How to Outline Your Scientific Research Paper

Summary

In this video, Karen McKee, a retired scientist and author, explains how to outline a scientific paper. She discusses the importance of creating an outline to organize research before diving into writing. McKee guides viewers through using Microsoft Word’s outlining feature to structure a paper, covering key sections like the title page, abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion. She emphasizes the need for clear organization, particularly for inexperienced writers, and offers tips for filling out each section with relevant details. The video highlights the benefits of using an outline for a balanced, well-organized scientific manuscript.

Takeaways

• 😀 An outline is essential for organizing the structure of a scientific paper before starting the detailed writing process.
• 😀 Outlining helps new writers avoid feeling overwhelmed when condensing years of research into a concise manuscript.
• 😀 While some might prefer an organic approach to writing, a scientific paper demands logical structure and adherence to formal guidelines.
• 😀 Using Microsoft Word's outlining feature can simplify the process of creating a clear and organized paper structure.
• 😀 A typical scientific paper includes sections like the title page, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, acknowledgements, references, tables, and figures.
• 😀 The abstract can be organized into subheadings such as background, methods, key findings, and conclusions for clearer communication.
• 😀 The introduction should explain the importance of the research, provide a literature review, identify knowledge gaps, and state the research objectives.
• 😀 The methods section can be broken into subheadings like site description, experimental design, and statistical analyses to ensure clarity and completeness.
• 😀 The results section may include subheadings for individual experiments, providing a clear presentation of data and findings.
• 😀 The discussion section should address key questions raised in the introduction and use subheadings to organize the different points of analysis.
• 😀 Once the outline is created, the next step is to expand it by adding detailed content for each section, using placeholders to guide the writing process.

Q & A

What is the purpose of creating an outline for a scientific paper?

The purpose of creating an outline is to provide an overview of the essential elements necessary for a scientific paper. It helps the writer organize their material and create a logical flow for presenting their research.

Why is outlining particularly important for inexperienced writers?

Outlining is especially important for inexperienced writers because it helps them organize complex research into a coherent structure, making the writing process less overwhelming, especially when condensing a large study into a limited word count.

Can you write a scientific paper without using an outline?

While it is possible to write without an outline, it's not advisable for scientific papers. Scientific writing requires logic and formal narrative structure, which an outline helps establish, unlike the more organic writing processes used in fiction.

How do you create an outline in Microsoft Word?

In Microsoft Word, you can create an outline by selecting the outline feature under the 'View' dropdown menu. This allows you to organize your paper using headings and subheadings, which can be adjusted as needed.

What are the major parts of a scientific paper that should be included in an outline?

The major parts of a scientific paper to include in an outline are the title page, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, acknowledgements, references, tables, and figures.

What subheadings can be included in the abstract section of a scientific paper?

The abstract can include subheadings such as Background or Aim, Methods, Key Findings, and Conclusions or Significance to help organize the writing.

What should be included in the introduction section of the outline?

The introduction should include subheadings explaining why the topic is important, a literature review of what is already known, and a statement of the research question or objective and how it fills the knowledge gap.

What types of subheadings can be used in the methods section of the outline?

In the methods section, subheadings may include site description, experimental design, physical, chemical, or biological analyses, and statistical analyses, depending on the specifics of the research.

How can you ensure that all sections of a scientific paper are balanced when using an outline?

To ensure balance, review the outline to make sure each section, like the methods and results, has sufficient subheadings that align with the content of the paper. Cross-check that all aspects of the research are addressed in the appropriate sections.

What should you do after completing the outline before moving on to the narrative writing?

After completing the outline, check for balance and ensure that all sections have been addressed. Then, you can move on to formatting the headings and subheadings, removing any placeholders, and starting to fill in the details of the paper.