Writing in the Sciences Exploring Conventions of Scientific Discourse (Part of the Allyn & Bacon Series in Technical Communication)

by Penrose, Ann M.; Katz, Steven B.

• ISBN13: 9780205616718
• ISBN10: 0205616712
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-02-23
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

This rhetorical, multi-disciplinary guide discusses the major genres of science writing including research reports, grant proposals, conference presentations, and a variety of forms of public communication.Writing in the Sciencescombines a descriptive approachhelping readers to recognize distinctive features of common genres in their fieldswith a rhetorical focushelping them to analyze how, why, and for whom texts are created by scientists. Multiple samples from real research cases illustrate a range of scientific disciplines and audiences for scientific research along with the corresponding differences in focus, arrangement, style, and other rhetorical dimensions. Comparisons among disciplines provide the opportunity for readers to identify common conventions in science and investigate variation across fields.

Table of Contents

Preface

List of stylistic features

Principles and Purposes For Scientific Discourse

Science as a Social Enterprise

The shaping of knowledge in science

The social nature of science

The centrality of communication in science

The role of persuasion in scientific communication

Scientific communication and convention

The role of collaboration in scientific communication

Exploring Technology in Scientific Communication

Science and Technology

Technology and Collaboration in Science

Technology and Publication in Science

Technology and the Public Audience for Science

Technologyrsquo;s Material Advantages

Technology and the Visual Dimension of Science

Technology and Paradigms

Technology and the Rhetorical Challenge of Communicating Science

Considering Ethics in Scientific Communication

Social Contexts of Scientific Communication Ethics

Ethical lsquo;Mechanismsrsquo; in Science

The Ethics of Authorship

Scientific Communication as Moral Responsibility

Ethical ldquo;Costsrdquo; of Communication Technology in Science

Scientific Communication and Public Communication: An Ethical Conflict?

Scientific Style and Social Responsibility: A Two-Way Channel

The Ethics of Style as Socialization

Exploring Forums And Conventions Of Scientific Communication

Reading and Writing Research Reports

Research Journals and Their Readers

Argumentation in Science

The Logic(s) of Scientific Inquiry

Introducing the Research Problem

Describing Methods

Reporting Results

Discussing Trends and Implications

The Research Report Abstract.

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