How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper

This practical guide is designed to help scientific researchers write and publish their work in a scientific journal. It provides information on how to prepare each section of a scientific paper, covering the abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, acknowledgements and references. Retaining the core material that made earlier editions such a success, this new edition includes sections on approaching a writing project, understanding the ethics of scientific publishing, and writing about science for non-native speakers of English. The book explains how journals function and advises on choosing an appropriate journal. It offers guidance on writing theses, review articles, grant proposals, and preparing scientific materials for the public. Appendices include lists of useful abbreviations, expressions to avoid in scientific writing, and corrections of common style errors and spelling mistakes. This book is a valuable guide to scientists at all levels, from new graduate students to experienced professionals.

• New edition of one of the world’s bestselling scientific writing guides. • Includes new chapters on approaching a writing project, the ethics of scientific publishing, preparing grant proposals, writing for the public, writing in English as a second language, and providing peer review • Offers advice on how to prepare each section of a scientific paper, and clarifies the submission and publication process
Contents

Part I. Some Preliminaries: 1. What is scientific writing?; 2. Historical perspective; 3. Approaching a writing project; 4. What is a scientific paper?; 5. Ethics in scientific publishing; 6. Where to submit your manuscript; Part II. Preparing the Text: 7. How to prepare the title; 8. How to list the authors and addresses; 9. How to prepare the abstract; 10. How to write the introduction; 11. How to write the materials and methods section; 12. How to write the results; 13. How to write the discussion; 14. How to state the acknowledgements; 15. How to cite the references; Part III. Preparing the Tables and Figures: 16. How to design effective tables; 17. How to prepare effective graphs; 18. How to prepare effective photographs; Part IV. Publishing the Paper: 19. Rights and permissions; 20. How to submit the manuscript; 21. The review process (how to deal with editors); 22. The publishing process (how to deal with proofs); Part V. Doing Other Writing for Publication: 23. How to write a review paper; 24. How to write opinion (book reviews, editorials, and letters to the editor); 25. How to write a book chapter or a book; 26. How to write for the public; Part VI. Conference Communications: 27. How to present a paper orally; 28. How to prepare a poster; 29. How to write a conference report; 30. Use and misuse of English; 31. Avoiding jargon; 32. How and when to use abbreviations; 33. Writing clearly across cultures and media; 34. How to write science in English as a foreign language; Part VII. Other Topics in Scientific Communication: 35. How to write a thesis; 36. How to prepare a curriculum vitae; 37. How to prepare grant proposals and progress reports; 38. How to write a recommendation letter - and how to ask for one; 39. How to work with the media; 40. How to provide peer review; 41. How to seek a scientific-communication career; Appendices.