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Fundamentals of Modern Scientific Communication

Fundamentals of Modern Scientific Communication

Author(s): Kenneth Summy

Edition: 1

Copyright: 2016

Pages: 160

Edition: 1

Copyright: 2016

Pages: 160

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$72.74

ISBN 9781465274649

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Fundamentals of Modern Scientific Communication provides undergraduate and graduate students with a comprehensive overview of modern scientific communication and familiarizes them with the various types of presentations, publications and documents they will deal with routinely once they enter the professional world of science.

Major topics include:

  • The Scientific Literature - surveys the various types of oral and written communications used by scientists to disseminate new knowledge to other scientists and the rest of the world. Descriptions of major online databases and search engines are provided along with explanations of how to use them for efficient literature searches are provided.
  • Conducting Scientific Research - discusses the scientific method and explains how to design, conduct and interpret representative experiments and surveys. Simple examples of confidence intervals, t-tests, ANOVAs, correlation and regression analyses and representative nonparametric tests are provided.
  • Reporting Scientific Research - explains how to develop effective oral presentations and written manuscripts or documents dealing with scientific data and topics. Specific guidelines for speaking and writing for scientific audiences are provided.
  • Professional Documents - covers the preparation and submission of job application documents (cover letters, CVs and personal statements), grant applications, letters of reference and other unpublished documents that scientists must deal with routinely.

In addition, Fundamentals of Modern Scientific Communication addresses several very important issues that are too often ‘skimmed over’ in most books on scientific communications:

  • The critical importance of scientific integrity explains why three types of academic misconduct – data fabrication, data falsification and plagiarism – can destroy scientific careers very quickly and can land violators in prison.
  • Overcoming major obstacles to effective communications describes two of the greatest impediments to communicating effectively with others - fear of speaking in public (glossophobia) and writer’s block. A simple technique that will allow you to project yourself however you wish is provided.
  • The publication process for scientific literature covers the entire sequence of procedures that manuscripts are subjected to when submitted to editors of refereed journals – subtopics include the role of anonymous peer reviews, how to properly respond to reviewer and editorial comments, preparing a revision and proofreading the galley proof prior to publication.
  • When NOT to communicate – at least temporarily covers certain types of information that could be illegal or extremely detrimental if published at the wrong time. Advice on how to deal with such information is provided.
  • Once you have it – don’t lose it explains how to avoid some common pitfalls that can damage or destroy a scientist’s reputation very quickly during the ‘golden years’ of his or her career in science.

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

PART I — BASIC CONCEPTS AND SKILLS
Chapter 1 — Modern Scientific Communication – The Dissemination of Scientific Knowledge
Chapter 2 — Using the Scientific Literature – Techniques for Locating, Summarizing, and Citing Scientific Articles
Chapter 3 — Designing, Conducting, and Interpreting Surveys and Experiments – The Essence of Science
Chapter 4 — Reporting Research Results – Guidelines for Speaking and Writing Effectively
Chapter 5 — Importance of Scientific Integrity – An Imperative for All Scientists

PART II — SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
Chapter 6 — Oral Presentations and Posters – Communications at Scientific Meetings and Conferences
Chapter 7 — Reports of Original Research – The Primary Scientific Literature
Chapter 8 — Books, Book Chapters, and Review Articles – The Secondary Scientific Literature
Chapter 9 — The Publication Process for Scientific Literature – From Draft to Published Work

PART III — IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Chapter 10 — Letters of Application, Curriculum Vitae, and Personal Statements – Documents for Job Applications
Chapter 11 — Proposals for Grants and Contracts – Getting Your Program Funded
Chapter 12 — Letters of Recommendation and Related Documents – Services to Students, Colleagues, and Institutions

PART IV — OTHER IMPORTANT CONCEPTS
Chapter 13 — When Not to Communicate – at Least Temporarily – Classified Data, Nondisclosure Agreements, and Patents Issues
Chapter 14 — Once You Have It, Don’t Lose It – Remain a Student Forever

Index

Kenneth Summy

Dr. Kenneth Rodney Summy is a Professor of Biology with the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) at Edinburg. He has published 100+ papers in refereed journals and other scientific media, served as editor-in-chief for the journal Subtropical Plant Science (recently renamed Subtropical Agriculture and Environments) for a period of eight years, and has taught numerous sections of communications courses at UTRGV, including Biological Seminar, Biological Writing, and Biological Communications.

Fundamentals of Modern Scientific Communication provides undergraduate and graduate students with a comprehensive overview of modern scientific communication and familiarizes them with the various types of presentations, publications and documents they will deal with routinely once they enter the professional world of science.

Major topics include:

  • The Scientific Literature - surveys the various types of oral and written communications used by scientists to disseminate new knowledge to other scientists and the rest of the world. Descriptions of major online databases and search engines are provided along with explanations of how to use them for efficient literature searches are provided.
  • Conducting Scientific Research - discusses the scientific method and explains how to design, conduct and interpret representative experiments and surveys. Simple examples of confidence intervals, t-tests, ANOVAs, correlation and regression analyses and representative nonparametric tests are provided.
  • Reporting Scientific Research - explains how to develop effective oral presentations and written manuscripts or documents dealing with scientific data and topics. Specific guidelines for speaking and writing for scientific audiences are provided.
  • Professional Documents - covers the preparation and submission of job application documents (cover letters, CVs and personal statements), grant applications, letters of reference and other unpublished documents that scientists must deal with routinely.

In addition, Fundamentals of Modern Scientific Communication addresses several very important issues that are too often ‘skimmed over’ in most books on scientific communications:

  • The critical importance of scientific integrity explains why three types of academic misconduct – data fabrication, data falsification and plagiarism – can destroy scientific careers very quickly and can land violators in prison.
  • Overcoming major obstacles to effective communications describes two of the greatest impediments to communicating effectively with others - fear of speaking in public (glossophobia) and writer’s block. A simple technique that will allow you to project yourself however you wish is provided.
  • The publication process for scientific literature covers the entire sequence of procedures that manuscripts are subjected to when submitted to editors of refereed journals – subtopics include the role of anonymous peer reviews, how to properly respond to reviewer and editorial comments, preparing a revision and proofreading the galley proof prior to publication.
  • When NOT to communicate – at least temporarily covers certain types of information that could be illegal or extremely detrimental if published at the wrong time. Advice on how to deal with such information is provided.
  • Once you have it – don’t lose it explains how to avoid some common pitfalls that can damage or destroy a scientist’s reputation very quickly during the ‘golden years’ of his or her career in science.

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

PART I — BASIC CONCEPTS AND SKILLS
Chapter 1 — Modern Scientific Communication – The Dissemination of Scientific Knowledge
Chapter 2 — Using the Scientific Literature – Techniques for Locating, Summarizing, and Citing Scientific Articles
Chapter 3 — Designing, Conducting, and Interpreting Surveys and Experiments – The Essence of Science
Chapter 4 — Reporting Research Results – Guidelines for Speaking and Writing Effectively
Chapter 5 — Importance of Scientific Integrity – An Imperative for All Scientists

PART II — SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
Chapter 6 — Oral Presentations and Posters – Communications at Scientific Meetings and Conferences
Chapter 7 — Reports of Original Research – The Primary Scientific Literature
Chapter 8 — Books, Book Chapters, and Review Articles – The Secondary Scientific Literature
Chapter 9 — The Publication Process for Scientific Literature – From Draft to Published Work

PART III — IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Chapter 10 — Letters of Application, Curriculum Vitae, and Personal Statements – Documents for Job Applications
Chapter 11 — Proposals for Grants and Contracts – Getting Your Program Funded
Chapter 12 — Letters of Recommendation and Related Documents – Services to Students, Colleagues, and Institutions

PART IV — OTHER IMPORTANT CONCEPTS
Chapter 13 — When Not to Communicate – at Least Temporarily – Classified Data, Nondisclosure Agreements, and Patents Issues
Chapter 14 — Once You Have It, Don’t Lose It – Remain a Student Forever

Index

Kenneth Summy
Kenneth Summy

Dr. Kenneth Rodney Summy is a Professor of Biology with the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) at Edinburg. He has published 100+ papers in refereed journals and other scientific media, served as editor-in-chief for the journal Subtropical Plant Science (recently renamed Subtropical Agriculture and Environments) for a period of eight years, and has taught numerous sections of communications courses at UTRGV, including Biological Seminar, Biological Writing, and Biological Communications.