Tutorial
Writing Research Papers in Engineering and Science
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While engineering and science students might learn to write reports in a technical writing course, research papers require a different organization and understanding of audience expectations. This webpage presents a tutorial on writing research papers in engineering and science. Sponsored by the Leonhard Center at Penn State, this page has arisen from hundreds of surveys and scores of one-on-one interviews of faculty and graduate students in engineering and science. Proving an overview for the tutorial is a famous paper by Professor George Whitesides. This four-page paper first orients you to what a research paper is and then discusses how an advisor and graduate student can write such a paper efficiently.
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Tutorial Films (about 25 minutes)
Research papers are organized differently from technical reports. In particular, audiences in engineering and science expect particular information to reside in certain parts of research papers. Films 1 and 2 explain the major expectations for the organization of research papers. In addition to expectations for the organization of research papers, expectations exist for the style of sentences. Films 3-6 discuss the traits that distinguish the style of sentences in science and engineering [1] Complementing Film 5 is our handout on sentence openers.
Research papers are organized differently from technical reports. In particular, audiences in engineering and science expect particular information to reside in certain parts of research papers. Films 1 and 2 explain the major expectations for the organization of research papers. In addition to expectations for the organization of research papers, expectations exist for the style of sentences. Films 3-6 discuss the traits that distinguish the style of sentences in science and engineering [1] Complementing Film 5 is our handout on sentence openers.
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Film 1. Organizing a Research Paper: Overview. Film 3. Being Precise and Clear. Film 5. Connecting Your Ideas Within Paragraphs. |
Film 2. Introductions of Research Papers. Film 4. Avoiding Ambiguities. Film 6. Incorporating Illustrations. |
Appendix: Additional Films
This appendix contains five films that address additional perspectives of research writing. Film A-1 discusses the incorporation of equations. Discussed in Film A-2 is the controversial stylistic issue of when to incorporate the first person (I or we). Films A-3 and A-4 discuss two issues of usage: selecting verb tense and expressing numbers. Film 5 discusses the importance of considering reviewers when analyzing audience.
This appendix contains five films that address additional perspectives of research writing. Film A-1 discusses the incorporation of equations. Discussed in Film A-2 is the controversial stylistic issue of when to incorporate the first person (I or we). Films A-3 and A-4 discuss two issues of usage: selecting verb tense and expressing numbers. Film 5 discusses the importance of considering reviewers when analyzing audience.
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Film A-1. Incorporating Equations. Film A-3. Verb Tense in Reports Film A-5. Audience: Considering reviewers. |
Film A-2. Using I or we. Film A-4. Expressing Numbers |
Acknowledgments
This self-study guide and microcredentialing badge are made possible by funds provided by the Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education in the College of Engineering at Penn State. Providing technical assistance on the films is the Office of Digital Learning, which is also in the College of Engineering at Penn State. Providing specific guidance and support for the guide and badge have been the following individuals: Stephanie Cutler, Casey Fenton, Andrea Gregg, Richelle Weiger, and Elaine Whitmer. Michael Alley, the author of The Craft of Scientific Writing [4], has overseen the creation of content for the guide and badge, and listed below are engineering students who have assisted in that creation.
This self-study guide and microcredentialing badge are made possible by funds provided by the Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education in the College of Engineering at Penn State. Providing technical assistance on the films is the Office of Digital Learning, which is also in the College of Engineering at Penn State. Providing specific guidance and support for the guide and badge have been the following individuals: Stephanie Cutler, Casey Fenton, Andrea Gregg, Richelle Weiger, and Elaine Whitmer. Michael Alley, the author of The Craft of Scientific Writing [4], has overseen the creation of content for the guide and badge, and listed below are engineering students who have assisted in that creation.
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Conducting Interviews
Christine Gabriele Belinda Mativenga Developing Website Marissa Beighley Alexus Eicher Narrating Films Mary Duncan Roman Pero Amy Zhong |
Mechanical Engineering, 2022 Chemical Engineering, 2022 Computer Science, 2022 Computer Science, 2020 Mechanical Engineering, 2021 Chemical Engineering, 2020 Mechanical Engineering, 2022 |
Penn State Penn State Penn State Penn State Virginia Tech Penn State Penn State |
References
- Michael Alley, The Craft of Scientific Writing, 4th ed. (New York: Springer, 2018).
Please feel free to provide comments, questions, and suggestions for the films, text, and quizzes of this website. To help us understand your feedback, please let us know whether you are a student or faculty member (or other professional).