Writing a Scientific Essay

Institute of E-businessInstitute of E-business

Dongbei University of Finance and EconomicsDongbei University of Finance and Economics

Dr. Da ShiDr. Da Shi

Part I Prepare for the essayPart I Prepare for the essay

1.Aim1.Aim

Essays test not only what you have Essays test not only what you have

understood but also how well you can pull understood but also how well you can pull

together ‘facts’ and ideas of your course and together ‘facts’ and ideas of your course and

apply them in different contextsapply them in different contexts

AimAim

Stress created by writing essays is a Stress created by writing essays is a

positive force that you can harness to help positive force that you can harness to help

you pull the course together and consolidate you pull the course together and consolidate

your grasp of ityour grasp of it

Reply Stress

Character

Positive

Negative

Development

Depression

AimAim

Therefore…My aimaim is twofold, to persuade you to: •SeeSee stressstress created by writing created by writing essays as aessays as a positivepositive forceforce•HarnessHarness stressstress to help youto help you consolidateconsolidate and gainand gain overviewoverview of of coursecourse

2.for the students at the 2.for the students at the undergraduate levelundergraduate level

an essay usually does not need to be based an essay usually does not need to be based

on original research or even original thought. on original research or even original thought.

You are not expected to come up with the You are not expected to come up with the

answers to the world's problems in 2000 answers to the world's problems in 2000

words, especially when people have often words, especially when people have often

written books on the topic!written books on the topic!

The essay is based on the following skills:The essay is based on the following skills: independent thinking (this means no-one will independent thinking (this means no-one will

tell you exactly what to do) tell you exactly what to do) finding, selecting, organising and referencinfinding, selecting, organising and referencin

g information g information analysing information from competing explaanalysing information from competing expla

nations and sources nations and sources answering a question in a given time frame answering a question in a given time frame

and word limitand word limit

3.for the postgraduate students 3.for the postgraduate students

A thesis is a hypothesis or conjecture. A thesis is a hypothesis or conjecture.

A PhD dissertation is a lengthy, formal A PhD dissertation is a lengthy, formal

document that argues in defense of a document that argues in defense of a

particular thesis. particular thesis.

“ “original” and “substantial” original” and “substantial”

The scientific method means starting with a The scientific method means starting with a

hypothesis and then collecting evidence to hypothesis and then collecting evidence to

support or deny it. support or deny it.

The most difficult aspect of writing a The most difficult aspect of writing a

dissertation consists of organizing the dissertation consists of organizing the

evidence and associated discussions into a evidence and associated discussions into a

coherent form. coherent form.

The essence of a dissertation is critical The essence of a dissertation is critical

thinking, not experimental data. Analysis thinking, not experimental data. Analysis

and concepts form the heart of the work. and concepts form the heart of the work.

A dissertation concentrates on principles: it A dissertation concentrates on principles: it

states the lessons learned, and not merely states the lessons learned, and not merely

the facts behind them. the facts behind them.

In general, every statement in a dissertation In general, every statement in a dissertation

must be supported either by a reference to must be supported either by a reference to

published scientific literature or by original published scientific literature or by original

work. work.

A dissertation does not repeat the details of A dissertation does not repeat the details of

critical thinking and analysis found in critical thinking and analysis found in

published sources; it uses the results as fact published sources; it uses the results as fact

and refers the reader to the source for and refers the reader to the source for

further details. further details.

A dissertation must satisfy the stringent A dissertation must satisfy the stringent rules of formal grammar. rules of formal grammar.

Nothing more and nothing less. Nothing more and nothing less.

Each statement in a dissertation must be Each statement in a dissertation must be

correct and defensible in a logical and correct and defensible in a logical and

scientific sense. scientific sense.

Issues of style …Issues of style …

Simple, direct and conciseSimple, direct and concise UnambiguousUnambiguous FlowingFlowing Analytical Analytical and that allows …and that allows … Good debate and discussionGood debate and discussion Logical sequence of ideasLogical sequence of ideas Use of correct scientific conventionsUse of correct scientific conventions

You will need to develop a style that is:

4.Learning outcomes4.Learning outcomes

I hope that writing your essay will help I hope that writing your essay will help you….you….

ClarifyClarify your your thinkingthinking about the topic about the topic ImproveImprove your your understandingunderstanding IncreaseIncrease your your knowledgeknowledge AcquireAcquire presentation presentation skillsskills

Tutorial essay timing

5%

20%

5%

60%

10%

1. Read and understand question 2. Research possible content3. Plan answer 4. Write essay using sources5. Review answer

5. Organizing your time5. Organizing your time

Tutorial essaysRead Q

uestion

Resea

rch

Write

Review

Pla

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6. Frame of Scientific Essay6. Frame of Scientific Essay

IntroductionIntroduction Define key wordsDefine key words Restate Restate QQ State ApproachState Approach

Body of essayBody of essay Present logical sequence of ideasPresent logical sequence of ideas One main idea per paragraphOne main idea per paragraph Linking sentencesLinking sentences Refer to figures and tables in textRefer to figures and tables in text

ConclusionConclusion Summarize main ideas and argumentsSummarize main ideas and arguments Refer back to Refer back to QQ i.e. ‘This statement cannot be i.e. ‘This statement cannot be

justifiedjustified…….’…….’

ParagraphsParagraphs Introductory sentence stating main ideaIntroductory sentence stating main idea

Expand ideaExpand idea

Link to next paragraphLink to next paragraph

FiguresFigures Free-standing, titles, legends, labelled axes, etcFree-standing, titles, legends, labelled axes, etc

Refer to figures in text, e.g. ‘Fig. 1 shows……’Refer to figures in text, e.g. ‘Fig. 1 shows……’

Scientific conventionsScientific conventions Use correct conventions, e.g. Use correct conventions, e.g. underlineunderline or or italicizeitalicize

Latin phrasesLatin phrases

Part II Writing a scientific essayPart II Writing a scientific essay

1. the purpose of your essay1. the purpose of your essay

Who you are talking toWho you are talking to

What you have to sayWhat you have to say

How you will shape itHow you will shape it

PROCESSPROCESS

PPUURRPPOOSESE

CCONTONTEENTNT

SSTRUCTURETRUCTURE

SSTYLETYLE

2. Choosing your topic2. Choosing your topic

You are interested inYou are interested in

Have connection with your future careerHave connection with your future career

You have to try your bestYou have to try your best

3. Writing essay3. Writing essay

Problem Background Problem Background Literatures Review Literatures Review （（ Analysis and summary of litAnalysis and summary of lit

eratureseratures ）） Formulation / models / algorithms Formulation / models / algorithms Advantages and drawback (from the aspects of applAdvantages and drawback (from the aspects of appl

ied areasied areas 、、 problem scaleproblem scale 、、 results comparisonresults comparison ，， eetctc ））

potential problems need to be pointedpotential problems need to be pointed

Purpose and basic idea of the proposed methods in Purpose and basic idea of the proposed methods in your paperyour paper

Organization of the paperOrganization of the paper

Section 1 IntroductionSection 1 Introduction

GeneralGeneral The purpose of an introduction is to prepare The purpose of an introduction is to prepare

the reader for the body of writing that comes the reader for the body of writing that comes

after it. after it.

You know what you are writing about and why. You know what you are writing about and why.

A good introduction:A good introduction: indicates the topic that the essay is aboutindicates the topic that the essay is about describes how the body of the essay is describes how the body of the essay is

organizedorganized explains the point of writing the essay;explains the point of writing the essay;

the point of writing an essay is usually to the point of writing an essay is usually to argue for a thesis, so you will need to argue for a thesis, so you will need to explain what thesis you argue for and how explain what thesis you argue for and how you argue for it – this is called a you argue for it – this is called a

thesis-statement, and most essay thesis-statement, and most essay introductions include one.introductions include one.

Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions

1) How long should my introduction be?1) How long should my introduction be?

• One common mistake is to write anOne common mistake is to write an

introduction that is too long; the introductionintroduction that is too long; the introduction

is so detailed that it is indistinguishable fromis so detailed that it is indistinguishable from

the body of the essay! the body of the essay! • As a rule, an introduction should not be As a rule, an introduction should not be

longer than about 8% of the length of the longer than about 8% of the length of the essay.essay.

2) How detailed should the introduction2) How detailed should the introductionbe?be? Another common mistake is that theAnother common mistake is that theintroduction is so detailed that it fails tointroduction is so detailed that it fails toindicate the topic of the essay in a clearindicate the topic of the essay in a clearway! way! The introduction only needs to stateThe introduction only needs to statethe topic, general structure, and thesis of thethe topic, general structure, and thesis of theessay. The longer the essay is supposed toessay. The longer the essay is supposed tobe, the more detailed your topic, structurebe, the more detailed your topic, structureand thesis-sentences can be.and thesis-sentences can be.

3) Why am I finding it hard to write the3) Why am I finding it hard to write the

introduction?introduction?

Writer’s block can happen when you try to Writer’s block can happen when you try to

write the introduction before you have write the introduction before you have

done sufficient reading and research on done sufficient reading and research on

the topic.the topic.

4) What is an introduction for? Is it a4) What is an introduction for? Is it a

summary?summary? An introduction is not a summary. AAn introduction is not a summary. A

summary repeats the main ideas of ansummary repeats the main ideas of an

essay. essay. An introduction introduces the readerAn introduction introduces the reader

to the topic of the essay, describes theto the topic of the essay, describes the

organizational structure of the essay, andorganizational structure of the essay, and

explains the point of the essay (the thesisexplains the point of the essay (the thesis

argued for).argued for).

5) How many paragraphs should I use5) How many paragraphs should I use

for the introduction?for the introduction?

In a short ten page essay, all ofIn a short ten page essay, all of

these things should be easy to include in onethese things should be easy to include in one

or two paragraphs. or two paragraphs.

In longer essays, your topic, structure, and In longer essays, your topic, structure, and

thesis-sentences will be more detailed, and thesis-sentences will be more detailed, and

so more paragraphs may be required to so more paragraphs may be required to

complete the introduction.complete the introduction.

Other sources and resourcesOther sources and resources Visit York Centre for Academic Writing Visit York Centre for Academic Writing

online resources at: online resources at: http://www.arts.yorku.ca/caw/resources.hthttp://www.arts.yorku.ca/caw/resources.htmlml

Section 2 Problem Formulation & AssumptionSection 2 Problem Formulation & Assumption Problem Formulation

Assumption

Notation and terminology

Section 3 Development of Mathematical ModelSection 3 Development of Mathematical Model

Introduce and Analysis reference model

System Analysis

Introduce and develop some concepts 、 properties 、 theorems

Model development

研究工作体会

Section 4 Development of MethodologySection 4 Development of Methodology Basic idea Introduce or develop some concepts and theorems Algorithm formulation & complexity analysis Overall procedures of algorithm implementation

Section 5 Illustrated Example and Simulation Analysis Section 5 Illustrated Example and Simulation Analysis

Example (s) (Cited 、 real problem 、 or randomly generated ）Computation condition/environment Results presentation and descriptionResults analysis and comparison with previous methods Implication from the results

研究工作体会

4.Citing authority4.Citing authority Before considering how to cite authority, it is Before considering how to cite authority, it is

important to understand why you need to important to understand why you need to cite material. There are four main reasons: cite material. There are four main reasons:

to show that your discussion is based on to show that your discussion is based on other people's ideas; other people's ideas;

to support a proposition of your own; to support a proposition of your own; to relate your work to existing scholarship; to relate your work to existing scholarship; and to qualify statements in the text.and to qualify statements in the text.

As in non-legal writing, references As in non-legal writing, references

commonly indicate these of another commonly indicate these of another

person's ideas. If you take an idea or a person's ideas. If you take an idea or a

quote without properly acknowledging the quote without properly acknowledging the

author's contribution to your work, this is a author's contribution to your work, this is a

form of plagiarism-a sort of academic theft.form of plagiarism-a sort of academic theft.

5.Using footnotes5.Using footnotes foot notes can be used to briefly qualify foot notes can be used to briefly qualify

broad statements in the text. broad statements in the text. Footnotes should present all information Footnotes should present all information

necessary to locate references. They should necessary to locate references. They should be succinct, consistent and as clear as be succinct, consistent and as clear as possible. Uniformity and ease of retrieval possible. Uniformity and ease of retrieval are the goals. are the goals.

This section looks at three aspects of This section looks at three aspects of footnotes:footnotes:

the introductory signal that indicates their the introductory signal that indicates their uses uses

basic methods of citation for commonly used basic methods of citation for commonly used materials, and materials, and

multiple references to the same work.multiple references to the same work.

6. Reviewing your essay6. Reviewing your essay

Print out hard copy of 1Print out hard copy of 1stst draft and do not draft and do not look at it for at least 2 days. look at it for at least 2 days.

Read, review and reviseRead, review and revise…… 11stst review review

– Spelling & GrammarSpelling & Grammar Read critically and correct obvious errorsRead critically and correct obvious errors

– SenseSense Does the text make sense? Does the text make sense? Do the sentences and paragraphs flow?Do the sentences and paragraphs flow?

22ndnd review review

– Structure & RelevanceStructure & Relevance

Have you answered the specific Question?Have you answered the specific Question?

Have you missed anything out?Have you missed anything out?

Have you followed the instructions in the title?Have you followed the instructions in the title?

Have you linked the different parts of the essay?Have you linked the different parts of the essay?

33rdrd review review

– StyleStyle

Check word count and shorten if necessaryCheck word count and shorten if necessary

Look critically at phrasingLook critically at phrasing

Can you make it more concise, precise or more Can you make it more concise, precise or more

appropriate?appropriate?

投稿技巧与注意问题投稿技巧与注意问题

选择拟投的杂志选择拟投的杂志投稿策略投稿策略评审论文的几个重要方面评审论文的几个重要方面

研究工作体会

选择拟投的杂志选择拟投的杂志

符合杂志关心符合杂志关心 // 覆盖的主题覆盖的主题（（ Scope and topics areaScope and topics areass ））

符合杂志的性质（数学水平要求或偏分析建模过程）；符合杂志的性质（数学水平要求或偏分析建模过程）；理论型理论型 // 应用型；应用型；

符合杂志的格式要求，包括：符合杂志的格式要求，包括： 参考文献排序与引用要求；按作者姓字母顺序、按文中出参考文献排序与引用要求；按作者姓字母顺序、按文中出现的先后顺序；按（现的先后顺序；按（ FungFung ， ， 19991999 ）或 ）或 [1[1 ，， 2]2] 引用；引用；

章、节、图、表；章、节、图、表； 投稿要求（份数、标明贡献与新颖之处、提供投稿要求（份数、标明贡献与新颖之处、提供 Referee Referee 候选人等）候选人等）

杂志的出版周期杂志的出版周期

研究工作体会

投稿策略投稿策略

先会议后杂志先会议后杂志 会议文章要求简短、技术上相对不成熟；只是一个概念会议文章要求简短、技术上相对不成熟；只是一个概念或思路，具有讨论性；通过讨论交流，进一步丰富、完或思路，具有讨论性；通过讨论交流，进一步丰富、完善和系统化；善和系统化；

杂志要求详细、系统性，技术上应该成熟、先进杂志要求详细、系统性，技术上应该成熟、先进；； Top-down Top-down 策略策略

先投好杂志，影响因子先投好杂志，影响因子（（ Impact factorImpact factor ））高的杂志，高的杂志，如 如 IEEE Trans IEEE Trans 、、 SCISCI 收录杂志；如不能录用，通过吸收录杂志；如不能录用，通过吸取评审人员的建议，修改后改投水平稍低的杂志；取评审人员的建议，修改后改投水平稍低的杂志；

研究工作体会

评审论文的几个重要方面评审论文的几个重要方面 主题与格式是否符合杂志的要求 （印象方面）主题与格式是否符合杂志的要求 （印象方面） 文章的组织 （印象加内容）文章的组织 （印象加内容）

总体思路是否清晰；能否给人抓住主题、系统性；总体思路是否清晰；能否给人抓住主题、系统性； Introduction Introduction 很重要；能否给人以兴趣；很重要；能否给人以兴趣；

新颖性与贡献 （关键）新颖性与贡献 （关键） Problem / model / methods /tool Problem / model / methods /tool 中有一个或多个具有新颖性中有一个或多个具有新颖性

和新贡献； 发明或改进；和新贡献； 发明或改进； 逻辑性 （理论的正确性、假设和建模的合理性等）逻辑性 （理论的正确性、假设和建模的合理性等） 语言表达 （印象）语言表达 （印象）

研究工作体会