SCIENTIFIC WRITING (Theory)

Paper Code: 
24HFN422
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to –

  1. Understand the nuances of scientific writing.
  2. Gain an insight into ethics in scientific publication
  3. Learn 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

24HFN422

Scientific Writing

(Theory)

 

COFN127: Identify the key elements and analyse the characteristics of scientific writing to produce clear and effective scientific documents

COFN128: Effectively outline, organize, and compose research manuscripts or reports

 

COFN129: Produce high-quality scientific documents that meet the standards of scholarly communication in their field

COFN130: Prepare scientific documents based on ethical guidelines and develop skills in presentation of scientific

information

COFN131: Develop a research design/project on a topic relevant to their field

COFN132: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion,

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Case studies on preparation of diet plans for a given situation

 

 

 

Class test, Semester end examinations, Individual and group projects

 

12.00
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: 
Academic writing
• 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: 
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: 
Ethics in research and making of effective presentations
  • 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: 
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: 
  1. Robert A. Day. How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper, 7th edition, Greenwood, 2011.
  2. Martha Davis. Scientific Papers and Presentations. (2012). 3rd Edition. Academic Press.
  3. Michael Alley. The Craft of Scientific Writing. (2018). 4th edition Springer-Verlag New York.
  4. 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.
  5. Peter J. Gosling. Scientist's Guide to Poster Presentations, Kluwer academic/Plenum publishers, 1999
  6. Edward Barrett, Leslie Perelman. The Mayfield Handbook of Technical and Scientific Writing, McGraw-Hill, 1997.
  7. Alley,M.(2018) The Craft of Scientific Writing. New York: Springer.
  8. Bernard, H.R. (2012). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches.Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications

 

References: 

1.     Black, J.A. and Champion, D.J. (1976). Methods and Issues in Social Research. NewYork: John Wiley andSons.

2.     Blaxter, L.,Hughes, C, and Tight, K. (2006). How to research. New Delhi: 3rd Edition. Open University Press.

3.     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

4.     Elmes, D.G.,Kanowitz, B.H. and Roediger, H.L. (1989). Research Methods in Psychology (Third Edition).New York:West Publishing Company.

5.     Katz, M.(2009) From Research to Manuscript: A Guide to Scientific Writing(2nd Ed). New York: Springer 

Academic Year: 
2024-2025
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