Writing in the Biological Sciences A Comprehensive Resource for Scientific Communication

by Hofmann, Angelika H.

• ISBN13: 9780199765287
• ISBN10: 0199765286
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-12-21
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Comprehensive. Practical. Your resource for life.Practical and easy to use, Writing in the Biological Sciences: A Comprehensive Resource for Scientific Communication presents students with all of the techniques and information they need in order to communicate their scientific ideas, insights, and discoveries effectively. Angelika H. Hofmann introduces students to the underlying principles and guidelines of professional scientific writing and then teaches them how to apply these methods when composing essential forms of scientific writing and communication.A Companion Website contains instructor's lecture slides and all images from the text in PowerPoint format (www.oup.com/us/hofmann).Ideal as a free-standing textbook for courses on writing in the biological sciences - as well as an accompanying text or reference guide in courses and laboratories with writing-intensive components - this indispensable handbook gives students the tools they need to succeed in their undergraduatescience careers and beyond.

Author Biography

Angelika H. Hofmann is Instructor of Scientific Writing at Yale University.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
PART I. SCIENTIFIC WRITING BASICS
Chapter 1: Scientific Communication
1.1 Importance of Scientific Communication
1.2 Readers and Writers
1.3 Necessary Basic Skills
1.4 About this Book
Chapter 2: Literature Sources
2.1 Searching the Literature
2.2 Selecting References
2.3 Citing References
2.4 Common Reference Styles
2.5 Managing Sources
2.6 Plagiarism and Taking Notes
Summary
Problems
Chapter 3: Fundamentals of Scientific Writing, Part I--Style
3.1 Word Choice and Location
3.2 Sentences and Technical Style
Summary of Writing Principles, Part I--Style Problems
Chapter 4: Fundamentals of Scientific Writing, Part II--Compositions
4.1 Paragraph Structure
4.2 Paragraph Organization
4.3 Condensing
Summary of Writing Principles, Part II--Compositions
Problems
PART II. WORKING WITH DATA
Chapter 5: Data, Figures, and Tables
5.1 General Guidelines
5.2 From Data to Results
5.3 Figures, Their Legends, and Their Titles
5.4 Tables and Their Titles
5.5 Software Resources for Figures and Tables
5.6 Basics of Statistical Analysis
5.7 Useful Resources for Statistical Analysis
5.8 Checklist
Summary
Problems
PART III. INTRODUCTORY WRITING
Chapter 6: Laboratory Reports and Research Papers
6.1 Overall
6.2 Before You Get Started
6.3 Content and Organization
6.4 Title and Title Page
6.5 Abstract
6.6 Introduction
6.7 Materials and Methods
6.8 Results
6.9 Discussion
6.10 References
6.11 Acknowledgements
6.14 Checklist
Summary
Problems
Chapter 7: Revising and Editing
7.1 General
7.2 Revising the First Draft
7.3 Subsequent Drafts
7.4 Checklist for Revising
7.5 Editing Someone Else's Manuscript
7.6 Checklist for Editing Someone Else's Manuscript
7.7 Submission and the Review Process
Summary
Chapter 8: Sample Reports
8.1 General
8.2 Sample Weekly Lab Report
8.3 Sample Project Paper
Chapter 9: Reading, Summarizing, and Critiquing a Scientific Research Article
9.1 Content of a Scientific Research Article
9.2 Reading a Research Paper
9.3 Writing a Summary of a Research Paper
9.4 Critiquing a Research Paper
Summary
Chapter 10: Term Papers and Review Articles
10.1 General Advice
10.2 Source Material
10.3 Organization
10.4 Abstract
10.5 Introduction
10.6 Main Analysis Section
10.7 Conclusion
10.8 References
10.9 Checklist
Summary
Problems
Chapter 11: Answering Essay Questions
11.1 General
11.2 Preparing for an Essay Exam
11.3 Answering an Essay Question
11.4 Time Management Tips
11.5 Checklist
Summary
PART IV. ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC DOCUMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
Chapter 12: Oral Presentations
12.1 Organization of a Scientific Talk
12.2 Preparing for a Talk
12.3 Delivery of a Talk
12.4 Question and Answer Period
12.5 Useful Resources
12.6 Checklist
Summary
Problems
Chapter 13: Posters
13.1 Content and Organization of a Poster
13.2 Preparing a Poster
13.3 Presenting a Poster
13.4 Useful Resources
13.5 Complete Sample Poster
13.6 Checklist for a Poster
Summary
Problems
Chapter 14: Research Proposals
14.1 General
14.2 Content and Organization
14.3 Individual Sections of a Grant Proposal
14.4 Checklist
Summary
Problems
Chapter 15: Job Applications
15.1 Curricula Vitae (CVs) and Résumés
15.2 Cover Letters
15.3 Personal Statement
15.4 Letter of Recommendation
15.5 Checklist for the Job Application
Summary
Appendix A: Commonly Confused and Misused Words
Appendix B: MS Word Basics and Top 20 MS Word Tips
Appendix C: Excel Basics and Top 20 Excel Tips
Appendix D: PowerPoint Basics and Top 20 PowerPoint Tips
Appendix E: MS Office Cheat Sheet
Answers to Problems
Glossary of English Grammar Terms
Bibliography
Credits
Index