Writing Science –IET 2012

1. Writing Science –IET 2012 showing your process communicating your results Nancy Lea Eik-Nes Dept. of Language and Communication Studies

2. Communicating science • Why do we communicate science? • To whom do we communicate science? • How do we communicate science?

3. One of the challenges

4. Brief history of learning to write Three main perspectives: Writing as skills – focus on mistakes Writing as a process – focus on development Writing as a product – focus on genres

5. History – Writing as skills surface language, grammar, spelling, punctuation“fix it” approach (fikx itt) (students doesn’t write well anymore) Fix the sentences, not the text.

6. Writing as a process generating ideas brainstorming mind mapping free writing writing to learn learning to write drafting giving response receiving response

10. Sjanger På formiddagen vind av skiftende retning, som minker utover dagen. Regnbyger, men også gløtt av sol. Mot kvelden, stilt.

11. Sjanger Om formiddagen vind av skiftende retning som minker utover dagen. Regnbyger, men også gløtt av sol. Mot kvelden, stilt.

12. Livet Om formiddagen vind av skiftende retning som minker utover dagen. Regnbyger, men også gløtt av sol. Mot kvelden, stilt.

13. Contents and Structure paragraphs sentences words spelling . ? “ ” Fra: T. L. Hoel, 1995 Tanke blir tekst:Skrivehjelp for Studentar. Oslo: Det Norske Samlaget.

14. I M R A D Introduction (CARS) Material and methods Results And Discussion (Swales, 1990)

15. Informasjonssøking - DIX0990

17. A woodchuck/groundhog

18. I M R A D Introduction (CARS) Material and methods Results And Discussion (Swales, 1990)

19. Introduction • Rationale – whyis there a problem? • (often with references) • Purpose – whatwhat you offer the reader

20. Introduction - Create a research space (CARS) • Establish a research territory • background • problem • Prepare for present research (establish a niche) • add to ongoing research • indicate a gap in knowledge • raise questions (conflicts) about previous research • Introduce present research • hypothesis • purpose John Swales (1990)

21. Material and Methods • Material who/what is studied selection criteria • Method procedure figures* planned analysis

22. Material and Methods • Figures may be models diagrams pictures illustrations • Figures should help the reader understand be self-explanatory – with clear captions complement the text (and vice versa)

23. Results • “Objective” observations of findings a comprehensive and analytic view of the results point out relevant results • Tables and graphs present a lot of information (numbers) in little space numbers to be explained and interpreted, but NOT repeated in text

24. Discussion • What was the purpose of the study? • Do the findings answer the research question(s)? • What do the findings mean? • How do they compare with others’ findings? • What are the implications? • In retrospect: How valid and reliable is the study? What could/should have been done differently.

25. Abstract – two main kinds Indicative abstract Proposal for presentation at conference Review article Informative abstract – summary abstract Research article

26. Abstract – perhaps all the reader sees Summary of the article/report Mini IMRaD Introduction (why, what) Method Results Discussion (implications)

27. Abstract Must be clear/informative enough so that the search engine picks it up the reader can find it the reader can understand what it is about the reader can see if it is worth purchasing

28. Abstract – informative/summary • state the primary objective and any hypothesis tested; • describe the research design and your reasons for adopting that methodology; • state the methods and procedures employed, state the main outcomes and results, and • state the conclusions that might be drawn from these data and results, including their implications for further research or application/practice. http://journalauthors.tandf.co.uk/preparation/index.asp

29. Abstract – informative/summary • The abstract must be accurate as a reflection of what is in your report. • The abstract must be self-contained, without abbreviations, footnotes, or incomplete references. • It must make sense on its own.

30. I M R A D ? Title Authors Abstract Key words Introduction (CARS) Material and methods Results And Discussion Conclusion Acknowledgements Literature list

31. Abstract Summary of the article Mini IMRaD Introduction (why, what) Method Results Discussion (implications)

32. Material and methods Subjects or objects - selection criteria People Animals Things Procedure(s) Analysis John Swales (1990)

33. When to use references? • When quoting someone else’s text (word for word) • When paraphrasing someone else’s text • When using a term that or expression that is not your own • When you use someone else’s idea It is better to use too many references than not enough

34. Why use references? • So your reader can find your source • To show respect for those who have helped us • To show that we know our field • To avoid plagiarizing (it’s illegal)

35. Choosing references/sources • The author is recognized in the field • The topic is significant in your work • The writer/publisher is recognized • The web site is reliable (ownership?)

36. Annotated bibliography More than an abstract Description (summary) Critique (assessment) Reflection Keep track of what you have read Head start for review article theory and/background chapter

37. Annotated bibliography Description Critique audience use significance value reliability theory Reflection

38. Reference – Names (APA) The major difference between IEEE and other styles is that IEEE style encloses citation numbers within the text of a paper in square brackets [1]  rather than as superscripts1  or in bracketed form (Jones, 1998). 
 http://www.ecf.utoronto.ca/~writing/handbook-docum1b.html

39. References - names According to one technical writing expert, even though IEEE is the most difficult style to learn, it is still the most valuable style for aspiring engineers to pick up (Jones, 1998). http://www.ecf.utoronto.ca/~writing/handbook-docum1b.html

40. References - names As Smith (2001), Wesson (2001), and Williams (2002) demonstrate, the natural course of microprocessor evolution will likely lead to computers with . . . . As several studies have demonstrated (Smith 2001, Wesson 2001, and Williams 2002), the natural course of microprocessor evolution will likely lead to computers with…. http://www.ecf.utoronto.ca/~writing/handbook-docum1b.html

41. References - numbers 
According to one technical writing expert, even though IEEE is the most difficult style to learn, it is still the most valuable style for aspiring engineers to pick up1. http://www.ecf.utoronto.ca/~writing/handbook-docum1b.html

42. References - numbers As Smith1, Wesson2, and Williams3 demonstrate, the natural course of microprocessor evolution will likely lead to computers with . . . . As Smith, Wesson, and Williams demonstrate1,2,3, the natural course of microprocessor evolution will likely lead to computers with . . . . As demonstrated in several studies1-3, the natural course of microprocessor evolution will likely lead to computers with . . . . http://www.ecf.utoronto.ca/~writing/handbook-docum1b.html

43. References – IEEE According to one technical writing expert, even though IEEE is the most difficult style to learn, it is still the most valuable style for aspiring engineers to pick up [1]. http://www.ecf.utoronto.ca/~writing/handbook-docum1b.html

44. References - IEEE As [1], [2], and [3] demonstrate, the natural course of microprocessor evolution will likely lead to computers with . . . " According to [2], current Internet technology is still years behind industry projections. . . "  http://www.ecf.utoronto.ca/~writing/handbook-docum1b.html

45. What is the theme (topic) of the paragraph? In the winter, charter flights from Scandinavia to warm climates are fully booked. In early spring, when it is still too cold to sit outside, you can see many people standing with their face turned towards the sun, their eyes closed and their facial features set in an expression of deep content. In late spring, people strip on the beaches, long before the water is warm enough for swimming.

46. Topic sentence summarizes the paragraph Scandinavians seem to worship the sun. In the winter, charter flights from Scandinavia to warm climates are fully booked. In early spring, when it is still too cold to sit outside, you can see many people standing with their face turned towards the sun, their eyes closed and their facial features set in an expression of deep content. In late spring, people strip on the beaches, long before the water is warm enough for swimming.

47. Paragraphs The importance of a topic sentence Utility costs for the argon process are 75% greater than for the proposed hydrogen process. This gives the impression that we should choose the hydrogen process. However…

48. The importance of topic sentences Utility costs for the argon process are 75% greater than for the proposed hydrogen process. Initial capital cost is $5.4 million, roughly three times the hydrogen process cost.

49. The importance of topic sentences However, annual income from the sale of argon, increased ammonia production, and reduced natural gas requirements elsewhere in the plant is 160% higher than that generated by the hydrogen process. Present-worth analysis shows that the argon process is the better investment. The present worth of the argon process is $110.25 million. The present worth of the hydrogen process is $4.14 million.

50. Make every word count All in all, GIT is more versatile and allows offline development. Since we will be programming on different modules of the program in parallel, the possibility to work with a local repository would be of a great advantage. Also, since one of the group members has a private repository on GitHub, we ended up with using GIT