2 management - School of International Business and ...

Günter Lehmann
Scientific language:
»The intellectual potential of producers in the agroalimentary area is inverse to the product vol-
ume generated.«
Everyday language:
»The dumbest peasants have the largest potatoes«
Scientific language does not mean professional and stylistic complexity and complications, but
rather agrees with Klein, R. (2003, G 4.2, p. 3), who calls for the following: clear, factual, precise,
as objective as possible and understandable to professionals.
Kruse, O. (1999, p. 82–85) and Klein, R. (2003, G 4.2, p. 4 and following) recommend the follow-
ing basic rules for scientific writing in nearly all disciplines:
– Evidence
Assumptions and hypotheses are proven by referring to sources, empirically-derived da-
ta or scientific writings.
– Paraphrasing
Statements taken from scientific writings are referred to using one's own words.
– Quotations
Texts taken word-for-word from scientific writings are shown with quotation marks, and a
reference to the source is given.
– Give one's logic
The choice of methods, the sources used or empirical data, the issues and follow-on
items are to be justified.
– Create relationships
One should refer to his own status of research and produce the relevant scientific
literature.
– Define terms
The topic-related and further central terms of the work are defined. One should explain
what the term means in the context of the work, and how it is used.
– Give detail
Professional terms must be defined in detail, with a scientific »deep dive.«
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