Scientific Writing
08 August 2024
The Importance of Clear and Concise Scientific Writing
Scientific writing communicates scientific findings. It should be clear, concise, and written as simply as possible. There are many very good scientists that spend years conducting influential and important research, however, many of them are not effective communicators. Therefore, the importance and validity of their work goes unnoticed due to poor communication. I believe that the best non-fiction writing gives clear meaning in the fewest words.
Preparation for Scientific Paper Writing
When preparing to write a scientific paper, remember to constantly be clear and concise. Do not fear criticism! Any criticism that you receive will only help you.
Analyzing Structure and Content of Published Papers
Before you consider submitting a paper to a journal, research as many papers as possible (if you have not done so already). Examine papers closely that have been published in the particular journal that you are interested in. Then, pick a few papers to use as a model. Based upon these papers, try to answer the following questions:
1. How are these papers structured?
2. How long is each section?
3. What are the section headings?
4. How many tables and figures are there?
Consulting Journal Guidelines and Style Manuals
After you have examined several papers for their structure, go to the website for the journal that you interested in submitting to, and look at the rules for paper submission for that particular journal. If the journal instructions are not sufficient, then use the style manual that is appropriate for your profession:
Writing Process and Revision
1. The American Chemical Society (ACS) Style Guide
2. American Medical Association Manual of Style
3. The Chicago Manual of Style
4. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA)
5. Scientific Style and Format
When you actually begin writing, start with whatever section you find the easiest. I like to compile research in outlines and pieces of sections in draft form. I typically write the introduction and conclusion last. Draft the sections in whatever order makes the most sense for you.
Good writing is often good revising. When I have taught people to write academic papers in the past, they often get hung up on writing the paper sequentially. They believe that they are a poor writer if their paper is not perfect with the first draft. The truth is – I am a published author, and I have to revise every piece of writing that I do a minimum 5 times if I want to make sure that it reads well.
I have heard of other published authors routinely revising up to 10 times! The trick is to revise your writing as many times as necessary to make sure that it reads well. While you are revising your scientific paper, make sure that you ask yourself the following questions:
1. Is all the relevant information included in the text?
2. Is there any additional information that would make your arguments more sound?
3. Is all the text clear and concise?
4. Is any additional detail that can be added to make the research more clear and reproducible?
5. Have you thoroughly reviewed and summarized the previous work?
6. Are the figures and tables clear and concise and labeled properly?
7. Have you followed the instructions for that particular journal?
Final verdict
After you have finished revising your paper, show your paper to a colleague to make sure that you have not missed anything for a technical point of view. One last important point to mention is that: no paper is perfect. If you have reviewed and revised your paper several times, and it looks like it is in a finished state — be satisfied! You have to congratulate yourself on getting your paper to this point.
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