Scientists write lectures, grant proposals, research papers, literature reviews, letters of recommendation, committee reports and critiques, progress reports, internal memos, and public oral presentations. Writing should be clear, concise, and logical in creating convincing arguments. Audiences include fellow researchers, professors, students, government and business communities, and the general public. Scientific writers may also respond to editors and reviewers.
Laboratory Notebooks
Table of contents/ dates/ title/ purpose/ objective of experiment
Materials and methods/ Results (data gathered, observed)
Analysis and discussion: assessment, interpretations, conclusions
Acknowledgements
Research Papers and Lab Reports
Abstract/ Introduction (context and purpose/ hypotheses)
Materials and methods/ Results (including figures and tables)
Discussion (interpretation of results, comparison to other research)
References/ Sources
Literature Reviews
Reviewing previous research
Comparing, contrasting approaches/ proposing alternative theories
Informing scientists about latest advances
Analyzing methods and interpretations from journals
Abstract, introduction, discussion of reviewed research, conclusion, references
Research Proposals
Pose significant question and hypothesis
Suggest experiment(s) to test hypothesis
Detailed budget if seeking funding
Carefully conceived experimental design
Could be persuasive in nature, “selling” the idea to a reviewer, using bold faced type, underlining and bullets
Poster Presentations/ Slideshows/ PowerPoints (for professional conferences)
Abstract/ introduction to project
Description of methods, subject(s) of research, results, conclusions
Easy-to-read graphs and tables/ focus on clarity and readability
Acknowledgements
Writing for the public
Clear, succinct writing that explains complex principles to the general public
Data from site studies, surveys
Observations of specimens with special equipment
Observations and measurements from experiments
Data from published reports
Qualitative and quantitative data
Alternative explanations of results may be offered since evidence may lead to other plausible explanations.
Data is reported objectively without bias.
Writing should be clear and concise.
Emphasis is on the data, not on the writer or style of writing.
Scientists often use passive voice to describe experiments.
Active voice is used to convey information clearly and efficiently.
With active voice, 1st person may be acceptable for clarity but is used rarely.
Use past tense to describe materials, methods and results of experiments.
Use present tense to describe published findings of other studies.
Specific scientific names are often used.
Support all statements of fact or opinions with evidence.
Distinguish fact from possibility.
Citations style depends on the preference of a professor or publication for which one is writing. The following styles are often used:
American Chemistry Society (ACS)
Council of Science Editors (CSE)
Name-year system: Author’s last name and date are cited in text.
Citation-sequence system: Each source is assigned a number, which identifies the source each time it is used.
Citation-name system: Each source is numbered in the order it appears in the alphabetized list at the end of the paper; it corresponds to the same source each time.
See Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers, 7th edition.
Cullick, Jonathan S. and Terry Myers Zawacki. Writing in the Disciplines: Advice and Models. Bedford/ St. Martin’s, 2011. D 4-10.
Pechenik, Jan A. A Short Guide to Writing About Biology. 8th ed. Pearson, 2013.