This document provides guidance on scientific writing in the biological sciences. It discusses that the purpose of scientific writing is to clearly and understandably inform readers about research discoveries. It also seeks to convince the audience of the validity and importance of the reported research. The document outlines various types of scientific writing and notes that fiction or entertainment pieces do not constitute scientific writing. Additionally, it details the typical components of a research paper, including the abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion, and bibliography. It provides guidance on what should be included in each section and the tense that should be used. Finally, it offers tips for a successful writing experience such as reading widely, revising, spellchecking, getting feedback, and taking time

1. A guide to -
Scientific Writing in
the Biological
Sciences
By Nusrat Malik, Ph.D.

2. What is Scientific Writing
❖ The purpose of scientific writing is to inform its readers about scientific discoveries
revealed during the research project you carried out.
❖ Present the discoveries in a clear, concise and understandable manner.
❖ Convince the audience of the validity and importance of research being reported.
❖ Types of scientific writing formats.
❖ Conference abstract
❖ Dissertation
❖ Research paper.
❖ Research review.
❖ Research report.
❖ Grant application

3. What is not Scientific Writing
❖ A piece of fiction.
❖ An entertainment piece.
❖ A memoir.

4. Components of a Research
Paper
❖ Abstract
❖ Introduction
❖ Materials and Methods
❖ Results
❖ Discussion
❖ Bibliography

5. Components of a Research Paper-
Abstract
❖ Summary of the entire paper.
❖ Why the research was done, the main question
asked, how it was answered, what were the main
findings and a brief conclusion.
❖ Ideally written at the end.

6. Components of a Research Paper-
Introduction
❖ A brief background of what others have done before in the
field.
❖ What new question is being asked and how it will be
answered.
❖ The importance of the research being presented.
❖ The hypothesis.
❖ The experimental design.
❖ Use present tense.

7. Components of a Research Paper-Materials
and Methods
❖ Detailed description of how each experiment was carried out.
❖ Detailed information about the materials (Chemical supplier)
and equipment (Manufacturer) used.
❖ Should have enough information about the experimental
method so that the experiment can be replicated by another
researcher in another laboratory.
❖ Statistical methods used to analyse the data.
❖ Use past tense (the experiments have already been
performed).

8. Components of a Research Paper-
Results
❖ Present the results in a logical order.
❖ Results of each experiment (or related experiments) in a separate paragraph.
❖ Briefly describing the experiment, state the results obtained (commonly done
without interpretation).
❖ Note key points of the results (increase or decrease in the expression of a
particular protein).
❖ Include tables and figures to show large sets of data (refer to the tables and
figures while stating results).
❖ Connect each paragraph to the one before and after so the reader understand the
reasoning of the experiment.
❖ Use past tense, usually third person.

9. Components of a Research Paper-
Discussion
❖ Briefly restate the background, the importance of the study and the main question
being answered by the study being reported in the first paragraph.
❖ Interpretation of the results being reported (follow the sequence of the results
section, results of the first experiment in the results section to be discussed first).
❖ Comparison of the results from other studies or research in the field.
❖ Scope and importance of the results.
❖ New questions, how the study contributes in progression of the knowledge about
your study topic.
❖ Last paragraph should be the conclusion of your study.
❖ Combination of present (to describe your findings), past (to link your results with
previous results).

10. Components of a Research Paper-
Bibliography
❖ Follow the format prescribed by the journal, the paper
will be submitted, each journal stipulates its own format.

11. Tips for a successful writing
experience!
❖ Read, read, and read some more!
❖ Revise.
❖ Spellcheck!
❖ Read a print out, don’t rely on computer screen to verify the
format and spelling.
❖ Get feedback.
❖ Take your time.
❖ Enjoy your writing.

12. Thank you!