Unit I                                                                                                             

1. Key elements of scientific writing

1. Quality information
2. Nature of language
3. Structure

2. Characteristics of scientific writing

1. Clear and precise use of language
2. Accessibility to the intended audience
3. Correct information
4. Logical sequencing of information
5. Use of correct grammar
6. Appropriate use of technical terms, illustrations or diagrams

1. Drafting a scientific document

1. Research the document
2. Gather information
3. Plan the format
4. Create an outline
5. Write first draft
6. Check the accuracy
7. Revise and amend the document

2. Type of academic journal articles

1. Letters/communications
2. Research notes
3. Articles
4. Supplemental articles
5. Review articles

1. Writing effective scientific documents

1. Reports (Research/Progress)
2. Scientific paper (Journal/Conference)
3. Review paper
4. Abstracts
5. Theses
6. Electronic/Web based document

2. Elements of scientific documents

1. Sections/subsections
2. Headings/subheadings
3. Front matter (Title, Title page, Abstract, Table of contents, List of figures, List of tables, List of terms, Acknowledgements)
4. Body (Introduction, Review of literature, Methodology, Results, Discussions, Summary, Conclusion, Recommendations)
5. End Matter (References, Appendices, Indices)

1. Ethics and scientific publication

1. Permission
2. Data fabrication and falsification
3. Plagiarism
4. Redundant and duplicate publication
5. Conflict of interest
6. Authorship issues
7. Animal and human welfare concerns
8. Reviewer responsibility

2. Oral Presentation

1. Format of oral presentation (Informal/formal)
2. Visual aids – LCD projector, overhead projector (OHP) and transparencies or other display media
3. Delivery –  Voice projection, Body language, Spoken v. written language, Notes, Time limit

9. Writing a project proposal for grants

1. Rationale and importance of research
2. Empirical and  Theoretical conceptualization
3. Presenting pilot study/ data
4. Research proposal and time frame
5. Clarity and specificity of method
6. Clear organization
7. Outcome of research and its implications
8. Budgeting
9. Available infrastructure and resources
10. Executive summary