Scientific Communication

Fall Biology

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Table of contents

1. Successful Scientific Writing
2. Locating Appropriate References
3. Plagiarism
4. Writing a Scientific Paper
5. Oral and Poster Presentations

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• For scientific enterprise to be successful, scientists must clearly communicate their work.
• Process. Each step of the way requires communication.
  1. Present preliminary results for comments from collaborators.
  2. Report results in a presentation at scientific meeting.
  3. Final report prepared in scientific paper format and submitted to publication.
• Components of a scientific paper
  • Title - statement of question or problem
  • Abstract - short summary and preview of paper
  • Materials and Methods - exactly waht you did
  • Results - presenting the data
  • Discussion - interpret and discuss the results
  • References Cited - books and articles used
  • Acknowledgements - in recognition of any assistance used

Successful Scientific Writing

• Writing should be clear and concise.
  • Avoid overly descriptive and flowery language.
• Write in short and logical sentences.
  • Avoid long introductions and run-on sentences.
• Write for your audience.
  • Think about your audience’s skill level and goals.
• Support writing with evidence.
• Locate sources related to work early.
  • Spend time to rephrase sections in your own words.
• Avoid using quotations.
• Do not plagiarize.
• Use past tense in the Abstract, Materials & Methods, and Results sections. Use past tense in Introduction and Discussion when discussing your work; use present tense when relating background information.
• Use the active voice when possible.
• When referring to scientific name, italicize or underline the genus and species.
• Pay attention to rules for numbers (0.153, not .153)
• Include a heading for each section in a scientific paper.

Locating Appropriate References

• Primary sources - reports of original research. Conference papers, dissertations, technical reports, etc.
• Secondary references - textbooks, review articles, provide an interpretation of research.
  • Reference section can be used to find primary sources.
• Effective search strategies with online databases, indexes, adn search engines.
  • PubMed, Google Scholar, Biosis Previews, Science Direct, JSTOR, Science Citation Index, Web of Science
• Stop after each section of reading a paper and summarize essential points in your own words.

Plagiarism

• Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s words or ideas without acknowledging the source or author.
• All sources of information need to be acknowledged (even if content is paraphrased).

Writing a Scientific Paper

• Title Page and Title
  • Must include name, course title, lab section, instructor name, due date.
  • Title page specifically formatted.
• Abstract
  • Summarizes information being investigated, methods used, results, and conclusions.
  • <= 250 words, if possible.
  • Composed after the paper is completed.
• Introduction
  • Dual purpose:
    • Provide context for investigation.
    • To state the question and hypothesis tested.
  • Provide background information.
• Materials and Methods
  • Describe your experiment such that it is replicable.
  • Describe what to include and what not to include.
  • Be as specific as possible, but do not try to justify procedures or include troubleshooting.
• Results
  • Most central and important part of a scientific paper.
  • Four components:
    1. 1 or 2 sentences reminding reader about nature of research.

    2. = 1 paragraphs describing results.

    3. Figures (graphs, diagrams, pictures)
    4. Tables.
  • Draw the attention to important results.
• Discussion
  • Analyze and interpret results of the experiment.
  • Restating the results is not an interpretation.
  • Provide context for understanding the significance of results.
  • Results do not prove a hypothesis, it confirms or negates it.
• References Cited/References
  • Inclusive list of all references used in paper.

Oral and Poster Presentations

• Include components of a scientific paper
• Briefly describe the experimental design and only essential procedures.
• Emphasize results in bold and clearly label figrues and tables.
  • Discuss and interpret results.
• State conclusions.
• Be prepared to answer questions.

Suggestions for delivering effective presentations

• Slides should have a small number of bullets (<= 6).
• Use a simple and consistent template or theme.
• Do not simply read the slides; describe the points.
• The objective is to clearly communicate your ideas.

Suggestions for presenting a poster

• Use minimal text and maximal visual impact.
• Include sections of a scientific paper.
• Use large font for headings and content in abbreviated format.
• Use simple, bold, clearly labeled figures and tables.
• Consider use of fonts, color, and images.
• Be prepared to answer qeustions and discuss your work.

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