Intel International Science
and Engineering Fair
SCIENTIFIC WRITING
MA. PILAR P. CARMONA
Quezon City Science High School
Regional Orientation on Scientific Research for Science Education Program
Supervisors and Research Advisers
July 8-9, 2017
Quezon City Science High School
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
In this session, we will
 Review the component parts of the
research report
 Consider the best approach to writing
science research report
 Show examples of student writing
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS & METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
3
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
 Many of the projects sent by the
INTRODUCTION
country to the Intel ISEF have written
this part in two or four paragraphs with
no subsections
 It must present the (1) background of
the study, (2) hypothesis and
statement of the problem, (3)
objectives, (4) significance and (5)
limitations of the study
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang, 42014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang, 52014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
MATERIALS
& METHODS
 Subsections can be used (usually 1 short
paragraph per subsection)
 It should provide enough details so that others
can repeat the experiments following the
methods written in the research paper,
however, conciseness should be maintained.
 It should include the significant steps such as
gathering of materials, preparing of set-ups,
tests and experimentations, data analysis, etc.,
the materials used for each step must also be
included
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang, 62014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
MATERIALS
& METHODS
 Official title of international/established procedures
or tests used in the experiments can be written
instead of describing its detailed steps (Retting
Process, Resazzurin Test, ASTM #); however
modifications for these international/established
procedures or tests must be indicated.
Tests and procedures conducted by a regulated
research institution do not need to be described in
detail; however, details should be elaborated in tests
and procedures personally designed and performed
by the students.
 Include photographs, layouts, schematic diagrams or
drawings especially for inventions and new products
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang, 72014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang, 82014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
RESULTS
 It includes all data gathered from the
experiments which can be presented through
tables, graphs, figures, etc.
 Appropriate data presentation must be
observed. (table vs. graph, bar graph vs. line
graph
 Tables, graphs, figures should each have their
respective captions. A good caption must have a
Table/Graph/Figure Number and a short
description.
 Captions for tables must be placed on top of the
table. While those for graphs, figures, diagrams,
etc. should be placed under them.
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang, 92014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
RESULTS
 Each table , graph, figure, etc may be accompanied
with short descriptions on the trends derived from
the data analysis conducted
 Subsections may be used especially if multiple
distinct tests were conducted (eg. Results from Test
No. 1, Results from testNo. 2)
 This part of the research paper may begin with: This
study determined the _______ as prepared with the
following tables, graphs and figures.
 No discussion should be presented in this part of the
reserach paper, more than 90% of this part shows
only tables, graphs, figures, etc.
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,102014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
DISCUSSION
 This part of the research paper should be
treated as the “soul” of the research paper and
not just as an accessory part
 Most of the related literatures are integrated in
this part and not in the Introduction
 Subsections can also be used especially if
multiple distinct tests were conducted (eg.
Discussion for results in Test No. 1, discussion
for results in test No. 2)
 This part of the research paper usually answers
the following
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,112014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
DISCUSSION
 This part of the research paper usually answers
the following questions:
 What are the implications of the results and the
trends derived from the data analysis
conducted?
What are and how did these factors cause such
results and trends?
What are the other related research that agree
with such results and trends? ( If any, indicate
how these research varied from the research
especially in terms of materials and methods
used?
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,122014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
 What are the established scientific knowledge
DISCUSSION
(eg. Science laws, basic facts that can explain or
justify such results and trends?
What are and how did these factors cause such
results and trends?
What are the other related research and/or
scientific knowledge that contradict such results
and trends? And what are the possible causes of
these contradictions?
What are and how did these possible errors (eg.
Unwanted factors) affect such results and
trends?
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang, 2014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
13
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
CONCLUSION
 It summarizes the results of the research
 Usually two to three sentences with no
subsections
 It should not generalize and should present
only conclusion based on the results and
trends discussed . Eventually, it should answer
the objectives presented in the introduction.
 It should mention a practical application.
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang, 2014)
14
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,152014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
RECOMMENDATIONS
presents
ehat else
can beelse
done to
improve
the
research,
-It
It
presents
what
can
be
done
to
to widen the knowledge about this research topic, and other
improve
research,
to widen
the (other
variables thatthe
can be
tested in relation
to the research
researchers of the same interest will usually read this part to
knowledge
about this research topic,
conceptualize their own research topic)
and other variables that can be tested
-Usually a short paragraph with no subsections
in
relation to the research (other
researchers of the same interest will
usually read this part to conceptualize
their own research topic)
 Usually a short paragraph with no
subsections
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,162014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
 It includes a FORMAL AND DIRECT
message of thanks to the people who
contributed SIGNIFICANTLY to the
research.
 It usually includes the names of the
adult-sponsor, qualified scientist,
regulated research institute, and
sponsors if there are any.
 Usually a short paragraph with no
subsections
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,172014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
REFERENCES/
BIBLIOGRAPHY
 It includes all books, journals,
credible websites and all other
resources that were used as reference
 Citation style must be consistent;
usual formats include APA style, MLA
style, Chicago Manual of Style
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,182014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING – IMRaDC
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH PAPER PARTS
1. TITLE
 It should not be placed on a separate page and should be
placed on top of the first page
2. NAME/S OF STUDENT/S
 It is placed directly under the title
 Name/s of students are arranged in alphabetical order by
surnames
 Names are written in one line separated by commas
3. NAME OF SCHOOL
 Full name of school, with address, if placed under the names
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,192014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING – IMRaDC
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH PAPER PARTS
4. ABSTRACT
 It is placed under the name of school with two lines (above and below)
5. KEYWORDS
 It is placed directly below the abstract
 Usually 3 to 4 words that describes the research
6. APPENDICES
 Attached documents (eg. Codes for computer programs)
7. PAGE NUMBERS
 Page numbers are suggested to be placed at the center of each page
 Make sure that the font style and size of the page numbers are the
same as that of the body
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,202014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,212014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide inDEPARTMENT
Local Science
Fairs (Galang, 2014)
OF EDUCATION
22
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
ABSTRACT
Should be written AFTER the whole research
paper was written but not before the deadline of
submission for the research paper
Must include (1) short background of the study,
(2) objectives of the study, (3) materials and
methods, (4) results, (5) conclusion and
significance.
DO NOT INCLUDE (1) acknowledgements and (2)
details of the procedures conducted by the adult
sponsor, qualified scientist or adult-supervisor at
RRI (give highlights to those conducted by the
students
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,232014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,242014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
TITLE
Science fair is not a competition of who has
the longest, most jargonized, car-banging,
eye-blinding title. Instead of sounding smart,
those kinds of title may just annoy or irritate
audience.
Titles should be written simply but at the
same catchy and interesting
Title, just by reading or two, must already
five ideas to the audience what the research
is all about
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,252014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
The following are some titles of the research that were sent to the Intel
International Science and Engineering Fair
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,262014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,272014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
PASSIVE VOICE
 Always use the passive voice, which stresses the subject being
observed or tested, rather than the active voice, which stresses the
researcher.
Active: I recorded the temperature of the solution and then added
3mL of HCl
Passive: After the temperature of the solution was recorded, 3mL of
HCl were added
Note: Some scientific journals require the use of the active voice to
save space, since sentences in the active voice tend to be shorter.
28
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
VERB TENSE
 Use the past tense when reporting the results of your own work
(which includes most of the Abstract, Materials and Methods, and
Results sections) and the present tense for established
research(which includes most of the Introduction and Discussion)
Some exceptions should be noted:
Use the past tense when you refer to the author directly.
For example:
Bednark (1959) found that this Drepanidea was extremely sensitive to
light.
Use present tense when you refer directly to a table or figure in your
own paper
For example:
Figure 1 shows that the population was adversely affected.
29
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
JARGON
 Scientists use simple, straightforward writing and avoid the use of
jargon. A narrower meaning implies intentionally excessive
wordiness and the use of obscure terminology.
Jargon: As part of a daily routine, the Microtidea specimens were
manually transported by the experimenter to the predetermined
observation cage. Each subject was examined carefully and any
indications of fighting or other aggressive behaviors were noted. The
specimens were returned to the holding facility upon completion of the
data collection.
Revised : The experimental mice were observed daily. All indicators of
aggressive behavior were recorded.
30
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
WORDINESS
 Since note taking concentrates on the recording of information, first
drafts tend to be somewhat wordy. It is important to revise your
work one sentence at a time, being careful to retain the content
while simplifying your language. Changing even one word can
produce dramatic results. You should omit words or phrases that do
not add to the meaning of your sentence.
Wordy
More often than not
It is apparent that
Concise
Usually
Apparently
In the light of the fact
In only a small number of
cases
Because
Occasionally, rarely
In the possible event that
If
31
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
Use an affirmative sentence rather than a double negative
Instead of
Consider Using
This reaction is not uncommon
This reaction is common
This reaction is rare
This reaction occurs about 405 of
the time
This transition was not unexpected
This transition was expected
We knew that such tarnsitions were
possible
This strategy is infrequently used
This strategy is frequently used
This strategy is occasionally used
This result is not unlikely to occur
This result is likely to occur
This result is possible
32
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
Words and Phrases to avoid
Omit excess words.
Instead of
Consider Using
It is a procedure that is often used.
The procedure is often used.
There are seven steps that must be
completed.
Seven steps must be completed.
This is a problem that is…
This problem is..
33
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
Use single words instead of phrases.
Instead of
Use
A number of
Many, several
A small number
A few
Are in agreement
Agree
Are found to be
Are
Are known to be
Are
At present
Now
At the present time
Now
Based on the fact that
Because
By means of
By
Despite the fact that
Although
Due to the fact that
Because
34
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
Use single words instead of phrases.
Instead of
Use
During that time
While
Fewer in number
Fewer
For the reason that
Because
Has been shown to be
Is
If it is assumed that
If
In color,eg. Red in color
Just state the color, eg. Red
In consequence of this fact
Therefore, consequently
In length
Long
In order to
To
In shape, eg. Round in shape
Just state the size, eg. Small
In spite of the fact that
Although
35
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
Use single words instead of phrases.
Instead of
Use
In the case of
In, for
In view of the fact that
Because
Is known to be
is
It is clear that
Clearly
It is likely that
Likely
It is possible that
Possibly
It would appear that
Apparently
Of great importance
Important
On the order of
About
Owing to the fact that
Before
Reported in the literature
reported
36
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
5 C’s
 Clarity
Conciseness
Concreteness
Coherence
Context
37
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
38
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
ACTIVITY 1
1.What is research?
2.Give atleast one of your personal
experiences with regards to
research and how it helps you in
discovering things?
3.How did research contribute to the
development of knowledge in your
field? Give atleast one concrete
examples of it.