Scientific Writing Lectures 2024-2025 Part 1 PDF

1. **Clear**: Easy to understand. 2. **Specific**: Focused on a single problem or issue. 3. **Researchable**: using primary and/or secondary sources. 4. **Feasible**: to answer within the timeframe and practical 4. **Complex**: enough to develop the answer over the spa...

1. **Clear**: Easy to understand. 2. **Specific**: Focused on a single problem or issue. 3. **Researchable**: using primary and/or secondary sources. 4. **Feasible**: to answer within the timeframe and practical 4. **Complex**: enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis. 5. **Arguable**: meaning that there are different perspectives 6. **Relevant**: to your field of study. 7. **Original**: meaning that it contributes to the existing - **Definition**: A research problem is a broad issue or gap in knowledge that you aim to address through your research. It identifies what is unknown or what needs further exploration. - **Characteristics**: - **Contextual**: Often framed within a - **Significance**: Highlights the importance of the issue and why it needs to be investigated. - **General**: It is usually more general and may encompass multiple research questions. - **Research Problem**: The high cost of monoclonal antibody production limits their accessibility for therapeutic use. - **Research Question**: How can fermentation conditions be optimized to enhance the yield and quality of monoclonal antibodies produced in bioreactors? - **Research Problem**: The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens poses a significant public health threat. - **Research Question**: What are the mechanisms of resistance in *E. coli* to commonly used antibiotics, and how can we inhibit these mechanisms? - **Definition**: It outlines the purpose of the study and what you aim to achieve. It specifies the goals of the - **Characteristics**: - **Research Problem**: Despite advancements in genetic engineering, the public remains skeptical about the safety and efficacy of genetically modified (GM) crops, leading to low adoption rates in some regions. - **Research Question**: What are the key factors influencing consumer attitudes towards genetically modified crops in urban populations? - **Research Objective**: To analyze consumer perceptions and knowledge about genetically modified crops through surveys and focus groups, aiming to identify educational strategies that could enhance acceptance. - **Research Problem**: Traditional methods of soil remediation are often costly and time-consuming, highlighting the need for more efficient bioremediation techniques to address soil contamination. - **Research Question**: How effective are specific microbial consortia in degrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in contaminated soils? - **Research Objective**: To evaluate the degradation rates of PAHs using different microbial consortia in laboratory settings, aiming to identify the most effective strains for bioremediation applications. - **Research Problem**: While mRNA vaccines have shown promise against infectious diseases, challenges remain in their stability and delivery mechanisms, which can limit their effectiveness. - **Research Question**: How do lipid nanoparticle formulations affect the stability and cellular uptake of mRNA vaccines in different cell types? - **Research Objective**: To assess the impact of various lipid nanoparticle compositions on the stability and efficacy of mRNA delivery to target cells, with the goal of optimizing vaccine formulations. - **Research Problem**: Although CRISPR-Cas9 technology has revolutionized gene editing, off-target effects pose significant challenges for its application in therapeutic settings. - **Research Question**: What are the most effective strategies for minimizing off-target effects in CRISPR- Cas9 gene editing in mammalian cells? - **Research Objective**: To evaluate various guide RNA design strategies and delivery methods for their impact on off-target effects in CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, aiming to enhance the precision of this technology. Steps to help you select a meaningful and engaging topic: --------------------------------------------------------- - **Identify Your Interests**: Start with areas you are passionate about. Reflect on your coursework, readings, or experiences that intrigued you. - **Review Existing Literature**: Conduct a preliminary literature review to understand what has already been - **Consider Relevance**: Think about the significance of your topic. How does it contribute to your field? Does it address a current issue or need? - **Consult with Advisors or Peers**: Discuss your ideas with professors, mentors, or classmates. They can offer - **Narrow Your Focus**: Once you have a general idea, narrow it down to a specific question or hypothesis. Ensure it's manageable within your timeframe and resources. - **Feasibility**: Assess whether you have access to the necessary resources, data, and tools to conduct your research. - **Flexibility**: Be open to adjusting your topic as you delve deeper into your research. Sometimes, your initial idea may evolve. - **Passion and Motivation**: Choose a topic that you find compelling, as this will keep you motivated throughout the research process. Common mistakes encountered during research topic selection ----------------------------------------------------------- - **Rushing the Process**: Hurrying through the topic selection without adequate reflection can lead to poor - **Lack of Clarity**: Not articulating your topic clearly can lead to confusion. - **Neglecting the Target Audience**: Failing to consider who will benefit from your research can result in a topic - **Overcomplicating the Topic**: Choosing a topic that is too complex or ambitious can lead to overwhelming challenges. Common mistakes encountered during research topic selection ----------------------------------------------------------- - **Avoiding Literature Review**: Skipping an initial literature review may result in redundant research or missing critical insights. - **Ignoring Methodological Constraints**: Not considering the methods available for your research can lead to impractical topics. - **Not Considering Ethical Implications**: Ignoring ethical concerns can lead to serious issues later. Common mistakes encountered during research topic selection ----------------------------------------------------------- - **Underestimating Time and Resource Needs**: Misjudging the time and resources required for your research can lead to incomplete work. Be realistic about what you can achieve. - **Lack of Engagement with Existing Research**: Not engaging with the work of others in your field can result in isolation. Use existing research as a foundation for your topic. - **Forgetting Practical Applications**: Neglecting to consider the practical implications of your research can limit its impact. Think about how your work can be applied in real-world contexts. - **Not Seeking Diverse Perspectives**: Limiting discussions to a narrow circle can lead to a lack of ideas. Seek input - **Disregarding Personal Growth Opportunities**: Choosing a topic that doesn't challenge you may hinder your development. Select topics that push your boundaries and enhance your skills. - #### No, there is no need to read every single journal article on the topic. - But, make sure that you have a **comprehensive view** of the current state of the literature (and of knowledge) in the area of research. - Understand the current state of the literature. - Focus on articles that are **recent, relevant and well cited**. - Quality trumps quantity. (Golden role).  - No, you don't need to read every single word in each journal article. - You need to get a big picture view of what each journal article is saying (e.g. the key questions and findings). - Achieved via reading a few key sections in each article. - Once you've narrowed down your focus and have a core set of highly relevant articles, you can **dive deeper** into them, paying closer attention to the methodology, results and its interpretation. - You need to have a clear idea of which kind of information you need to get in the first - Then, focus on that aspect. - How?? - Let's brainstorm  1. What is the question that the authors are trying to address? Why is it important? 2. If this were my work, what kind of experimental approach can I take in tackling the problem? 3. What kind of data would I need to generate in 4. How would this conclusion fit into my previous understanding?    **Title** - It is the first impression that people will have of your research. - It should be descriptive, concise, precise, focusing on the novelty of the information presented. - The fewest possible words that adequately describe the content. - Each word should be chosen with care. Types of Titles =============== 1. **Descriptive Titles**: - #### \"Advancements in Biopharmaceutical Production Using Recombinant DNA Technology\" - **\"Exploring the Potential of Plant-Based Vaccines in Disease Prevention"** 2. **Interrogative Titles** - #### \"Can Microbial Fuel Cells Provide a Sustainable Energy Source?\" - **\"What Are the Ethical Concerns Surrounding Gene Editing in Agriculture?" 3. Comparative Titles**: - #### \"Comparative Analysis of Traditional Breeding and Genetic Modification in Crop - **\"Evaluating the Performance of Biodegradable Plastics vs. Conventional Plastics\"**  Types of Titles ====================================== 4. **Methodological Titles** - **\"A Novel Method for Isolating High-Yield Antibiotic-Producing Microbes\"** - **\"Optimizing CRISPR-Cas9 Delivery Systems for Gene Editing in Plants"** 5. **Result-Focused Titles** - **\"Significant Increase in Insulin Production through Engineered Yeast Strains\"** - **\"Evidence of Enhanced Nutritional Value in Biofortified Crops"** 6. **Thematic Titles** - **\"The Intersection of Biotechnology and Environmental Sustainability\"** - **\"Biotechnology in the Fight Against Infectious Diseases: Challenges and Opportunities\"** Types of Titles =============== ### Action-Oriented Titles - ### \"Transforming Waste into Resources: Biotechnological Innovations for Circular Economy\" - **\"Leveraging Biotechnology for Climate Resilience in Agriculture\" 8. Acronym or Abbreviation Titles** - ### \"GEM: Genomic Editing for Microbial Bioremediation Strategies\" - **\"ABCD: Advances in Biochemical Characterization of Drug Delivery Systems\"**  How to craft an effective title ====================================================== 1. **Identify Key Elements** - **Main Topic**: Clearly define the subject of your research. - **Methodology**: If your method is novel or significant, consider mentioning it. - **Findings/Results**: If your research has a key finding, consider incorporating it into the title. - **Context or Relevance**: Mention the broader implications or field of study. 2. **Keep It Concise** - Aim for clarity and brevity; typically, titles should be around 10-15 words. - Avoid unnecessary jargon or overly complex language. 3. **Use Keywords** - Incorporate important keywords to enhance searchability and relevance in databases. - Think about what terms researchers or practitioners might use to find your work. How to craft an effective title =============================== ### Choose the Right Type - Decide on the type of title that best fits your research (e.g., descriptive, interrogative, thematic). - Make sure the title reflects the nature of your study accurately. ### Consider Your Audience - Tailor the title to your target audience, whether they are academics, industry professionals, or the general public. ### Review and Revise - After drafting, review your title for clarity, accuracy, and impact. - Get feedback from peers or mentors to ensure it resonates well.  - #### Be Clear and Specific - Use precise language that accurately reflects your research focus. - #### Incorporate Keywords - Include relevant keywords for better searchability and discoverability. - #### Keep It Concise - Aim for a length of 10-15 words to maintain clarity and impact - #### Use Active Voice - Engage readers with dynamic phrasing. - #### Highlight Methodology or Findings - Mention innovative methods or key results if they are significant.  - #### Consider Your Audience - Tailor the title to the knowledge level and interests of your target readership. - #### Use Different Title Structures - Experiment with descriptive, interrogative, and comparative formats. - #### Iterate and Revise - Draft multiple versions and refine them based on feedback. - #### Check for Uniqueness - Ensure your title isn't too similar to existing literature.  Tips =========================== - #### Avoid Vagueness - Don't use vague terms or phrases that don't clearly convey your research. - #### Don't Overuse Jargon - Avoid excessive technical language that may confuse readers outside your - #### Refrain from Lengthy Titles - Avoid overly long titles that dilute the message; stick to concise wording. - **Don't Use Abbreviations or Acronyms (e.g:** RFLP, FISH, SNP**)** - Unless they are widely recognized, avoid abbreviations that might not be clear to readers. - #### Avoid Passive Voice - Steer clear of passive constructions that can make your title less engaging.  Tips =========================== - #### Don't Mislead - Ensure the title accurately represents your research to avoid misleading readers. - #### Refrain from Including Unnecessary Details - Don't clutter the title with excessive information; focus on the key elements. - #### Don't Ignore the Research Context - Avoid titles that don't situate your work within a broader research context. - #### Neglecting Final Review - Don't skip the final evaluation of your title after completing your research.  Lets brainstorm ====================================== - #### \"An Investigation into the Various Ways in Which Different Types of Microorganisms Can Be Utilized for a Range of Biotechnological Applications in Agriculture, Medicine, and Environmental Remediation\" - Overly lengthy and too broad; lacks focus. - #### \"A Comprehensive Study of the Effects of Genetic Modification Techniques on the Growth and Development of Various Plant Species Across Different Environmental Conditions\" - Wordy and not specific enough about which plants or conditions.  Lets brainstorm ====================================== - #### Exploring the Potential Benefits and Risks Associated with the Use of Advanced Gene Editing Technologies in Diverse Fields Such as Agriculture, Medicine, and Industrial Biotechnology\" - Unfocused and tries to cover too many areas without depth. - #### \"Analyzing the Impact of Synthetic Biology Innovations on the Future of Global Food Production, Climate Change Mitigation, and Sustainable Development Goals\" - Extremely broad and lacks a clear research question. - #### \"A Detailed Examination of the Role of Various Biotechnological Processes in the Production of Pharmaceuticals, Biofuels, and Biodegradable Plastics in the Modern Economy\" - Too many topics combined, making it hard to grasp the main focus. Lets brainstorm =============== - #### Engineering Bacterial Strains for Enhanced Biodegradation of Environmental Pollutants\" - Clear focus on a specific application and organism. - #### \"Optimization of CRISPR-Cas9 Techniques for Targeted Gene Editing in Human Stem Cells\" - Specifies the method and its application in a particular context. - #### \"Harnessing Plant-Microbe Interactions to Improve Crop Resilience Against Climate Stress\" - Highlights the interaction and its practical implications in agriculture. - #### \"Development of Bioinformatics Tools for Predicting Protein-Protein Interactions in Synthetic Biology\" - Clearly outlines the purpose and area of research.  Lets brainstorm ====================================== #### \"Evaluating the Potential of Microalgae as Sustainable Feedstocks for Biofuel Production\" - Focuses on a specific organism and its sustainable application. #### \"Development of a Biosensor for Real-Time Detection of Pathogenic Bacteria in Food Products\" - #### \"Application of Synthetic Biology in the Production of Anticancer Compounds from Engineered Yeast\" - Specific about the organism and its therapeutic application. - #### \"Impact of Genetic Engineering on the Nutritional Value of Staple Crops: A Case Study of Golden Rice\" - Focuses on a specific crop and its enhanced nutritional aspect. Authors and their affiliations ============================== - Department, Faculty/institute, University, City, Country  Abstract =============================== - The abstract is a condensed version of the research article in its entirety. - Reflect the structure and the novelty of the work. - It allows readers to judge whether it is relevant to their own research interests therefore, worthwhile reading the research article itself. - Be fully understandable on its own (stand alone). - Length: 100-250 words as a single paragraph. - Graphical abstracts are visual representations of the key findings or the concept of a research study. - They serve to summarize the main points of a paper in a clear, concise manner, making it easier for readers to grasp the essence of the research at a glance. - **Key Features of Graphical Abstracts** - **Simplicity**: Focus on the main findings or concepts without overwhelming detail. - **Clarity**: Use clear visuals and minimal text to convey the message. - **Visual Appeal**: Utilize colors, shapes, and layouts that are aesthetically pleasing and easy to read. - **Relevance**: Ensure that the visuals directly relate to the research question and findings.  1. #### Identify Key Messages: - Determine the main findings or conclusions of your research. What do you want the audience to remember? 2. #### Choose a Format: - Decide whether to use a flowchart, diagram, infographic, or another visual format that best represents your data. 3. #### Sketch a Layout: - Plan the arrangement of elements (images, text, graphs) to ensure a logical flow of 4. #### Select Visual Elements: - Use icons, charts, or images that represent your findings. Make sure they are relevant and easy to understand. Steps to Create a Graphical Abstract #### Keep Text Minimal: - Use short phrases or bullet points instead of long sentences. The graphical abstract should #### Use Colors Wisely: - Choose a color scheme that is professional and enhances readability. Avoid overly bright or distracting colors. - #### Design and Software Tools: - Use graphic design software or online tools like Adobe Illustrator, Canva, or BioRender. These tools offer templates and features tailored for creating scientific graphics. - #### Review and Revise: - Get feedback from colleagues or mentors to ensure clarity and effectiveness. Revise the - #### Finalize: - Ensure the graphical abstract meets any specific guidelines set by the journal or platform where you intend to publish.  DO -- - Keep it brief - Use short sentences with varied structure - Use appropriate voice (active voice) - Use appropriate tense - Formal academic tone DON'T (Avoid) ------------- - Lengthy background information - Citations - Details about routine laboratory procedures - Details about the statistical methods or software used - Undefined abbreviations or acronyms - Results not discussed in the text - Repetition and filler words - Typo and punctuation errors - Poor grammar  - These keywords help potential readers find your paper during their own literature searches. - 5-7 words - Consider the point of view of the reader. What keywords would the reader search for that would help retrieve your article? - Use multi-word 'key phrases' where possible. single word keywords are acceptable, but they may lead to many false matches. - Focus on terms related to the main topic of your research. - Test your keywords - Test your keywords and see how many results you get. - If you get too many results, your keywords may be too broad or common. - If you get too few results, your keywords may be too narrow or specific. - You can also compare your keywords with those used by other articles in your field  Introduction ==================================== - Introduction is regarded as the start of the storyline of the - The methods section is critical because the procedures adopted determines the reliability of the results obtained and the analyses of the findings made. - It informs the readers how data collection was done since the methods used affects results. - It clearly expresses the reasons for choosing a specific technique or procedure among other different methods that could be used to investigate a research problem. - It illustrates the appropriateness of the procedures and methods in achieving the overall aims of the study. Structure of the Materials &Methods section - This subsection describes the participants involved in the research study: 1. Their number 2. Sample size calculation 3. From where did we get those patients? 4. Inclusion and exclusion criteria 5. Data collection methods 6. Patient consent 7. Ethical approval - Use an academic tone. - Borrow a leaf from others. - Be descriptive but avoid unnecessary details. - Assume the reader's view. - Cite published methods instead of writing them in full details. - Provide a context for the methods section (justify the choices made in the methods by using language that show intents, purpose and aim). - Use subheadings to structure the methods section - Mention the ethical approval given by the - Use the past tense. - Use passive voice. - Consider the choice of words. - Mention the statistical analyses used. - Provide the source for the materials used. - Proofread.