Scientific Writing (Theory)

Paper Code: 
24CEFE803
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
4.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to :

  1. Understand the nuances of scientific writing.
  2. Remember the insight into ethics in scientific publication
  3. Understand the process of developing a research proposal/ project proposal

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning outcome

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course

title

24CEFE 803

 

 

Scientific Writing

(Theory)

 

COHD 127: Identify the key elements and analyse the characteristics of scientific writing to produce clear and effective scientific documents

COHD 128: Effectively outline, organize, and compose research manuscripts or reports

COHD 129: Produce high-quality scientific documents that meet the standards of scholarly communication in their field

COHD 130: Prepare scientific documents based on ethical guidelines and develop skills in presentation of scientific information

COHD131: Develop a research design/project on a topic relevant to their field

COHD 132: Contribute effectively in course specific interaction

Approaches in Teaching:  Analyze dissertations, research reports and project evaluation reports Videos on scientific writing shown, Discussion with lectures.

 

Learning activities for the Students:

Self learning assignments, field practicals.

Quiz. Prepare PPT, CA test , Semester End Examination.

 

Unit I: 
Unit I:
  • Key elements of scientific writing

     

Quality information

     

Nature of language

      

Structure

  • Characteristics of scientific writing

      

Clear and precise use of language

      

Accessibility to the intended audience

       

Correct information

  

Logical sequencing of information

        

Use of correct grammar

      

Appropriate use of technical terms, illustrations or diagrams

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Unit II
  • Drafting a scientific document

    

Research the document

       

Gather information

     

Plan the format

      

Create an outline

    

Write first draft

    

Check the accuracy

   

Revise and amend the document

  • Type of academic journal articles

 

Letters/communications

 

Research notes

 

Articles

Supplemental articles

   

Review articles

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Unit III
  • Writing effective scientific documents

  

Reports (Research/Progress)

   

Scientific paper (Journal/Conference)

    

Review paper

       

Abstracts

   

Theses

   

Electronic/Web based document

  • Elements of scientific documents

     Sections/subsections

 Headings/subheadings

Front matter (Title, Title page, Abstract, Table of contents, List of figures, List of tables, List of terms, Acknowledgements)

 

Body (Introduction, Review of literature, Methodology, Results, Discussions, Summary, Conclusion, Recommendations)

End Matter (References, Appendices, Indices)

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Unit IV
  • Ethics and scientific publication

  

Ethics in Paper writing

 

Permission

  

Data fabrication and falsification

   

Plagiarism

Redundant and duplicate publication

Conflict of interest

 

Authorship issues

  

Animal and human welfare concerns

  

Reviewer responsibility

  • Oral Presentation

 

Format of oral presentation (Informal/formal)

 

Visual aids – LCD projector, overhead projector (OHP) and transparencies or other display media

Delivery –  Voice projection, Body language, Spoken v. written language, Notes, Time limit

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Unit V
  • Writing a project proposal for grants
  • Rationale and importance of research
  • Empirical and  Theoretical conceptualization
  • Presenting pilot study/ data
  • Research proposal and time frame
  • Clarity and specificity of method
  • Clear organization
  • Outcome of research and its implications
  • Budgeting
  • Available infrastructure and resources
  • Executive summary

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Robert A. Day. How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper, 7th edition, Greenwood, 2011.
  • Martha Davis. Scientific Papers and Presentations. (2012). 3rd Edition. Academic Press.
  • Michael Alley. The Craft of Scientific Writing. (2018). 4th edition Springer-Verlag New York.
  • Janice R. Matthews, John M. Bowen, Robert W. Matthews. (2014). Successful Scientific Writing: A Step-By-step Guide for the Biological and Medical Sciences, 4th Edition. University Press.
  • Peter J. Gosling. Scientist's Guide to Poster Presentations, Kluwer academic/Plenum publishers, 1999
  • Edward Barrett, Leslie Perelman. The Mayfield Handbook of Technical and Scientific Writing, McGraw-Hill, 1997.
  • Alley,M.(2018) The Craft of Scientific Writing. New York: Springer.
  • Bernard, H.R. (2012). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches.Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications
  • Black, J.A. and Champion, D.J. (1976). Methods and Issues in Social Research. NewYork: John Wiley and Sons.

 

References: 

Suggested Readings:

  • Blaxter, L.,Hughes, C, and Tight, K. (2006). How to research. New Delhi: 3rd Edition. Open University Press.
  • Blum, D., Knudson M., and Henig, R. M.(2005) Field Guide for Science Writers:The Official Guide of the National Association of Science Writers. USA; Oxford University Press. http://www.nasw.org/field-guide
  • Elmes, D.G.,Kanowitz, B.H. and Roediger, H.L. (1989). Research Methods in Psychology (Third Edition).New York:West Publishing Company.
  • Katz, M.(2009) From Research to Manuscript: A Guide to Scientific Writing(2nd Ed). New York: Springer

e-Resources:

 

Academic Year: 
2023-2024
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