Quality Criteria of Scientific Contributions

Motivation

• Anyone who wants to acquire a degree at a university is required by law to submit a degree corresponding scientific work
• Dealing with the current state of science; independently developing the topic.
• Covering the problem area, logical revision within a certain time period, research questions answered in sufficient detail.
• For publication of research results
• Reputation of a researcher
• Basic skills for discussion

Differentiation

Scientific work	Belletristic work
Factual, objective style	Fluent, mostly a subjective style
Knowledge gained is most important	Entertainment is top priority
Transparent works	The reader does not know how the author finds the content
General relevance of the results	The interest in the content is top priority but not the pragmatism
Dealing with real phenomena	Deals fictionally and realistically
Content and argumentation are supported by literature	Usually no literature sources are specified
Working on the topic systematically	Preparation of the content is at the discretion of the author

Requirements of a scientific work

Honesty

• Moral claims are violated by intentional wrong behavior (for example, manipulation of research results, plagiarism)

Objectivity

• Can arise by preference, prejudice, resentment, excessive ambition, hopes and expectations as well as limited viewing perspectives.

• Objectivity is dealt through:

  • Factual representation

  • Correct sources

  • Representative selection

  • Clear description

  • Honest representation

  • Correct interpretation

  • Consideration of objections

• Objectivity describes the level of independence :

  • From the editor of a scientific paper

  • From the evaluator and appraiser

Reliability

• Measuring instruments measure highly reliably with stable results

• Choose precise instruments

• Instruments must function and measure exactly

• Careful selection of appropriate methods

Validitity

• Measure what is to be measured?

• Sources of errors:

  • Search queries that have search results

  • A too small sample or an incorrect sampling selection

• Achieving valid content results:

  • Working on the right content areas

  • Formulate the questions precisely

  • To avoid confusion, important areas must be defined

  • The sample must be representative and large enough

Verifiability

• Verifiability of statements:

  • Reproduction of experiments and solution processes

  • Considering the source of the used materials

  • Verification of the truth and information content of statements

  • Control of logical conclusions

  • Control of sources

  • Control of intermediate and final results

  • Scientific vs. Unscientific

  • What is not verifiable, is not scientific

• Falsifiability of statements:

  • To avoid confusion, define important terms

  • Method of falsification

Relevance

• It is relevant for scientific works:

  • What contributes to scientific progress

  • What creates new knowledge in my subject area

  • What helps to solve practical problems

• Whatever has a high information value is relevant.

Originality

• Quantity versus Quality:

  • To deal intensively with the knowledge and experience of the subject area

  • Acquire timely Know-how

  • Combine the experiences with the personal goals

  • Develop own, orginal solution methods

• Connect knowledge

• Assess results- stay critical

Understandability

• Good font design and an appealing layout

• Consequent content structure:

  • Define the topic, identify the problem context and goal

  • Document procedure, methods used and the end result

  • Summarize significant results, highlight the advantage of the results and perspective

• Suitable linguistic preparation of the text

  • Check spelling and grammar

  • Define unknown important terms

  • Formulate precisely

• Logical argumentation

• Simplicity (Contrary: complexity)

• Conciseness (Contrary: verbosity)