Writing in the Biological Sciences
A Comprehensive Resource for Scientific Communication
3rd Edition
Published on 4. June 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-0-19-085219-1 (ISBN)
Description
Practical and easy to use, Writing in the Biological Sciences: A Comprehensive Resource for Scientific Communication, Third Edition, presents students with all of the techniques and information they need to communicate their scientific ideas, insights, and discoveries. Angelika H. Hofmann introduces students to the underlying principles and guidelines of professional scientific writing and then teaches them how to apply these methods when composing essential forms of scientific writing and communication. Ideal as a free-standing textbook for courses on writing in the biological sciences--or as an accompanying text or reference guide in courses and laboratories with writing-intensive components--this indispensable handbook gives students the tools they need to succeed in their undergraduate science careers and beyond.New to This Edition:New sections on: the scientific methodscientific writingscientific ethicsbasic statistical analysisthe most common interview questionsAn expanded section on plagiarismA glossary of scientific and technical termsAn updated layout of the text and chapter overviewsUpdated PowerPoint slides
Reviews / Votes
"This textbook is essential for any student in the biological sciences. It is also a valuable resource for students after graduation, in terms of presenting their research orally, preparing job and graduate or professional school applications, and interviewing. Every biology student will benefit from this book!"--Andrea Henle, Carthage College"Writing in the Biological Sciences covers a variety of written communication topics that scientists encounter, from lab reports, to note-taking, to resume and curriculum vitae construction. I highly recommend this text to anyone in the biological sciences."--Judith D. Ochrietor, University of North Flordia
"This is an ideal resource for undergraduate students in the biological sciences to learn how to write in a variety of formats, including for peer-reviewed literature. The material is presented clearly and succinctly."--Jeffrey H. Toney, Kean University
More details
Edition
3rd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
Illustrations
Weight
460 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-085219-1 (9780190852191)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Angie Hofmann
Writing in the Biological Sciences
Book
09/2023
4th Edition
Oxford University Press Inc
€61.99
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Angelika H. Hofmann is Deputy Director for Science and International Initiatives at Yale University. She holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology and biochemistry. Renowned in the field of scientific writing, she also heads "SciWri Services," a venture that has provided workshops and editing and consulting services for scholars and scientists around the world for over two decades.
Content
Foreword Preface PART I. SCIENTIFIC WRITING BASICS Chapter 1: Science and Scientific Communication 1.1 The Scientific Method and Communication 1.2 Necessary Technical Skills 1.3 Scientific Writing versus Science Writing 1.4 Scientific Communication and Ethics 1.5 Readers and Writers Summary Chapter 2: Fundamentals of Scientific Writing, Part I--Style 2.1 Individual Words and Word Location 2.2 Sentences and Technical Style Summary of Basic Writing Rules, Part I--Style Problems Chapter 3: Fundamentals of Scientific Writing, Part II--Composition 3.1 Paragraph Flow 3.2 Paragraph Construction and Organization 3.3 Condensing Summary of Basic Writing Rules, Part II--Compositions Problems PART II: WORKING WITH REFERENCES AND DATA Chapter 4: Literature Sources 4.1 Searching the Literature 4.2 Source Material 4.3 Citing References 4.4 Common Reference 4.5 Managing Sources 4.6 Plagiarism and Taking Notes Summary Problems Chapter 5: Basics of Statistical Analysis5.1 General Guidelines 5.2 Basic Statistical Terminology 5.3 Distribution Curves 5.4 Statistical Analysis of Data 5.5 Reporting Statistics 5.6 Graphical Representation 5.7 Useful Resources for Statistical Analysis 5.8 Checklist Summary Problems Chapter 6: Notebooks, Data, Figures, and Tables 6.1 Keeping a Laboratory Notebook 6.2 From Notebook Entries to Presenting Data 6.3 Figures, Their Legends, and Their Titles 6.4 Tables and Their Titles 6.5 Software Resources for Figures and Tables 6.6 Checklist Summary Problems PART III: INTRODUCTORY WRITING Chapter 7: Laboratory Reports and Research Papers 7.1 General Purpose 7.2 The Big Picture 7.3 Before You Get Started 7.4 Components and Format 7.5 Title and Title Page 7.6 Abstract 7.7 Introduction 7.8 Materials and Methods 7.9 Results 7.10 Discussion 7.11 References 7.12 Acknowledgments 7.13 Checklist Summary Problems Chapter 8: Revising and Editing 8.1 General Advice 8.2 Revising the First Draft 8.3 Revising Subsequent Drafts 8.4 Checklist for Revising 8.5 Editing Someone Else's Manuscript 8.6 Checklist for Editing Someone Else's Manuscript 8.7 Submission and the Review Process Summary Problems Chapter 9: Sample Reports 9.1 General Overview 9.2 Sample Weekly Lab Report 9.3 Sample Project Paper Chapter 10: Reading, Summarizing, and Critiquing a Scientific Research Article 10.1 Content of a Scientific Research Article 10.2 Reading a Research Paper 10.3 Writing a Summary of a Research Paper 10.4 Critiquing a Research Paper 10.5 Checklist Summary Problems Chapter 11: Term Papers and Review Articles 11.1 Purpose of Reviews 11.2 Deciding on the Topic 11.3 Format 11.4 Title 11.5 Abstract 11.6 Introduction 11.7 Main Analysis Section 11.8 Conclusion 11.9 References 11.10 Checklist Summary Problems Chapter 12: Note Taking and Essay Exams 12.1 General Overview 12.2 Effective Note Taking 12.3 Preparing for an Essay Exam 12.4 Answering an Essay Question 12.5 Time Management Tips 12.6 Checklist Summary PART IV: ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC DOCUMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS Chapter 13: Oral Presentations 13.1 Format of a Scientific Talk 13.2 Preparing for a Talk 13.3 Delivery of a Talk 13.4 Question and Answer Period 13.5 Useful Resources 13.6 Checklist Summary Problems Chapter 14: Posters 14.1 Components and Format of a Poster 14.2 Preparing a Poster 14.3 Presenting a Poster 14.4 Useful Resources 14.5 Complete Sample Poster 14.6 Checklist for a Poster Summary Problems Chapter 15: Research Proposals 15.1 General Overview 15.2 Components and Format 15.3 Abstract 15.4 Specific Aims 15.5 Background 15.6 Research Design 15.7 Impact and Significance 15.8 Additional Proposal Components 15.9 Checklist Summary Problems Chapter 16: Job Applications 16.1 Curricula Vitae (CVs) and Resumes 16.2 Cover Letters 16.3 Personal Statements 16.4 The Hiring Process and Interview 16.5 Letters of Recommendation 16.6 Checklist for a Job Application Summary Problems Appendix A: Commonly Confused and Misused Words Appendix B: MS Word Basics and Top 20 MS Word Tips Appendix C: Excel Basics and Top 20 Excel Tips Appendix D: PowerPoint Basics and Top 20 PowerPoint Tips Appendix E: MS Office Cheat Sheet Answers to Problems Glossary of English Grammar Terms Bibliography Credits Index