Learning Outcomes
This assessment task contributes to the following Course Learning Outcomes:
2. Prepare and present both written and oral reports in scientific language, including referencing specialist
literature.
3. Demonstrate evidence of searching, reading and critical reviewing of relevant literature
Introduction
In this task you will search, retrieve and read published scientific literature that underpins your WIL project topic.
You were asked to obtain 2 papers from your supervisor relevant to your project in Week 1 and these can be
included or used as a starting point for your literature searching. Using the literature you will synthesise the
material to write a project introduction in the form of a short literature review of the background to your research
project.
Relevance in the Workplace
Biomedical scientists can work on many different aspects of a research project, it may be the beginning of a new
project, or the middle of an ongoing project or it ma be at the translational stage to clinical implementation.
I
espective of the stage of project a biomedical scientist always needs to know how their work fits into the large
topic area. A review of the literature provides the scientist context for their work, it allows rigorous selection of
methods that should be used, it minimises duplicating research, and identifies innovation and novelty. The writing
will help you articulate your research goals, select the right methods and guide you to communicate relevant and
new results at the end of your project.
Task
1. Discuss with your supervisor an appropriate topic title for your Project Introduction. Students that have WIL
projects at external organisations, or are unsure, should contact Narin to discuss their writing topic by the end
of Week 1.
2. Use the resources provided below and the content from Workshop 2 to draft and write your Project
Introduction.
3. It should be XXXXXXXXXXwords in length and contain approximately 15 cited original research papers. A
maximum of 3 review papers can be used.
4. Citations and references must be in Vancouver format, see RMIT li
ary for guidelines (
https:/www.rmit.edu.au/li
ary/study
eferencing ).
5. The marking ru
ic is available on the Assignment page.
6. You are allowed to provide a draft to your supervisor 10 days before the due date for feedback. This gives you
supervisor 1 week to review and return and enough time for you to make co
ections.
7. Upload your completed Project Introduction via Canvas. Submissions will be reviewed for plagiarism via
Turnitin.
8. This task will provide you with formative feedback on your scientific writing via Canvas Speedgrader. Afte
incorporating the feedback you can use your Introduction in a shortened or modified form in your final project
eport.
Criteria
Abstract
A single paragraph that accurately represents the content
of the literature review and contains (1) relevant
ackground information to the research topic (2) the
esearch problem is identified (3) recent literature on the
topic is summarised and (4) the purpose of the review is
clearly stated.
Introduction
This section of 1 - 3 paragraphs should establish the
context and the importance of the review. It should (1)
contain project relevant background information (2)
identify the research issue/problem and (3) give an
overview of the points covered in the literature review.
Body of the review
The body of the review will have a structure with the
following elements (1) Subheadings that separate the
eview into connected themes (2) Gaps in the cu
ent
knowledge are evident and clear (3) Each theme presents
elevant and logical, synthesised information with an
evaluation of the literature findings (4) Main findings are
summarised.
Synthesis of information and citations
Information in the review has the following elements (1)
Paraphrasing and synthesising information in own words
(2) Quotes are used sparingly (3) Information is
integrated as evidence not isolated text (4) the literature
cited includes key papers appropriate to the text.
Referencing
The references will have the following elements (1)
Approximately 15 references are listed using Vancouve
format (2) are cited using Vancouver format (3) the
majority are original research articles (4) most are highly
cited key papers.
Writing
The review has the following elements (1) Well
constructed sentences with good grammar and a clea
meaning and (2) Co
ect length (3) Vocabulary is
appropriate and has good use of words (4) Spelling is
co
ect.
4 Pts
Excellent
All4
elements
are
present.
4 Pts
Excellent
All 3
elements
are clea
and logical.
6 Pts
Excellent
All 4
elements
are
present.
8 Pts
Excellent
All4
elements
are
present.
4 Pts
Excellent
All4
elements
are
present.
4 Pts
Excellent
All 4
elements
are
present.
3 Pts
Very
good
1
element
is missing
3Pts
Very
good
1
element
is missing
4 Pts
Very
good
1
element
is missing
6 Pts
Very
good
1
element
is missing
3 Pts
Very
good
1
element
is missing
3 Pts
Very
good
1
element
is missing
Ratings
2Pts
Good
2 elements
are
missing.
2Pts
Good
2
elements
are
missing.
2Pts
Good
2 elements
are
missing.
4 Pts
Good
2 elements
are
missing.
2Pts
Good
2 elements
are
missing.
2Pts
Good
2 elements
are
missing.
1Pts
Fai
3 elements
are
missing.
1Pts
Fai
3
elements
are
missing.
1Pts
Fai
3 elements
are
missing.
2Pts
Fai
3 elements
are
missing.
1Pts
Fai
3 elements
are
missing.
1Pts
Fai
3 elements
are
missing.
Pts
0 Pts
Needs
work
Not 4 pts
present
0 Pts
Needs
work
Not 4 pts
present
0 Pts
Needs
work
Not
present 6 pts
0 Pts
Needs
work
Not 8 pts
present
0 Pts
Needs
work
Not 4 pts
present
0 Pts
Needs
work
Not 4 pts
present
Total points: 30
PowerPoint Presentation
A Literature Review
Professor Melissa Churchill
Scientific Writing
Types of Scientific Writings
• Opinions
• Letters
• Editorials
• Short Communications
• Full Manuscripts (Scientific Papers)- most common and form the basis
of your projects.
• Reviews
• NB Wikipedia is not considered a scientific writing!
Importance of Scientific Writings
• To report your outcomes, ‘shape’ the understanding of topics, influence
future research directions
oadly.
Structure of a Scientific paper (full manuscript): this format will be the
asis for lab base reports
• Can vary depending on the scientific journal being targeted for
publication
Title
Abstract
Key words and a
eviations (varies from journal to journal)
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgments and COIs
References.
Structure of a Review (non lab based, not including meta analysis
of published data):
Title
Abstract: yes and no
Key words and a
eviations (varies from journal to journal)
Introduction: includes aspects of a discussion
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgments and COIs
References.
Literature review on a topic related to your workplace and work activities.
The topic should be cu
ent, relevant to both your work and your interest, and
epresent an area where you and your supervisor feel you would benefit from a
greater depth of knowledge, and an area where your supervisor and / or work unit
would benefit from a report being prepared.
Structure of a Lab based report: same as for a scientific pape
• degree of flexibility, but must have common components
• informed by ru
ic and by supervisors
Title
Abstract
Key words and a
eviations (varies from journal to journal)
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgments and COIs
References.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious issue, no matter where its done
Definition of Plagiarism - the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person
as though it is your own.
It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion
from the University.
Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form,
including electronic data, and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the
material used is not appropriately cited.
Dr Joanne Hart, 2012
Examples of plagiarism include:
Copying sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from one or more sources without proper
citation;
Closely paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs, ideas or themes without proper citation;
Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences;
Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their
source;
Copying designs or works of art and submitting them as your original work;
Copying a whole or any part of another student’s work;
Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you.
Enabling Plagiarism - the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy
your own work
Advice to students: Ensure that all submitted work is your own work. If you are
collaborating with other students, you must ensure that you acknowledge the
others involved in the collaboration and that you submit your own work resulting
from the collaboration.
Do not allow others to plagiarise your work.
Plagiarism is not acceptable as part of your learning experience
RMIT University Plagiarism Policy can be found at
http:
www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#plagiarism
Dr Joanne Hart, 2012
Please be aware that the University considers plagiarism or enabling
plagiarism as serious offences and can result in penalties that include
eceiving a zero for the particular assessment task or even suspension
from the program.
http:
www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#plagiarism
Components of Report
Title
• very important as it provides the reader with first indication of nature of the
work
• Is the basis of literature searches for those seeking scientific papers on a
particular topic.
• Succinct and informative…..its a balance between providing information about
the topic, exciting the reader about the paper and being very accurate, self
explanatory
Tips
• Fine tune the title once your findings are clea
• Don’t use jargon and a
eviations
• Don’t mention what you don’t deliver….keep it accurate
Components of Report
Title (continued)
Example:
"The Effects of Ear Rubs and Food treats on the Happiness of Populations of canus lupus
familiaris, the Golden Retriever” ✓
This title reports exactly what the researcher has done by stating three things:
• The factors that were manipulated (ear rubs, food).
• The parameter that was measured (happiness).
• The specific organism that was studied (canus lupus familiaris, the Golden Retriever).
"The Effects of Ear Rubs and Food on Canines” ✘
? What parameters are being measured
? What type of canine are being investigated
(Components of Report continued)
Abstract
“Aside from the title most often read, most easily accessed”
‘How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper’
Used as an initial measure of your work
• ‘Will I bother to read the rest of the paper?’
• ‘Will I send this manuscript out for review’
Abstract: in ~250
• the purpose of the work,
• methodology
• major findings and their significance
Components of Report continued
Abstract
Tips
• Consider it a mini version of the manuscript
• That is: use a formula that helps with the structure (introduction, material
and methods, results, and discussion), some journals expect headings,
most don’t.
• Needs to be independent: that is without the complete manuscript the reader
is confident about what was done, how it was done, what was found and
what it means!