Scientific writing and communication : papers, proposals, and presentations

Responsibility
Angelika H. Hofmann, Ph. D., Yale University.
Edition
Second edition.
Publication
New York : Oxford University Press, [2014]
Copyright notice
©2014
Physical description
xxiv, 728 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Available online

At the library

Description

Creators/Contributors

Contents/Summary

Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 701-704) and index.
Contents
  • CHAPTER 1. PRELUDE
  • 1.1 Importance of Writing in Science
  • 1.2 About Readers
  • 1.3 About Writers
  • 1.4 About This Book
  • 1.5 Design of This Book
  • PART I. SCIENTIFIC WRITING PRINCIPLES: STYLE AND COMPOSITION
  • CHAPTER 2. INDIVIDUAL WORDS
  • 2.1 The Central Principle
  • 2.2 Word Choice
  • 2.3 Word Choice-Special Cases
  • 2.4 Redundancies and Jargon
  • 2.5 Abbreviations
  • 2.6 Nomenclature and Terminology
  • 2.7 Dictionaries
  • CHAPTER 3. WORD LOCATION
  • 3.1 Readers' Expectations
  • 3.2 Competition for Emphasis
  • 3.3 Placement of Words
  • CHAPTER 4. TECHNICAL SENTENCES
  • 4.1 Grammar and Technical Style
  • 4.2 Person
  • 4.3 Voice
  • 4.4 Tense
  • 4.5 Sentence Length
  • 4.6 Verbs and Action
  • 4.7 Noun Clusters
  • 4.8 Pronouns
  • 4.9 Lists and Comparisons
  • 4.10 Faulty Comparisons
  • 4.11 Common Errors
  • CHAPTER 5. SPECIAL ESL GRAMMAR PROBLEMS
  • 5.1 Prepositions
  • 5.2 Articles
  • 5.3 Verbs
  • 5.4 Adjectives and Adverbs
  • 5.5 Nouns and Pronouns
  • 5.6 Grammar References
  • CHAPTER 6. FROM SENTENCES TO PARAGRAPHS
  • 6.1 Paragraph Structure
  • 6.2 Paragraph Organization
  • 6.3 Paragraph Coherence
  • 6.4 Condensing
  • PART II. PLANNING AND LAYING THE FOUNDATION
  • CHAPTER 7. THE FIRST DRAFT
  • 7.1 The Writing Process
  • 7.2 Prewriting
  • 7.3 Authorship
  • 7.4 Drafting a Manuscript
  • 7.5 Outlining and Composing a Manuscript
  • 7.6 Writer's Block?
  • 7.7 For ESL Authors
  • 7.8 Outside Help
  • CHAPTER 8. REFERENCES AND PLAGIARISM
  • 8.1 About References
  • 8.2 Selecting References
  • 8.3 Managing References
  • 8.4 Text Citations
  • 8.5 Plagiarism
  • 8.6 Paraphrasing
  • 8.7 References Within a Scientific Paper
  • 8.8 The Reference List
  • 8.9 Common Reference Styles
  • 8.10 Citing the Internet
  • 8.11 Footnotes and Endnotes
  • 8.12 Acknowledgments
  • CHAPTER 9. FIGURES AND TABLES
  • 9.1 General Guidelines
  • 9.2 Importance of Formatting and Placement of Information
  • 9.3 Figure or Table?
  • 9.4 General Information on Figures
  • 9.5 Types of Figures
  • 9.6 Formatting Graphs
  • 9.7 Examples of Graphs
  • 9.8 Figure Legends
  • 9.9 General Information on Tables
  • 9.10 Formatting Tables
  • * 9.11 Basics of Statistical Analysis
  • * 9.12 Useful Resources for Statistical Analysis
  • 9.13 Other Kinds of Supplementary Information: Formulas, Equations, Proofs, and Algorithms
  • PART III. MANUSCRIPTS: RESEARCH PAPERS AND REVIEW ARTICLES
  • A. RESEARCH PAPERS
  • CHAPTER 10. THE INTRODUCTION
  • 10.1 Overall
  • 10.2 Content and Organization
  • 10.3 Elements of the Introduction
  • 10.4 Special Case: Introductions for Descriptive Papers
  • 10.5 Important Writing Principles for the Introduction
  • 10.6 Signals for the Reader
  • 10.7 Common Problems of Introductions
  • 10.8 Sample Introductions
  • 10.9 Revising the Introduction
  • CHAPTER 11. MATERIALS AND METHODS SECTION
  • 11.1 Overall
  • 11.2 Content
  • 11.3 Organization
  • 11.4 Important Writing Principles for Materials and Methods
  • 11.5 Ethical Conduct
  • 11.6 Common Problems of Materials and Methods Section
  • 11.7 Sample Materials and Methods Sections
  • 11.8 Revising the Materials and Methods Section
  • CHAPTER 12. RESULTS
  • 12.1 Overall
  • 12.2 Content
  • 12.3 Organization
  • 12.4 Important Writing Principles for the Results
  • 12.5 Signals for the Reader
  • 12.6 Common Problems of the Results Section
  • 12.7 Sample Results Sections
  • 12.8 Revising the Results Section
  • CHAPTER 13. DISCUSSION
  • 13.1 Overall
  • 13.2 Content
  • 13.3 Organization
  • 13.4 First Paragraph
  • 13.5 Middle Paragraphs
  • 13.6 Last Paragraph
  • 13.7 Important Writing Principles for the Discussion
  • 13.8 Signals for the Reader
  • 13.9 An Alternative: Results and Discussion
  • 13.10 Common Problems of the Discussion
  • 13.11 Sample Discussions
  • 13.12 Revising the Discussion
  • CHAPTER 14. ABSTRACT
  • 14.1 Overall
  • 14.2 Content
  • 14.3 Organization
  • 14.4 Applying Basic Writing Principles
  • 14.5 Signals for the Reader
  • 14.6 Common Problems of the Abstract
  • 14.7 Reasons for Rejection
  • 14.8 Revising the Abstract
  • CHAPTER 15. TITLES, TITLE PAGES, AND KEY WORDS
  • 15.1 Overall
  • 15.2 Strong Titles
  • 15.3 The Title Page
  • 15.4 Running Title
  • 15.5 Key Words
  • 15.6 Revising the Title
  • CHAPTER 16. REVISING AND REVIEWING A MANUSCRIPT
  • 16.1 Revising the First Draft
  • 16.2 Subsequent Drafts
  • 16.3 Reviewing a Manuscript
  • CHAPTER 17. FINAL VERSION, SUBMISSION, AND PEER REVIEW
  • 17.1 General Advice on the Final Version
  • 17.2 Submitting the Manuscript
  • 17.3 Writing a Cover Letter
  • 17.4 The Review Process
  • 17.5 Letter from the Editor
  • 17.6 Resubmission
  • 17.7 Paper Accepted
  • B. REVIEW ARTICLES
  • CHAPTER 18. REVIEW ARTICLES
  • 18.1 Overall
  • 18.2 Content
  • 18.3 Organization
  • 18.4 Abstract of a Review Article
  • 18.5 Introduction of a Review Article
  • 18.6 Main Analysis Section of a Review Article
  • 18.7 Conclusion of a Review Article
  • 18.8 References
  • 18.9 Signals for the Reader
  • 18.10 Coherence
  • 18.11 Common Problems of Review Articles
  • 18.12 Revising the Review Article
  • PART IV. GRANT PROPOSALS
  • CHAPTER 19. PROPOSAL WRITING
  • 19.1 General
  • 19.2 Types of Proposals
  • 19.3 Choosing a Sponsoring Agency
  • 19.4 Federal Agencies
  • 19.5 Private Foundations
  • 19.6 Corporations and Other Funders
  • 19.7 Preliminary Steps to Writing a Proposal
  • 19.8 Online Resources
  • 19.9 Starting to Write a Grant
  • 19.10 Interacting With the Funder
  • CHAPTER 20. LETTERS OF INQUIRY AND PREPROPOSALS
  • 20.1 General
  • 20.2 Content and Organization
  • 20.3 Abstract/Overview
  • 20.4 Introduction/Background
  • 20.5 Statement of Need
  • 20.6 Objective and Specific Aims
  • 20.7 Strategy and Goals
  • 20.8 Leadership and Organization
  • 20.9 Budget
  • 20.10 Impact and Significance
  • 20.11 Cover Letter
  • 20.12 Verbal Proposals
  • 20.13 LOI Outlines
  • 20.14 Revising an LOI/Preproposal
  • CHAPTER 21. ABSTRACT AND SPECIFIC AIMS
  • 21.1 Overall
  • 21.2 Abstract
  • 21.3 Specific Aims
  • 21.4 Significance and Impact
  • 21.5 Applying Basic Writing Principles
  • 21.6 Signals for the Reader
  • 21.7 Common Problems
  • 21.8 Reasons for Rejection
  • 21.9 Revising the Abstract and Specific Aims
  • CHAPTER 22. BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE
  • 22.1 Overall
  • 22.2 Emphasis, Organization, and Length
  • 22.3 References
  • 22.4 Elements of the Section
  • * 22.5 Sample Significance Section for Federal Grants
  • 22.6 Signals for the Reader
  • 22.7 Coherence
  • 22.8 Common Problems
  • 22.9 Revising the Background and Significance Section
  • * CHAPTER 23. INNOVATION
  • 23.1 Content
  • 23.2 Organization
  • 23.3 Signals for the Reader
  • 23.4 Common Problems
  • 23.5 Revising the Innovation Section
  • CHAPTER 24. PRELIMINARY RESULTS
  • 24.1 General Content
  • 24.2 Organization
  • 24.3 Important Writing Principles
  • 24.4 Signals for Preliminary Results
  • 24.5 Common Problems of Preliminary Results
  • 24.6 Revising the Preliminary Results
  • CHAPTER 25. APPROACH/RESEARCH DESIGN
  • 25.1 Overall
  • 25.2 Content
  • 25.3 Organization
  • 25.4 Closing Paragraph
  • 25.5 Signals for the Reader
  • 25.6 Common Problems
  • 25.7 Revising the Research Design and Methods Section
  • CHAPTER 26. BUDGET AND OTHER SPECIAL PROPOSAL SECTIONS
  • 26.1 Budget
  • 26.2 Other Special Proposal Sections
  • CHAPTER 27. REVISING AND SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL
  • 27.1 General
  • 27.2 Before Sending Out the Proposal
  • 27.3 Revising the Proposal
  • 27.4 Submitting the Proposal
  • 27.5 Being Reviewed
  • 27.6 Site Visits
  • *27.7 Reasons for Rejection
  • 27.8 If Your Proposal Is Rejected
  • 27.9 Resubmission of a Proposal
  • 27.10 If Your Proposal Is Funded
  • PART V. POSTERS AND PRESENTATIONS
  • CHAPTER 28. POSTERS AND CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS
  • 28.1 Function and General Overview
  • 28.2 Content
  • 28.3 Organization
  • 28.4 Sections of a Poster
  • 28.5 Photos, Figures, and Tables
  • 28.6 Resources for Preparing and Presenting a Poster
  • *28.7 Revising a Poster
  • 28.8 Presenting the Poster
  • 28.9 Sample Posters
  • 28.10 Checklist for a Poster
  • 28.11 Conference Abstracts
  • CHAPTER 29. ORAL PRESENTATIONS
  • 29.1 Before the Talk
  • 29.2 Content and Organization of a Scientific Talk
  • 29.3 Visual Aids
  • 29.4 Preparing for a Talk
  • 29.5 Giving the Talk
  • 29.6 Voice and Delivery
  • 29.7 Vocabulary and Style
  • 29.8 Body Actions and Motions
  • 29.9 At the End of the Presentation
  • 29.10 Questions and Answers
  • 29.11 Other Speech Forms
  • *29.12 Resources
  • 29.13 Checklist for an Oral Presentation
  • PART VI. JOB APPLICATIONS
  • CHAPTER 30. WRITING FOR JOB APPLICATIONS
  • 30.1 Overall
  • 30.2 Curricula Vitae (CVs) and Resumes
  • 30.3 Cover Letters
  • 30.4 Accompanying Documents
  • 30.5 Research Statements
  • 30.6 Teaching Statements
  • 30.7 Resources
  • 30.8 Letters of Recommendation
  • 30.9 Checklist for the Job Application
  • APPENDIX A: COMMONLY CONFUSED AND MISUSED WORDS
  • * APPENDIX B: TIPS ON MS WORD
  • * APPENDIX C: TIPS ON MS EXCEL
  • * APPENDIX D: TIPS ON MS POWERPOINT
  • * APPENDIX E: MS OFFICE CHEAT SHEET.
  • (source: Nielsen Book Data)
Summary
Scientific Writing and Communication: Papers, Proposals, and Presentations, Second Edition, serves as a comprehensive <"one-stop>" reference guide to scientific writing and communication. The second edition of Angelika Hofmann's successful text covers all the areas of scientific communication that a scientist needs to know and master in order to successfully promote his or her research and career. This unique "all-in-one" handbook begins with a discussion of the basic principles of scientific writing style and composition and then applies these principles to writing research papers, review articles, grant proposals, research statements, and resumes, as well as to preparing academic presentations and posters. Scientific Writing and Communication: Papers, Proposals, and Presentations has been used successfully for a number of years in courses on scientific writing at various universities and institutes worldwide. Readers of the second edition will find numerous new examples and exercises, many with an expanded interdisciplinary focus. Every major section of the text has been updated, with new sections on writing mechanics, expanded coverage of grant writing (including the latest need-to-know information on writing successful federal grants), more advice on preparing posters, conference presentations, and job resumes, and a new set of <"Top 20 Tips>" quick-reference appendices for using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The new second edition of this handbook shows readers how to write clearly and how to recognize shortcomings in their own writing. The book targets a broad audience ranging from upper-level undergraduate students to graduate students, from postdoctoral fellows and faculty to fully fledged researchers. It does so not only by providing crucial knowledge about the structure and delivery of written material but also by explaining how readers go about reading. The level of presentation is geared for those looking to improve their writing without having to read many different books on the subject. Although the second edition of Papers, Proposals, and Presentations can be used as a textbook, it is structured such that it is equally self-explanatory, allowing readers to understand how to write publications or proposals and to present scientific talks without having to take a class.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

Subjects

Bibliographic information

Publication date
2014
Copyright date
2014
ISBN
9780199947560
0199947562

Acquired with support from

Ralph Cather Myers Endowed Book Fund in Engineering

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