How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper

Front Cover
Cambridge University Press, Jun 7, 2012 - Science - 300 pages
An essential guide for succeeding in today's competitive environment, this book provides beginning scientists and experienced researchers with practical advice on writing about their work and getting published. This new, updated edition discusses the latest print and Internet resources. Preparing, submitting and publishing scientific papers is now largely electronic, and the book has been revised to reflect this. New material includes more information on including supplementary material online, using reference management software, and preparing tables and figures; expanded sections on structuring a discussion section and the strengths and limitations of the research; and additional material on international aspects of scientific writing. The book guides readers through the processes involved in writing and publishing for scientific journals, from choosing a suitable journal to presenting results and citing references. It covers ethical issues in scientific publishing; explains rights and permissions; and discusses writing grant proposals, giving presentations and writing for general audiences.
 

Contents

Historical Perspectives
6
What Is a Scientific Paper?
18
Ethics in Scientific Publishing
24
How to Prepare the Title
39
How to List the Authors and Addresses
45
How to Prepare the Abstract
53
How to Write the Introduction
59
How to Write the Results
69
How to Present a Paper Orally
173
How to Prepare a Poster
179
Use and Misuse of English
191
Avoiding Jargon
204
How and When to Use Abbreviations
210
How to Write Science in English as a Foreign Language
219
How to Write a Thesis
227
How to Prepare a Curriculum Vitae
233

How to State the Acknowledgments
76
How to Cite the References
78
How to Design Effective Tables
89
How to Prepare Effective Graphs
97
How to Prepare Effective Photographs
104
Rights and Permissions
113
The Review Process How to Deal with Editors
122
The Publishing Process How to Deal with Proofs
135
How to Write a Review Paper
147
How to Write a Book Chapter or a Book
156
How to Write for the Public
164
How to Prepare Grant Proposals and Progress Reports
239
How to Write a Recommendation Letter
249
How to Provide Peer Review
257
Selected Journal Title Word Abbreviations
267
Words and Expressions to Avoid
271
Prefixes and Abbreviations for SI Système International Units
277
Some Helpful Websites
279
Glossary of Technical Terms
281
References
287
Index
293
Copyright

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About the author (2012)

Robert A. Day is Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Delaware, where he taught graduate and undergraduate courses in scientific writing. Barbara Gastel is Professor of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Humanities in Medicine, and Biotechnology at Texas A&M University.

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