The Basicsof Science Communication

Scientific Writing and Presentation Skills CourseTNAU, 2004 June 13-18

WHY TO LEARN WRITING?A letter or an e-mail message to your friend or your bossA cover letter when you apply for a jobA comment or a note to a newspaper editorA complaint or an appeal letter to an authorityA comment on performance of your staffA comment on performance of your studentsEveryone has to write:

WHY TO WRITE WELL?If you write well and communicate your ideas coherently and vividly, you have a great advantage over othersLearning to express yourself clearly is an asset to everyoneClarity is the key for good writingCurtis Sittenfeld, NYT, 06 March 2005

Written CommunicationWords must convey the same thoughts or ideas of the writer to the readers

SCIENCE CAREER: BASIC TRAITSCritical, independent thinkingAnalytical mindLogical reasoningQuestioning capabilityFocus on research & innovationsWork ethics: Research work in office hours onlyEffective in debate, discussion, & communicationScientists vs. technicians

SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONWhy to write a scientific paper?It is the scientists duty to communicate his/her research results to as many people as possibleNo scientific work is complete until it is written upEach scientist is judged by his/her scientific writing/publications

SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONHow does scientific writing helps?Writing is a creative process that helps us capture our thoughtsIt is an aid to think, plan, organize, and express our thoughtsThe ability to express yourself to others is the most important of all the skills you can possess

SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONPublishing research results increases knowledge stimulates debate leads to new ideas encourages further work on a subject by opening up new opportunities helps develop new practices for field application

SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONTotal researchEffective researchResearch written upResearch publishedResearch read

SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONSectionof report

Summary

Introduction

Body

Conclusions

AppendixFrequency of reading

How managers read reports

SCIENCE COMMUNICATION Title

Abstract

Figures

Tables

Results and discussion

Rest of the paperPhysicalproportionNo. ofreaders

SCIENCE COMMUNICATION

Kinds of readers:l Consummatoryl Instrumental -- uses info to satisfy --in search of certain info; an immediate want has a problem to solve or a gap in present know- ledge that must be filled

SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONMOST IMPORTANT SUPPORTING INFOOTHERDETAILSWriting forms - 1Journalists inverted triangle -- used to tell readers about the results and what those results mean to them; suitable for some consummatory readers

SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONWriting forms - 2Technical report-- writing meant to inform readers about a technical project; may contain comprehensiveinformation about the undertaking and its results Technical report format

Transmittal letter/memoTitle pageTable of contentsExecutive summaryIntroduction and BodyConclusionsRecommendationsAppendices

SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONWriting forms - 3Scientific paper -- writing meant to share research results, patterned after the basic components of a research undertaking and following a standard formatAbstractIntroductionMaterials & methodsResults and discussionConclusionsAcknowledgmentsReferencesScientific paper format

SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONPotential readers

scientists in the same discipline scientists in other disciplines producers and other users of research results people who give advice/information to producers and other users administrators and policymakers donors and funding institutions

Communication: Key PointsKnow your audienceKISS: Keep It Short and SimpleTalk about only 3 points at a timeTalk about failures in addition to successesBe like a McIntosh to your audience. To operate a McIntosh machine, instructions are so simple; with a logical progression, anybody can learn it fastMake a story of your message. It remains with your audience

Precision in CommunicationHow many of you can encapsulate your work in 30 seconds? Tell the essence of your work in 30 seconds? Deconstruct your lifes work in 30 seconds?Search your info in internet, but beware of the presence of a lot of junk in internetNote that: Organisms under acute stress often succeed, but organisms under chronic (and acute) stress may not succeed

Words in CommunicationWords are operational vehicles of integrity, so use them carefullyWords are visible manifestations of your characterDont make your words sound hollow, you can never convince any oneSimple and direct presentation reflects simplicity of mind

Interactive Learning Effective CommunicationLearning by doing things together: exercises, questions, group discussions, creative & innovative writing, self & group review/critic, presentationsEffective knowledge sharing: between teachers & students, & among studentsProvides an academic freedom and learner-friendly environmentHelps overcome structural rigidities in formal education systemParticipatory WS to pool ideas, techniques, & interests of various stakeholders

Customizing Communication

A UN International Survey: Please give your honest opinion on the shortage of food in the rest of the world and suggest solutions.

Kumar Managalam Birla, 2004

Customizing Communication

A UN International Survey: Please give your honest opinion on the shortage of food in the rest of the world and suggest solutions.The survey failed miserably because:Kumar Managalam Birla, 2004

Scientific Writing: A New BookNew book of general interest Scientific papers and presentations by Martha Davis. Rev. ed.Academic Press, 2005. 356 p. Paperbound. Call number T11.D38 2005. Communications skills are qualities that are taken into consideration when hiring or promoting scientists. This book will help increase ones confidence in oral communication, writing of a thesis, journal article, project proposal or review, creation of visual aids, and effective presentations and posters for scientific meetings.

ReferencesScientific papers and presentations by Martha Davis. Rev. ed.Academic Press, 2005. 356 p. Paperbound. Call number T11.D38 2005.Eats, Shoot & Leaves. The zero tolerance approach to punctuation. Lynne Truss. The Runaway #1 British Best Seller