Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Scientific Papers

Writing scientific papers is considered one of the most important stages of postgraduate studies, as they represent the culmination of the student’s academic and intellectual effort, and reflect their commitment to rigorous scientific methodology. In its effort to enhance the quality of research and master’s and doctoral theses, Shaqra University has issued a comprehensive procedural guide that organizes the steps for preparing scientific papers and sets the technical and academic standards to be followed.

The guide for writing scientific papers at Shaqra University aims to help postgraduate students and academic supervisors submit high-quality research papers that meet the requirements of formatting, methodology, and documentation, ensuring their acceptance by evaluation and publication committees.

In this article, we review the content of the guidefor preparing scientific papersat Shaqra University, highlighting the required technical structure, stages of thesis preparation, and instructions for different faculties, with practical tips to help researchers adhere to the university’s approved academic framework.

What Is the Guide for Writing Scientific Papers at Shaqra University?

The procedural guide for writing scientific papers is an official document issued by the Graduate Studies Deanship at Shaqra University, aiming to unify standards for preparing and formatting master’s and doctoral theses across various faculties and specializations. This guide is an essential part of the requirements for completing the research thesis, as it provides detailed instructions to help researchers organize content, adhere to the required technical format, and comply with scientific documentation principles.

Beneficiaries of the Guide:

1. Master’s and doctoral students in all specializations

2. Academic supervisors of scientific papers

3. Evaluation and discussion committees

4. Postgraduate studies coordinators in faculties

The guide forpreparing scientific papersat Shaqra University is distinguished from other guides by combining procedural and technical aspects, making it a practical reference that can be relied upon throughout all stages of thesis preparation.

Content of the Guide for Preparing Scientific Papers at Shaqra University

The guide is divided into several main sections that clarify the scientific form and content of the thesis for students, as follows:

• Cover and Preliminary Pages:

  • Includes the external cover according to the official template, dedication page, acknowledgments, and abstract (in both Arabic and English).

  • These pages must be arranged in the specified order in the guide, adhering to the approved formatting.

• Basic Academic Chapters:

  • Chapter One: Introduction, study problem, and objectives.

  • Chapter Two: Theoretical framework and previous studies.

  • Chapter Three: Methodology and research procedures.

  • Chapter Four: Presentation of Results and Analysis.

  • Chapter Five: Discussion, Recommendations, and Suggestions.

• Documentation and Appendices:

  • Detailed instructions on how to arrange the reference list.

  • Organize appendices chronologically or thematically.

  • It is necessary to add the final electronic version in PDF format according to the Deanship’s instructions.

In addition, the Scientific Theses Writing Guide for Shaqra University contains a set of procedural forms that students need, such as:

1. Research Plan Approval Form

2. Supervisor’s Periodic Report Form

3. Plagiarism Check Ratio Form

4. Final Version Submission Form for Review

The Technical and Structural Format of Scientific Theses at Shaqra University

In addition to the scientific structure, the Scientific Theses Writing Guide for Shaqra University emphasizes the importance of adhering to a set of technical standards for formatting the thesis, ensuring clarity of presentation and ease of review and evaluation. The following are the key guidelines specified by the guide:

1. Font Type and Size:

• Arabic texts are written in Traditional Arabic font, with size 16 for main headings and 14 for the main text.

• English texts are written using Times New Roman font, with size 14 for headings and 12 for the text.

2. Margins and Line Spacing:

• Leave a 3.5 cm margin for the right side, and 2.5 cm for the other margins.

• The line spacing should be 1.5 in all parts of the thesis, except for tables and appendices.

3. Page Numbering:

• Preliminary pages (Acknowledgements, Dedication, Index…) are numbered with lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii…), while numerical numbering (1, 2, 3…) starts from Chapter One.

• Page numbers are placed at the bottom center of the page.

4. Headings and Chapters Formatting:

• Main headings are written in Bold and are larger than subheadings.

• A hierarchical numbering system is used for headings (e.g., 1-1, 1-2, 2-1…).

5. Tables and Figures:

• Each table or figure must be numbered sequentially with a clear heading at the top, and the source should be mentioned below when necessary.

• Each table or figure should be referenced in the text before it is displayed.

Rules for Documenting and Citing Sources

One of the key points emphasized in the guide for preparing scientific papers at Shaqra University is the researcher’s commitment to approved documentation styles, due to their impact on the credibility and scientific integrity of the paper.

1. Approved Documentation Style:

• The guide primarily follows the APA system (latest edition), except for some disciplines that may follow MLA or Chicago style, as determined by the academic department.

2. In-text Documentation:

• The author’s name and publication year are mentioned in parentheses, such as: (Al-Zahrani, 2022).

• In case of direct quotation, the source page is added: (Al-Zahrani, 2022, p. 135).

3. Final Reference List:

• Arranged alphabetically by the first author’s name.

• All sources mentioned in the text of the paper must be included, without repetition or omission.

4. Documentation for Electronic Sources:

• The full URL of the electronic source must be provided, along with the date of access.

5. Use of Reference Management Software:

• Researchers are encouraged to use tools like EndNote or Mendeley to organize and format references automatically according to the required style.

Stages of Preparing the Scientific Paper According to the Procedural Guide

It explainsGuide to Writing Scientific PapersShaqra University The basic stages that the student should follow from the beginning until submitting the final version, as follows:

1. Choosing the Topic and Obtaining Department Approval:

• The topic must be related to the student’s specialization, with clear scientific or practical importance.

• Approval is obtained from the department committee and submitted to the deanship for endorsement.

2. Preparing the Research Plan:

• The research includes the title, study problem, objectives, methodology, study tools, and initial references.

• The plan is presented to the department and receives official approval from the deanship.

3. Fieldwork and Data Collection:

• After the plan is approved, the student begins collecting data using approved tools and analyzing it.

4. Writing the Thesis:

• The student starts writing the thesis chapters according to the academic order and formatting specified in the guide.

5. Initial Review by the Supervisor:

• The supervisor reviews the entire thesis and guides the student to make necessary modifications.

6. Submitting the Thesis for Examination and Evaluation:

• The thesis is examined through a plagiarism detection program (Turnitin), with the similarity ratio not exceeding the allowed percentage (usually not more than 20%).

• The final version is submitted to the evaluation committee for discussion and review.

📌 to Download the Guide for Writing Scientific Theses at Shaqra University

You Can Visit the Website of “idras Al-afkar for Research and Development”, Which Provides Academic Services for Researchers, Including Providing Approved Guidelines Such as the Guide for Writing Scientific Theses.

Suggested download link (if available):
🔗Guide for writing scientific theses at Shaqra University pdf

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it permissible to submit the thesis in English?
   Yes, some departments allow that in scientific specialties or English language, provided that the department approves and the translation conditions in the abstract are met.

2. Is it required to publish a scientific paper before the defense?
   It is not a general requirement, but in some specialties or doctoral programs, it is required to publish a part of the thesis or to have it accepted for publication.

3. What is the maximum allowed percentage of quotation?
   According to the university guidelines, the similarity percentage should not exceed 20%, and this excludes what appears in the references and appendices list.

4. Can more than one citation style be used in the same thesis?
   No, one citation style must be followed throughout the thesis, which is determined in advance by the academic department.

5. How do I obtain an approved template for the cover page or research plan?
   All official templates are included in the guide for preparing scientific theses at Shaqra University, and are also available through the Graduate Studies deanship website.

Conclusion

The scientific thesis writing guide of Shaqra University represents an indispensable academic reference for every researcher at both the master’s and doctoral stages, as it provides a unified framework that ensures accuracy, methodology, and proper documentation. Following the instructions in the scientific thesis preparation guide of Shaqra University not only facilitates the researcher’s task but also enhances the quality of the university’s scientific research outputs.

Therefore, we advise all graduate students to review the guide carefully at all stages of thesis preparation and to benefit from the support provided by the university to ensure the completion of a professional, accredited, and distinguished scientific thesis.