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University of HohenheimDepartment of Agricultural Development Theory and Policy

Writing & Presenting Scientific Papers

M5110 “Rural Development Policy & Institutions”

Dr. Gertrud BuchenriederDr. Alwin Keil

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Sections of a Scientific Paper

Cover PageAcknowledgementsForeword (optional)Summary

Table of ContentsAcknowledgements(Foreword)SummaryTable of ContentsList of TablesList of FiguresList of AbbreviationsHeadings of SectionsReferencesAppendices

Declaration of Scientific Accuracy

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Cover Page

Title of Scientific PaperName

Paper prepared/ Master thesis prepared within the M.Sc. Program “Title”

Name of DepartmentName/s of Supervisor/s

Place & Date

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Headings of Sections

1 Introduction1.1 Problem Statement1.2 Objectives/Research Questions & Hypotheses1.3 Outline of the Paper

2 Literature Review3 Methodology and Data

3.1 Theoretical/Conceptual Framework 3.2 Secondary Data3.3 Primary Data

3.2.1 Survey Area3.2.2 Sampling Procedure

The section on the methodologydepends on the research topic. If it is just a literature research it can

be incorporated in the introduction.

4 Section on Results (for empirical work)5 Conclusion and Policy Recommendations

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Referencing in the Text

1. All sources that are referenced in the text MUST be included in the List of References.

2. List of References should NOT contain references that are not explicitly mentioned in text.

3. Do not, by any means, refer to intellectual property in text without referencing it! This is plagiarism and will be sanctioned.

4. Quoting an author requires the use of quotation marks and the mentioning of the page to the quote: Name/s of author/s (Year: page)

5. Referencing an idea in the text is indicated by: Name/s of author/s (Year)

6. References with more than 3 authors are referenced as follows: Name of first author et al. (Year); In the list of references, though, all authors must appear with name!

7. Do not forget the sources of figures and tables! Source: Name/s (Year: page)

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BooksSen, A. 1999. Development as freedom. New York, NY, USA:

Knopf.World Bank. 2000. Word Development Report 2000/01 – Attacking

Poverty. Washington, DC, USA: World Bank.

Book ChaptersKanbur, R., and L. Squire. 2001. The evolution of thinking about

poverty: Exploring the interactions. In Frontiers of DevelopmentEconomics – The future in perspective, Meier, G.M., and J.E. Stiglitz(eds.): 183-226. New York, USA: Oxford University Press.

JournalsMosley, P. 1989. Crop and livestock insurance schemes in less developed

countries: Some issues of design. Savings and Development 8 (1): 5-19.

Style in List of References (1)

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Style in List of References (2)

Chambers, R., and R. Conway. 1992. Sustainable rural livelihoods: Practicalconcepts for the 21st century. IDS Discussion Paper No. 296. Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies (IDS).

Discussion Papers

ReportsWorld Bank and Department for International Development (DFID). 1999.

Vietnam – Voices of the poor. Hanoi, V: World Bank.Conference PapersAlwang, J., and H.G.P. Jansen. 2006. Public investment targeting in rural

Central America. Paper presented at the 26th Conference of the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE). August 12-18, 2006, Gold Coast, Australia.

Árvai, Z., and J. Vincze. 2000. Financial crises in transition countries: Models and facts. NBH Working Paper No. 6/2000. Budapest, HU: National Bank of Hungary (NBH), http://www.mnb.hu (accessed November 2000).

Internet Resources

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Style of Scientific Writing

1. Always reference tables and figures first before you place them in the text.

2. Reference the tables and figures with the respective number.3. Each abbreviation that is used in text must be written in full the first

time it appears in text.4. Use % not percent in text, % comes directly after figure (no blank).5. Comma (,) directly after the word, no blank in-between.6. No period (.) before brackets with sources but after bracket with

source.7. Sources with more than 3 authors appear in the text as follows:

(Name of first author et al. year)8. No heading number without text. If you do not write anything after a

heading number, the number was obsolete!9. Use the same font throughout the text.10. Consistency in headings: either capital letters or small letters but not

mixed.

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Formatting No-Nos (1)

• 2 headings → 2 formats• 5 paragraphs →

2 types of fonts (Arial and Times), • spacing between paragraphs

different• width of paragraphs varies• large space between paragraph

and heading

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Formatting No-Nos (2)

• title of table missing• no sources• mixture of capital &

small letters• units are lacking• figures are not aligned

along periods

• although enough room is available to increase width of left column, left column contains 2 lines of text

• width of 2nd & 3rd column too wide

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Formatting No-Nos (3)

• Where are the sources?

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Formatting No-Nos (4)

• bracket around year of source is missing• source missing• no period before bracket with source but afterwards• if source gives only an idea but is not quoted, page is not necessary

when referring to a journal article; however, when referring to a book, the page should be given

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Formatting No-Nos (5)

• centre headings in table• align figures in table• refer to table in capital

letters and appropriate number

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Formatting Scientific Papers in MS Word

In long documents (e.g., master thesis), it is advisable to use the format templates function for headings and captions; this allows you to automatically generate and update your Table of Contents,List of Tables, and List of Figures.In long documents, it is also helpful to use interactive cross-references to tables, figures, or other sections of the text – they are automatically updated when you make changes.You can find some formatting templates onhttp://www.uni-hohenheim.de/i490a/Formatvorlage/indexFV.htmUse the spell-check function of MS Word, and, in addition, read very carefully through your entire paper to eliminate any mistakes and inconsistencies before submission!

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Presentation of a Scientific Paper (1)

1. The presentation follows a similar structure as the paper.2. Practise the presentation at home in front of friends and/or the

mirror – this is crucial for the right timing!3. Very often, a seminar presentation is around 20 minutes.4. Try to speak as freely as possible, the use of the “Notes Pages

Function” in PowerPoint is helpful for notes.5. Questions from the audience during the presentation are legitimate,

normally they are put forward at the end of the presentation.6. Questions should help the presenter and not embarrass him or her.7. Do not turn your back to the audience! Either look at the screen of

the portable PC if you need guidance or glance at your notes.8. Keep eye contact with your audience.9. Stand on both feet and don’t put your hands in your pockets.10. Welcome your audience and thank them for the attention at the end

of presentation.

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Presentation of a Scientific Paper (2)

1. The font size used on the slides should be at least 18pts.2. Arial is easy to read (and other ‘sans-serif’ fonts).3. At the beginning of your presentation, put a brief ‘Table of Contents’

regarding your presentation.4. Numbering or bullets can facilitate reading.5. Tables, figures, pictures make the presentation more lively.6. Don’t put too much information on one slide.7. As a rule of thumb, estimate that the presentation of each slide will

take 2 minutes.8. Be modest with animation tools in scientific presentations.9. Tailor your presentation to the background of your audience.