Question

How does scientific writing differ from other types ofwriting? What is the primary goal of scientific writing?

Answer 1

The primary goal of scientific writing is to add on to the existing body of knowledge by conducting valuable and useful research in the concerned area. This ensures that the remarkable researches in that particular field have been recorded and can be made available to others also. Scientific writing differs from other types of writing in the following ways-

It follows set protocol in which the researcher needs to jot down his research in as objective and comprehensible form as possible.

There is a framework of scientific writing to which the researcher has to adhere. It goes like- Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Analysis, Results, Discussion of results, Conclusion and References.

The Scientific writing should be free from unnecessary abbreviations, slangs and culture specific words as it is meant to address a larger audience and hence should be free from all sorts of biases.

As mentioned about scientific pieces are written to add on to the existing body of knowledge, Therefore, the ideas should be new and of value to the mankind rather than copied or plagiarised.

Lastly, The references should follow APA style (or the body concerned with the subject) and the document should be proofread before final submission.

No such formalities have to followed in other forms of writing. This is what differentiates scientific writing from other forms.