Useful links
Writing scientific articles is a process that requires a systematic and structured approach. Here are the main steps and principles that will help you write a scientific article correctly:
Choosing a topic and formulating the research question: Start by selecting a relevant topic that interests both you and your readers. Formulate a clear research question that will be the central element of your article.
Conducting a literature review: Study the existing literature on the chosen topic to understand the current state of knowledge in the field and identify gaps that your research can fill.
Defining the methodology: Determine the methods you will use to collect and analyze data. Justify your choice of methodology and explain why it is the most appropriate for your research.
Data collection and analysis: Conduct the research according to the chosen methodology. Gather the necessary data and analyze it using appropriate statistical methods.
Structuring the article: Follow the commonly accepted structure for scientific articles, which includes an introduction, literature review, research methods, results, discussion, and conclusion.
Writing the introduction: The introduction should present your topic and research problem, justify its relevance and significance, and formulate the research objective and hypothesis.
Developing the literature review: In the literature review, discuss previous studies on the topic, highlight key concepts and findings, and show how your research fits into the existing context.
Describing the research methods: Provide a detailed description of the methods used in your research, including data collection procedures, sampling, tools, and analysis methods.
Presenting the results: Present your results clearly and concisely using tables, charts, and statistical indicators.
Discussion of results: In the discussion, interpret the obtained results, compare them with previous research findings, discuss their significance and possible practical applications, and highlight the limitations of the study.
Conclusion: In the conclusion, summarize your research, confirm or refute your hypothesis, formulate the main findings, and discuss potential directions for future research.
Editing and proofreading: Before submitting your article for review, carefully edit and proofread the text, check it for grammatical and stylistic errors, and ensure it meets the requirements of the selected journal or conference.
By following these steps and principles, you will be able to write a high-quality scientific article that contributes to the development of scientific knowledge in your field and gains recognition from the academic community.
IMRAD Structure: Key Elements of a Scientific Article
In the world of scientific research, there is a widely recognized structure known by the acronym IMRAD. This acronym represents the key sections of a scientific paper: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. The IMRAD structure is a fundamental tool for organizing and communicating scientific research, and its effective use promotes the understanding and evaluation of scientific information. Let’s take a closer look at each of these sections:
Introduction:
In this section, the authors present the research topic and describe its relevance and significance. The aim of the introduction is to justify the need for the study and to formulate its objectives and hypothesis. It also typically includes a brief literature review, which helps readers understand the context of the research and its connection to previous work.
Methods:
The methods section provides a detailed description of the methodology and procedures used in the research. This includes information on sample selection, data collection methods, the tools and materials used, and the data analysis techniques. The purpose of this section is to provide enough information so that other researchers can replicate the study or evaluate its methodology.
Results:
In the results section, the most important data obtained from the study are presented. This section usually includes numerical data, graphs, tables, and other graphical representations of the research results. It is important to present the results in a way that is clear and easily interpretable for the readers.
Discussion:
In the final section of the paper, the results are discussed and interpreted. The authors analyze their data, compare it with the results of previous studies, and discuss its significance and impact on the field. This section also typically highlights the limitations of the study and makes suggestions for further research.
Conclusion:
The IMRAD structure provides a logical and coherent way to present scientific information, making it easier for readers to understand and evaluate the research. It is a widely accepted standard in the scientific community, helping researchers effectively communicate their findings and advance science.
You may also refer to the article formatting template provided for the scientific journal “Vestnik KazGASA”, a scientific and technical publication for architects, designers, engineers, project managers, technologists, and art historians. Initially, the journal was published under the name “Vestnik of the Kazakh State Academy of Architecture and Construction”. In 2001, the journal was renamed “Vestnik of the Kazakh Leading Academy of Architecture and Construction”.
Choosing a Scientific Journal for Publishing an Article is an important step for researchers. It should be based on several factors, including the purpose of the research, the target audience, impact factor, and the journal’s quartile rank. Here are some recommendations for selecting a journal based on these factors:
Purpose of the Research:
Think about the goals of your research. If your goal is to gain widespread attention and dissemination of your work, choose a journal with a high impact factor. If your goal is to target a specific audience, select a journal that closely aligns with your topic and the interests of the audience.
Impact Factor:
The impact factor of a journal is an indicator of its influence in the scientific community. A high impact factor usually indicates that the journal publishes high-quality work that is frequently cited by other researchers. However, keep in mind that not all journals with a high impact factor are suitable for every type of research, and not all journals with a low impact factor are bad.
Quartile Rank:
The quartile rank reflects the positioning of the journal within its scientific field. Journals are categorized into quartiles (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) based on how they compare to other journals in their area. It is generally preferable to choose journals from the higher quartiles, as they tend to have a higher reputation and influence in the scientific community.
Reputation and Audience:
Consider the reputation of the journal in your field of study and whether its audience aligns with your research goals. Some journals specialize in specific knowledge areas or research approaches, so it is important to choose a journal that fits your work.
Open Access:
Consider the possibility of publishing in open access journals, as this can increase the accessibility and visibility of your work. Some journals offer this option, but there may be additional fees for open access publication.
Publishing Time and Costs:
Take into account the publication timelines and the costs associated with publishing in your selected journal. Some journals may have longer review and publication times, as well as additional publication fees.
In summary, when choosing a scientific journal for publishing an article, it is important to consider the purpose of the research, the journal’s reputation, its target audience, the impact factor, quartile rank, and other practical considerations such as publication availability and costs.
Here are links to tools from international citation databases to help you select a scientific journal:
Journal Finder
An Elsevier tool to help find a journal for publishing your article based on your abstract.
https://journalfinder.elsevier.com/
Master Journal List
A Clarivate (Web of Science) tool for finding and selecting a journal for publication.
https://mjl.clarivate.com/home
You can also use the tool developed by Narxoz University, the MK Predatory Test. This test helps assess the quality of a scientific journal to avoid publishing in potentially predatory journals.
The MK Predatory Test evaluates the likelihood of a scientific journal being classified as a “predatory” publication based on its website and open-source data.
It is important to note that indexing in scientific databases and a high percentile do not guarantee that the journal adheres to ethical publishing practices. Therefore, it is better to conduct a preliminary assessment using this tool. Keep in mind that the result will depend on the accuracy of your answers to the test questions.
©Authors: Kairat Moldashev, Bulat Kenesov
https://narxoz.edu.kz/journalcheck?fbclid=IwAR0Kdcp2QRGNVCWxr0-BXEt86y3T3dnmXx0Qt8PvshSqSiCStJB1zr3q3bk
Search engines | Website / URL | Brief description |
Scopus | https://www.scopus.com | Scopus is one of the largest scientometric databases, containing over 97.3 million records, 40 million articles, and 7,000 scientific publications. It allows for tracking citations. |
Web of Science (WOS) | https://www.webofscience.com | The Web of Science scientometric database consists of over 34,000 journals and 196 million records. It contains information about authors, abstracts, and citation data. |
ScienceDirect | http://www.sciencedirect.com | The world’s largest electronic resource for science, technology, and medical information by “Elsevier”. |
Google Scholar | http://scholar.google.com | A search engine for scientific literature. It calculates the citation index of publications and finds articles with references. |
ERIC | https://eric.ed.gov | A bibliographic and full-text database of education research supported by the US Department of Education. |
Scholar.ru | http://www.scholar.ru | A scientific publication search engine designed to simplify the search for scientific documents in Russian. |
Science Research Portal | http://www.scienceresearch.com | A scientific search engine performing full-text searches in journals of major publishers and open databases. |
CiteSeer Publications | http://citeseer.ist.psu.edu | A scientific search engine indexing articles in PostScript and PDF format from scientific websites. |
Ingenta | http://www.ingentaconnect.com | A bibliographic database including article descriptions from English-language journals (over 13 million records). |
AGRIS | http://agris.fao.org | An international information system for agriculture and food issues created by FAO. |
e-Print ArXive | https://arxiv.org | An archive of article copies (preprints) in physics, mathematics, and computer science. |
ResearchGate | https://www.researchgate.net | A scientific search engine indexing articles and allowing their free download. |
Global ETD Search | http://search.ndltd.org | A global search tool performing searches across more than 4 million electronic dissertations worldwide. |
ELIBRARY | https://www.elibrary.ru | The largest Russian library and the leading resource for scientific publications in Russian. |
PsyArxiv | https://psyarxiv.com | A foreign database where scientists upload preprints and works in the field of psychology in open access. |
MICROSOFT ACADEMIC | https://academic.microsoft.com | An open, publicly accessible search engine for scientific publications developed by Microsoft Research. |
BASE | https://www.base-search.net | The Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE), a scientific internet search engine by the Open Archives Initiative. |
Eagle-i | www.eagle-i.net | A search engine for biological and medical sources, uniting 26 US scientific institutions. |
FreeFullPDF | FreeFullPDF | A search engine for free scientific publications in PDF format. |
JournalMap | https://www.journalmap.org/search | A service for searching scientific publications based on geographical and biophysical data. |
Program Name (Project) | Country and Organization | Main Scientific Directions | Who Can Participate (Requirements and Consortium) | Key Deadlines (Approximate) | Funding Volume | Official Website | Additional Notes
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Horizon Europe (Cluster 4 & 5) | European Union (European Commission) | Smart cities, eco-friendly building materials, energy efficiency, infrastructure digitalization. | Participants: Faculty, researchers, postdocs. Requirements: A consortium of at least 3 independent organizations from different EU countries is mandatory. | Calls open in blocks. Main deadlines: September-October and March-April annually. | From 1 to 15 million euros for the entire consortium (for 3-5 years). | funding-tenders.europa.eu | Suitable for large international consortiums. |
COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) | European Union | Any directions (Bottom-up). Many networks on architecture, Smart Cities, green technologies, and waste recycling. | Participants: Professors, young scientists, doctoral students, master’s students. Requirements: Join an existing COST Action. | No restrictions. You can join an active Action at any time. | Coverage of all travel expenses, accommodation, and per diem for trips to Europe (STSM, conferences). | cost.eu | Ideal “incubator” for finding partners and creating consortiums for Horizon Europe. |
SATREPS | Japan (JICA and JST) | Earthquake-resistant construction, disaster prevention, geodetic monitoring, ecology. | Participants: Institutes, faculty, experienced scientists. Requirements: Joint application with a Japanese university. Official request from the relevant Ministry of RK to JICA (ODA) is required. | Concept submission: September-October. Selection: until April of the following year. | About 3-5 million dollars per project (for 3-5 years). | jst.go.jp/global/english/ | Excellent option for equipping laboratories with Japanese equipment. |
Erasmus+ (CBHE – Capacity Building) | European Union (EACEA) | Modernization of educational programs in engineering, geodesy, and architecture, creation of new laboratories. | Participants: University as a whole (Faculty, administration). Requirements: Consortium (minimum 2 EU countries and partner countries). | Annual deadline: February – March. | From 200,000 to 1,000,000 euros. | erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu | |
Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program | USA (US Department of State) | Any disciplines, including urbanism, architecture, engineering, and design. | Participants: Faculty, researchers with a degree (PhD, Candidate/Doctor of Sciences) or with 5+ years of experience. Requirements: Individual research project. | Application acceptance: September-November (annually for RK). | Coverage of all expenses (stipend, flight, insurance, laboratory in the USA) for 3-10 months. | kz.usembassy.gov | Requires an Invitation letter from a US university. |
PEER (Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research) | USA (USAID & National Academies) | Water resources management, sustainable infrastructure, disaster risk reduction. | Participants: Faculty, researchers. Requirements: Mandatory partnership with a US scientist who already has a grant from the US government (NSF, NASA, etc.). | Call announcement: Fall (cycle depends on funding). | From 30,000 to 100,000 dollars per year (up to 3 years). | nationalacademies.org/peer | Payment of labor for researchers in RK and purchase of equipment. |
US Embassy Grants (Annual Program Statement) | USA (US Embassy in RK) | STEM education, green economy, ecological urban development, startups. | Participants: NGOs, universities, initiative groups (including master’s and young scientists). Requirements: Consortium is not needed. | Applications accepted on a rolling schedule until May-June each year. | On average from 10,000 to 50,000 dollars. | kz.usembassy.gov | |
KOICA Programs (CIAT) | South Korea (KOICA) | Cadastre digitalization, geographic information systems (GIS), Smart City. | Participants: Civil servants, researchers, engineers. Requirements: Sent through government bodies (MFA/MSHE RK). | Depends on bilateral agreements (often Spring). | Funding for internships, master’s, doctoral studies in Korea. | koica.go.kr | Emphasis on the transfer of Korean technologies. |
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) | European Union (European Commission) | Fundamental and applied research in engineering, architecture, and design. | Participants: Postdocs, young scientists (PhD). Requirements: Having a PhD degree. Mobility (relocation to Europe for the project duration). | Main deadlines: September (Postdoctoral Fellowships). | Coverage of salary (about 4000-5000 euros/month), research and family expenses. | marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu | |
TÜBİTAK Bilateral Cooperation & 2221 Program | Turkey (Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) | Engineering, construction, seismology, architectural environment design, geodesy. | Participants: Faculty, postdocs, doctoral students. Requirements: Having a partner (scientist or laboratory) in a Turkish university. Consortium of 2 countries (RK – Turkey). | Year-round (program 2221) or upon announcement of bilateral calls. | Payment of travel, accommodation (stipend), and basic joint research expenses. | tubitak.gov.tr | Excellent start for engineers and builders. |
NRF International Cooperation (Bilateral Exchange) | South Korea (National Research Foundation) | Geodesy, smart technologies in construction, new materials, cadastre. | Participants: Professors, laboratories. Requirements: Joint project with a Korean scientist. Submitted in parallel to the Science Committee of RK and NRF. | February-March and September. | About 30,000 – 50,000 USD per year (mostly mobility and joint workshops). | nrf.re.kr/eng | Focus on knowledge exchange, mutual visits of researchers, and preparation of joint publications in Scopus/WoS. |
DAAD Research Grants / PPP | Germany (German Academic Exchange Service) | Architecture, sustainable development, engineering, urbanism. | Participants: Master’s students, doctoral students, young scientists. Requirements: Invitation from a German professor. Individual or group application (PPP). | October-November (annually). | Monthly stipend (1200 – 2150 euros), flight payment for 1 to 12 months. | daad.kz | For doctoral students to go to Germany, take measurements/lab tests, and write a dissertation chapter. |
ANSO Collaborative Research | China / Global (Alliance of International Science Organizations) | Ecology (incl. waste management), green construction, geoinformatics, urbanization. | Participants: Research groups. Requirements: Consortium of at least 2 member countries (Kazakhstan and China are in the alliance). | March – April. | From 50,000 to 150,000 USD per project (up to 3 years). | anso.org.cn | Fund for “Belt and Road” countries. Loyal to infrastructure projects. |
International Exchanges (The Royal Society) | UK (The Royal Society) | Engineering sciences, materials science, geology/geodesy. | Participants: Scientists with a degree (PhD, Candidate of Sciences). Requirements: Co-Applicant in a UK university is needed. | 3 times a year: March, June, October. | Up to 12,000 GBP for 2 years. | royalsociety.org | This is “Seed funding”. Money is given strictly for mutual visits to conduct experiments. |
Belmont Forum (Collaborative Research Actions) | International Consortium of Funds | Urban Sustainability, climate, ecological design. | Participants: International consortiums (minimum 3 different countries). | Depends on specific call (CRA), often Spring-Summer. | Depends on the project, often up to 1-2 million euros for the entire consortium. | belmontforum.org | Excellent for architects and ecologists. Investigating the impact of the urban environment on ecology. |
Eurasia Foundation (CPS) | USA (Eurasia Foundation) | Socio-economic aspects of urban planning, green initiatives at the local level. | Participants: Universities, research centers, doctoral students. Requirements: Individual or institutional applications. | Year-round (depends on open programs). | Small grants from 2,000 to 10,000 USD. | eurasia.org | Small projects aimed at solving local problems (e.g., waste management at the municipality level). |
SNSF SPIRIT (Swiss Programme for International Research) | Switzerland (Swiss National Science Foundation) | Engineering, architecture, green economy, exact sciences. | Participants: Professors, doctoral students, research groups. Requirements: Consortium of 2-4 scientists, at least one of whom works in Switzerland and another in RK. | Annual deadline: November. | From 50,000 to 500,000 CHF (Swiss francs) for 2-4 years. | snf.ch | Excellent fund for deep fundamental and applied engineering research. High probability of success with a strong Swiss partner. |
NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) | International (NATO “Science for Peace” Programme) | Environmental security, advanced construction technologies, seismic sensors, geodesy and radars, cyber-physical systems. | Participants: Scientists, Faculty. Requirements: Co-director from a NATO member country and co-director from a partner country (Kazakhstan). | 2-3 times a year (e.g., February and September). | On average 150,000 – 350,000 euros per project. | nato.int/science | Fund non-military, strictly civilian scientific projects on security (incl. infrastructure and ecological). |
GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP GEF) | International (UN / Global Environment Facility) | Waste management, energy efficiency in housing and communal services, green architecture, sustainable urban development. | Participants: NGOs, universities, scientific centers. Requirements: Application submission through the national coordinator in RK. Consortium is not mandatory. | Announcements are published locally via UNDP in RK. | Small grants up to 50,000 USD. | sgp.undp.org / kz.undp.org | Ideal for applied projects where scientific developments (e.g., waste recycling) are implemented in practice in local communities. |
IsDB Transform Fund | International (Islamic Development Bank) | Innovations in infrastructure, green technologies, digitalization (incl. cadastre). | Participants: Scientists, universities, doctoral students with innovative ideas. Requirements: The project must solve one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). | Usually application acceptance in spring (April-May). | From 50,000 to 100,000 USD (for Seed / Commercialization stage). | isdb-engage.com | The bank actively supports member countries (RK) in implementing new technological solutions ready for market entry. |
BMBF CLIENT II / Green Central Asia | Germany (Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany) | Sustainable land use, water and land resources management, energy-efficient construction. | Participants: Universities, research institutes. Requirements: Consortium where the German side (university or company) plays the leading role. | Depends on open calls for Central Asia. | Large projects — up to 1-2 million euros per consortium. | bmbf.de | Germans allocate huge funds to solve ecological and infrastructural problems specifically in Central Asia. Need to find a German partner. |
Global Greengrants Fund (GGF) Small Grants | International / CA (GGF) | Practical ecology, eco-monitoring, EIA, RES, climate adaptation. | Participants: NGOs, initiative groups (can be from a university, but not as a government agency). Requirements: Organization budget not more than 100,000 USD. Government bodies and LLCs are not allowed! Partners in CA are needed for regional grants. | Nearest deadline: October 2, 2026. (Project duration up to 1 year). | From $500 to $15,000 (in-country up to $7,000; regional up to $15,000; travel up to $4,000). | smallgrantca.org | Important: Purely scientific research, festivals, and tree planting are not supported. The project must have a strong practical (social) impact. |
Graham Foundation Grants | USA (Graham Foundation) | Architecture, design, urbanism, architectural history, spatial arts. | Participants: Individual architects, designers, scientists. Requirements: Consortium is not needed. Project can be research, exhibition, or publication preparation. | Annual deadline for individual applications: February. | Up to 10,000 USD (rarely more). | grahamfoundation.org | Ideal for architecture and design teachers. Money can be spent on research, measurement trips, materials. |
Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction | Switzerland (Holcim Foundation) | Ecological construction, new building materials, building energy efficiency, circular economy (recycling of construction waste). | Participants: Architects, civil engineers, doctoral students. Requirements: Innovative approach to construction without harm to ecology. | Open calls are announced on the website (often Spring – Summer). | From 20,000 to 100,000+ USD (depends on category Awards / Research). | holcimfoundation.org | The main fund in the world for civil engineering and “green” architecture specialists. |
Creative Industries Fund NL | Netherlands | Design, architecture, digital art, spatial planning (urbanism). | Participants: Designers, architectural bureaus, universities. Requirements: Partnership with a Dutch specialist or organization is desirable. | Applications accepted several times a year (January, May, September). | Up to 10,000 – 50,000 euros. | stimuleringsfonds.nl | Focus on creative industries and environment design. Excellent for landscape design and urbanism projects. |
Velux Stiftung (Daylight Research) | Switzerland (Velux Foundation) | Role of daylight in architecture, impact of design on human health, light environment. | Participants: Researchers (Faculty), doctoral students. Requirements: Project must study daylight in architecture or construction. | Twice a year: April and September. | Up to 50,000 – 100,000 CHF (Swiss francs). | veluxstiftung.ch | Very highly specialized, but generous fund. Ideal for those working on energy-saving architecture and building insolation. |
Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) | Switzerland / Global | Preservation of historical heritage, revitalization of urban spaces, Islamic and local architecture. | Participants: Architects, restorers, universities. Requirements: Focus on improving quality of life through architecture. | Programs and awards are held cyclically (every 3 years). | Depends on the project / Award prize fund 1 mln USD. | the.akdn | Largest organization actively working in Central Asia (including Kazakhstan) on urban revitalization and architecture projects. |
Gerda Henkel Stiftung | Germany (Gerda Henkel Foundation) | History of architecture, preservation of cultural heritage, restoration. | Participants: Art historians, restoration architects, scientists. Requirements: Individual or small team applications. | For small grants, applications are accepted year-round. | Up to 20,000 – 30,000 euros. | gerda-henkel-stiftung.de | Excellent for architecture department teachers studying the history of urban planning or restoration of old buildings. |
German Embassy Microprojects | Germany (Embassy of Germany in Astana) | Infrastructure, ecology (waste management), improvement of living conditions, energy saving. | Participants: NGOs, university initiative groups. Requirements: Exclusively local project. Consortium is NOT NEEDED. | Deadline is usually in February of each year. | Up to 25,000 euros. | kasachstan.diplo.de | Ideal for purchasing equipment! Simple application. Project must have social and ecological significance. |
National Geographic Level I Grants | USA (National Geographic Society) | Geography, cartography (GIS), ecology, impact of urbanization on nature. | Participants: Master’s students, doctoral students, young scientists. Requirements: Individual application. Applicant must be the project leader. | Application acceptance year-round (reviewed several times a year). | Up to 20,000 USD (duration up to 1-2 years). | nationalgeographic.org | Can budget salary (stipend) and equipment purchase. Very prestigious for a young scientist’s CV. |
Rufford Small Grants for Nature Conservation | UK (Rufford Foundation) | Practical ecology, impact of construction/engineering projects on nature, waste. | Participants: Individual researchers, small groups. Requirements: Individual application, minimal bureaucracy. | Year-round (no strict deadlines). | £6,000 (1st stage), then up to £15,000. | rufford.org | Allowed to budget salary and equipment. Project must last from 12 to 18 months. Fast application review. |
IEEE HTB & SIGHT Projects | International (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers – IEEE) | Engineering solutions, geoinformatics, smart technologies for housing and utilities, seismic sensors. | Participants: Engineers, students, teachers (IEEE membership desirable). Requirements: Solving a local problem using engineering. | Several cycles a year (usually Spring and Fall). | Up to 5,000 – 10,000 USD. | htb.ieee.org | Money given for creating prototypes, purchasing equipment, sensors, and materials. Selection is strictly oriented towards engineers. |
The Matsumae International Foundation (MIF) | Japan (MIF) | Engineering, architecture, exact sciences. | Participants: Doctoral students (PhD) or Candidates of Sciences up to 49 years old. Requirements: Find a professor in Japan (letter of consent). | April – June (annually). | Monthly stipend (about $1,500) + flight + research fund. | mif-japan.org | Individual grant for a trip to Japan for 3-6 months. Consortium not needed. Salary is guaranteed. |