Intel International
Science and
Engineering Fair
SCIENTIFIC WRITING
Division Orientation on Scientific Research
for Science Head and Research Advisers
July 29, 2017
Manggahan High School
MA. VICTORIA GUEVARRA - SENASE
Rizal High School
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
A complete research paper
must include the following:
1. Abstract
2. Research Plan
3. Intel ISEF Forms
4. IMRaDC Paper
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
In this session, we will
Review the component parts of the
research report
Consider the best approach to writing
science research report
TIPS!!!
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS & METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
two or four paragraphs with
no subsections
INTRODUCTION
It must present the
(1) background of the study,
(2) hypothesis and
statement of the problem,
(3) objectives,
(4) significance and
(5) limitations of the study
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang, 52014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
INTRODUCTION
sample
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang, 62014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang, 72014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
Subsections can be used
MATERIALS
& METHODS
It should provide enough details so that others
can repeat the experiments following the
methods written in the research paper.
It should include the significant steps such as
gathering of materials, preparing of set-ups,
tests and experimentations, data analysis, etc.,
the materials used for each step must also be
included
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang, 82014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
Official title of international/established procedures
or tests used in the experiments can be written
MATERIALS instead of describing its detailed steps (Retting
& METHODS Process, Resazzurin Test); however
modifications for these procedures or tests must be
indicated.
Tests and procedures conducted by a RRI do not need
to be described in detail; however, details should be
elaborated in tests and procedures personally
designed and performed by the students.
Include photographs, layouts, schematic diagrams or
drawings especially for inventions and new products
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang, 92014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
It includes all data gathered from the
RESULTS experiments which can be presented through
tables, graphs, figures, etc.
Appropriate data presentation must be
observed. (table vs. graph, bar graph vs. line
graph
Tables, graphs, figures should each have their
respective captions. A good caption must have a
Table/Graph/Figure Number and a short
description.
Captions for tables must be placed on top of the
table. While those for graphs, figures, diagrams,
etc. should be placed under them.
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,102014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
RESULTS
Each table , graph, figure, etc may be accompanied
with short descriptions on the trends derived from
the data analysis conducted
Subsections may be used especially if multiple
distinct tests were conducted (eg. Results from Test
No. 1, Results from testNo. 2)
No discussion should be presented in this part of
the research paper, more than 90% of this part
shows only tables, graphs, figures, etc.
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,112014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
This part of the research paper should be
DISCUSSION treated as the “soul” of the research paper .
Subsections can also be used especially if
multiple distinct tests were conducted (eg.
Discussion for results in Test No. 1, discussion
for results in test No. 2)
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,122014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
This part of the research paper usually answers
the following questions:
DISCUSSION
What are the implications of the results and the
trends derived from the data analysis
conducted?
What are and how did these factors cause such
results and trends?
What are the other related research that agree
with such results and trends? ( If any, indicate
how these research varied from the research
especially in terms of materials and methods
used?
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,132014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
What are the established scientific knowledge
(eg. Science laws, basic facts that can explain or
DISCUSSION justify such results and trends?
What are and how did these factors cause such
results and trends?
What are the other related research and/or
scientific knowledge that contradict such results
and trends? And what are the possible causes of
these contradictions?
What are and how did these possible errors (eg.
Unwanted factors) affect such results and
trends?
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang, 2014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
14
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
It summarizes the results of the research
CONCLUSION
Usually two to three sentences with no
subsections
It should not generalize and should present
only conclusion based on the results and
trends discussed . Eventually, it should answer
the objectives presented in the introduction.
It should mention a practical application.
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang, 2014)
15
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,162014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
It presents what
-It presents ehat else else
can be can be
done to done
improve theto
research,
to widen the knowledge about this research topic, and
RECOMMENDATIONS
improve the research,
other variables to widen
that can be tested the
in relation to the research
knowledge about
(other researchers ofthis research
the same topic,
interest will usually read this
part to conceptualize their own research topic)
and other variables that can be tested
-Usually ato
in relation short paragraph with no subsections
the research .
Usually a short paragraph with no
subsections
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,172014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
It includes a FORMAL AND DIRECT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT message of thanks to the people who
contributed SIGNIFICANTLY to the
research.
It usually includes the names of the
adult-sponsor, qualified scientist,
regulated research institute, and
sponsors if there are any.
Usually a short paragraph with no
subsections
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,182014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
REFERENCES/
It includes all books, journals,
BIBLIOGRAPHY credible websites and all other
resources that were used as reference
Citation style must be consistent;
usual formats include APA style, MLA
style, Chicago Manual of Style
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,192014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING – IMRaDC
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH PAPER PARTS
1. TITLE
It should not be placed on a separate page and should be
placed on top of the first page
2. NAME/S OF STUDENT/S
It is placed directly under the title
Name/s of students are arranged in alphabetical order by
surnames
Names are written in one line separated by commas
3. NAME OF SCHOOL
Full name of school, with address, if placed under the names
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,202014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING – IMRaDC
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH PAPER PARTS
4. ABSTRACT
It is placed under the name of school with two lines (above and below)
5. KEYWORDS
It is placed directly below the abstract
Usually 3 to 4 words that describes the research
6. APPENDICES
Attached documents
7. PAGE NUMBERS
Page numbers are suggested to be placed at the center of each page
Make sure that the font style and size of the page numbers are the
same as that of the body
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,212014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,222014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
TITLE
Science fair is not a competition of who has
the longest, most jargonized, car-banging,
eye-blinding title.
Titles should be written simply but at the
same time catchy and interesting
Title, just by reading , must already
give ideas to the audience what the
research is all about
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,232014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
The following are some titles of the research that were sent to the Intel
International Science and Engineering Fair
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,242014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
Write the title
to express
not to
impress.
25
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
ABSTRACT
Should be written AFTER the whole research
paper was written. It is an overview of the
research.
Must include (1) short background of the study,
(2) objectives of the study, (3) materials and
methods, (4) results, (5) conclusion and
significance.
DO NOT INCLUDE (1) acknowledgements and (2)
details of the procedures conducted by the adult
sponsor, qualified scientist or adult-supervisor at
RRI (give highlights to those conducted by the
students
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,262014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING - IMRaDC
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,272014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
PASSIVE VOICE
Always use the passive voice, which stresses the subject being obs
erved or tested, rather than the active voice, which stresses the res
earcher.
Active: I recorded the temperature of the solution and then added
3mL of HCl
Passive: After the temperature of the solution was recorded, 3mL of
HCl were added
Note: Some scientific journals require the use of the active voice to
save space, since sentences in the active voice tend to be shorter.
28
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
VERB TENSE
Use the past tense when reporting the results of your own work (w
hich includes most of the Abstract, Materials and Methods, and Re
sults sections) and the present tense for established research(whic
h includes most of the Introduction and Discussion)
Some exceptions should be noted:
Use the past tense when you refer to the author directly.
For example:
Bednark (1959) found that this Drepanidea was extremely sensitive to
light.
Use present tense when you refer directly to a table or figure in your o
wn paper
For example:
Figure 1 shows that the population was adversely affected.
29
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
JARGON
Scientists use simple, straightforward writing and avoid the use of j
argon.
Jargon: As part of a daily routine, the Microtidea specimens were
manually transported by the experimenter to the predetermined
observation cage. Each subject was examined carefully and any
indications of fighting or other aggressive behaviors were noted. The
specimens were returned to the holding facility upon completion of the
data collection.
Revised : The experimental mice were observed daily. All indicators of
aggressive behavior were recorded.
30
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
WORDINESS
You should omit words or phrases that do not add to the meaning
of your sentence.
Wordy Concise
More often than not Usually
It is apparent that Apparently
In the light of the fact Because
In only a small number of Occasionally, rarely
cases
In the possible event that If
31
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
Use an affirmative sentence rather than a double n
egative
Instead of Consider Using
This reaction is not uncommon This reaction is common
This reaction is rare
This reaction occurs about 405 of
the time
This transition was not unexpected This transition was expected
We knew that such tarnsitions were
possible
This strategy is not frequently used This strategy is occasionally used
This result is not unlikely to occur This result is likely to occur
This result is possible
32
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
Words and Phrases to avoid
Omit excess words.
Instead of Consider Using
It is a procedure that is often used. The procedure is often used.
There are seven steps that must be Seven steps must be completed.
completed.
This is a problem that is… This problem is..
33
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
Use single words instead of phrases.
Instead of Use
A number of Many, several
A small number A few
Are in agreement Agree
Are found to be Are
Are known to be Are
At present Now
At the present time Now
Based on the fact that Because
By means of By
Despite the fact that Although
Due to the fact that Because
34
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
Use single words instead of phrases.
Instead of Use
During that time While
Fewer in number Fewer
For the reason that Because
Has been shown to be Is
If it is assumed that If
In color,eg. Red in color Just state the color, eg. Red
In consequence of this fact Therefore, consequently
In length Long
In order to To
In shape, eg. Round in shape Just state the size, eg. Small
In spite of the fact that Although
35
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
Use single words instead of phrases.
Instead of Use
In the case of In, for
In view of the fact that Because
Is known to be is
It is clear that Clearly
It is likely that Likely
It is possible that Possibly
It would appear that Apparently
Of great importance Important
On the order of About
Owing to the fact that Before
Reported in the literature reported
36
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Writing Style in Science
5 C’s
Clarity
Conciseness
Concreteness
Coherence
Context
37
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
WHAT IS A GOOD RESEARCH TOPIC?
It is SMART
fit the students’ interests
contribute to a new knowledge
beneficial
not a repetition
not copied from winning research
not too “traditional” (eg. antibacterial,
insecticidal).
addresses the problems and needs of the
community, province or country.
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,382014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
WHAT IS A GOOD RESEARCH TOPIC?
based on the current trends in the market
and global scene.
not a mere replica of commercially
available items.
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,392014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
WHAT IS A GOOD RESEARCH TOPIC?
Avoid a research topic that many of its parts
can only be done by a qualified scientist or
regulated research institute (RRI).
Read science journals and follow the
researcher’s Recommendation.
Observe nature in detail. It is usually from
little details where great research
come from.
*Road to ISEF: Practical Guide in Local Science Fairs (Galang,402014)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Oral Presentation and Defense
• The presentation should provide the general overview of the
research.
• The presentation must highlight CONCISE AND DIRECT
answers to the following questions:
a. What is the problem that the research wants to
solve?
b. What are the objectives the research?
c. What were the methods used to achieve these
objectives?
d. What were the general results of the methods
and tests conducted?
e. What is the general conclusion?
41
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Oral Presentation and Defense
Important elements to be observed
during the oral presentation :
1. well-moderated voice,
2. effective gestures and
eye contact,
3. clarity in diction, and
4. “show” of guts.
42
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Oral Presentation and Defense
SAMPLE QUESTIONS FROM JUDGES:
1. How did you conceptualize this research?
2. What was the inspiration behind?
3. How did you choose your adult-sponsor?
4. How were you able to get connected with your qualified scientist/
RRI?
5. What were the specific parts of the research process, especially in
the experimentation, that you extensively did?
6. What were the assistance or services that your adult
sponsor/qualified scientist/ RRI gave you?
7. In the research process, how many % do you think you did
personally?
8. Why is there a need to do further research in the research topic you
have chosen?
9. How different is your research from the previous research already
conducted in such topic?
10. Given all the necessary costly procedures that were employed to
make your new product, do you think its economical? 43
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Common Wrong-Doings Caught in Science Fair
• Student claims s/he performed the experiment that
in fact, it was the qualified scientist who did the
experimentation.
• Adult-sponsor gives his/her college or master’s
thesis or previous research to his/her student.
• Student presents an invention (eg. engineering
research) or computer program (eg. computer
sciences) that s/he only tested and did not actually
make
• Adult-sponsor writes the whole research paper of
the student.
44
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Common Wrong-Doings Caught in Science Fair
• manipulated the set-ups.
• A team research was made as an individual
research.
• An individual research was made as a team
research.
• Memorizing a script during oral defense.
• Not accommodating non-judges
45
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
TIPS
46
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DO NOT
PLAGIARIZE
47
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DO NOT ENGAGE IN
DEBATE WITH THE
JUDGES.
BE HONEST ALL THE
TIME.
48
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Answer
directly and
concisely
49
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Find angles of the research
which can be applied not
only to the locality it was
made for but to other
places as well.
50
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Practice
good time
management.
51
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Look for
research
grants.
52
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Have a checklist.
1. Is my research original (or modified, improved version) and did not just
exactly copy existing same research?
2. Is my research plan well-prepared?
3. Are the needed Intel ISEF forms signed and completed by proper
signatories?
4. Was the experimentation (including the data analysis) properly designed
and executed?
5. Were the results properly and honestly presented in the research paper?
6. Were the abstract, title, and parts of the research paper well written?
7. Were there no plagiarized parts in the research paper?
53
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
54
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
