Essential Skills for [Physics, Math, Eng.] Majors: Research Papers/Journals

In summary,To be able to understand a research paper or journal article, one should be familiar with the particular field of research, beyond an understanding of the basics in the particular field.
  • #1
n10Newton
108
0
My Question is
1.What are the things one [Physics, Mathematics or Engineering Major] must have to know except their Academics.
Some commonly are English & Russian. Typing. C or C++.
2.When one are completely able to Research Papers/Journals.and understand them.
or, What are the things to Know before reading Research Papers.
 
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  • #2
1. For what purpose? Grad admissions? Employment? You may not need to know how to program for either, but programming is useful.
2. Unless you are already a specialist in the field you probably will need to do some extensive research before you can understand many papers. I guess it also depends. I was reading a paper on biophysical simulations and it only took me a few hours to really digest it with limited background, but most papers published in particle or mathematical physics are beyond me.
 
  • #3
Arsenic, Thanks For The Reply.
My Purpose is not for the admissions. Purpose is to know what are the essential things that should must be known by all PME Majors. As example Knowing the LaTeX is not required for Maths Major but if they Know it then its Better.
 
  • #4
n10Newton said:
My Question is
1.What are the things one [Physics, Mathematics or Engineering Major] must have to know except their Academics.
Some commonly are English & Russian. Typing. C or C++.
2.When one are completely able to Research Papers/Journals.and understand them.
or, What are the things to Know before reading Research Papers.
I'm afraid these questions are somewhat confusing.

In order to be able to understand a research paper or journal article, one should be familiar with the particular field of research, beyond an understanding of the basics in the particular field. Ostensibly, that understanding comes from an academic program including upper level courses, or beyond.

In order to produce a good research paper or journal article, one should understand how to write (compose/construct) a scientific paper, which normally comes from practice, often writing one's thesis or dissertation, and perhaps being a co-author on various research papers and journal articles. Researchers also often write progress reports on their research.

It does help to have skills in programming languages, analytical software, typing, use of software like LaTeX.
 
  • #5
Astronuc, I am an Engineering Major[Mechanical] with Physics minor. Since last year I an Reading Nature Physics & Physics Today and most of the articles are confusing to me (because I only have knowledge of Classical Physics) but I read them completely.
So My question is If you are a Physics Major (Undergraduate) and Read that Journals and you don't understand that but you want to understand that then what you do? (If my Academia (i.e.I already read that topic in textbooks) is Perfect)
 
  • #6
n10Newton said:
Astronuc, I am an Engineering Major[Mechanical] with Physics minor. Since last year I an Reading Nature Physics & Physics Today and most of the articles are confusing to me (because I only have knowledge of Classical Physics) but I read them completely.
So My question is If you are a Physics Major (Undergraduate) and Read that Journals and you don't understand that but you want to understand that then what you do? (If my Academia (i.e.I already read that topic in textbooks) is Perfect)
If one only has a background/experience in Classical Physics, then one needs to learn quantum physics and relativity.

One should indentify the points that are confusing and then find an appropriate text or texts that provide the necessary background material.
 
  • #7
I have a bit of an addendum to the OP's question.

How does one make the intellectual jump from senior level undergraduate classes into research? I am doing a senior project research in Differential Equations this semester, and the papers that I am reading are FAR beyond the academic level of difficulty of any "normal" upper-level class that I have taken. Is there a secret to making the big step into big-boy (big girl) research?
 
  • #8
Hercuflea said:
I have a bit of an addendum to the OP's question.

How does one make the intellectual jump from senior level undergraduate classes into research? I am doing a senior project research in Differential Equations this semester, and the papers that I am reading are FAR beyond the academic level of difficulty of any "normal" upper-level class that I have taken. Is there a secret to making the big step into big-boy (big girl) research?
Self-study, pretty much. A lot of content in research will not be taught in courses at school
 
  • #9
Well, I found the solution,Ask the Professors or Post here on PF.
 

What are the essential skills needed for writing research papers and journals in a physics major?

The essential skills for writing research papers and journals in a physics major include critical thinking, data analysis and interpretation, scientific writing, time management, and attention to detail. It is important to be able to analyze and synthesize complex information, present it in a logical and organized manner, and support conclusions with evidence.

How can I improve my writing skills for research papers and journals as a math major?

To improve writing skills for research papers and journals as a math major, it is important to practice regularly and seek feedback from peers and professors. It is also helpful to read and analyze published papers to understand the structure and style. Additionally, time management and organization are key to ensure thorough research and a well-written paper.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing research papers and journals in an engineering major?

Some common mistakes to avoid when writing research papers and journals in an engineering major include plagiarism, lack of clarity and conciseness, and poor organization. It is important to properly cite all sources and use your own words to avoid plagiarism. Clear and concise writing will help readers understand the information easily, and a well-organized paper will make it easier to follow the logical flow of your ideas.

How can I effectively present my research findings in a physics paper?

To effectively present research findings in a physics paper, it is important to use appropriate scientific language and terminology, provide clear and informative visuals such as graphs and tables, and explain the significance and implications of the findings. It is also important to follow the standard format for scientific papers, including an introduction, methods, results, and conclusion sections.

What are some useful tips for writing a successful research paper or journal in an engineering major?

Some useful tips for writing a successful research paper or journal in an engineering major include choosing a specific and manageable research topic, thoroughly researching the topic and using reliable sources, organizing and outlining the paper before starting to write, and revising and proofreading the paper for clarity, accuracy, and completeness. It is also helpful to seek feedback from peers and professors to improve the paper.

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