Introduction to Scientific Writing

The following module will assist you in defining the difference between scholarly
writing and casual writing. The many elements of writing such as style, citations,
structure will be introduced in this module but will be covered extensively in later
modules.

1. What is Scientific Writing or "Scholarly" Writing?

Scholarly writing usually is the type that academics and students engage in—it
can be about a theory (description), it can be a critique (pros and cons of a
published article); it can be a research proposal; or review of the literature
Scientific Writing often refers more to a format and is often contrasted with casual
or creative writing. Scholarly papers that you produce for the graduate program's
assignments will use scientific writing elements.

2. How is scientific writing different from "Creative" or "Casual" Writing?

The difference is the format, which is driven by the purpose, the audience
(readership), language used, appearance etc. Scientific writing is authored by
scholars, researchers, experts, and students in college and university work,
especially in the professional schools. Scientific writing is based on the principles
that that guide scholarly inquiry and communication, including standards of
practice and ethical considerations, rather than self-expression and individual
style. Creative or casual writing is usually for general information or
entertainment for a general audience; the authors are generally reporters,
experts in writing rather than experts of knowledge in a particular field like
nursing. Casual writing is the sharing opinions, personal observations, anecdotal
and subjective or non-documented experiences

3. What is different about the format for scientific writing?

(Each of these elements such as style, APA format, structure, citations, and
language will be covered in later modules. This is an introduction to those
elements that will be considered.)
• Purpose: to provide factual information, an analysis of a topic; to synthesize
facts on a particular topic, to present research, to explain a theory.

• Facts and Evidence (not opinions or observations—yours or others); others'

(experts') opinions in scientific writing; may be hypotheses or theories in
scientific writing but usually are "opinions", personal observations or
experiences.
in casual writing. Rogers (2002) reported that only 25 % of his students failed
the first examination
OR
Rogers thought his students did a better job; In my experience, I think 25%
failing is a high percentage.

• Professional language: Using phrases like "etiology" of a disease rather than

"cause" or using "prevalence and incidence rates" rather than "numbers of
cases" or "widespread nature" of a disease. Again the "audience" for each is
different so the language will also differ. Avoid colloquial, idiomatic, conversation,
slang language.
Consider the following sentences:
Type II Diabetes Mellitus in the US has had an increased incidence over the last
decade.
The incidence is closely linked to obesity as an etiological factor (Smith & Jones,
2008).
OR
Diabetes is becoming a more widespread problem in this country caused by
obesity
Emotions such as feelings are also NOT a part of scientific writing and are not
expressed in a scientific paper—your feelings or what you surmise (notice not a
fact) others' feelings to be. Scientific writing is not what the author thinks, but
what is known.
Do not include:
"I struggled with this topic" or "I was saddened when reading about the high
prevalence rates of domestic violence" or "I think nurses need to get along better
with doctors"

• Citations**: because casual writing is often opinions and entertainment there

is no need for referencing sentences, information, Consider the following
statements and what needs a reference or citation:
Diabetes has probably shown an increase because of our lifestyle and eating
habits (not a fact, no citation).
The incidence of diabetes mellitus in this country has increased 25 % over the
last decade (CDC, 2008; Brown, 2008)

• Footnotes, References and Bibliographies may also be included in scientific

writing.

• Authors are established experts in a field. Credentials of the author, his/her

experience and educational background are cited:

• Appearance of text
Graphs, tables, dense texts in publications (no photographs or clip art), including
citations as appropriate.

4. What do scientific writing and casual writing have in common?

Appropriate structure, writing style, clarity of expression, grammar, punctuation,
etc are part of both types of writing (Covered in depth later in the semester)
Structure of the paper includes organizing what is to be written about; Logically
presenting the topic—introduction, main body, conclusions.
Style has to do with formality as well as a "style" manual used (such as APA)
Casual style may mean the use of everyday language and phrases—often
Flow is also part of good writing style—do the sentences (thoughts presented or
facts presented) flow and relate to each other. Style also includes using third
person for scientific writing. When referring to you as the writer/author:
This author's research included several data bases such as CINAHL
rather than / used several sources for my research such as CINAHL
Style* may also mean a formal or sophisticated way of writing vs a more "folksy"
or casual way of writing. Choosing certain words help with a more sophisticated
style. Grammar refers to the proper use of words, the structure of sentences
such as the tense of verbs, the presence of a subject, verb and object; correct
punctuation.

Taken From: ADELPHI UNIVERSITY

School of Nursing
WRITING LAB
Holly Shaw, PhD. RN
Jane White PhD, APRN, BC