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SCIENTIFIC�WRITING WORKSHOP

Marianopolis Research Team

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STRUCTURE OVERVIEW

  • Title
  • Abstract
  • Keywords
  • Main Body
  • References and Works Cited

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THE ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND OR PROBLEM

What is currently known?

What is the gap in knowledge?

PURPOSE

What is this study’s aim?

How does it fill the gap in knowledge?

METHODOLOGY

How was the study conducted? 

Was the data quantitative, qualitative, or both? 

RESULTS OBTAINED

What were the outcomes?

What was discovered? 

CONCLUSION FROM RESULTS

How are the results interpreted?

How has this study contributed to the field?

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EXAMPLE ABSTRACT

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THE ABSTRACT

RELEVANCE OR PURPOSE

What is this study’s aim?

How does it fill the gap in knowledge?

METHODOLOGY

How was the study conducted? 

Was the data quantitative, qualitative, or both? 

RESULTS OBTAINED

What were the outcomes?

What was discovered? 

CONCLUSION FROM RESULTS

How are the results interpreted?

How has this study contributed to the field?

Source: Marianopolis Science and Technology Fair

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MAIN BODY OF A SCIENTIFIC PAPER

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MAIN BODY OF A SCIENTIFIC PAPER

INTRODUCTION

Background Info

RESULTS

What is obtained

CONCLUSION

Wrapping up

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Protocol

DISCUSSION

Interpretation of Results

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INTRODUCTION

Background information on the topic of the research paper (Literature Review)

Research question or hypothesis

Significance of the study

(Overview of the research methods and design)

(Brief summary of the main findings)

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MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials

Description of what was used to obtain your results

Type of chemicals, providers, sample population, their characteristics...

Reason can be in Discussion

Methods

Description of the procedure used to obtain your results

Techniques used, equipment, types of tests conducted...

Reason can be in Discussion

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RESULTS

  • Tables and Figures
  • Presenting the data obtained
  • Statistical analysis if necessary
  • (Interpretation in Discussion)
  • Sometimes combined with Discussion

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DISCUSSION

Interpretation of the results

Sources of errors (Can link to Materials and Methods)

Implications of the study for the field

Limitations of the study

(Suggestions for future research – Sometimes in Conclusion instead)

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CONCLUSION

  • Summary 
  • Key findings 
  • Main conclusions
  • (Future directions for the project or the topic)

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REFERENCES

Library

Chicago

Modern Language Association (MLA)

American Psychological Association (APA)

More Discipline Specific

Council of Science Editors (CSE)

American Chemical Society (ACS)

American Medical Association (AMA)

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

National Library of Medicine (NLM)

American Political Science Association (APSA)

American Sociological Association (ASA)

Changes according to the institution

Vancouver Style - Medicine

Harvard - Mostly Economics

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SOME RESOURCES

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OVERLEAF

  • Creating your account
  • Using templates and LaTeX
  • File outline, Code/Visual editor, compiling errors...
  • Very useful for writing professional papers

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HOW TO START A RESEARCH PROJECT

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TYPES OF SOURCES

PRIMARY

  • New findings, ideas, statements, etc.
  • I.E. Research report, new theory, etc. 

SECONDARY

  • Summary or explanation of other primary articles.
  • I.E. Review articles, textbooks, etc.

ACADEMIC

  • Authorship: Is the author an expert in the field.
  • Peer-reviewed: Reviewed and judged by other experts.
  • Audience: scholars, researchers and professionals.

NON-ACADEMIC

  • Author might not be an expert in the field.
  • Not peer-reviewed.
  • For a general audience – good for understanding the big points of the subject
  • Ex: Online encyclopedia, newspaper.

OTHER

  • High chance of false and low accuracy information, and unqualified statements
  • Avoid if possible – not suited for research in science (most of the time)

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READING STEPS

SELECT SUBJECT

Specific topic or general area of interest

SELECT PAPERS

Read the title, then the abstract

READ PARTS DEPENDING ON YOUR GOAL

FIND AND SAVE PAPERS

Using software like Zotero or Mendeley

UNDERSTAND THE SUBJECT

Read the introduction

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WHAT TO READ IN AN ARTICLE

  • Materials and Methods: To understand and get inspiration from the methodologies of the authors. To solve your own research project's problems.
  • Results: To use the results for your own project. Usually just taking data and applying yourself.
  • Discussion: To understand the findings: their possible applications in the field, their impacts and their importance. To understand the subject better.

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ASSERT YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Interactive activities on scientific research paper

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RESEARCH ARTICLE VS ONLINE SOURCE

1

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) possess a unique array of properties that include size-tunable luminescence wavelength, narrow luminescence spectra (full-width at half maximum < 20 nm), high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield, and amenability to solution-processing. These attributes render them highly attractive for the development of high-performance and low-cost QD-based light-emitting devices (LEDs) (QDLEDs), intended for the next generation of flat panel displays

Quantum dots (QDs), also called semiconductor nanocrystals, are semiconductor particles a few nanometres in size, having optical and electronic properties that differ from those of larger particles as a result of quantum mechanical effects. When the quantum dots are illuminated by UV light, an electron in the quantum dot can be excited to a state of higher energy. In the case of a semiconducting quantum dot, this process corresponds to the transition of an electron from the valence band to the conductance band. The excited electron can drop back into the valence band releasing its energy as light. The color of that light depends on the energy difference between the conductance band and the valence band, or the transition between discrete energy states when the band structure is no longer well-defined in QDs.

2

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RESEARCH ARTICLE VS ONLINE NEWSLETTER�ANSWER

1: Nature Journal

2: Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_dot

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-45907-5

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) possess a unique array of properties that include size-tunable luminescence wavelength, narrow luminescence spectra (full-width at half maximum < 20 nm), high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield, and amenability to solution-processing. These attributes render them highly attractive for the development of high-performance and low-cost QD-based light-emitting devices (LEDs) (QDLEDs), intended for the next generation of flat panel displays

Quantum dots (QDs), also called semiconductor nanocrystals, are semiconductor particles a few nanometres in size, having optical and electronic properties that differ from those of larger particles as a result of quantum mechanical effects. When the quantum dots are illuminated by UV light, an electron in the quantum dot can be excited to a state of higher energy. In the case of a semiconducting quantum dot, this process corresponds to the transition of an electron from the valence band to the conductance band. The excited electron can drop back into the valence band releasing its energy as light. The color of that light depends on the energy difference between the conductance band and the valence band, or the transition between discrete energy states when the band structure is no longer well-defined in QDs.

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RESEARCH ARTICLE VS ONLINE SOURCE

1

Despite their adverse side effect profile, platinum compounds are still considered potent as the first-line drug of choice as mono- or synergistic therapy for many solid tumours. Besides nuclear DNA adduct formation and subsequent induction of apoptotic signalling, platinum drugs also elicit mitochondrial dysfunction through oxidative stress and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage. Contingent on the intrinsic platinum sensitivity of the respective malignancy, platinum drugs initially exhibit robust therapeutic efficiency.

Platinum-based chemotherapy drugs contain the element platinum. They’re used to treat many different types of cancer. Cancers that respond to platinum-based chemotherapy are called platinum sensitive cancers. Researchers are continuing to examine the potential benefits of newer platinum-based chemotherapy medications, such as nedaplatin or lobaplatin. Researchers hope that newer drugs might be able to cut down on the side effects.

2

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RESEARCH ARTICLE VS ONLINE NEWSLETTER�ANSWER

1: Nature Journal

Despite their adverse side effect profile, platinum compounds are still considered potent as the first-line drug of choice as mono- or synergistic therapy for many solid tumours. Besides nuclear DNA adduct formation and subsequent induction of apoptotic signalling, platinum drugs also elicit mitochondrial dysfunction through oxidative stress and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage. Contingent on the intrinsic platinum sensitivity of the respective malignancy, platinum drugs initially exhibit robust therapeutic efficiency.

Platinum-based chemotherapy drugs contain the element platinum. They’re used to treat many different types of cancer. Cancers that respond to platinum-based chemotherapy are called platinum sensitive cancers. Researchers are continuing to examine the potential benefits of newer platinum-based chemotherapy medications, such as nedaplatin or lobaplatin. Researchers hope that newer drugs might be able to cut down on the side effects.

2: Healthline Newsletter

https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/platinum-based-chemotherapy#overview

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41417-023-00659-2

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RESEARCH ARTICLE VS ONLINE NEWSLETTER�

1

Cholera, an acute infection of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and characterized by extreme diarrhea with rapid and severe depletion of body fluids and salts. Cholera has often risen to epidemic proportions in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, particularly in India and Bangladesh. In the past two centuries, seven pandemics (global epidemics) of cholera have carried the disease to countries around the world. Cholera is a disease that can incite populations to panic. Its reputation as a fierce and unrelenting killer is a deserved one.

Cholera, a preventable and treatable disease, is characterised by profuse watery diarrhoea caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Cholera is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa where cholera outbreaks also negatively affect development due to associated high economic burden. In Uganda, cholera outbreaks occurred as both endemic and epidemic disease. Epidemic disease occurred in northern and eastern Uganda districts and are thought to be worsened by contamination of water due to poor sanitation. 

2

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RESEARCH ARTICLE VS ONLINE NEWSLETTER�ANSWER

1: Britannica

Cholera, an acute infection of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and characterized by extreme diarrhea with rapid and severe depletion of body fluids and salts. Cholera has often risen to epidemic proportions in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, particularly in India and Bangladesh. In the past two centuries, seven pandemics (global epidemics) of cholera have carried the disease to countries around the world. Cholera is a disease that can incite populations to panic. Its reputation as a fierce and unrelenting killer is a deserved one.

Cholera, a preventable and treatable disease, is characterised by profuse watery diarrhoea caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Cholera is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa where cholera outbreaks also negatively affect development due to associated high economic burden. In Uganda, cholera outbreaks occurred as both endemic and epidemic disease. Epidemic disease occurred in northern and eastern Uganda districts and are thought to be worsened by contamination of water due to poor sanitation. 

2: BMJ Journal

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/12/e038464

https://www.britannica.com/science/cholera

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WHAT IS THE TOPIC?�(COME UP WITH A TITLE)

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WHAT IS THE TOPIC?�(COME UP WITH A TITLE)�ANSWER

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41434-022-00356-z

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WHAT IS THE TOPIC?�(COME UP WITH A TITLE)

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WHAT IS THE TOPIC?�(COME UP WITH A TITLE)�ANSWER

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41534-023-00766-w

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WHAT IS THE TOPIC?�(COME UP WITH A TITLE)

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WHAT IS THE TOPIC?�(COME UP WITH A TITLE)�ANSWER

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9387593