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