ST Communication and Popularisation Diffentiating Technical Scientific Writing

S&T Communication and Popularisation Diffentiating Technical Scientific Writing and Popular Science Writing Dr. Jagdish Chander Ac. SIR -Adjunct Professor Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, NISCAIR New Delhi Project Preparation and Financing 1

Contents 1. Introduction to S&T Communication and Popularisation 1. 1 From Vision to Projects 1. 2 Definition of Project and the Project Cycle 2. Technical Science Writing and Popular Science Writing 2. 1 Definition of Research Articles (RAs) 2. 2 Organisation of the RA 2. 3 Forms of RA macrostructure 2. 4 Definition of Popular Science Articles (PSAs) 2. 5 Devices Available For PSA 2. 6 Choosing Title For PSA 2. 7 Winding up PSA Project Preparation and Financing 2

1. Introduction to S&T Communication and Popularisation 1. 1 From Vision to Projects A vision is an agreed long term projection “inculcation of scientific temper in our society will result in our people becoming rational, and objective, thereby generating a climate of favouring an egalitarian, democratic, secular and universalist outlook to optimise the results of S&T". Once the vision of the community has been defined and a long-term strategy written, strategic objectives should be agreed, which will provide a framework for planning future actions. Strategic Future Community’s Vision Project Preparation and Financing Long-term Strategy Objectives Planning Objective 1 Project 1 Objective 2 Project 2 Objective 3 Project 3 . . . Objective N Project N 3

1. Introduction to S&T Communication and Popularisation So, the aim of the project should be: achieving one or a defined number of strategic objectives and ultimately the vision of inculcation of scientific temper among our people For instances: Strategic Objectives • To eradicate open defecation in our country by 2021 • To increase the access to improved sanitation facilities to 90% by 2020. Actions to be taken: Awareness raising campaign. . . Demand creation & information campaign Construction of new toilet facilities. . . • To safely reuse 50% of treated Construction of a treatment wastewater in agricultural fields plant. . . by 2020. . But we also have to consider that: Project 1 Project 2 Projects may also be stand-alone initiatives, not necessarily integrated into a programme, with several projects contributing to one overall goal. Project Preparation and Financing 4

1. Introduction to S&T Communication and Popularisation 1. 2 Definition of Project A project is a unique venture to produce a set of outputs within clearly specified time, cost and quality constraints. Projects differ from standard business operational activities as they: • Are distinctive in nature, not involving a repetitive process. • Have a defined time-plan, with a specified start and end dates to meet the beneficiaries or funding agency’s requirements. • Have an allocated budget, which should be spent to produce the deliverables. • Have limited resources, such as labour, material and equipment. • Involve a risk, as there is a level of uncertainty whether the objectives will be attained. • The project on hand is on providing avenues to encourage professionals write popular science articles. Project Preparation and Financing 5

1. Technical Science Writing and Popular Science Writing Generally, Scientists Write Research Articles to Communicate their Research Results Five reasons are typically identified : I Reputation: letting others know there is one who is working in this area II Valdate Findings: sharing research results, seeking comments, detailed design of the project addressing technical and operational aspects III Advance Spirit of Science : providing instructions so that other researchers can repeat the experiment or build on it to verify and confirm the results IV Building Collaborations: implementimg project activities, with on-going checks on progress and feedback V Career Advancement: academic posts or research grants Project Preparation and Financing Exploring Demand Creation Participatory Decision Making, Analysis and Planning Implementation Ensuring Sustainability 6

2. Technical Science Writing and Popular Science Writing 2. 1 Definition of Research Articles (RAs) "a written text (although often containing non-verbal elements), usually limited to a few thousand words, that reports on some investigation carried out by its author or authors. In addition, the RA will usually relate the findings within it to those of others, and may also examine issues of theory and/or methodology. It is to appear or has appeared in a research journal or, less typically, in an edited book-length collection of papers. “ (Swales 1990: 93) üThe RA is fairly broad term since it is taken to cover the reporting of research activities in several disciplines, and, consequently, it does not lend itself to a clear-cut, uniform description. üThe question, though, is whether an abstracted, overall organisation of the RA is discernible. üA commonly used metaphor when trying to describe this organisation is the hourglass. Project Preparation and Financing 7

2. Technical Science Writing and Popular Science Writing 2. 2 Organisation of the RA The hourglass has a wide top and bottom, and a more narrow middle part. The idea of hourglass model: ütransition is made between the general field of study, to the particular study reported in the article, and then another transition at the end of the article, where a move is made from the findings in the particular study to implications for the general field. ühour-glass macrostructure of a RA is biased towards more experimental articles Typically IMRAD format. Project Preparation and Financing An illustration of the hourglass metaphor of RA organisation, taken from Hill et al. (1982), appearing in Swales (1990: 134) 8

2. Technical Science Writing and Popular Science Writing 2. 3 Forms of RA macrostructure 3 forms of macrostructure of RA: üThe experimental RA (IMRa. D or IMRD) - commonly referred to as the Introduction -Methods-Results. Discussion structure, hence the abbreviation IMRD. üThe logical Argument RA: - the argumentation moves from known principles to cited observations followed by simplifying equations which are used to account for the observed phenomena. eg mathematics, theoretical physic etc üThe Assay Style RA: - Introduction – Body – Conclusion format. Project Preparation and Financing 9

2. Technical Science Writing and Popular Science Writing 2. 4 Definition of Popular Science Articles (PSAs) PSA is a written account of interpretation of science intended for a general audience The reader as a person may be with a good all-round education, but with no specialised knowledge and no exceptional passion for the discipline. It differs from RA in that: • while RA is intended more to communicate content of science, the PSAs are intended for appreciation of value of science. • the disposition of a popular science article differs from that of a traditional scientific paper, where the various sections, presenting the IMRa. D, are separated from each other. In the PSA, various parts are integrated instead, and you, as the author, is the one to choose the best way to communicate your message. • it is your task to make the contents of the article understandable as well as interesting to a layperson. . Project Preparation and Financing 10

2. Technical Science Writing and Popular Science Writing 2. 5 Devices Available to Make PSA Understandable and Interesting: Stylistic devices story about the people involved The researchers’ lives and work can help the reader to understand the circumstances that led to a certain discovery, as well as the significance and consequences of the findings. Concrete example specific example to illustrate a more general phenomenon The evolution of the eye can, for instance, serve as an example to explain Darwin’s theory of evolution Metaphor Drawing a parallel to wellknown matters, the metaphor makes new concepts easier to grasp. (1) Rain forests are the lungs of the Earth. (2) Cyanobacteria work like hydrogen factories. Thought experiment let the reader perform a thought experiment where different premises are given. (3) Imagine there is no oxygen in the atmosphere … (4) If we could travel through time (5) Does Oxygen Save or Kill? Personification allow abstract phenomena to acquire human traits, so called personification. (6) Cancer cells are put on a diet. (7) This article will discuss. . . Naration and Fiction Conversation, Dialogue evocative way of explaining complicated matter (8) By now, you have probably discovered that there is a fourth alternative. . . (9) Here, I will in turn go through … Project Preparation and Financing 11

2. Technical Science Writing and Popular Science Writing 2. 6 Choosing The Title For PSA: üAvoid words like investigation or study, since results were obtained that way üAvoid technical terms as well. Usually, they repel more than they attract 2. 6. 1 Useful Rhetorical devices in Choosing a Title: üCombine difficult term with simple one – (10) Protoporphyrin–the pigment for life üMetaphor – (11) Membrane proteins–Saint Peter of Cells üQuotations and Proverbs – (12) Indeed you can see wood for trees – (13) Birds of same feather - do they always flock together? üAllusions - (14) To flee or not to flee - that is the question of Newt üRhyme and Alliteration - (15) Genetics and gene-ethics üQuestions - (16) what has 24 eyes but no brain? üThreat and Danger - (17) Soon the antibiotics may not help you - (18) Toxic chemicals invade our food Word of Caution: ambiguity, irony and sarcasm could be misinterpreted, especially in the written text, so it may be wise to avoid them Project Preparation and Financing 12

2. Technical Science Writing and Popular Science Writing 2. 7 Winding up nicely Just as the beginning, the end of your article is as important. An article with no clear conclusion might pass unnoticed. Add some punch line to wind the article up nicely, preferably one that reflects the introduction. When winding up the PSA, you should clearly specify: 1 - Issues remain to be resolved 2 - Speculations on implications that your Article might have 3 - Learning/experience gained Project Preparation and Financing 13

2. Technical Science Writing and Popular Science Writing So discover and share for. . . Thank You!! Project Preparation and Financing 14