Cross-Discipline Writing

The Definition of Writing Differs Across Disciplines

The definition of writing differs across disciplines, so the arrangement of papers and printing types vary according to the area of research. For example, scientific studies are written in APA format, while humanities studies are written in MLA format. This paper illustrates the key distinctions between papers published in scientific journals, social science journals, and humanities journals. The articles; “Marriage and psychological well-being: The role of social support.” Psychology 6.11 (2015): by Soulsby and Kate – a scientific article, “Marriage Formation in Context: Four Decades in Comparative Perspective.” Social Sciences 6.1 (2017): 9 by Geist, and “Marriage as a Message: Same-Sex Couples and the Rhetoric of Accidental Procreation.” Yale Journal of Law & Humanities 21.1 (2009) by Abrams and Peter will be used to demonstrate the differences.

Identification of the Articles

Soulsby, Laura K., and Kate M. Bennett. “Marriage and psychological well-being: The role of social support.” Psychology 6.11 (2015): 1349.

One can tell that the article falls under the scientific journal as it possesses a number of the characteristics of scientific research. One such characteristic is that the dependent variables and the independent variables – in this case, an individual’s marital status, his/her psychological well-being, and the perceived social support – are highlighted at the start of the study. In addition, the sample used in the study is noted, 510 British adults (Soulsby & Bennett, 1), which points out that the findings are factual.

Geist, Claudia. “Marriage Formation in Context: Four Decades in Comparative Perspective.” Social Sciences 6.1 (2017): 9.

One of the key factors that would convince an individual that this article falls under the social sciences is because the scholar does not point out the independent and dependent variables. Instead, they approach the main subject from some factors – for instance, from an economic perspective and also from a social, cultural context. Additionally, the authors used the secondary means of data collection since they got the data from sites such as Eurostat and the United Nations Development Program (Geist, 5). Therefore, it is evident that the researcher did not engage in any qualitative means of data collection, which is the cornerstone of scientific research.

Abrams, Kerry, and Peter Brooks. “Marriage as a Message: Same-Sex Couples and the Rhetoric of Accidental Procreation.” Yale Journal of Law & Humanities 21.1 (2009)

The key pointer that this article should be published in the journal of humanities is the scholars’ failure to use data, which would have made their claims factual. Instead, they opt to base their argument on the views expressed by the law (Constitution) and the rulings given by various judges regarding marital issues. Consequently, instead of approaching the topic by outlining the main variables that would be tested in the research, the scholars chose to address the matter from various contexts such as the law’s and the culture’s dictations on marriage.

Organizational Patterns of the Articles

Soulsby, Laura K., and Kate M. Bennett. “Marriage and psychological well-being: The role of social support.” Psychology 6.11 (2015): 1349.

The article is organized in the form of various headings. To start with, there is an abstract page that offers an overview of the whole research. The article also has an introduction that provides the reader with insight on the main issues addressed in the research as well the thesis statement of the article. There is also a topic of data collection, under which the scholars outline the measures they used in testing the variables and the sample used in the study as well. The scholars have also illustrated their means of data analysis and the results noted under different topics. There is also a discussion on the main ideas of the study, which also provides the reader with more insight on the main issues addressed by the researchers. Finally, there is a conclusion that provides a summary of the research as well as reinstating the thesis statement.

Geist, Claudia. “Marriage Formation in Context: Four Decades in Comparative Perspective.” Social Sciences 6.1 (2017): 9.

The research is also well organized starting with the abstract that offers an overview of the entire research. After that, the scholar has used an introduction to illustrate the main ideas that would be covered in the study. Under the topic on ’background,’ the author has expressed her opinion on the various aspects of marriage such as the economic perception of marriage. Claudia has also written a section on data and methods whereby she outlines the source of the data she has used in the study. After that, she has come up with a segment to discuss the results garnered after analyzing the data. There is also a topic of the discussion of the main concerns addressed in the research and a conclusion part that summarizes the main ideas covered in the paper.

Abrams, Kerry, and Peter Brooks. “Marriage as a Message: Same-Sex Couples and the Rhetoric of Accidental Procreation.” Yale Journal of Law & Humanities 21.1 (2009)

The researchers have organized their paper by making use of two main topics, an introduction topic, and the discussion topic. Just like in the other cases, the introduction highlights the main issues the researchers have chosen to address. For instance, the introduction sheds light on what would be addressed by each sub-topic used in the paper. After that, the scholars have used sub-topics to analyze the pertinent issues addressed in the research – for instance, the law’s or the culture’s view on marriage.

Variation in the Organizational Pattern

As demonstrated by the analysis of how each study is organized, the scientific researchers are more organized than the ones from the humanities field. The scientific researchers outline every step they undertook during the study. The same case is illustrated in the studies conducted by the social scientists. However, the same case is not reflected in the studies conducted by the humanities’ researchers as their studies are not so much involving since the scholars do not engage in the tedious exercise of data collection and analysis.

The Selected Article

The article I chose to study more closely is “Marriage and psychological well-being: The role of social support,” by Soulsby and Kate. A major lesson I have learned from the article is that a writer should always give factual information. In doing so, the writer has to outline the main steps followed as well as citing the references used while conducting the study. In addition, I have also learned that a writer must outline his/her ideas in a clear manner that makes it easier for the readers to comprehend.

How the Purpose of Writing Changes Across Disciplines

Insight from studying the three articles depicts that the purpose of writing varies across disciplines. I have noted that the studies conducted under the field of humanity are aimed at explaining some of the issues affecting the society from the scholar’s perspective. On the other hand, the studies conducted under the social sciences and the scientific fields are aimed at analyzing the major issues addressed by the researcher.

Differences in Languages, Format, and Styles

The knowledge gained from studying the three articles reveals that scientific articles are written using the APA – American Psychological Association - style and format. It is also evident that articles under the social sciences filed are written and formatted using the MLA – Modern Learners Association - style. In addition, the articles addressing issues about humanity are written using the MLA style. In relation to languages, the scientific articles use a precise language that enhances clarity of the ideas brought forward by the scholars. On the other hand, the articles written by the humanity scholars use a formal language, which is also clear to make sure that the reader can get the main ideas with ease.

Works Cited

Abrams, Kerry, and Peter Brooks. “Marriage as a Message: Same-Sex Couples and the Rhetoric of Accidental Procreation.” Yale Journal of Law & Humanities 21.1 (2009).

Geist, Claudia. “Marriage Formation in Context: Four Decades in Comparative Perspective.” Social Sciences 6.1 (2017): 9.

Soulsby, Laura K., and Kate M. Bennett. “Marriage and psychological wellbeing: The role of social support.” Psychology 6.11 (2015): 1349.