What is a scientific text? - Chapter 1

What is a literature review?

In a literature review you, as a scientist, describe in an informative way what you have to say about a certain subject. You describe a conclusion that you have drawn on the basis of scientific literature. In the text you try to convince readers of your views and conclusions by presenting a well-organized and structured argument, consisting of three types of arguments:

• Arguments based on facts reported by others (research results)

• Arguments based on your interpretation of facts collected by others

• Arguments derived from your assessment of the scientific empirical research

You build your argument in such a way that the combination of the three types of arguments leads to the conclusion that you draw.

What is an empirical research report?

An informative text that consists of new facts that you put forward for a specific research question is called an empirical research report. Such a text contains an introduction as standard (consisting of a concise literature overview of the discipline and a justification of your research question), a description of the empirical part of the research, your interpretation of the results of the research and your criticism and comments. The report becomes scientific when

• The literature is a concise but accurate summary of the field being anaylsed

• Your research has been properly set up and the data has been accurately analyzed

• Your interpretation of the results found is supported by the facts

What requirements must every report meet?

• All content must be accurate. Even if a result contradicts your beliefs it must be included

• It must be clear to the reader what was researched and how as well as the researchers' conclusions

• it must be structured in a coherent manner with each linked section being connected to the other. Titles and sub-headings are included in the requirements for the structure. 

• The report must be written using academic English while ensuring all spelling and grammar is correct. The report must be written in the most objective manner possible and be as concise as possible.

• All references to other literature must be cited correctly and a list of references must be included at the end of the report 

• the layout must correspond with the rules set out by the American Psychology Association (APA)

• All work must be original. Copying or paraphrasing others' work is not tolerated.