Guide for Publishing Popular Science Articles

The new Tec de Monterrey news website aims to provide a platform (similar to Transferencia) for researchers from our institution to publish their informative texts based on scientific articles (papers) previously published in specialized journals or on the review of research projects (literature review), as long as they make reference to a project being carried out at Tec de Monterrey.

Our goal is for this information to reach the interested audience, as well as decision-makers, investors, and other researchers from all areas of knowledge.

Below, we outline a series of aspects to consider:

Language

The articles will be published in both English and Spanish. Researchers may submit their texts in either of the two languages. The TecScience team will handle the missing translation.

Topic and Style

The topic should be relevant, appealing, and the result of scientific research.

The style should follow the structure of an explanatory sequence (disseminating information, explaining it, interpreting it, clarifying ideas, and adding a conclusion).

Consider the tripod model of public science communication, which consists of ensuring that the text is:

1. Accessible (clear)
2. Interesting (appealing)
3. Rigorous (faithful to research)

Language

The language of the popular science article should be agile, clear, and easily understandable for the non-specialized reader, avoiding technical language.

We recommend using simple sentences, as well as short paragraphs.

Telling a Story

We are always telling stories. Stories help us understand the world and enable us to empathize with others. Narrative is equally important in science communication. We suggest that the popular science article tells a story around a research topic. The aim is not to change the facts, but to present them in an engaging way that is easier to comprehend.

Stories also help us grasp the relevance of the science being discussed and how it can contribute to society.

The TecScience editorial team will always be available to address any questions that arise during the writing process.

Parts of an Article

Heading or Title: Brief and captivating, without technical jargon (do not use the title of the scientific article). An additional tip is to think of keywords and include them in the title.

Summary: A paragraph explaining what the article is about, excluding conclusions (abstract).

Introduction: Sets the tone of the article. It should aim to surprise, capture attention, and provide a summary of the topic to be discussed. The introduction must engage the reader, encourage them to read on, be appealing, and suggestive. The inverted pyramid structure is recommended, organizing information from most to least important, answering the questions: what, who, how, when, and where.

Body or Development: The main ideas are explained or detailed.

• Use examples (they clarify theories or concepts).
• Use analogies or comparisons (they help make an abstract concept more relatable and understandable for the reader).
• Divide the text into subheadings (organize the article’s content better through categories or groupings).

Conclusion: Provide an evaluation of the topic to offer a strong closure. Express the potential benefits of the research.

Author Bio: Full name, email address, and a brief professional bio (maximum of five lines).

References: Include the author or entity’s name, publication year, article title, and link if applicable in each reference.

Total Article Length

We aim for articles to be around 1,000 words (approximately 6,000 characters). An average length of 700 words (approximately 4,000 characters) is suggested.
Keys to Writing a Good Article

Use short paragraphs.

Employ a simple sentence structure (subject + verb + predicate).

Use synonyms, metaphors, analogies, or examples to better explain complex ideas.

Avoid excessive technical terms. If necessary, provide a simple definition when using a technical term.

Humanize the topic, enabling readers to relate scientific advancements to their daily lives.

Supporting Resources

To better illustrate the article, include at least one of the following elements and provide the corresponding credit. (Images for which rights are not held cannot be published).

1. Sidebars with complementary
2. Information
3. Photographs
4. Infographics
5. Statistical charts
6. Illustrations
7. Drawings
8. Glossaries

Important Notes

The content of the articles is the sole responsibility of the authors, who must sign an authorization letter for use of their work.

In the case of co-authorship, all authors can be credited and informed of the publication.

The article’s content must originate from an independent research project conducted at Tecnológico de Monterrey and published in a scientific journal.

The content must not violate institutional values or third-party rights and should be sensitive to intellectual property.

All popular science articles are subject to peer review before publication.

Every publishing author commits to eventually evaluating another article written by a colleague.