Medical Education Unit, Government Medical College Amritsar
Principles and Practice
of Scientific Writing
2nd February, 2014
Principles and Practice of Scientific Writing-2nd
February-2014
Medical Education Unit
Government Medical College,
Amritsar
Principles and Practice of Scientific Writing-2nd
February-2014
Objectives of Workshop
Principles and Practice of
Scientific Writing
2nd February, 2014
DR IPS GROVER
M.D
Department of Pharmacology
Government Medical College, Amritsar
Principles and Practice of Scientific Writing-2nd
February-2014
Scientific Writing



The purpose of scientific writing is to
communicate new scientific findings
Thus it has to be clear, simple and well
ordered communication to transmit new
scientific findings
Scientific writing must use proper English
which gives the sense in the fewest short
words
Principles and Practice of Scientific Writing-2nd
February-2014
Challenges


Task of writing a research paper can
be daunting
Even with ground-breaking research,
unless the paper is correctly written:
 at best, publication will be delayed
 at worse, never published
Principles and Practice of Scientific Writing-2nd
February-2014
Example

Passive voice is preferred because the action is
more Important rather than who performed the
action

Active Voice: We observed cell division in the
sample
Passive Voice: Cell division was observed in the
sample

Principles and Practice of Scientific Writing-2nd
February-2014
Different perspectives
Scientific paper can be read at several
levels:
 Some people just will refer to the title
 Others may read only the title and
abstract
 Others will read the paper for a
deeper understanding
Principles and Practice of Scientific Writing-2nd
February-2014
Background: Author’s
Perspective
Motivation to publish
Dissemination (54% 1st choice)
Career prospects (20% 1st choice)
Improved funding (13% 1st choice)
Ego (9% 1st choice)
Patent protection (4% 1st choice)
Other (5% 1st choice)
Bryan Coles (ed.) The STM Information System in the UK, BL Report 6123, Royal
Society, BL, ALPSP, 1993
Principles and Practice of Scientific Writing-2nd
February-2014
Principles and Practice of Scientific Writing-2nd
February-2014
Objectives


The workshop is aimed at being
participative in order to create an
atmosphere of ownership and relevance
The overall aim is to sensitize participants
about the importance of appropriately
conceptualized principles and practices of
Scientific writing
Principles and Practice of Scientific Writing-2nd
February-2014
Objectives

Nuts and Bolts of Writing a Scientific
Manuscript

IMRAD model

Powerful Titles and Compelling
Abstracts: The key elements of a title and
structured abstract will be discussed
Principles and Practice of Scientific Writing-2nd
February-2014
Expected Outcomes…



Participants will learn the critical
components of a clearly written manuscript
Facilitate participants to evaluate their
current skill level, determine their strengths
and weaknesses
Focus on improving writing skills to achieve
a well-structured manuscript for submission
Principles and Practice of Scientific Writing-2nd
February-2014
Road map of workshop







Pre evaluation
There will be presentations addressed by
experienced and distinguished faculty from
JIPMER Pondicherry
Faculty from GMC Amritsar.
All participants will receive hard copies of hand
outs.
Group activity
Time for plenary discussions
Post evaluation and feedback
Principles and Practice of Scientific Writing-2nd
February-2014
Ground rules







Turn cell phones on vibration mode
Listen actively - respect others when they are
talking, we all are participants
Respect time, start on time, end on time
Be respectful to other participants and the
facilitators
Talk loud enough for all to hear
Talk one at a time
Suggestions may be put on posted notes
Principles and Practice of Scientific Writing-2nd
February-2014
Principles and Practice of Scientific Writing-2nd
February-2014