Sina Aziz.
Basic guide to scientific writing.
J Pak Med Assoc Jan ;62(10):1105-6.

The Oxford English Dictionary states that scientific method is: "a method or procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses". Various fields such as mathematics, medicine and chemistry have variation in the scientific writing styles. Some follow the respective journal guidelines. Others require that the authors write in the present or past tense. In mathematics it is required to write in the present tense. There are guidelines which promote writing in the past tense, while others do not recommend it. Every individual whether a health professional or otherwise, does not have specific training or diploma in the art of writing. Writing skills are developed with practice and reading. It takes enormous patience and dedication to produce a research article of science and significance. However, once it is written and published, the authors\' feelings are as if he/she has made one of the greatest achievements of his life and wishes to do more. In this article I am principally addressing the authors who are writing in medical journals. The content should include a very simple, comprehensible text related to the research the authors have done in the hospital, laboratory, in the community or educational institutions. The authors will be describing a story in a scientific manner, i.e. without undue exaggerations, emotions or beliefs, so that individuals related to the respective field can understand the research, reproduce it and above all apply the relevant outcome details in their own respective setting.

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