REU Communications Class
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REU Communications Class. The Science of Science Writing. Lauren Shepherd [email protected] Foege N303. Quotes on Scientific Writing. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of REU Communications Class
Quotes on Scientific Writing
Write for a scientist in another field. Don't underestimate your readers' intelligence, but don't overestimate their knowledge of a particular field. When writing about science, don't simplify the science; simplify the writing.Julie Ann Miller, Editor of Science News
One way to find out if you have succeeded (in writing clearly) is to show your draft to colleagues in other specialties. If they do not understand, neither, very probably, will The Lancet's staff. The Lancet
Objectives
1. Disseminate knowledge
2. Communicate finding
3. Provide record of work
Significance
Establish expertise
Build reputation
Types of Articles
Review - summarize field
Research - original findings
Brief communication - “hot method”
Reminders
Publish original work
Don’t falsify data
Don’t plagiarize
Writing Suggestions
Use active voice (avoid passive when at all possible)
Use past tense*
Balance substance and structure*Introduction & discussion
Tips for Logical Prose
1. Determine main message(s)2. Topic ➙ emphasis3. Old ➙ new4. Find the action5. Clarify!
Strategies for Writing
Think in sections
Determine key ideas
Flesh out details
Add transitions
Article Structure1. Title2. Abstract3. Introduction4. Materials and methods5. Results6. Discussion (conclusion)7. Acknowledgments
Structural DetailsBeginning:objectives and hypotheses
Middle:methods and data
End:conclusions and implications
Title
Attract attention
Succinct and catchy
Describe messageA reversible wet/dry adhesive inspired by mussels and geckos
A structure for Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid
Imaging the biogenesis of individual HIV-1 virions in live cells
Abstract
Acts as gatekeeper to paper
Summarize paper (150-300 words)
1-2 sentences per section
Give away take-home message
Introduction
• Survey field• Review status• Construct motivation
Background
Objective• How you fit in• Hypothesis • What’s novel
Materials and Methods
Describe and cite (general reader)
Enough detail for peers to reproduce
Supplemental information (expert)
Results
‘Big picture’ description of experiments
Present the Data
Results
Present in logical order
Support objectives and hypotheses
Present analyzed data
Integrate text and data
Discussion
Examine and explain results
Place results in context
Discuss implications (theoretical & practical)
Summarize evidence for conclusionsDiscuss − do not repeat − Results
Acknowledgments
Facilities
Significant assistancediscussionsphysical and technicalreagents or supplies
Funding
5 Practical Tips
1. Create figures and results2. Outline each section3. Provide context and impress4. Connect dots for readers5. Have peers review paper
Peer Review Session
Create a rough draft of your paper1.Introduction2.Methods3.Preliminary figures and results
Homework: Due July 30
Revised Poster1.Introduction2.Methods graphics or schematic3.Preliminary figures and results
Books and Articles:How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper, Robert Day.Doing Science, Ivan Valiela.
The Science of Scientific Writing, Gopen, G. and Swan, J. American Scientist, 78, 550-558: 1990.Me Write Pretty One Day: How to Write a Good Scientific Paper. Wells, W. Journal of Cell Biology, 165, 757-758: 2004.
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