How to write a scientific research paper
About the course
Researchers are writers. We communicate our results via articles, discuss the findings of others in reviews and use the literature as an immortal record of science from both past and contemporary research, therefore developing our writing skills must be given the same time and dedication as other stages of the research process. Writing is challenging, but it is an important skill that is developed and honed over time, it is a key component of the researcher’s skillset and one that they will use more than most.
This short course provides a clear, practical introduction to writing scientific research papers for publication. It is designed for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and early career academics who are preparing a manuscript or revising an existing draft and want to understand what journals and reviewers expect. It includes a set of resources that participants can explore in their own time.
The course covers the structure of scientific papers using the IMRAD framework. Participants will be introduced to how to plan a paper around the research question and key figures, draft methods and results effectively, and develop introductions, discussions and abstracts that are clear and focused.
Duration: 3 hours
Upon completing this course participants will have:
- an understanding of the structure of a scientific paper, including the rationale for each section, what each part is meant to achieve and common pitfalls to avoid.
- been introduced to how to draft the core sections of a scientific research paper, from defining a clear research question and planning figures and tables through to writing the introduction, methods, results, discussion and abstract.
- been introduced to how to prepare a manuscript for submission to a journal, including tailoring the paper to a specific audience and refining the manuscript through feedback, editing and revision.
Who is this course for?
This bitesize introductory course, designed for researchers from any discipline, aims to kickstart writing and boost productivity. The course is short and can be completed in 3 hours or spread out over a longer period. It is designed to fit around a busy research schedule.
What do I need?
All of the content is contained within the course, so all you will need is a quiet space, a computer or mobile device, an internet connection and headphones so that you can hear the sound on the videos. The course contains videos, images, infographics, text and optional writing exercises. We hope you enjoy it!
About Electv
