Scientific Writing
(Manuscript, Abstract Writing, Review
Article)
Introduction
● Scientific writing is indeed a technical form of writing that serves to
convey scientific information to other scientists, researchers, and
professionals in the field. Here are a few key aspects of scientific
writing:
● Objective Communication: Scientific writing aims to present
information in an objective and unbiased manner. It focuses on facts,
data, and evidence rather than personal opinions or beliefs
● Clear and Precise Language: Scientific writing employs clear,
precise, and unambiguous language to ensure that the information is
easily understood by the target audience. Jargon and technical terms
specific to the field are used appropriately
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• Rigid Structure: Scientific writing follows a structured format that
typically includes sections such as Abstract, Introduction, Methods,
Results, Discussion, and Conclusion (IMRAD). This structure aligns
with the scientific method, allowing readers to easily navigate and
understand the research process and findings
● Use of Citations: Scientific writing heavily relies on citations to
acknowledge previous research, support claims, and provide
evidence for statements made. Citations follow specific citation
styles (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) depending on the discipline or
journal guidelines
● Accuracy and Reliability: Accuracy and reliability are paramount
in scientific writing. Data, results, and interpretations are presented
accurately, and methodologies are described in detail to ensure
reproducibility of experiments or studies
● Peer Review: Scientific papers often undergo peer review, where
experts in the field evaluate the manuscript for quality, validity, and
significance before publication. This process helps maintain the
3 research
integrity and credibility of scientific
Elements of Scientific Paper
● Title
● Abstract / summary
● Introduction
● Objectives
● Methods
● Results
● Discussion
● Works Cited
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Characteristic of Scientific
Writting
● Clear
● Simple
● Avoid Technical terms and Jargon
● Neutral
● Structured Logically
● Accurate
● Objective
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7-Step Version
● Formulate a question
● Research the question
● Form a hypothesis
● Conduct an experiment to test your hypothesis
● Analyze data
● Draw Conclusions
● Communicate results
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Limitation
● Moral or ethical problem
● Human complexity
● Measurement problems
● External variable control problems
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1. Manuscript
Content
● The structure of a research article usually depends on the journal to
which the article is being submitted
● Many journals have page limits, figure limits, or specific article
divisions to which authors must adhere
● Abstract
● Introduction
● Methods
● Results
● Discussion and Conclusions
● Acknowledgments
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2. Abstract Writing
Content
● An abstract serves as a concise summary of a scientific paper,
typically comprising one paragraph with a length of 200-300 words.
Here's what an abstract generally includes:
● Purpose/Objective: It briefly outlines the main objective or purpose
of the study or research conducted
● Methods: It describes the methodologies, techniques, or approaches
used to carry out the study, experiment, or analysis
● Results: It presents the major findings, results, or outcomes obtained
from the study, often including key data or statistics
● Interpretations/Conclusions: It summarizes the author's
interpretations or analyses of the results and presents the conclusions
drawn from the study
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● An abstract is a single paragraph of about 250 words or less.
● The author must summarize
● why the research was conducted,
● how it was conducted, and
● what the major results and conclusions were.
● References are typically not cited in the Abstract, since the reader
expects a more full discussion in the body of the article.
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Why Do People Write Abstract
● When submitting articles to journals, especially online journals
● When applying for research grants
● When writing a book proposal
● When completing the Ph.D. dissertation
● When writing a proposal for a conference paper
● When writing a proposal for a book chapter
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Purpose
● Help reader decide whether to read the text or not
● Summarize the findings of the text
● Help scholars find your article
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Key Elements
● The problem to be investigated, 1-2 sentences that sum up why
this study was conducted
● The purpose of the study, 1 - 2 sentences that explicitly state
what this study investigated and how it differs from similar studies.
● The methods, 1 - 2 sentences that summarize the important
methods
● The major results, 1 - 2 sentences that summarize the major results
which are imp
● The interpretations, 1 - 2 sentences that summarize the author’s
interpretations of the results
● The implications, 1 sentence that summarizes the meaning of these
interpretations, i.e., why do we care about this
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What NOT to Add
● Lengthy background information - that belongs in the
Introduction
● Lengthy methods discussion - that belongs in the Methods section
● References to other literature - Abbreviations or acronyms
● Figures, images, or references
● Missing Information
● Too Much Information
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3. Review Article
Introduction
● A thorough examination and evaluation of existing literature
within a particular field, achieved through summarizing,
categorizing, analyzing, and contrasting the information
● A scholarly document that builds upon previously published
studies or data within the field
● No new experimental data from the author's own research is
introduced (though certain reviews may include new data)
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Function of Review Article &
Audience
Functions
● To structure and arrange existing literature systematically
● To assess and appraise the quality and relevance of literature
● To recognize recurring themes and developments in the
literature
● To integrate and combine information from various sources of
literature
● To pinpoint areas where research is lacking and propose new
avenues for investigation
Audience
● Experts in specific research areas
● Students or novice researchers
● Decision-makers
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Literature Review Article
• A thorough, constructive assessment of literature within a
defined field, achieved through summarizing, categorizing,
analyzing, and comparing information from previously published
works or data
• These scientific texts rely solely on existing literature and do not
introduce new data from the author's experiments
• Review articles are typically categorized into two types:
narrative and systematic reviews
• Narrative reviews are presented in an accessible format,
allowing for a broad exploration of the subject matter
• Systematic reviews, on the other hand, involve a highly detailed
and exhaustive survey of literature on the chosen topic
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Writing a Literature Review Article
● Select a topic
● Search for articles
● Select the relevant studies and relevant information
● Write an outline
● PICO (P - Patient, Problem or Population; I-Intervention; C-appropriate
Comparisons, and O-Outcome measures) procedure
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Elements of Review Article
● Title
● List of authors
● Abstract
● Introduction
● Body: Main Part of the Review Article
● Conclusions
● References
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Preparing Review Article
● Narrow the topic, define a few research questions or hypotheses
● Search for literature sources, refine topic and research questions
during the search
● Read, evaluate, classify and make notes
● Redefine the focus and the research questions, define the take-home
message
● Compose a title which should reflect the focus of your review
● Find a structuring principle for the article (e.g. Chronological, subject
matter, experimental procedure)
● Prepare an outline, find headings for the sections in the text body
● Plan the content of each paragraph in the different sections
● Prepare tables, concept maps, figures
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● Summarize the article (methods, arguments, conclusions, findings of
the article in your own words)
● Draft the abstract
● Proof read: Revise drafts of different sections, abstract & title, tables,
figures & legends
● Revise citations and references
● Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation
● Adjust the layout
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Committee on Publication Ethics
(COPE)
● COPE is a non-profit organization that aims to uphold integrity in
research and publication practices. It serves as a non-statutory body
offering practical guidance on publication ethics to editors and
publishers across various research disciplines
● Established in 1997 by journal editors in response to growing concerns
about the integrity of submissions to medical journals, COPE has since
grown to include over 12,500 members from more than 100 countries
and diverse academic fields
● The organization's mission is to provide leadership in publication ethics
and offer resources to educate and assist editors and publishers.
Membership in COPE signifies a commitment to maintaining the highest
ethical standards in research publishing, as well as adherence to
COPE's recommended core practices for journals and publishers. This
assurance benefits authors, reviewers,
25 and readers, signaling a
journal's dedication to ethical research dissemination
● Publication Misconduct: They provide guidance on handling cases of
plagiarism, duplicate publication, fabrication or falsification of data, and
other forms of unethical behavior in research and publishing
● Forum for Discussions: COPE hosts discussions and forums where
members can seek advice, share experiences, and discuss ethical
dilemmas or challenges they encounter in their roles as editors or
publishers
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Principle of Transparancy
● The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the Directory of Open
Access Journals (DOAJ), the Open Access Scholarly Publishing
Association (OASPA), and the World Association of Medical Editors
(WAME) have collaborated to establish principles of transparency and
best practice for scholarly publications
● These principles are designed to apply universally across all published
content, including special issues and conference proceedings. In cases
where practices deviate from these standards, editors are expected to
transparently communicate the journal's procedures
● Additionally, these principles recognize the responsibility of publishers
and editors in promoting accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusivity
in all facets of publication. This underscores the commitment of these
scholarly organizations to uphold ethical and inclusive practices within
the academic publishing landscape27
Steps Involved
1. Name of Journal
●The journal’s name should:
Be unique and not be one that is easily confused with another
journal
Not mislead potential authors and readers about the journal’s origin,
scope, or association with other journals and organizations
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2. Website
• Websites should be properly supported and maintained, with
particular attention given to security aspects that help protect users
from viruses and malware
• Those responsible for the website should apply web standards and
best ethical practices to the website’s content, presentation, and
application
• The website should not contain information that might mislead readers
or authors
• The website should not copy another journal/publisher’s site, design, or
logo
• If any text is copied from another website, an acknowledgement to
the source website should be declared
•In addition to the requirements outlined below, the following items
should be clearly
•displayed: 29
Aims and scope, The target readership of the journal, The types
3. Publishing Schedule
• It's crucial for a journal to clearly define and describe its publishing
frequency to ensure transparency and manage expectations among
authors, reviewers, and readers. The journal should adhere to its
established publishing schedule unless there are extraordinary
circumstances that prevent it from doing so. Providing this information
upfront helps maintain trust and accountability within the scholarly
publishing process
4. Archiving
• A journal should outline a comprehensive plan for electronic backup
and long-term digital preservation of its content. This plan should be
clearly indicated to ensure that journal content remains accessible
even in the event that the journal or publisher ceases operations. This
proactive approach demonstrates a commitment to preserving
scholarly work and ensuring continued access to valuable research
findings
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5. Copyright
• The copyright terms for published content must be explicitly stated on
the journal's website and within the published content itself. These
copyright terms should be clearly separate and distinct from the
copyright terms of the website. This ensures transparency and clarity
regarding the ownership and usage rights of the published content,
thereby avoiding any confusion or misunderstanding regarding
copyright.
6. Licensing on the Website and Available to All
• The journal's website should provide clear and comprehensive
information about licensing terms. Licensing terms must also be clearly
indicated within the full text of all published articles, both in HTML and
PDF formats. Specifically, content designated as Open Access must
utilize an open license to ensure unrestricted access and use by
readers, in line with the principles of Open Access publishing
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7. Publication Ethics and Related Editorial Policies
• A journal should have well-defined policies on publication ethics, in
alignment with COPE's Core Practice guidance. These policies should be
prominently displayed on the journal's website and cover the following
areas:
1. Authorship and Contributor ship Policy (https://cope.onl/authorship)
2. Procedures for Handling Complaints and Appeals
(https://cope.onl/appeals)
3. Handling of Allegations of Research Misconduct
(https://cope.onl/misconduct-2)
4. Policies on Conflicts of Interest (https://cope.onl/coi-2)
5. Data Sharing and Reproducibility Policies (https://cope.onl/data-2)
6. Ethical Oversight Policy (https://cope.onl/oversight-2)
7. Intellectual Property Policy (https://cope.onl/ip-2)
32
8. Options for Post-Publication Discussions (https://cope.onl/corrections-3)
8. Peer Review
• Peer review involves seeking feedback and advice on manuscripts from
independent reviewers or experts who are knowledgeable in the
manuscript's subject area. These reviewers should not be affiliated with
the journal's editorial team to maintain objectivity and avoid conflicts of
interest
9. Access
• If any online content is not freely accessible to all users, the method of
gaining access (such as registration, subscription, or pay-per-view fees)
should be clearly outlined and described on the journal's website or
platform
• Similarly, if offline versions (such as print copies) are available, this
information should also be clearly described, including any associated
charges or costs for obtaining these offline versions. Providing
transparent information about access methods and associated fees
helps ensure that readers and potential subscribers have a clear
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understanding of how to access the journal's content
10. Ownership and Management
• Ownership and management details of a journal should be prominently
displayed on the journal's website. This information typically includes
the names of the owner(s) or publisher, the editorial board members,
and any affiliations with societies, institutions, or sponsors
• If a journal is affiliated with a society, institution, or sponsor, links to
their respective website(s) should be provided where available. This
transparency helps establish credibility and allows readers and
stakeholders to verify the journal's affiliations and management
structure easily
11. Advisory Body
• Journals should have editorial boards with experts in the subject areas
covered by the journal's aims and scope
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12. Editorial Team/Contact Information
• Publishing journals should list the full names, affiliations, and contact
details of their editors on their website, including a complete mailing
address for the editorial office
13. Author’s Fees
• The journal's website should clearly state any author fees that are
charged, such as article processing charges, page charges, editorial
processing charges, language editing fees, color charges, submission
fees, membership fees, or other supplementary charges
• If no fees are charged, this should also be clearly stated on the website
to provide transparency to authors and contributors
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14. Other Revenue
• The journal's website should clearly outline its business models or
revenue sources, which may include author fees, subscriptions,
sponsorships, subsidies, advertising, reprints, supplements, or special
issues. Providing transparency about these revenue sources helps
authors and readers understand how the journal operates and sustains
its publishing activities
15. Advertising
• Journals should clearly indicate whether they accept advertising and
provide their advertising policy on their website
• It's essential that advertisements remain independent of editorial
decision-making and are kept separate from the published content to
ensure editorial integrity and avoid any conflicts of interest
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16. Direct Marketing
• Any direct marketing efforts carried out on behalf of the journal, such
as soliciting manuscripts, should be appropriate, well-targeted, and
conducted in a non-intrusive manner
• Information about the publisher or journal provided to readers or
authors should be truthful and accurate, avoiding any misleading or
deceptive statements. This transparency helps build trust and
credibility with the journal's stakeholders
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