Academic and scientific conventions

Adopting common academic and scientific conventions will help the reader to follow our work more easily. We looked at the importance of good practice when referring to sources. This chapter examines the various conventions associated with referencing. It demonstrates the use of the literature in the field. It allows a reader to find the source easily if they wish to investigate further or double check a fact avoid plagiarism. Two systems of referencing can be found in university science departments and scientific journals. Both the systems occur in academic scientific writing, although the Vancouver system is more common. The type of referencing system we use will depend on guidelines issued by a particular institution or publication. The most important thing is to follow the guidelines that are given and to make sure our references are complete, accurate and consistent. The use of direct quotation is relatively rare in the sciences in comparison with other academic disciplines.