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Writing a scientific paper
Lammert Kooistra & Joep Crompvoets
Contact: [email protected]
RS&GIS Integration Course (GRS30806)
Centre for Geo-information
Contents
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Paper Assignment
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Structure of scientific paper
Guidelines and format
Writing style
Assessment criteria
Group work vs. individual paper
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Assignment
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write a scientific paper which:
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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 geoinformation cycle
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Why a scientific paper?
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Scientists regard (peer reviewed) scientific paper
as most important type of communication to
report on the advancement of scientific
knowledge
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As practice for writing Msc. Thesis
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More details see lecture “Literature review”
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General structure of scientific paper
Section
 Title
 Abstract
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Introduction
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Content matter
Discussions
Conclusions
List of reference!!
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Intends the reader
What the paper about
Short summary, which can also
“stand alone”
The problem, and what is known
already
What you did and what you found
How you interpret the results
Possible implications
How to find the papers referred to
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Structure of your paper
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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
!!!!)
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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
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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)
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Improving your writing (I)
6 ways to make your writing easier to read
1. Choice of words (use accurate, appropriate, familiar, concrete words)
2. Avoid jargon (difficult to understand)
3. 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’
4. 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”
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Improving your writing (II)
5.
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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)
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Referencing
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(Must Read other papers related to your topic)
Scientific research, NO conduction in isolation
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!! Citing references within the main text !!
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Writing the reference list
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Assessment criteria
(review by Lammert Kooistra and case study coaches)
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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
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Group work vs. individual paper
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Use validation plan (group work) as starting point for
paper: introduction, content matter
Results fieldwork are group result: interpretation and
presentation is individual
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possibility to divide topics within group (e.g., sampling,
measurements)
However,
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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
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Instructions for paper assignment
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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
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