Publication and Scientific Writing: from research to writing an article

Code:

PECIA01

Acronym:

PECIA

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Personal development

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S (of 15-09-2025 to 08-02-2026)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Metallurgy, Materials and Technological Processes Section
Course/CS Responsible:	Publication and Scientific Writing: from research to writing an article

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M.BIO	0	Syllabus	1	-	1,5	14	40,5
MEB	0	Syllabus	1	-	1,5	14	40,5
M.EIC	1	Syllabus	2	-	1,5	14	40,5
M.EM	3	Syllabus	1	-	1,5	14	40,5
M.IA	0	Syllabus	1	-	1,5	14	40,5
PDEEC	6	Syllabus	1	-	1,5	14	40,5
PECIA	32	Syllabus	1	-	1,5	14	40,5

Teaching language

English

Objectives

This particular training course aims to promote cross-cutting skills in the field of research.

Participants will be able to describe the context in which scientific publication takes place (research and scientific communication, ethics in research, the origins of scientific journals, their evolution, the industry, and the different actors involved); identify and distinguish the main types of scientific publications, in particular scientific journal articles (nature, main characteristics, purposes and structure); describe the scientific publication process (stages of the process, where to publish, open access publication, research data management, types of peer review, versions of an article); know how to search scientific and technical literature, evaluate and manage the selected information efficiently (definition of the topic and keywords, available sources of information, search techniques, evaluation of information, use of bibliographic managers for storage, reading, and annotation of sources); know how to characterize the literature review or state-of-the-art process, distinguishing the main types of review; apply good practices and principles in scientific writing (integrity, prevention of plagiarism, and ethical use of information, characteristics and styles of scientific writing, function of each part of the structure of a scientific article).

Competencies of the European Competence Framework for Researchers - ResearchComp (EU, 2022):

• MANAGING RESEARCH: Promote open-access publications;
• MAKING AN IMPACT: Participate in the publication process, Disseminate results to the research community;
• SELF-MANAGEMENT: Cope with pressure;
• COGNITIVE ABILITIES: Abstract thinking, Critical thinking, Analytical thinking, Strategic thinking, Systemic thinking;
• WORKING WITH OTHERS: Interact professionally;
• MANAGING RESEARCH TOOLS: Manage research data, operate open source software, promote open access publications;
• DOING RESEARCH: Conduct interdisciplinary research, Have disciplinary expertise, Write research documents, Apply research ethics and integrity principles.

Learning outcomes and competences

● Describe the context in which scientific publications are produced (research and scientific communication, ethics in research, the origins of scientific journals, their evolution, the industry, and the different actors involved);

● Identify and distinguish the main types of scientific publications, in particular scientific journal articles (nature, main characteristics, purposes, and structure);

● Describe the scientific publication process (stages of the process, where to publish, open access publication, research data management, types of peer review, versions of an article);

● Know how to search scientific and technical literature, evaluate and manage the selected information efficiently (definition of the topic and keywords, available sources of information, search techniques, evaluation of information, use of bibliographic managers for storage, reading and annotation of sources);

● Characterize the process of literature review or state of the art, distinguishing the main types of review;

● Apply good practices and principles in scientific writing (integrity, prevention of plagiarism and ethical use of information, characteristics and styles of scientific writing, function of each part of the structure of a scientific article).

Working method

B-learning

Program

1. Context of scientific publication: from research to communication of results


2. Types and characteristics of scientific publications: scientific articles


3. Stages of the scientific publication process


4. Information search in databases, information evaluation, and bibliographic managers


5. Literature review and state of the art


6.  Good practices in scientific writing and ethical use of information

Mandatory literature

Ballenger , Bruce; The curious researcher : a guide to writing research papers. ISBN: 0-205-17287-3
Hall , George M,; How to write a paper. ISBN: 978-1-4051-6773-4

Teaching methods and learning activities

TEACHING

Classroom/contact time: 14 hours of online contact/interaction (including assessment).

Independent study time: 26.5 hours of independent study, for a total of 40.5 hours to achieve the defined competencies.

Using active teaching and learning methodologies, the course consists of a component that includes microvideos to explain complex concepts and ideas and written materials such as articles, presentations, or infographics. This component is complemented (and assessed) with activities to be carried out (on these same materials) by the students.

Another structural component of the course consists of synchronous distance learning sessions, scheduled with the entire class and the course teachers to teach topics from the program. There will also be asynchronous interaction via forums.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	60,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	26,50
Frequência das aulas	14,00
Total:	40,50

Eligibility for exams

Carrying out all the activities.

Calculation formula of final grade

ASSESSMENT

Assessment method: distributed with a final exam. The various activities throughout the modules (matching questions, mini-tests, and PEM) are mandatory and must be completed before the exam, with their approval being a prerequisite for access to the exam.

Scale and approval: the grades for all assessment components will be expressed on a scale of 0 to 20. To obtain a final pass, students must obtain a minimum grade of 8 in each of the two components (activities and exam) and a minimum final grade of 10.

Final grade calculation formula: 40% activities throughout the course + 60% final exam.