Principles of Scientific Writing
Series Description: This course provides useful guidance on the core skills science students need in order to write effectively. Key topics include: referencing and plagiarism, critical reading, creating an argument, and effective use of figures. The content consists of slides, worksheets, and lecture recordings.
Target Audience: Any student in CoSE or MVLS.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
There are no live classes currently scheduled for this series, but there are recordings, resources and slides for the following classes on the Moodle page.
| Class Title | Class Description |
| Referencing and Plagiarism | This class introduces the concepts of referencing and plagiarism. We provide guidance on: what constitutes plagiarism at UofG, why referencing is important, and how to reference other works effectively. |
| Sourcing Evidence from the Literature | Sourcing evidence from the literature requires: thoughtful planning of a literature search, effective use of academic databases, and careful evaluation of source quality. This class will provide guidance on all of these aspects of the research/writing process. |
| Approaching Writing | Before you start any piece of writing, it is essential to fully understand what you are being asked to do. In this class, we cover how to break down an essay question, build an essay plan, and construct effective paragraphs. |
| Critical Reading | This class introduces the concept of reading "critically", explaining: when you should do so in the research and writing process, the different purposes you might need critical reading for, and how you critically read. |
| Creating an Argument | Effective arguments in science require evidence and clear reasoning. This class will offer guidance on using evidence in active argumentation, so readers are presented with your claim, reasons, evidence, and interpretation. |
| Data, Graphs, and Figures | In science, you will need to present data effectively to communicate your findings clearly. In this class, we offer guidance on: how to think about the type of data you have, which data presentation options you should consider, and some general graphing tips for powerful visualisations. |
| Artificial Intelligence | Wondering what counts as “using AI responsibly”? In this session, we’ll walk you through the University’s guidance on using AI responsibly, explore real examples of AI-generated work, and discuss where to draw the line between helpful support and academic misconduct. |
| Structure | Without a clear structure, scientific writing can be confusing and will often fail to meet its brief. This class will outline the broad structure almost all types of scientific writing should follow, offering guidance on how to approach the key components: Introduction, Main Body, and Conclusion. |
| Editing | Editing is an important, but often neglected, part of the writing process. In this class we discuss why editing is so essential, while acknowledging its associated challenges, before providing advice on how to approach editing to maximise its value to your writing. |
| Using Feedback | You will likely have experience of receiving both positive and negative feedback. To make feedback useful, it is really important to understand what it means and how to act on it. This class offers guidance on both. |
