Christian University of Indonesia

Presented at the Scientific Writing Workshop held by the English Teaching Study Program of Christian University of Indonesia on April 11, 2012.

What is an article?
A nonfictional written composition on a subject mean to be published in newspapers, magazines or journal, or to be presented in a conference.

Characteristics of an article
Nonfictional Discusses a well-defined topic Objective (shows all sides to an issue) Sources are identified, up-to-date and reliable

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE

FICTIONAL WRITING

To communicate the To communicate methods & results of feelings, experiences, scientific investigations and ideas Have an orderly, logical & Written in free and standardized framework personal format Use precise, well-formed Use flowerish and and simple sentence personal expressions

Why We Should Write Scientific Articles

ELT Research

ELT Research

ELT Research

ELT Research

ELT Research

ELT Research

 Scientific Articles Structure = the widely t approved format of organizing the contents of a scientific article. A scientific manuscript must be written in the approved format to ascertain that the research questions, theoretical basis, methods, results, analysis, and implication of the work could be easily comprehended by readers.

Generic Structure of Scientific Articles

Varieties of Scientific Articles Structure

AIMReDCaR
Abstract Introduction Method Results Discussion Conclusion References

AIMRaD
Abstract Introduction Method Results Discussions

AIRDaM
Abstract Introduction Results Discussions Methods

AIM(RaD)C
Abstract Introduction Method Result 1 Discussion 1 Result 2 Discussion 2 Conclusions

AIMRAD Format
(a) The whole structure is governed by the Results box; everything in the article must relate to and be connected with the data and analysis presented in the Results section. (b)(1) The Introduction begins with a broad focus but attracts the lively interest of the international readers of your target journal. (3) The Introduction ends with a focus exactly parallel to that of the Results; often this is a statement of the aim or purpose of the work presented in the paper, or its principal findings or activity. (2) Between these two points, background information and previous work are woven together to logically connect the relevant problem with the approach taken in the work to be presented to address the problem. (c) The Methods section, or its equivalent, establishes credibility for the Results by showing how they were obtained. (d) The Discussion begins with the same breadth of focus as the Results but it ends at the same breadth as the starting point of the Introduction. By the end, the paper show conclusions and suggestions

AIRDaM Format
(a) The Methods section, often renamed Procedure or Experimental, is presented after the Discussion, sometimes in a smaller type face than the rest of the paper. (b) This change means that more details may need to be given in the Results section to explain how the results were obtained

AIM(RaD)aC Format
(a) The Results and Discussion are presented together in a single combined section; each result is presented, followed immediately by the relevant discussion. (b) This change means that a separate section is needed at the end to bring the different pieces of discussion together; it is often headed Conclusions.

Generic Structure of Scientific Articles

 Summarizes the major aspects of a paper. limited by most journals to 150 to 250 words or even less a minipaper covering (1) Objective; (2) Materials and Methods; (3) Results; (4) Conclusions. Ended with a list of three to five key words or short phrases for indexing

presents background information a reader needs to understand the rest of the paper written like a continuous essay, but in some others it is broken down into different components (subheadings) 300 to 500 words in length, but may be more, depending on the journal and the topic General format: (1) Problem and its background in a broad scope (1paragraph); (2) Specific problem to be studied, reasons of importance to study, and how it applied to the larger field of research (in 2 or 3 paragraphs); (3) Clear statement of hypothesis (for experimental study) and objectives of the paper; (4) a brief summary of previous relevant studies by other researchers in the field to bring the reader up to date on the topic written in some paragraphs; (5) explanation of concepts or definitions of operational terms used (1 paragraph).

In some journals, the previous relevant studies summary (subsection 4 above) is put in a specific section separated from the introduction, and is called called Literary Review.

 describes the research procedures and highly necessary for readers who want to repeat the study includes: (1) Subjects used (humans, animals, plants) and their preexperiment handling and care (2) Sample preparation techniques; (3) Origins of samples and materials; (4) Description of the field site, including physical and biological features, and exact location (include a map, if applicable); (5) Procedures for collecting data; (6) Statistical analysis techniques used (7) Information on computer programs used or written (8) Descriptions of equipment set-up and function.

 General statements presenting the key results (data) of the research without interpreting their meaning. The presented data are not the raw ones, but have been transformed into text, illustrations, charts, and tables. Includes the statements of statistical analyses

 Takes and interprets the findings reported in the Results section by evaluating their significance, and examining the implications. Template: Paragraph 1: What did this study show? Address the aims stated in the Introduction Paragraph 2: Strengths and weaknesses of methods Paragraphs 3 to n1: Discuss how the results support the current literature or refute current knowledge Final paragraph: Future directions (So what? and where next? Impact on current thinking or practice)

Presents: (1) a succinct summary of implications of the findings; (2) general implications of the study; (3) suggestions for further research.

 Used (1) to give credit to the cited ideas and works of other scientists; and (2) to provide the readers with access to these sources. Some journals uses the American Psychological Association (APA) style; others, (Modern Language Association (MLA) style; and some others created their own style. List cited sources only; this is not a Bibliography!

REFERENCES
Brandt, Caroline. (2010). Competition and collaboration in initial teacher education in TESOL: A Case of a Classic Double Bind. Asian EFL Journal. 12(3),8-39. Cargill, M. and OConnor, P. (2009). Writing scientific research articles: Strategy and steps. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Journal of Young Investigators. (2005). Writing scientific manuscripts: A guide for undergraduates. Retrieved on October 21, 2010 from: www.jyi.org Katz, M. J. (2009). From research to manuscript: A guide to scientific writing. Cleveland: Springer. Language Learning & Technology. (2010). LLT research guidelines for quantitative and qualitative research. Retrieved on April 24, 2010 from: http://llt.msu.edu/resguide.html Lebrun, Jean-Luc. (2007). Scientific writing: A reader and writers guide. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. Nazara, Situjuh. (2011). Students perception on EFL speaking skill development. Journal of English Teaching. 1(1), 29-44. Peat, Jennifer. (2002). Scientific writing: Easy when you know how. London: BMJ Books. Shang, Hui-Fang. (2010). Reading strategy use, self-efficacy and EFL reading comprehension. Asian EFL Journal. 12(2),18-42. Yang, Jen Tsi. (1999). An outline of scientific writing: for researchers with English as a foreign language. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.