Scientific Writing Strategies, Skills and Ethics/ PHCL 595b

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Scientific Writing Strategies, Skills and Ethics/
PHCL 595b
Fall 2008
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W. Daniel Stamer, Ph.D.
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Motivation for Course

• things you need to know, but were never told
• if I only knew then, what I know now
• its the little things that gets your grant
  funded/paper published

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(No Transcript)
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Course Faculty

• Kendra Gaines, Ph.D.
• Thomas Davis, Ph.D.
• Israel Hanin, Ph.D.
• Richard Vaillancourt, Ph.D.
• Jack Dean, Ph.D.
• Todd Vanderah, Ph.D.
• Suzanne Dubuque
• Nicholas Delamere, Ph.D.
• Alan Marmorstein, Ph.D.
• Jennifer Fang

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Syllabus
-Contact information -Rules of conduct -Schedule
of lectures/discussion sessions -Homework
assignments/Final
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GRADING

• C
• Combination of multiple unexcused absences/missed
  assignments
• B
• Attend class/turn in all assignments
• A
• Requirements for B plus participate in class
  discussions

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PURPOSE OF COURSE

• Provide knowledge and skills to write/communicate
  effectively for a variety of scientific audiences
  
• Assist in identifying and appropriately targeting
  scientific audiences
• Familiarize with submission and peer-review
  processes
• Discuss role of ethics in science and writing
• Familiarize with scientific technology/databases

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STRATEGIES/SKILLS

• On the job writing
• Abstracts for meetings
• Manuscripts
• Preparation
• Writing skills
• Submission/review
• Industry
• Intellectual Property
• Grants
• Preparation
• Submission/review

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SCIENTIFIC WRITING EXPERIENCE

• How many have written in a notebook?
• How many have written an abstract for a
  scientific meeting?
• How many have written a minor part of a
  manuscript?
• How many were the primary writer on a manuscript?
• How many have written a minor part (section) of a
  grant?
• How many have were the primary writer on a grant?

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GENERAL RULES OF SCIENTIFIC WRITING

• What you write is a reflection of YOU as a
  scientist it reflects your thinking.
• What you write is legally binding.
• What you write reflects productivity.
• What you write determines success in the
  laboratory

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WHAT DO YOU NOTICE IN A WELL WRITTEN GRANT/PAPER?

• Linear logic
• Short declarative sentences
• Good transitions between sentences and
  paragraphs, generating flow.
• Careful use of figures to explain complicated
  ideas
• Clear presentation of data
• Avoidance of jargon/technical language/complicate
  d words
• Avoidance of heavy acronym use

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As a student and scientist, what are the types of
written documentation/communication you will be
required to submit?

• Protocols
• Project Reports
• Correspondence
• Material transfer agreements
• Manuscripts
• Grants
• Exam essays
• Proposals/Position Papers
• Animal/Human Protocols
• Manuscript/Grant Reviews
• Dissertation/thesis
• Disclosures/Patents
• Review articles
• Meeting abstracts/posters
• Letters of Recommendation
• Personnel/student Evaluations
• Lab notebooks
• Email

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EMAIL ETIQUETTE

• Hold yourself to a reasonable writing standard
• When sending as official mail write, print,
  check, edit then click
• For everyone, check before you click

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EMAIL ETIQUETTE

• Dont send gratuitous messages
• Undermines your reputation as a credible
  correspondent
• Dont exploit address book to sell things
• Well intentioned warnings or petitions should be
  circulated only with caution

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EMAIL ETIQUETTE

• Do not copy/forward to others carelessly
• Will copying someone embarrass or compromise the
  primary recipient, or others?
• Watch use of reply all button does everyone
  need to know the response?
• Dont waste your colleagues time
• Definitely include when appropriate
• Under copying is as bad as over copying reflects
  on you as careless/inconsiderate

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EMAIL ETIQUETTE

• Do not email every time it occurs to you
• Wait, especially if emotional
• Dont write anything in an email you dont want
  published in the local paper, forwarded to
  others, used in a lawsuit, etc.

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EMAIL ETIQUETTE

• Make subject lines relevant and clean
• Facilitates archiving/retrieving messages
• Be personal
• The more email is, or appears to be directed
  exclusively, the more likely you are to receive a
  response (particularly if imposing)

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EMAIL ETIQUETTE

• Use humor carefully
• Never expose a blind copy
• Respect confidentiality entrusted in you
• As a writer, bcc cautiously
• Be aware of technical limitations of system
• File formats, size, etc.

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EMAIL ETIQUETTE

• Be calm!!!!
• Use of caps or punctuation are often overused and
  misinterpreted by reader

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LAB NOTEBOOKS

• What goes in your lab notebooks?
• What are its purposes?
• Who owns your lab notebooks?
• What is the best type? Why?
• Who should have access to your notebook?

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LAB NOTEBOOKS

• Write your name in permanent marker on cover
• First 4 pages keep for table of contents
• All entries must be in pen
• All entries should be dated (for GLP signature
  should be on every page, near date)

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LAB NOTEBOOKS

• Any changes in entries should be made so as not
  to obscure the original entry (preferably a
  single line through entry)
• Any changes must be dated and initialed
• Do not leave blank pages. If you accidentally
  leave a blank page, or large space, draw a line
  through it to indicate that is was intentional
  (and initial)

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LAB NOTEBOOKS

• All data must be legible to other personnel
• Raw data from other sources should be placed in
  the lab notebook with tape or staples (be sure
  date of generation is indicated)
• Your supervisor should review your lab notebook
  on a regular basis

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HOMEWORK

• Find two posters you like and two you dont
• Write down what contributes to your opinion
• Due Thursday
• Structured Abstract (Handout)
• Due September 2nd