Writing Scientific Research Articles

Introduction

“Writing Scientific Research Articles: Strategy and Steps” is a comprehensive guide for inexperienced authors of scientific papers, written by Margaret Cargill and Patrick O’Connor. The book is aimed at helping authors improve their writing skills and write effective scientific research articles in an efficient manner.

Overview

The book begins by discussing the concept of genre analysis and its importance in helping authors write effectively. The authors explain that genre analysis involves studying documents of a particular type to identify the features that make them recognizable as what they are. They go on to discuss the different types of scientific articles and their features.

The book then focuses on the audience for a scientific research article. The authors emphasize the significance of considering the audience while writing a scientific research article. The primary audience for a research article is the author’s scientific peers, but the article must meet the standards and requirements of the journal editor and referees before it can be published.

The authors also provide guidance on the structure of a scientific research article. They explain the different sections of a research article, including the abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion. They provide detailed guidance on what should be included in each section and how to structure each section effectively.

The book also discusses the use of language in scientific research articles. The authors provide guidance on writing clear, concise, and precise language. They also discuss the use of technical terms, jargon, and abbreviations in scientific writing.

The authors also provide guidance on the use of tables and figures in scientific research articles. They explain how to present data effectively and how to choose the appropriate type of table or figure for the data being presented.

The book also provides guidance on the submission and review process for scientific research articles. The authors discuss the different types of journals and how to choose the right journal for your research. They also provide guidance on how to prepare your article for submission and how to respond to reviewers’ comments.

Strengths

One of the strengths of this book is its comprehensive coverage of the different aspects of writing a scientific research article. The book covers everything from the structure of a research article to the use of language, tables, and figures, as well as the submission and review process.

Another strength of the book is its clear and concise writing style. The authors use simple language to explain complex concepts, making it easy for inexperienced authors to understand.

The book also provides practical examples and exercises to help authors apply the concepts discussed in the book. This makes it easier for authors to see how the concepts apply to their own writing.

Weaknesses

One weakness of the book is its focus on traditional scientific research articles. The book does not provide guidance on writing other types of scientific articles, such as review articles or case studies.

Another weakness of the book is its lack of coverage of new trends in scientific publishing, such as open access publishing and preprints.

Conclusion

“Writing Scientific Research Articles: Strategy and Steps” is a valuable resource for inexperienced authors of scientific papers. The book provides comprehensive guidance on all aspects of writing a scientific research article, from the structure of the article to the use of language, tables, and figures, as well as the submission and review process. The clear and concise writing style, practical examples, and exercises make it easy for authors to understand and apply the concepts discussed in the book. However, the book could benefit from more coverage of new trends in scientific publishing and other types of scientific articles. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their scientific writing skills.