Observations on Scientific Writing in Social Sciences Dr. Abdalla Kafeel Associate Professor, Management Garden City College for Science & Technology

Observations Weaknesses currently observed in social science research reports authored by post- graduate students in Sudanese local universities

This presentation Limits itself to certain prevalent weaknesses as observed by this presenter, which are related to writing skills, as specified below. It therefore also proposes some ideas for correcting (or eventually avoiding) them.

English/Arabic? The listed observations are also applicable to writings in both Arabic and English languages. – Long Sentences – Incorrect Sentences – Mixing Sentences and Paragraphs – Punctuation and Typing Errors

Long Sentences Many, if not most, research reports exhibit abnormally long sentences, while the normal length of a sentence tends to range 3-4 lines. Long sentences usually tend to be complex and therefore less easily comprehensible. Good writers usually use shorter sentences. Hence the shorter your sentences are, the better your writing is.

Long Sentences (Cont’) Every so exceedingly long sentence can usually be rewritten into appropriately shorter ones. That may be done in either of two ways. One such way is to simply weed out the easily disposable parts of that sentence, which depends on an author’s own summarizing skill.

Long Sentences (Cont’) But such weeding out should not change the originally intended meaning of the sentence. However such treatment is usually possible to successfully do only with the help of another person who possesses the requisite skills (i.e. editing skills), which is the second method.

Incorrect Sentences However, a sentence may be incorrectly constructed in the first place. It is all too frequent to find expressions in research reports which do not qualify as complete sentences (i.e. being phrases of some sort). Generally speaking, a sentence may be understood as a statement that stands by itself and imparts a distinct and comprehensible meaning. An author should apply standard linguistic (grammatical) criteria to check the quality and correctness of the sentences used. It may be expected that such practice will progressively strengthen one’s sentence construction skills.

Incorrect Sentences (Cont’) Generally speaking, a sentence may be understood as a statement that stands by itself and imparts a distinct and comprehensible meaning. An author should apply standard linguistic (grammatical) criteria to check the quality and correctness of the sentences used. It may be expected that such practice will progressively strengthen one’s sentence construction skills.

Mixing Sentences and Paragraphs One sentence does not make a paragraph. A paragraph is usually meant to be composed of at least three (3) sentences. Yet many reports tend to present a single sentence as if it amounts to a paragraph. Report writers should further mind that the content of a paragraph, whatever the number of sentences it may contain (beyond the minimum of three), is clearly consistent and exposes a sufficiently distinct component of the total text of the report.

Punctuation and Typing Errors Often punctuation is either completely neglected or grossly misused in some research reports. Certainly there are definite rules that govern the usage of all tools of punctuation (coma, full stop, semi cola, cola, hyphen, brackets and parenthesis (or quotation marks).

Punctuation and Typing Errors (Cont’) Similarly computer facilities such as bold letter, underline and fonts are frequently misused, contrary to global standards. Unless the usage of these tools are made part and parcel of initial research methodology training for prospective researchers. Additionally are seriously attended to by student research supervisors, these and all observed other mistakes as mentioned in the present context are surely bound to continue appearing in research reports.

Thanks for listening