Scientific Papers and Presentations

Electronic publishing and electronic means of text and data presentation have changed enormously since the first edition of this book was published in 1997. The third edition of Scientific Papers and Presentations applies traditional principles to today's modern techniques and the changing needs of up-and-coming academia. Topics include designing visual aids, writing first drafts, reviewing and revising, communicating clearly and concisely, adhering to stylistic principles, presenting data in tables and figures, dealing with ethical and legal issues, and relating science to the lay audience. This successful legacy title is an essential guide to professional communication, provides a wealth of information and detail and is a useful guide.

• Covers all aspects of communication for early scientists from research to thesis to presentations.
• Discusses how to use multi-media effectively in presentations and communication
• Includes an extensive appendices section with detailed examples for further guidance

Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and researchers in every discipline

Preface to the First Edition

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the Third Edition

Chapter 1. The Semantic Environment of Science

1.1 The Semantic Environment

1.2 Basic Semantic Elements in Communication

References

Chapter 2. Before You Begin

2.1 Kinds of Scientific Communication

2.2 Sources of Help

2.3 Of Pencils, Mice, and Cyberspace

References

Chapter 3. Organizing and Writing a Rough Draft

3.1 Thinking and Writing

3.2 Prewriting Exercises

3.3 Organization and Development

3.4 Coordinating Organization and Development

3.5 Writing the Rough Draft

3.6 Examples

References

Chapter 4. Searching and Reviewing Scientific Literature

4.1 Planning the Literature Search

4.2 Finding the Literature

4.3 Selecting and Evaluating the Literature

4.4 Reviews

References

Chapter 5. The Proposal

5.1 The Graduate Proposal

5.2 The Grant Proposal

5.3 Other Considerations

5.4 Progress Reports

References

Chapter 6. Graduate Theses and Dissertations

6.1 The Thesis and your Graduate Program

6.2 Avoiding Problems

6.3 Planning the Thesis

6.4 Forms for Theses

6.5 The Thesis Defense

References

Chapter 7. Publishing in Scientific Journals

7.1 Planning and Writing the Paper

7.2 Journal Manuscript Contents

7.3 After the Paper is Written

7.4 The Editing and Reviewing Process

References

Chapter 8. Style and Accuracy in the Final Draft

8.1 Style

8.2 Styles in Headings

8.3 Accuracy and Style in Documentation

8.4 Proofreading

References

Chapter 9. Reviewing and Revising

9.1 Reviewing and Revising Your Own Paper

9.2 Requesting other Reviews

9.3 Reviewing Journal Manuscripts for Others

References

Chapter 10. Titles and Abstracts

10.1 Titles

10.2 Abstracts

References

Chapter 11. Publishing Data

11.1 Tables

11.2 Figures

11.3 Summary

References

Chapter 12. Professionalism, Ethics, and Legal Issues

12.1 Professionalism

12.2 Professional Ethics in Scientific Communication

12.3 Professional Respect for Others

12.4 The Legal Issues: Copyrights and Patents

References

Chapter 13. Scientific Presentations

13.1 Academic Seminars

13.2 The Professional Meeting

13.3 Speaking at the Job Interview

13.4 The Question and Answer Session

13.5 Role of the Moderator

13.6 Fit the Occasion

References

Chapter 14. Communication without Words

14.1 Symbols

14.2 Fonts

14.3 Color

14.4 Physical Communication

14.5 Listening

References

Chapter 15. Visual Aids for Presentations

15.1 Slide Composition

15.2 Slide Production

References

Chapter 16. The Oral Presentation

16.1 Conditioning Yourself

16.2 Timing

16.3 The Visual Aids

16.4 Coordinating the Visual Aids and the Speech

16.5 Transitions in an Oral Presentation

16.6 The Peer Review

16.7 Checklist for Professional Oral Presentation

References

Chapter 17. Poster Presentations

17.1 Audience

17.2 Content

17.3 Making it Fit

17.4 Text Size and Style

17.5 Color and Physical Quality

17.6 Spacing and Arrangement

17.7 Presentation of Data

17.8 The Presenter

17.9 Handouts

17.10 Time and Construction

References

Chapter 18. Group Communications

18.1 Group Communication with No Audience

18.2 Group Communication with an Audience

References

Chapter 19. Communicating with the Nonscientist

19.1 The Research Scientist

19.2 The Science Practitioner

19.3 The Science Writer

19.4 Audiences

19.5 Avenues

19.6 Subject

19.7 Techniques

References

Chapter 20. To the International Student

20.1 Becoming Adjusted to U.S. Cultures

20.2 General Cultural Differences

20.3 Scientific Writing in American English

20.4 Oral Presentations

20.5 Body Language

References

APPENDIX 1. Weaknesses in Scientific Writing

APPENDIX 2. The First Draft

APPENDIX 3. Sample Manuscript

APPENDIX 4. Sample Literature Review

APPENDIX 5. Sample Graduate Proposal

APPENDIX 6. Alternate Routes to the Thesis

APPENDIX 7. Sample Review of Manuscript Submitted for Publication

APPENDIX 8. Evolution of a Title

APPENDIX 9. Evolution of an Abstract

APPENDIX 10. Putting Data into Tables and Figures

APPENDIX 11. Sample Letter Requesting Copyright Permission

APPENDIX 12. Use of Color in Visual Aids

APPENDIX 13. Designing Slides and Slide Sets

APPENDIX 14. Oral Presentations at Meetings

Index