centre for geo-information writing a scientific paper rs&gis integration course (grs- 30806)...

Centre for Geo-information

Writing a scientific paper

RS&GIS Integration Course (GRS-30806)

Lammert Kooistra & Joep CrompvoetsContact: [email protected]


Contents

Paper Assignment Structure of scientific paper Guidelines and format Writing style Assessment criteria Group work vs. individual paper


Assignment

write a scientific paper which: 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

geo-information cycle


Why a scientific paper?

Scientists regard (peer reviewed) scientific paper as most important type of communication to report on the advancement of scientific knowledge

As practice for writing Msc. Thesis

More details see lecture “Literature review”


General structure of scientific paper

Section Intends the reader Title What the paper about Abstract Short summary, which can also

“stand alone” Introduction The problem, and what is known

already Content matter What you did and what you found Discussions How you interpret the results Conclusions Possible implications List of reference!! How to find the papers referred to


Structure of your paper

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 !!!!) 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


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)


Improving your writing (I)

6 ways to make your writing easier to read1. 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 andeasier to read)“We performed an analysis of the data” versus “We analysed the data”


Improving your writing (II)

5. 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)6. Sentence length and sentence structure (keep sentences short

andsimple; strive to put the most important idea early in the sentence)


Referencing

(Must Read other papers related to your topic)

Scientific research, NO conduction in isolation

!! Citing references within the main text !!

Writing the reference list


Assessment criteria(review by Lammert Kooistra and case study coaches)

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


Group work vs. individual paper

Use validation plan (group work) as starting point for paper: introduction, content matter

Results fieldwork are group result: interpretation and presentation is individual possibility to divide topics within group (e.g., sampling,

measurements)

However, 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


Instructions for paper assignment

Individual assignment 25 % of final mark Paper on case study results

Submit paper before Friday June 27, 2008 (E-mail)

Between 2400 and 3000 wordsStructure based on compulsory parts

centre for geo-information writing a scientific paper rs&gis integration course (grs- 30806)...

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