The Scientific Article
CUFE, M. Sc. MPM, 2014-2015
Dr. Maha ModdatherStructural Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering Cairo [email protected]
Spring 2015
Why Do We Need Technical Writing?
Example
Strengthen was needed when live loads are
increase or the design of the structure was
inadequate or happen local failure and must be
take the cost into consideration because may
be more economical to replace the member or
element that problem rather than strengthen.
Grammatical Errors
Strengthen was needed when live loads are
increase or the design of the structure was
inadequate or happen local failure and must be
take the cost into consideration because may
be more economical to replace the member or
element that problem rather than strengthen.
Part II Outline
Outline
The Scientific Article
Paragraph Types
Paragraph Development
Effective Sentences
Sentence Errors
Titles and References
Scientific Writing
Scientific WritingQuestion
Preliminary Research
Yes NoNew
Research
Scientific Writing
Project Design
Lab Work Analytical Work
New Research
ManuscriptResults &
Conclusions
Reasons for Writing
To advance knowledge New scientific data (original research)
New finding (case report)
Interpretation of existing knowledge (review article)
To advance your institution Prestige
Funding
Reasons for Writing
To advance yourself Achieving promotion (CV building)
Enhancing your profile (reputation)
Increasing your research ability (practice makes perfect)
Types of Writing
Different kinds of scientific and technical writing
include:
Scientific Articles
Research Papers
Proposals
Types of Writing
Scientific Articles:
Published in journals, magazines and newspapers.
They are normally intended to reach a wider
audience than research papers.
How scientific articles are written depends on who
the readers are likely to be.
Types of Writing
Research Paper:
Research papers are generally written for scientists
working in the same field and therefore have a
more limited, and more specialised, readership
than articles.
Research papers can appear in specialist journals
or be presented at conferences.
Types of Writing
Proposal:
Proposals may well be the least popular form of
writing for researchers but they are necessary.
The purpose of a proposal is to ask for funding in
order to make research possible.
The Scientific Article
The Scientific Article
Contains information about progress and
achievements.
Engages the author's responsibility.
The initiative comes from the author.
The Scientific Article
Is backed up by other work.
Receives wide circulation.
The writer follows a template planned by
the publisher.
Length: Limited pages.
Form: Follows specifications.
Paper Organization: Defined by the publisher.
Title: short; attracts attention; informative; with names &
affiliations
The Abstract: Usually descriptive; Is limited in words;
summarizes objectives, results and conclusions.
Paper layout
Sections Of A Manuscript
TitleAbstract IntroductionMethodsResults
TextTablesFigures
DiscussionConclusionNomenclatureAcknowledgementReferences
Title
-The title should inform accurately about the content of
the manuscript.
- It must be informative, brief, specific, and accurate.
Paper layout
Paper layout
Title
Authors Names & Affiliations
- Use always the same name (signature) to avoid any
confussion within the scientific community.
- Identify the author for correspondence (with *).
- Give the complete name and address of the
institutions or centers the authors belong to.
- Currently e-mails are also given.
Paper layout
Paper layout
Abstract
- The abstract is one element within the manuscript of
relevant importance.
- The retrieval of the paper and its reading depend
greatly on it.
- It should provide the concise information to indicate
whether the paper fulfils our expectations.
- The main feature of an abstract is its size. In very few
words (200-300) the abstract should inform about the
main aspects of the manuscripts and respond to why,
what, how and the results and their interpretation.
Paper layout
Paper layout
Introduction
- Outlines topic.
- Mentions background.
- Briefly presents the contents.
- Prepares readers to the topic.
Paper layout
The Body
- Develops the topic.
- Explains the theory behind.
- Analyses situations.
- Describes equipment/procedures.
- Presents data.
- Shows illustrations.
- Interprets & discusses results.
- Supports conclusions/ recommendations.
Paper layout
The Conclusion:
- Condenses results, and recommendations of the work.
- Should not show new information.
Nomenclatures:
Define symbols and abbreviations in a formal way.
Acknowledgments:
Cite and acknowledge help given by others.
References:
Show consulted work, directly related by to the topic.
Paper layout
Citation
S. Harvard
S. Vancouver
(Name and year)
(numerical sequence)
......These results agreed withprevious works (Smith, 1996; Brown et al., 1998)....
......These resultsagreed with previousworks 1,2......
Citation
Appendixes:
Contain details; not necessary for the body.
Tables and Figure:
Group tables and illustrations.
Conversion Factors:
convert units used to equivalent metrics.
Paper layout
Quality of Manuscript
Scientific Content
Originality
Applicability
Timeliness
Compliance
Language
Validity of Conclusions
Adherence to
Instructions
Structural Engineering Journals
Structural Engineering Journals
Structural Engineering Journals
Example:
Title Publisher ISSN CountryImpact Factor
ACI STRUCTURAL
JOURNAL
AMER CONCRETE
INST0889-3241
UNITED STATES
0.964
ADVANCES IN STRUCTURAL ENGINEERIN
G
MULTI-SCIENCE
PUBL CO LTD1369-4332
UNITED STATES 0.603
Structural Engineering Journals
Example:
Title Publisher ISSN CountryImpact Factor
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERIN
G
ASCE-AMER SOC CIVIL
ENGINEERS0733-9445
UNITED STATES
1.488
ENGINEERING
STRUCTURES
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
0141-0296 ENGLAND 1.767
Grammatical Review
Common Grammar Mistakes
ERROR NO. 1
Rachel is very smart, she began reading when she was three years old.
Error #1: Run-on Sentence or Comma Splice
Common Grammar Mistakes
ERROR NO. 2
Him loves his father.
Joe loves I.
Him drove I to work.
Error #2: Pronoun Errors
Common Grammar Mistakes
ERROR NO. 3
My mothers cabin is next to his cabin.
Error #3: Mistake in Apostrophe Usage
Common Grammar Mistakes
ERROR NO. 4
The recipes is good for beginning chefs.
Error #4: Lack of subject/verb agreement
Formal & Informal Language
Importance of Punctuation
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