Lecture 24 - Scientific Writing and Resume

What is Scientific Writing?

Scientific writing is the final product

Scientific writing is a structured communicating and objective way of research findings, methods, and interpretations clearly and accurately. It is important because it allows scientists to share knowledge, ensure reproducibility, and advance understanding across disciplines.

• Promotes clarity and precision in presenting data.

• Enables replication and validation of research.

• Facilitates knowledge sharing within the scientific community.

• Supports evidence-based decision making.

• Maintains a permanent, credible record of scientific work.

Why is writing so important?

Research and management are incomplete until it is formally reported.

There are several TYPES of writing in NRM and every single type has its own style and format.

• Scientific writing: Peer-reviewed scientific article.

• Popular science writing: Article for magazine, newsletter, newspaper, etc.

• Professional writing: Project report, brochure, etc.

What makes scientific writing different from other forms of writing, e.g. creative writing?

Scientific writing is different from creative writing because it focuses on clarity, accuracy, and evidence rather than imagination or storytelling.

Its purpose is to communicate research findings objectively, while creative writing aims to entertain, express emotions, or tell a story.

Unique characteristics of ’Scientific Writing’

Objective vs. subjective: Scientific writing is based on data and facts; creative writing often reflects personal thoughts and emotions.

Structured format: Scientific writing follows a formal structure (e.g., introduction, methods, results, discussion).

Evidence-based: Claims must be supported by data, citations, and reproducible methods.

Precise language: Uses technical and unambiguous terms rather than descriptive or figurative language.

Audience purpose: Aims to inform and educate, whereas creative writing aims to engage or entertain.

Sections of a Scientific Paper

Six (6) major sections:

• Abstract

• Introduction

• Methods

  • Study Area

  • Study Species

• Results

• Discussion

  • Management Implications

  • Recommendations

• Literature Cited

Scientific Writing

Use active voice (this is important)

• Active voice vs. passive voice.

  • Poor: White-tailed deer movements were monitored using radio-telemetry 2 times a day.

  • Better: We monitored white-tailed deer movements twice daily with radio-telemetry.

• Why use active voice?

  • Fewer words.

  • Unambiguous.

  • Boring (being honest).

Latin names and Acronyms

• Use Latin names in abstract and body of text when common name is first used.

  • Sand dune lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus)

  • Sand plum (Prunus angustifolia)

• Family name of a species should not be italicized.

• Define acronyms at first use in abstract and body of text.

  • Lesser prairie-chicken (LPC)

  • Analysis of Variation (ANOVA)

Positive writing

• Do not hide your results in noncommittal statements.

• Don’t beat around the bush.

  • Poor: Perhaps, there is a relationship between rainfall and wild turkey nest failure.

  • Better: We found increased rainfall during nesting reduced wild turkey nest success.

Avoid verbose writing

• Avoid excessive use of nouns as adjectives.

  • Poor: Red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees were covered in copious amounts of sap.

  • Better: Trees containing red-cockaded woodpecker cavities were covered in sap.

A popular scientific article explains scientific ideas in a way that is easy for the general public to understand. It differs from a scientific (research) article, which presents original data and detailed methods for experts in a formal, technical format.

• Audience: General public vs. scientists and researchers.

• Language: Simple, engaging vs. technical and specialized.

• Purpose: Inform and interest vs. report original research findings.

• Structure: Flexible narrative (complete independence) vs. strict format (IMRaD: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion).

• Level of detail: Summarized concepts vs. detailed data, methods, and analysis.

What is Popular Scientific Article?

Popular Science Writing

Writing popular science articles is the art of conveying complexity to the general reader.

Scientific information are used in just about any writing – to support arguments.

Five (5) steps for effective popular science writing:

• Avoid overly simplifying your material.

• Meantime, avoid an overly technical explanation.

• To avoid writing with too many tangents, pick a theory or try to find a consensus.

• Make your numbers meaningful to readers.

• Use metaphors as another way to make the complex understandable

This is something you all would do as a professional, that means, you do it for your job!!!

Some examples:

• Project report/ Annual report

• Informative brochure

• Project/Organization banner

• Research poster

• Booklet on your project

• Innovative promotional materials

Professional Writing

What is Professional Writing?

Professional writing is clear, purposeful communication used in workplace or formal settings to convey information.

It is important because it ensures effective communication, supports professionalism, and helps organizations function efficiently.

• Clarity and conciseness: Communicates ideas quickly and accurately.

• Audience-focused: Tailored to specific readers (clients, colleagues, stakeholders).

• Goal-oriented: Designed to inform, persuade, or instruct.

• Professional tone: Maintains credibility and respect.

• Supports decision-making: Provides clear information for actions and outcomes.

Typical Content of a Research Project Report

Title page

Summary

Table of Contents

Introduction [study area, study species, project objectives, justification, etc.]

Methodologies

Major Outcomes [what was achieved, milestone, plan deviations, project evaluation, etc.]

Budget/ Expenses

Conclusions & Recommendations

References

Appendix sections (optional)

Conclusion

Writing is difficult.

Technical writing is more difficult.

It is contrary to techniques taught in writing courses.

Only way to get better is practice.

Only way to improve is practice.

Improvement comes with practice.

Why to Write your Resume?

A resume is a concise document that summarizes your education, skills, experience, and achievements for potential employers.

It is important because it helps you present your qualifications clearly and increases your chances of getting an interview.

• Highlights qualifications: Shows your skills, education, and experience.

• First impression: Often the first document employers review.

• Tailored communication: Can be customized for specific jobs.

• Demonstrates professionalism: Reflects organization and attention to detail.

• Supports job applications: Helps employers quickly assess your fit for a role.

Your resume is your passport to a first meeting with that employer.

• A resume is a crucial piece of evidence which must capture the recruiter's imagination and give them a picture of you.

• You need to make it easy for them to match what you can offer with what they need for that specific position.

• You should find a way so that your application doesn't sit on the 'maybe' pile and certainly not on the 'no' pile.

• With some work and an understanding of what they're looking for, your application should be able to head straight for the 'yes' pile.

A CV offers a snapshot of who you are.

• Think about the first page of a book - it either holds your attention, or it doesn't. It is important to remember that it is not just about the qualifications you hold, but also about the type of person you are!!!

Consider these Statements

Your CV should be a structured summary of your relevant education, skills, achievements, and experiences.

It should be a resume of what you have to offer an employer.

It should provide information about the potential you have to develop.

Think about your Audiences!!!

• You need to be able to stand outside yourself, to be quite strict in analyzing what you've done, and then get creative in using dynamic words and phrases to describe it.

What do you put in???

You have to focus on few key things here:

• The skill that you have learned in your college/ education.

• The duties you actually performed in your previous workplace.

• The skills you developed from there.

• The evidences you can provide to back up your claims.

Who Reads Your Resume

Before sitting down with your application, ask yourself: who will read my CV? The likely possibilities are:

• AI Robot!

• Internal HR professional.

• Third party service provider, e.g. a recruiter.

• Future Line Manager.

• Future Line Manager's PA.

• General Office Manager.

• Retired Director or Executive Director.