Scientific Writing Training (Multiple Languages)

Date published
Resource type
Learning Resource Package
Background

This course originated as a three-day scientific writing workshop for global Field Epidemiology Training Program residents and emerging authors. Materials were converted to an e-learning course to expand reach and increase flexibility and convenience for learners. The course includes both infectious and non-communicable disease examples.

Purpose

This scientific writing course guides learners through the process of writing and publishing an original research manuscript (called a “scientific paper” throughout this course).

Languages

English, Spanish

Time Required

Approximately 8 hours total to complete all modules. Modules do not have to be completed in one sitting.

Audience

Junior-level scientists, Field Epidemiology Training Program participants, General public interested in scientific writing.

Structure

This self-guided e-learning course consists of eight interactive modules designed for learners to complete at their own pace. Learners can start and stop as needed but must note where to resume the course, as the place will not be saved between sessions.  

Learners are encouraged to complete modules in order. After completing one module but prior to moving on to the next module, it is recommended that learners apply what was learned to a personal scientific writing project, preferably working with a mentor. Suggested steps for applying learnings are included at the end of each module.

    Scientific Writing Modules

    Module 1: Overview

    This module provides an overview of the overall writing and publication process for scientific papers. The module addresses components of a scientific paper, steps to consider when drafting a paper, and the journal selection process.

    Module 2: Scientific Writing Principles

    This module describes fundamental scientific writing principles that can be used to improve a paper’s impact. The module covers techniques for writing clearly and concisely.

    Module 3: Abstract

    This module covers the importance of a well-crafted scientific paper abstract. The abstract provides readers an overview of the study and is often used to determine if the submission merits consideration for publication. The module includes tips on how to ensure an abstract accurately represents the paper’s value.

    Module 4: Introduction

    This module covers the introduction section of a scientific paper, which contextualizes the study and highlights the knowledge gap being addressed. The module describes introduction components and how to write a focused introduction.

    Module 5: Methods Selection

    This module explains the purpose and structure of the methods section of a scientific paper. The module describes best practices for organizing and writing the methods section so that readers can easily understand how the study was conducted.

    Module 6: Results

    This module focuses on the results section of a scientific paper, which provides findings relevant to the study objective. The module discusses the presentation of results, how to use tables and figures to shape the presentation, and strategies for clearly communicating findings.

    Module 7: Discussion

    This module describes the discussion section of a scientific paper, which interprets the study findings within the context of the study objective and existing literature. The module provides strategies for writing a strong discussion section.

    Module 8: Wrapping Up: Title, Supporting Materials, and Submitting Your Manuscript

    This final module explains the submission and review processes for a scientific paper. The module also covers crafting an effective title and preparing the supporting materials requested by journals during paper submission.

    Módulo 1: Proceso de redacción y publicación

    En este módulo, aprenderá sobre el proceso general de redacción y publicación de artículos científicos. Aprenderá acerca de los componentes de un artículo científico. También aprenderá cómo evaluar las características de las revistas y seleccionar una revista para su presentación.

    Módulo 2: Principios básicos de redacción

    En este módulo, aprenderá algunos principios de redacción fundamentales que puede emplear para mejorar su redacción científica.

    Módulo 3: Resumen

    En este módulo, aprenderá sobre la sección de resumen de un artículo científico.

    Módulo 4: Sección de introducción

    En este módulo, aprenderá sobre la sección de introducción de un artículo científico. La introducción enmarca el contexto y la importancia de lo que se explora en el resto del artículo.

    Módulo 5: Sección de métodos

    En este módulo, aprenderá sobre la sección de métodos de un artículo científico. Esta sección explica a los lectores cómo llevó a cabo su estudio.

    Módulo 6: Sección de resultados

    En este módulo, aprenderá sobre la sección de resultados de un artículo científico. Esta sección proporciona los hallazgos relevantes para el objetivo del estudio.

    Módulo 7: Sección de debate

    En este módulo, aprenderá sobre la sección de debate de un artículo científico. Esta sección interpreta los resultados para los lectores y los explica en el contexto de la bibliografía y los objetivos del estudio.

    Módulo 8: Final: título, materiales de apoyo y presentación del manuscrito

    En este módulo, aprenderá sobre el título de un artículo científico, así como algunos de los materiales de apoyo que se solicitan durante la presentación del manuscrito. También aprenderá sobre los procesos de presentación y revisión de su artículo científico.

    Acknowledgements:

    The Scientific Writing eLearning course was created by Wisewire, Inc. based on classroom content developed by Paul Z. Siegel, MD, MPH, John K. Iskander, MD, MPH, and Pascale Krumm, PhD, MA, MSTPC. Individuals contributing to this effort include Bethany Hall, MPH and Qaiser Mukhtar, PhD of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as Elena Atkinson, MSc of TEPHINET.

    This course was supported by TEPHINET, a program of the Task Force for Global Health, Inc., via Cooperative Agreement number NU2GGH001873, funded by CDC. The views presented in this course do not necessarily reflect the official position of CDC, the Task Force for Global Health, Inc., or TEPHINET. Articles, journals, and databases included in the course are for instructive or identification purposes only and do not imply endorsement.

    Translation of this course into Spanish was supported by CDC’s Preventing Chronic Disease journal.

    Contact Us

    For more information about these modules, or to report errors, please contact TEPHINET Learning at learning@tephinet.org. 

    Send us your feedback!

    If you have taken the entire course, we’d love to hear from you! Please email us at learning@tephinet.org and let us know how the course was useful in helping achieve your personal or professional goals. Please include a brief statement as well your name and where you are from. We may even follow-up to request approval to include your testimonial on this site!

    Downloadable Version

    The scientific writing course is also accessible offline. For the offline version, please download the below zip file.

    In order to open the zip file and run the course:

    • Step One: Download the zip file
    • Step Two: Once it is downloaded, right-click the zip file to extract all
    • Step Three: Open the extracted folder
    • Step Four: Start each module by clicking the files named "Launch Module" for each