Introduction and Experimental

C344

Types of Scientific Papers

• Experimental– Ideal for IMRAD—Introduce the problem present

current study, discuss implications• Theoretical– Purpose is to present new hypothesis based on

previous data, not to add data (re-interpretive)• Historical– Not repeatable, falsifiable

Introduction• Purposes common to the introduction– Explain objectives of study– Convince of importance of current work– Set current work in the context of previous work• “Framing” allows for an understanding of place of

current work in broader picture• Gives credibility to the authors—they know what is

going on in the field

• Generally present tense verbs

Exercise: unscramble Figure 4.2

Common Format

• Funnel approach: from general to specific• Three Moves– Establish topic and significance• Review previous research, generalize, show why topic is

interesting in the field

– Establish need for present research• Show gaps in knowledge, raise questions, propose

extensions

– Introduce present research• Outline purpose and main features of research

CARS

• Create A Research Space model• Three moves– Establish a territory– Establish a niche– Occupy the niche

Practical Questions

• How long is the introduction?– Long enough to accomplish purposes– In this class, one-three paragraphs– Will grow in length with greater knowledge of field

• Do I need citations?– Yes– We will learn that next time

Methods

• Called Materials, Methods, Experimental• Purposes– Major component of argument– Framework for results– Give credibility to research– Provides view into research assumptions

Structure is Based on Field

• Organic chemistry as mature field• Experimental at end (lower priority)• Many details needed, but the basic techniques

are established– Repeatability is a major goal– Occasional justification needed (The extraction was

performed five times due to limited solubility.)– Citations required for previously reported chemicals

Writing an Experimental

• Classically, passive, past tense, third person– De-emphasis of experimentalist; objective– Active, first person can be acceptable IF the

alternative is cumbersome• Subheadings– General methods– In synthesis, listed by product name• Data listed after procedure

– In other studies, can use other subheadings

Example Paper

• Chemistry library: electronic journals• http://www.libraries.iub.edu/index.php?pageI

d=5226• J. Org. Chem. 2013, 78, 4762-4778.