Understanding Information Sources

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Questions and Answers

What is recommended to include at the beginning of the Discussion section of a scientific paper?

A restatement of the most important points from the results (correct)

A summary of previous research studies

An overview of the future implications of the study

A detailed explanation of the research methods used

Why do many technical writers prefer to write their introductions last?

Crafting a balance of general context and specific focus is challenging (correct)

They find it easier to engage the reader at the end

They usually have more data to include in the introduction later

Introductions typically require less editing than other sections

What is emphasized about the writing style of scientific papers?

It should be filled with technical jargon for precision

It should be clear and concise (correct)

It should be vague to allow for varied interpretations

It should be colorful and elaborate to engage the audience

What should be avoided when beginning the Discussion section?

Mentioning personal insecurities about the research methods Signup and view all the answers

What approach can enhance the structure of the Discussion section?

Utilizing sub-headings to guide the reader Signup and view all the answers

Which part of a scientific paper can be particularly challenging to write according to many authors?

The introduction and conclusion Signup and view all the answers

What is a common pitfall when writing the introduction of a scientific paper?

Perfecting the introduction before completing the paper Signup and view all the answers

What role do editorial comments play in writing a scientific paper?

They provide insights on improving writing quality Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of scientific writing as described?

To inform other scientists about an important issue. Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in an abstract for it to effectively inform the reader?

Objective, methods, results, and significance of the study. Signup and view all the answers

Why might a scientist choose to write the abstract section last?

To accurately reflect the study's completed findings. Signup and view all the answers

What can indicate that a writer's scientific point has not been understood by an editor?

Comments from the editor suggesting confusion about the writing. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a section commonly found in a scientific manuscript structure?

Personal Reflections Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommended practice for non-native English speakers to improve their scientific writing?

Have their work proofread by a native speaker. Signup and view all the answers

Why is concise English particularly important in scientific writing?

It respects the reader's time and improves clarity. Signup and view all the answers

What should the introduction section primarily achieve?

Summarize the research problem and its significance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common mistake in writing the introduction?

Including too much background information Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct structure for the introduction outlined in the content?

Narrower background leading to specific objectives Signup and view all the answers

Why is citation important in the introduction section?

To support claims made without disrupting flow Signup and view all the answers

What is a key element that should be avoided when writing the introduction?

References to unrelated literature Signup and view all the answers

The last sentences of the introduction should ideally include which of the following?

The specific hypothesis and objectives Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about citing sources is true?

Articles by one or two authors are cited using their last names Signup and view all the answers

What is an indication of a clear purpose in the introduction?

A focused statement of the research question Signup and view all the answers

What is included in a full citation for journal articles?

Date, title, journal name, volume number, and page numbers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered research misconduct?

Properly citing all sources used Signup and view all the answers

When should the Literature Cited section at the end of a paper be organized?

In order of appearance in the text Signup and view all the answers

What stance did research institutions take regarding misconduct in the early 1980s?

They often ignored or covered up misconduct issues Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following elements is NOT required for book citations?

Edition number Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the federal policy on research misconduct adopted in December 2000?

To mandate the investigation of misconduct claims Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines research misconduct according to the Department of Health and Human Services?

Fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommended action when unsure about citation formats?

Consult a recent issue of the respective journal for guidance Signup and view all the answers

What is the most significant first step in scientific paper writing?

Selecting a research question Signup and view all the answers

Why is a good research question essential for publication?

It shows well-thought research Signup and view all the answers

What must scientific and technical writing avoid to maintain professionalism?

Personal anecdotes and stories Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between knowing your audience and writing a scientific paper?

It influences style and level of writing Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is least likely to be accepted by journal editors?

A paper filled with anecdotes Signup and view all the answers

How does a good research question contribute to data analysis?

It provides clarity for developing the study protocol Signup and view all the answers

What characteristics should be avoided in the language of scientific writing?

Vague conclusions Signup and view all the answers

What might hinder a paper's chances of publication in a scientific journal?

Lack of clear language and focus on a topic Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason for not submitting a first draft?

First drafts often require significant editing. Signup and view all the answers

What should a paragraph begin with to be effective?

A clear topic sentence that indicates the main idea. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the writer concerning language use?

To master basic grammar and spelling. Signup and view all the answers

Why is using an outline beneficial before starting a writing project?

It helps organize thoughts logically and outlines key ideas. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does submitting a draft with basic English errors have on the writing process?

It distracts the supervisor from more meaningful feedback. Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested if a writer needs time to approach their draft with a fresh perspective?

Put the draft away for a few days before reviewing it. Signup and view all the answers

What is an important aspect of writing good paragraphs?

Effective paragraphs should be organized around a clear main idea. Signup and view all the answers

Which approach is NOT advisable when preparing a first draft?

Trying to make it perfect before showing it to anyone. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Information Sources

Information comes from diverse sources, including newspapers, websites, magazines, journals, books, dictionaries, encyclopedias, technical reports, conference proceedings, posters, dissertations, and personal communication.
Sources vary in their utility, content, and intended audience.
Information sources can be categorized as scholarly or popular, and primary or secondary.

Scholarly Sources

Authors are typically academics with affiliations listed.
Articles are structured with sections like abstracts, introductions, materials and methods, results, and conclusions.
Writing style is usually neutral and factual.
The audience is researchers and students in the field, with specialized vocabulary.
Authors cite other scholarly sources within a bibliography.
Scholarly articles report on findings that advance their field, being primary sources.
Articles are typically peer-reviewed to ensure quality.
Scholarly books and journals are published by reputable publishers.
Information in scholarly sources is reliable and accurate.

Popular Sources

Popular writing aims to inform general readers.
Writing style is typically informal and uses easily understood vocabulary.
Author credentials are often omitted.
Popular articles rarely reference other sources.
Popular writing may include fact-checking but may not undergo peer review.
Content could be one-sided to appeal to a specific audience.
Quality and accuracy of information in popular sources are often harder to assess.

Types of Information Resources

Primary Sources: Original research, new ideas, or opinions published in their original form. Examples include journal articles, conference papers, monographs.
Secondary Sources: Organize and provide easy retrieval of primary resources (e.g., indexes, bibliographies, abstracting systems). Also can include summarizing or interpreting primary sources. Examples include MEDLINE, PubMed, and specialized databases .
Tertiary Sources: Condense and summarize data from primary and secondary sources. Examples include textbooks, encyclopedias, and review articles like Micromedex and Lexicomp. Tertiary sources provide overviews, summaries, and background information.

Scientific Paper Writing

The first step in scientific writing is choosing a research question relevant to the field and adding new knowledge.
The content should be void of personal anecdotes or stories. Reports should present facts and avoid outlandish conclusions. Quality writing avoids misspellings and grammatical errors.
Use outlines for organizing ideas and arguments.
Separate the tasks of figuring out what to say, planning the order & logic, and crafting the exact language.
Do not submit initial drafts directly. Rewriting and editing are critical.

Suggestions for Writing Good Scientific Papers

Know the audience—write for that specific group (e.g., scientific journal readers).
Captions should inform how to read charts and tables clearly in an independent and understandable way.
Discuss results, not tables, figures, and statistics (create narratives around those).
Develop a discussion strategy. Summarize important results first, then relate them to the literature.
Understand that introductions and conclusions are challenging sections, and it is acceptable to draft these sections later.
Take editorial comments seriously and respond thoughtfully.
Ensure that the title is concise and descriptive, explaining the paper's topic.
An abstract is a short summary encompassing the paper's purpose, methods, results, and conclusions.

Manuscript Structure

A well-structured paper clarifies the author's purpose, methods, and results' meaning. Structure includes an abstract, introduction, methods, results, figures and tables, discussion, and acknowledgements, with literature cited at the end.

Research Misconduct

Fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism is defined as scientific misconduct.
Fabricating means making up results, while falsifying involves manipulating materials/processes, or changing/omitting data.
Plagiarism is using another's ideas, processes, results, or words without credit.
Top ten behaviors include falsifying data, ignoring human subjects' rights, improperly disclosing financial ties, and using other's work without attribution.

Federal Laws on Research Misconduct

Public concern regarding research misconduct heightened in the 1980s, with institutions sometimes covering up problems.
In 2000, the Office of Science and Technology Policy established a federal policy on research misconduct.

Mentor Responsibilities

Mentors guide trainees (post-docs, grad students, and undergrads) to understand responsible research conduct.
This includes ensuring awareness of guidelines, defining relationships, outlining publication/authorship roles, serving as Principal Investigators (PI), obligations to report misconduct, and demonstrating ethical practices.

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Description

This quiz explores the various types of information sources, differentiating between scholarly and popular, as well as primary and secondary. Learn about the characteristics of scholarly sources, and identify the factors that determine their credibility and relevance in academic research.