Elements of Scientific Paper

Functions of References

• References in a scientific paper allow readers to access the original sources cited, enabling them to further investigate a topic or verify the credibility of the authors' claims.

Organizing Citations and References

• Organizing citations and references during the writing process helps authors keep track of sources, promotes academic integrity, and facilitates the verification of information.

Ideal Time to Organize Materials

• Authors should organize materials that might be cited in a scientific paper from the beginning of the research process, ensuring accurate recording and easy retrieval of sources.

Citation Identification

• A citation inserted in the text identifies the original source of the information, idea, or concept, providing credit to the original author(s) and enabling readers to access the full reference.

Contribution to Readers' Understanding

• References and citations contribute to readers' understanding by providing transparency, credibility, and access to the original sources, allowing readers to evaluate the credibility of the research and build upon existing knowledge.

Test your knowledge of the key elements found in a scientific paper, such as title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references. Also, understand the functions of references in adding credibility and supporting the interpretations in scientific papers.