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Literatura Científica

New Directions in Graduate Research and Programs

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Introducción

Introduccion Literatura Cientifica

Welcome

Welcome to the module in Scientific writing.  This module is designed so you get exposure to scientific writing.  Of course, all of us have wrote some kind of paper, abstract or essay about science.  The question is, How effective you has been in communicating your ideas?  Scientific writing is a little bit different than creative writing and than science writing and it is govern by a different set of rules.  Yes, been a scientist is a little bit different, the way we communicate between ourselves, and how we communicate with general public.  The vocabulary that we use, the assertivity that is needed, the documentation of the fact that support our communication, the maximizing use of time and space, using tables and graphs to not only to present data, but to be able to present tendencies and relationships among the data.  Indeed, this is scientific writing.

The goal of this module is to introduce the students to scientific writing.  To accomplish it we will carry out the following objectives:

(1) to present the fundamentals of scientific writing,

(2) to present the difference between scientific writing, science writing and creative writing,

(3) to present a methodology on how to write an effective abstract,

(4) how to write an effective scientific essay. 

Each of these objectives are a topic in the module.  After completion of the module, you will be able to familiarize yourself with scientific writing.

Each topic consists of an introduction in which we will highlight the key elements of the topic, some will have a PowerPoint presentation about the topic, and a practice exercise in which you will apply what you learn in the topic.  It is important that you will go through the topics in this order.  First, read the introduction, second, view the PowerPoint presentation, then go back to the introduction and re-read it (I am sure you will find a richer meaning of it the second time), and third, do the practice exercises. You will also find some references in each topic that will allow you to explore in deep the topic, get new knowledge and help you construct your own knowledge of the topic.  Finally, you will find a checklist of the components that need to be present in an effective abstract or essay. Make sure you verify your document to ensure all the elements are present.

Great, let’s begin.

Lección 1: Fundamentals of Scientific Writing

Fundamentals of Scientific Writing

Great, I am glad that you decided to explore this topic.  In this topic we will see the principles that govern the scientific writing process.  In order to understand them, it is important that we know what is scientific writing? 

Scientific Writing

According to Dr. Rick Lombardo from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he defines it as: 

Scientific writing is not just writing about science; it is the technical writing that scientists do to communicate their research to others.

I agree with this definition, because scientific writing is govern by the rigurosity of the science disciplines.  Rigurosity that is characterize by:

  • concise
  • precise
  • based on facts
  • assertive
  • clarity
  • cohesive
  • accuracy
  • objectivity

It is time to watch the PowerPoint presentation. Surprise, the presentation is in Spanish, the reason for that is because majority of the students at our institution their first language is Spanish, and I want to make sure that all of you get the point.

escritura-cientifica-Inter-grad-2021-planas.pdf

Let do some practice,  the following sentences are bad example of scientific writing.  Analyze them and decide why they are bad examples.

What is the problem with this sentence?

“If possible, it is suggested to plant buffers using a three-zone approach.”

Indeed the problem is  ______________. Write a better sentence.

What is the problem with this paragraph?

“International policies like the Kyoto Protocol have emphasized the need to increase efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase carbon storage in non-atmospheric pools. Harvested wood products (HWPs) include all wood materials that leave a forest after a harvest. Not only are they important for certain sectors of the economy, such as shipping and manufacturing, but they also serve as a terrestrial carbon stock.”

Indeed the problem is  ______________.  Write a better paragraph.

What is the problem with this paragraph?

“As a civil engineering intern, I worked with the Facilities Management Services Division to execute daily activities in response to workplace issues. Sign Inventory was my main area of research. I helped investigate over 500 signs based on their reflectivity and compliance with federal guidelines.” (45 words)

Indeed the problem is  ______________. Write a better paragraph.

Now it is time to see the answers.  Click on the link below to see them.

Topic-1-answers.pdf

References:

Lección 2: Scientific vs. Science vs. Creative Writings

Scientific vs. Science vs. Creative Writings

Introduction

Welcome, to the second topic of this module. Here we will deal with the differences between Scientific versus Science versus Creative writing.  This is important for you to decide what type of communication are you dealing with, as well as, to determine if you are complying with the characteristics that define the type of communication that you are doing.

The objective of this topic are:

  • To define Scientific writing, Science writing and creative writing
  • To show the differences between them
  • To recognize the type of writing in a manuscript

Before we continue with the definitions there is a point that I want to make clear.  No matter what you are going to communicate, or in what topic, there are three questions that you need to answer clearly  before you try to write. These questions are:

  1. What I want to communicate?
  2. To whom I am communicating?
  3. What I want them to do with the information that I am communicating?

The answers to these questions will determine if you are doing scientific writing (if your audience are scientist); science writing (if your audience is general public) or creating writing (if you are doing and exposure instead of communicating data).  They will also determine the characteristics of your writing and it effectiveness.

Definitions: 

Scientific writing is the way that scientist communicate their findings among the scientific community.  It is a precise, concise, data based, objective and with clarity and clear scientific logic. Usually publish in peer review journals

Science writing is the way science is communicated to the general public and /or to non scientist communities.  It is less technical than scientific writing, ideas are more general and uses analogies, metaphors among other language tools. Usually publish in magazines, newspapers or press releases.  It is talking science to non scientist.

Creative writing is the way people communicate when they are not communicating scientific data.  We see it when we read literature, art, economics and social sciences among other disciplines.

Differences between them:

You will find several documents that shows the difference between them.  The first one is a table that compare creative writing with scientific writing using eleven criteria. The second, is a PowerPoint slide that compares the scientific writing with science writing. The third is a poster that show differences between scientific vs, science writing.  In this one the IMRaD means (Introduction-Methodology-Result-Discusion) format; which is the format of the majority of peer review journals.

https://slideplayer.com/slide/8234249/
https://allisonhutchison.github.io/sciencewriting/scivssci.html

Practice

Each of the following links bring you to a document, analyze it and determine if it is written in Scientific writing, or Science writing, or Creative writing. 

References

Lección 3: Abstract

https://study.com/academy/lesson/how-to-write-a-scientific-abstract.html

Abstract

Introduction

Nice, you are now in the third topic of the module, excellent, keep the good work.  

One of the nightmare of a science student is when their professors tell them to write an abstract.  Students often think, How I do an abstract? I have no idea how to do it.  My friend, do not worry, after completing this topic you will know how to do it.

After completing this topic the student will be able to:

  • define what is an abstract
  • mention the difference between types of abstract
  • learn a procedure, a method to write an effective abstract

In order to be effective in writing an abstract it is important that you have very clear the answer to this three questions.

  • What I want to communicate?
  • To whom I am communicating it?
  • What I want them to do with the information?

These answers will help you to decide the type of abstract, will give you clarity of though in the message you want to communicate and will allow you to evaluate your abstract once you have finished.

It is time to watch the Power Point presentation.  This presentation will show you what is an abstract, the different types of abstracts and more important it will give you the methodology of how to do it.  One thing that you should notice, is that an abstract is not written in one week.  It take time, and at least four to five drafts before you have a final, effective abstract. Therefore, start writing it at least one month prior than the due date.  You see, the experience of writing an abstract should be a joyful one, after all, you are communicating the fruit of your hard work in the lab, you are making a contribution to science; that my friend is an accomplishment.

Power Point Presentation

Click over the link below the image to have access to the Power Point Presentation.

Abstract-Presentation.pdf

Practice exercises

Yes, it is time to see how well we understood the concepts.  In this section you will find three links.  Each one will bring you to a written abstract.  Read the abstract and make a decision of what type of abstract is and document your decision in a piece of paper.  Later on, after finishing analyzing the three abstract, check your responses with the response document find at the end of this section.

Abstract-1-practice.pdf

Abstract 2 – Practice

 Abstract 3 – Practice

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04420-x

Use the following checklist to verify if the abstracts contains all their elements.

 Resources

References

Lección 4: The Personal Statement

The Personal Statement

Introduction

Congratulations, you are in the last topic of this module.  This topic is one of vital importance, it will help you to be able to apply for travel awards, admission to PhD Schools, obtain scholarships even to obtain a job.  In this topic you will learn how to present yourself using  the scientific writing style.  Yes, you are the message,(your skills, your knowledge, your critical thinking, your soft skills, your experiences and much more), that need to be communicated.

The objective of this topic are:

  • to learn how to present yourself in an effective way
  • to learn how to join all your data such that it makes sense
  • to be precise, concise and base on facts with respect to your qualities, skills and knowledge

Learning how to do the personal statement will also help you to be able to write papers, thesis and proposals.

Power Point Presentation

In this section you will find two Power Point presentations, the first one will show you what is a personal statements, the characteristics of a personal statement, de Do’s and Dont’s of a personal statement.  It also tell you how to do the fluidity diagram as well as the parts that should include in the personal statement and will show you some examples of it.

The second one, is a good complement to the first presentations and shows some extra examples of personal statements.

How-to-write-a-personal-statement-Planas-Inter.pdf

Practice

Using the Personal statement-Fluidity Diagram shown as a guide, Construct your own personal statement using the empty diagram that you will find in the link below.

Fluidity Diagram Link

Starting-from-scratch_-how-to-begin-writing-your-personal-statement-for-graduate-school-_-Society-of-Physics-Students.docx.pdf

References