Researchers in natural and applied sciences describe and explain natural phenomena through the formal procedures of observation, description, hypothesis, prediction, and experiment (scientific method).

The basis of scientific examination is the experiment, which provides for the measurement, classification, and explanation of observed phenomena.

To establish their research methodologies, scientists must review existing scientific literature both to determine the pre-existence of data that could impact proposed research and to justify their research methodologies.

Reference lists help to evaluate the authority and credibility of an scientific research. Researchers can use references to confirm a scientist's methodology and findings.

Bibliographic citations use standard rules to identify and describe information sources. Researchers in the sciences use The ACS Style Guide, the style manual published by the American Chemical Society. It is essential to use the most recent edition of the style manual.

Common style manuals in the natural and applied sciences also include the American Medical Association Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors, the style manual published by the American Medical Association (AMA), the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Scientific Style and Format, published by the Council of Biology Editors (CBE). Always check with your professor for the preferred citation format.

ACS Style