Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences

by Mcmillan, Victoria E.

• ISBN13: 9781319268466
• ISBN10: 1319268463
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781319268480
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780312649715, 9781319047139
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Spiral Bound
• Copyright: 2020-09-30
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's
• More Book Details

About This Book

Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences, 7th Edition

ISBN: 9781319268466

Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences is a comprehensive guide designed to help students navigate the complexities of writing in biology. Whether you're new to the field or have some experience, this book provides detailed instruction on researching, drafting, revising, and documenting the most commonly assigned projects in biology courses.

Who Uses It?

Primarily, this book is used by students and instructors in undergraduate biology courses. It's also a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the basics of scientific writing in biology, including professionals looking to refresh their knowledge or expand their understanding of biological principles.

History and Editions

The 7th edition of Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences has been updated to address user feedback, incorporating the latest research methods and new student examples from a wider variety of sub-disciplines in biology. This edition includes detailed checklists for formatting various scientific papers and bulleted rules to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Author and Other Works

Victoria E. McMillan is the author of Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences. She has a proven track record of creating accessible and reliable guides for students in the biological sciences. This book is part of a series that aims to support students through all their biology writing assignments.

Key Features

• Concise and Self-Teaching: Modeled on a handbook format, this guide provides bulleted rules, checklists for formatting scientific papers, and detailed examples to help students understand and apply the concepts.
• Updated Coverage: The 7th edition includes updated coverage of research methods and new student examples from various sub-disciplines in biology.
• Mobile-Friendly eBooks: The book is available in a mobile-friendly e-book format, allowing students to take notes, add highlights, and download the text easily.
• Spiral-Bound Texts: The spiral-bound format keeps the book open while writing, making it convenient for students to use during assignments.

Detailed Information

ISBNs and Formats

• Spiral Bound: ISBN-13: 9781319268466
• Paperback and Spiral Bound Package: ISBN-13: 9781319457495
• eBook Trial Access: Included with the rental option

Publication Details

• Publisher: Bedford Saint Martin's (MPS)
• Publication Date: September 30, 2020
• Number of Pages: Varies by format (typically around 200-300 pages)
• Language: English

Other Editions and Formats

• 6th Edition: Available through Macmillan Learning and other retailers
• 8th Edition: Not yet released (as of June 2025)
• Related ISBNs:
• 9781319268480 (eBook Trial Access)
• 9781319457495 (Paperback and Spiral Bound Package)

Rental Options

• Renting the Book: Available for 3 months, with the option to extend or purchase the book at the end of the rental period[1][3].
• Free Shipping: Use promo code SHIPFREE at Step 4 of checkout for free shipping on US orders[1].

This detailed information section provides a quick reference for all the available formats and sources for Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences, 7th Edition, making it easier to find and access the book in the preferred format.

Table of Contents

Introduction How and Why Biologists Write: An
 Introduction to Biological Literature

1 Locating and Using Biological Literature
Searching the Literature
Sample Database Search
Using the Internet
Reading Scientific Papers
Avoiding Plagiarism and Taking Notes
Working Collaboratively
Tech Talk ????
Keeping Up with the Literature

2 Handling Data and Using Statistics
Getting Started
Recording and Organizing Your Findings
TECH TALK     
Using Statistics to Analyze Your Data
Additional Sources

3  Using Tables and Figures
Tables
Figures
Tech Talk ????
Checklist for Tables and Figures
Additional Sources

4 Writing Lab Reports and Research Papers
Title
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgments
References
Checklist for Lab Reports and Research Papers
Additional Sources
Sample Laboratory Report (Botany)
Sample Laboratory Report (Microbiology)
Sample Student Research Paper (Plant Physiology)
Sample Student Research Paper (Animal Ecology)

5 Writing a Review Paper
Choosing a Topic
Deciding on a Title
Working with the Literature
Presenting Your Material
Tech Talk  
Checklist for Review Papers
Sample Review Paper (Human Physiology)

6 Documenting the Paper
Citing Sources in the Text
Preparing the References Section
TECH TALK  

7  Drafting and Revising
The First Draft
TECH TALK     
Practical Suggestions for Revising
Tech Talk ????
Checking Content and Structure
Improving Paragraphs
Writing Clear, Accurate Sentences
Avoiding Wordiness
Verb Tense
Punctuation

8  Preparing the Final Draft
Mechanics and Technicalities
Tech Talk  
Manuscript Format
Writing an Acknowledgments Section
Proofreading

9  Using Writing to Prepare for Examinations
Getting the Most Out of Textbooks
Taking Good Lecture Notes
Preparing for Laboratory Exams
Studying for Short-Answer Questions
Answering Essay Questions
Additional Sources

10 Other Forms of Biological Writing
Oral Presentations
TECH TALK     
Checklist for Oral Presentations
Sample PowerPoint Presentation (Plant Physiology)
Poster Presentations
Checklist for Poster Presentations
Sample Poster Presentation (Animal Ecology)
Research Proposals
Sample Research Proposal (Plant Physiological Ecology)
Letters of Application
Sample Letter of Application
Résumés
Tech Talk ????
Sample Résumé
Sample Curriculum Vitae
Additional Sources

Works Cited in Text
  Examples
Index
Symbols and
  Abbreviations Used in Biology