Lecture 1 Introduction to Scientific Writing PDF

1 Introduction to Scientific Writing Dr. Diana Magdy Fahim Hanna, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University [email protected] Course content...

1 Introduction to Scientific Writing Dr. Diana Magdy Fahim Hanna, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University [email protected] Course content 2 Week 1 Introduction to Scientific writing Dr. Diana Magdy Grades Week 2 Research question Dr. Diana Magdy Midterm = 15 marks Week 3 Introduction Dr. Sara Wahdan Practical = 25 marks Week 4 Materials and Methods Dr. Sara Wahdan Final exam = 60 marks Week 5 Results Dr. Sara Wahdan Week 6 Midterm Week 7 Abstract, title and discussion Dr. Sara Wahdan Course coordinator Week 8 Reference management Dr. Haidy Effat Dr. Haidy Effat Week 9 Poster presentation Dr. Haidy Effat Week 10 Oral presentation Dr. Haidy Effat Week 11 Research Ethics Dr. Diana Magdy  3 Outline ▪ Basic Concepts ▪ Types of scientific papers ▪ Research question 4  5 Starting point Your starting point is the research itself You can NOT write a good quality scientific paper if you don’t have: * Good quality research idea * Good quality experimental design to achieve * Good quality data to analyze and interpret  6 What is scientific writing? It is an important part of science; used to document and communicate ideas, activities and findings with others.  7 Characteristics of good scientific writing: Clear Simple Impartial Structured Objective Accurate logically  8 Characteristics of good scientific writing: Clear: Avoid unnecessary details Simple: Use direct language, avoid vague or complicated sentences. Impartial: Avoid making assumptions (Everyone knows that...) and unproven statements (It can never be proved that...). Present how and where data were collected and support the conclusions with evidence (avoid bias)  9 Structured logically: Express ideas and processes in a logical order. Divide text into sections with clear headings. Accurate: Avoid vague and ambiguous language such as about, approximately, almost. Objective: Support statements and ideas by appropriate evidence that demonstrates how conclusions have been considered.  10 Scientific writing? o Research Articles or Research Papers o Review Articles o Research Projects for Funding o Patents o Thesis  11 Types of Scientific research papers Original Case article report Technical Pictorial Review note essay Letter to Commentary Editorial the editor  12 1- Original research article ✓ The most important type of papers. ✓ It provides new information based on original research. ✓ Hypothesis testing ✓ The conclusions should be supported by the data provided in the results. ✓ Original Articles should consist of the following headings: Abstract, introduction, materials & methods, results and discussion (IMRAD). 13 14 15 2- Case report 16 ✓ Description of a single case with unique features. May present previously unreported: 1. Observation of a recognized disease 2. Diagnostic test 3. Clinical condition 4. Treatment of a recognized disease 5. Complication of a procedure ✓ Short and focused. ✓ Case Reports should consist of: short unstructured (or no) abstract, brief introduction, case report and discussion. 17 18 3- Technical note 19 ✓ Description of a specific technique or procedure, modification of an existing technique, or new equipment applicable to a branch of medicine. ✓ Discussion is limited to the specific message. ✓ Technical Notes should consist of the following headings: short unstructured (or no) abstract, brief introduction, methods, results and discussion. The methods and results sections may be combined under the heading of technique. 20 4- Review article 21 ✓ This is a detailed analysis of recent developments on a specific topic. ✓ It serves to highlight important points that have been previously reported in the literature. ✓ Does not introduce new information and does not include the author’s opinion or personal experience in the field UNLESS reported. ✓ Reviews should consist of the following headings: unstructured abstract, introduction and subheadings, and maybe a conclusion. 22 5- Pictorial essay 23 ✓ Teaching article that relies on the quality of its images. ✓ Allows a large number of figures but a limited number of references. ✓ Pictorial Essays should consist of the following : short unstructured (or no) abstract, brief introduction, optional subheadings and optional discussion. 24  25 6- Commentary ✓ short article with author’s personal opinions. 7- Editorial ✓ often short review or critique of original articles. 26