Getting Published in the Life Sciences

by Gladon, Richard J.; Graves, William R.; Kelly, J. Michael

• ISBN13: 9781118041673
• ISBN10: 1118041674
• Edition: 1st
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2011-12-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

The goal of this book is to make it easier for scientists, especially those new to scientific writing, to write about their results and to get their manuscripts accepted in peer-reviewed journals. The book covers each step throughout the submission process, from organizing and outlining the manuscript, presenting statistical data and results, to what happens during the in-house manuscript review process and what to do if an article is initially rejected. In addition to providing practical exercises on these topics, the book focuses on helping writers distil their research into concise take-home messages for readers, in order to convey information as clearly as possible to the target audience.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Acknowledgments ix 

PART I Preliminary Considerations 1 

Chapter 1 The Importance of and Need for Publishing 3

Chapter 2 Steps in Manuscript Preparation and Getting Started 11

Chapter 3 Ethical Issues in Publishing 25

Chapter 4 Choosing Your Coauthors 39 

Chapter 5 Choosing Your Journal 51 

Chapter 6 Principles and Characteristics of Good Scientific Writing 63 

PART II Development of the Manuscript 73 

Chapter 7 Developing the Take-home Messages and a Provisional Title 75 

Chapter 8 Organizing and Outlining Your Manuscript 89 

Chapter 9 Results I: Overview 113 

Chapter 10 Results II: Presentation 121 

Chapter 11 Results III: Options for Presenting Results 133 

Chapter 12 Results IV: Guidelines for Preparing Written Text of Results 151 

Chapter 13 Revising and Editing 155 

Chapter 14 References 175 

Chapter 15 Materials and Methods 197 

Chapter 16 Introduction: Rationale, Review of Literature, and Statements of Objectives209

Chapter 17 Discussion 223 

Chapter 18 Abstract 229 

Chapter 19 Title, By-line, Keywords, and Authorship Footnote Items 243 

Chapter 20 Polishing Your Manuscript with Good Word Usage 259

PART III Review, Submission, and Postsubmission Issues 277 

Chapter 21 In-house Manuscript Review Process 279 

Chapter 22 Cover Letter and Submission Form Preparation 293 

Chapter 23 Final Checklist and Initial Manuscript Submission 303 

Chapter 24 The Peer-Review Process of Your Initial Submission 309 

Chapter 25 Response-letter Preparation and Manuscript Resubmission 315 

Chapter 26 Proofs, Proofreading, and the Final Steps in the Publication Process 325 

Index 347