How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper

By Robert A. Day and Barbara Gastel

Book Overview

Now thoroughly updated and expanded, this new edition of a classic guide offers practical advice on preparing and publishing journal articles as well as succeeding in other communication-related aspects of a scientific career.

Writing and publishing journal articles are essential aspects of a successful scientific career. Unfortunately, many scientists find the process of communicating about their work intimidating and confusing. Now in its eighth edition, How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper teaches how to apply clear focus, good organization, and simple, straightforward language to write papers as well as communicate effectively in many other scientifically related applications.

By providing practical, readable, and sometimes humorous guidance, this book enables researchers to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in communicating about their work. The authors not only guide readers in the craft of scientific writing--broken down into the separate tasks of writing the respective sections of a scientific paper and then publishing the paper--but also address important related psychological, ethical, logistical, and cultural considerations in communicating about science.

Chapter topics include composing (and requesting) recommendation letters, writing grant proposals, providing peer review, editing one's own work, preparing oral presentations and poster presentations, and working with the popular media. This is an essential resource for researchers--both native and non-native users of English--with limited experience writing scientific papers, such as graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career faculty members.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1440842809
• ISBN13: 9781440842801
• Release Date: March 2016
• Publisher: Greenwood
• Length: 326 Pages
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 7 to 17 years

Customer Reviews

More than excellent!

I find this book, how to write and publish a scientific paper, is required for all scientists. The book simply covers everything that you need to communicate in scientific field. The book is well-written in rational order and provides answers for every question related to scientific communications. I do recommend also Scientific English by Dr. R. A Day along with this book.

Perfect!

I love this book, because it gets right to the point without any foreplay. The author is brief and tells you exactly what you need to do. It covers everything from writing papers to CVs to oral presentations. Very useful!

Teaches how to write, not how to do science

Dr. Day was editting scientific manuscripts for longer than twenty years. His text is eminently readable, even enjoyable, and, yes, he does have some anachronisms - like the suggestion to submit a typed manuscript. But it's been through five editions, spanning major changes in publishing. The text describes how to organize an original scientific publication, as well as posters, reviews, theses, and some other forms of scientific communication. It even presents information about the editorial and review processes. Not how to do the research, but rather what belongs in the introduction, how to organize the experimental, etc. The price of the book is worth it just for his insights on how to organize tables effectively, and he does similar treatment for figures. I've written some twenty papers using Day's text, and I recommend it everyone who is involved with research publications. The style of writing is light and humorous, which contributes to the effectiveness - it's enjoyable to read. I don't understand Dr. Moore's so apparent dissatisfaction with Day's text. True, it does not attempt to present a recipe to slavishly follow; Day assumes he's writing for a scientist who understands the area in which he's working and recognizes that there will be differences for each publication. It does, however, do as promised, assuming you think about what you read: Dr. Day's text teaches you how to write and publish a scientific paper.

Great for all levels

I was first introduced to this book while in college and continue to draw from it as a resource. I encourage my students to purchase it for themselves and I give examples from the book when lecturing on "good" writing techniques. This book is good for all levels from the freshman science student to the accomplished research scientist. Day's use of textual humor and Peanuts cartoons is a welcome break from the typical boring style of "how to write" books. I would recommend this book for anyone involved in scientific writing no matter what their background OR what field they are writing for.

Must-have reference!

I read the 4th edition, but I assume this 5th edition is even better, if that were possible! My copy sits among the dictionary, the thesaurus, and the scientific style guide. Written with humor, this amazing how-to book breaks down all of the components of writing any scientific product, be it thesis or manuscript, and gives practical instructions on what to include and what to avoid. I especially enjoyed the grammar sections, with its real-world examples, such as "lying on top of the intestines, you will perhaps make out a small transparent thread," which is a somewhat gooey spot for observation... I refer to this book every time I write, and find new advice to keep me on track--and published!