewed work is an asset for your
    • PhD.D. Thesis
    • CV
The Importance of writing
  • clarifies your thoughts
  • helps you to identify the “loose ends”
  • helps you to identify your next steps
  • gets you organised
    • Have all details on materials and methods been obtained?
    • Are the results conclusive?
    • How far have you gone with your literature review?
  • helps you to learn and to practice scientific language
  • helps you to learn the citation of references
  • helps you to put your own work into context with what others do or have done
Scientific style of writing
  • make a plan!
  • use terminology related to your subject
  • avoid jargon
  • do not use endless numbers of abbreviations
  • explain abbreviations, if used
  • explain special terminology adapted from adjacent areas
  • avoid long and complicated sentences
  • ensure correct spelling and grammar
Critical style of writing?
  • be fair to others!
  • put your own work into context
  • highlight the strengths and the shortcomings of your work in a constructive manner
  • justify your claims
  • provide evidence for claims
  • if you criticize work, this must be evidence-based
  • references to literature
    • avoid review articles and second-hand sources as your main references
    • always identify the true first originator of a method, a finding, a statement etc.
    • never rely on citations by others
Style of references
  • different styles are around
  • most frequently used: Harvard system of citation
  • Referencing systems: Harvard and Numerical
  • you must follow the rules outlined in the “Instructions to Authors”
    • different journals use different rules
    • all references in the reference list must have been cited in the text and vice versa
  • do not copy (text, figures, thoughts)
Experimental Work
  • section forms the backbone of any writing
  • must enable an experimenter to get similar results
    • exact sources of materials must be stated (manufacturer’s details, batch numbers)
    • state any pre processing required to perform before experimentation
    • any process, even if considered less important, must be described in sufficient detail
    • GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE(that to be standardized)
Writing a publication
Typical outline of a paper in a journal:
  • Title
  • Affiliations/contact details of the author(s)
  • Abstract (state briefly what you set out to do, how you have done it, what you have found and what conclusions you can draw from this)
  • Introduction (at the end state aims and objectives of the work)
  • Materials and Methods
  • Results and Discussion (normally not split to enhance readability and to reduce repetition)
  • Conclusions (Future work planned is not part of a publication!)
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
Choice of journal
  • Journals have different aims and objectives, even if they are in the same subject group
    • identify the journal(s) with aims and objectives matching your work
  • What is the audience you wish to reach like?
  • What is the reputation of the journal?
    • Citation index
    • Impact factor
    • Journal position in its subject group
  • Author of correspondence
Responding to reviewers
  • Carefully prepare your responses
    • Each comment should be addressed
    • Each change should be stated
    • Be enthusiastic
  • Reviewer may be wrong
  • Be tactful –thank the reviewers
  • Do not respond to reviewers while upset
  • Get help from Guide
And finally…
  • it can be done, but writing for academic purposes requires concentration, effort and attention to detail
  • You can do it!

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