A Reference Work on the Science and Art of Writing a Scientific Paper

Abstract

A REFERENCE WORK ON THE SCIENCE AND ART OF WRITING A SCIENTIFIC PAPER 1IntroductionMotto:Some think but do not write, write without thinking; many think after they write, few write after they think Theofil SimenschyIn the modern world, marked by hyper-competition, globalization and a great explosion of the means of information and communication among people, dissemination of scientific research findings takes on a particular significance. It is closely connected with the access to information and its speed of propagation, making the current transmission system look strikingly different from the one of the previous century.According to Stiglitz, the marketplace of ideas with all its imperfections does not guarantee, at least in the short term, that the best ideas will prevail (Stiglitz, 2010, p. 426). Identification of the most effective ways and means of making the most of the scientific research results depends not only on the mechanisms for conveying information but also on securing the paternity of problem-solving solutions. Equally important is the way in which the process of communicating the research results is conducted. The holistic approach to communication (Kotler and Keller, 2012, p. 58) interprets this process as the integration of all means and tools whereby the product - in this case, research findings - is brought to the attention of all its potential beneficiaries. In order for the user to get the most of scientific research, its concept, writing and dissemination must be entirely accomplished in a systemic manner. This calls for an interdisciplinary approach in which natural, technical and social sciences work together (Homburg and Krohmer, 2009, p. 195). As the abovementioned process is cybernetically-oriented, the reverse connection between beneficiaries and authors of research is ensured. One more thing needs to be added, namely, the success of communicating the research results also depends on the way in which this communication is accomplished. Socrates said that .those who know what any given thing is can also expound it to others, while those who do not know are misled themselves and mislead others (quoted by Simenschy, 2008, p. 761).Economics - as a subfield of social knowledge - ensures the connection between the nature (the main provider of resources) and satisfaction of human needs, using market as the main agent. Economics stands apart from natural sciences by the multitude of random and undetermined universes (Florescu, 1987, p. 105) in which decisions are taken, making ample room for uncertainty. This, however, should not negatively affect its place in the competition for more scientific knowledge.A certain gap between emerging and developed economies is significantly felt with regard to visibility and dissemination of economic research results. One of the underlying causes of this situation is the modest level of habilitation among those who conduct research on conceiving, writing and publishing scientific papers. The book published by professors Dinu, Savoiu and Dabija comes out to narrow this gap. The synthetic approach to the subject, from the beginning to the end of the process of conceiving, writing and publishing a scientific paper, aims to familiarize the many categories of readers with everything one needs to undertake in order to get the greatest benefit from such a work.The book is intended for a large but well-structured audience made up of undergraduate, master's and PhD students as well as researchers and academics in the field of economics and business administration, in a word, for the entire higher education staff interested in effective dissemination of their research fruitage. Whereas the book is addressed to clearly outlined categories of target audience at the national level, its table of contents and abstract in English, French and German may stir up the interest of scholars and researchers in the field of economics from other Central and Eastern European countries. …