Scientific Writing (Theory)

Paper Code: 
24DHHD813
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

24DHHD813

Scientific writing (Theory)

CO349: Identify the key elements and analyse the characteristics of scientific writing to produce clear and effective

scientific documents

CO350: Effectively outline, organize, and compose research manuscripts or reports

CO351: Produce high-quality scientific documents that meet the standards of scholarly communication in their field

CO352: Prepare scientific documents based on ethical guidelines and develop skills in presentation of scientificinformation

CO353: Develop a research design/project on a topic relevant to their field

CO354: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

Approach in teaching:

 

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Power Point Presentations, Informative videos, group discussion

Learning activities for the students:

Self learning assignments, Effective questions, presentations

Quiz, Poster Presentations,

Power Point Presentations, Individual and group projects,

Open Book Test, Semester End Examination, discussion, demonstration

 

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: 
● 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 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: 
● 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
References: 

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

●  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).NewYork:West Publishing Company.

  • 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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