Writing a scientific paper

1. Writing a scientific paper Lammert Kooistra & Joep Crompvoets Contact: Lammert.Kooistra@wur.nl RS&GIS Integration Course (GRS-30806) Centre for Geo-information

2. Contents • Paper Assignment • Structure of scientific paper • Guidelines and format • Writing style • Assessment criteria • Group work vs. individual paper Centre for Geo-information

3. Assignment • write a scientific paper which: • describes the background of the spatial model and the case study • describes the validation plan • describes the validation results • discusses the validity of the investigated model • critically reviews the validation plan and • gives your view on the role of validation in the geo-information cycle Centre for Geo-information

4. Why a scientific paper? • Scientists regard (peer reviewed) scientific paper as most important type of communication to report on the advancement of scientific knowledge • As practice for writing Msc. Thesis • More details see lecture “Literature review” Centre for Geo-information

5. General structure of scientific paper SectionIntends the reader • Title What the paper about • Abstract Short summary, which can also “stand alone” • Introduction The problem, and what is known already • Content matter What you did and what you found • Discussions How you interpret the results • Conclusions Possible implications • List of reference!! How to find the papers referred to Centre for Geo-information

6. Structure of your paper • Similar to scientific journals or congress proceedings (use ISPRS format, guidelines and example: see website) Compulsory parts of paper • Abstract • Introduction • Content matter (don’t Copy & Paste!!!!/ Use references !!!!) • Material and methods (including study area) • Results (including figures and/or tables) • Discussion of your findings or results • Conclusions and final remarks • List of references Centre for Geo-information

7. Getting started with writing Reasons for resistance to start writing • Overwhelming • Thoughts circle around and around • Hard to see the structure • Difficult to find the words Start Writing Advices • Making an outline facilitates writing • Use a computer for your writing • Start with the sections you find easiest to write • Write a draft – Review and revise (get words down, prepare for the next session, revise and edit –let somebody read your draft) Centre for Geo-information

8. Improving your writing (I) 6 ways to make your writing easier to read • Choice of words (use accurate, appropriate, familiar, concrete words) • Avoid jargon (difficult to understand) • Use active verbs and avoid passive verbs (shorter, clearer, more interesting, direct, forceful, easier to understand) Passive: ‘This methods was recommended by’ Active: ‘They recommended this method’ • Use strong verbs – not nouns (make sentences more forceful and easier to read) “We performed an analysis of the data” versus “We analysed the data” Centre for Geo-information

9. Improving your writing (II) • Tighten your writing - Eliminate redundant words whose meaning is already clear (a period of three months -> three months, during the year 1999 -> 1999) - Eliminate words that say nothing (quite, really, rather) - Substitute a single word for a wordy phrase (At the present time -> Now; Due to the fact that -> Because; It may be that -> Perhaps; take into consideration -> consider) - Use infinitives (the to form of the verb) and gerunds (the –ing form) • Sentence length and sentence structure (keep sentences short and simple; strive to put the most important idea early in the sentence) Centre for Geo-information

10. Referencing • (Must Read other papers related to your topic) • Scientific research, NO conduction in isolation • !! Citing references within the main text !! • Writing the reference list Centre for Geo-information

11. Assessment criteria (review by Lammert Kooistra and case study coaches) • Time of delivery of Paper delivery • Form Abstract (clear, maximum 250 words) • Introduction (Come to the point) • Content Matter (Condensed, facts & figures, No Copy/Paste) • Discussion of Results (More than a critical summing up, • a critical reflection, formulation of own ideas) • Conclusions (Clear, concrete, overview the main issues) • References (Clear, well structured) • Size (2400 – 3000 words) • Originality • Quality of findings • Style of writing (Clear, understandable, logical structured) • Individual activity Centre for Geo-information

12. Group work vs. individual paper • Use validation plan (group work) as starting point for paper: introduction, content matter • Results fieldwork are group result: interpretation and presentation is individual • possibility to divide topics within group (e.g., sampling, measurements) • However, • Everybody has its own writing style • Everybody (in discussion and conclusion) makes its own review of the validation plan and describes his/her view on role of validation in the geo-information cycle Centre for Geo-information

13. Instructions for paper assignment • Individual assignment • 25 % of final mark • Paper on case study results Submit paper before Friday June 27, 2008 (E-mail) Between 2400 and 3000 words Structure based on compulsory parts Centre for Geo-information