Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences

by Mcmillan, Victoria E.

• ISBN13: 9781319268466
• ISBN10: 1319268463
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Spiral Bound
• Copyright: 2020-09-30
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's

Summary

Writing in the Biological Sciences is a handy reference that new to advanced students can readily use on their own. A variety of student models prepare you for the most common writing assignments in undergraduate biology courses.

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