Successful Scientific Writing
A Step-by-Step Guide for the Biological and Medical Sciences

A user-friendly guide, offering a rich blend of practical advice, abundant examples from real manuscripts, and hands-on exercises.

Janice R. Matthews (Author), Robert W. Matthews (Author)

9781107691933, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 November 2014

303 pages, 37 b/w illus. 31 tables 30 exercises
23.1 x 15.5 x 2.3 cm, 0.49 kg

'… as it walks the reader through the steps necessary to produce strong writing, [this book] includes lots of information about online writing, ethics and (perhaps most timely of all), plagiarism. Absolutely essential for everyone who writes about science or medicine.' GrrlScientist, The Guardian

Thoroughly revised and updated, the new edition of this acclaimed and best-selling guide offers a rich blend of practical advice and real-life examples. The authors draw on fifty years of experience, providing detailed step-by-step guidance designed to help students and researchers write and present scientific manuscripts more successfully through knowledge, practice, and an efficient approach. Retaining the user-friendly style of the previous editions, this fourth edition has been broadened to include detailed information relevant to today's digital world. It covers all aspects of the writing process, from first drafts, literature retrieval, and authorship to final drafts and electronic publication. A new section provides extensive coverage of ethical issues, from plagiarism and dual publication to honesty in reporting statistics. Both the text and 30 hands-on exercises include abundant examples applicable to a variety of writing contexts, making this a powerful tool for researchers and students across a range of disciplines.

Preface
1. Start with a plan
2. Conduct a comprehensive literature search
3. Prepare for the challenge
4. Begin well
5. Compose the IMRAD core of a strong first draft
6. Assemble the rest of the first draft
7. Compile tables to develop, clarify, and support your narrative
8. Include figures for evidence, efficiency, or emphasis
9. Report numbers clearly and responsibly
10. Revise for coherence
11. Improve style and syntax
12. Improve word choice
13. Attend to punctuation, capitalization, and other mechanics
14. Address your ethical and legal responsibilities
15. Oral presentation: adapt the text and visuals
16. Share your story in public: presenting talks and posters
17. Publication: the rest of the story
Thirty exercises to improve anyone's scientific writing skills
Selected resources
Index.

Subject Areas: Earth sciences, geography, environment, planning [R], Biology, life sciences [PS], Popular science [PDZ], Science: general issues [PD], Mathematics & science [P]